LESSON 5 Joseph’s Story Three stories from the book of Genesis comprise today’s story. Where You’ll Summary of Today’s Story Find Today’s Story In the Bible This lesson begins the story of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, being the first child of Jacob’s beloved We recommend the New Revised Standard wife Rachel. Joseph’s eleven brothers are jealous Version Bible. of Joseph, their anger fueled by Joseph’s dreams of Genesis 37 (Joseph is sold into dominating them and by the beautiful multicolored slavery) coat that Jacob gave to Joseph. Genesis 39 (Joseph is sent to prison) Genesis 40–41 (Joseph interprets The brothers devise a plot to kill Joseph, but Reuben dreams) has misgivings, so instead they throw Joseph into a pit and then sell him to traders who take him to In Children’s Bibles Egypt. If you plan to use a children’s Bible for storytelling, write the page numbers of Joseph becomes the overseer of the house of today’s story in the space below. Potiphar, an Egyptian officer, but is thrown into prison when accused by Potiphar’s wife of assaulting In Our Sunday Lectionary her. While in prison, he interprets dreams, and Today’s story is told in church on the his wisdom in dream interpretation leads him to following Sunday: become second in command to the Pharaoh, whose Year A: Proper 14 (RCL) dreams of an upcoming seven-year famine are interpreted by Joseph. © 2014 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only. 2 | LESSON 5 | JOSEPH’S stORY | WEAVING TOGETHER THE FAMILY OF GOD, YEAR 2 Weaving Our The Episcopal Thread Story with the It would be easy to imagine Joseph with a tattered and wornPrayer Book, Biblical Story praying each morning and evening Joseph has dreams. And he to be rescued from his slavery and to return to his connects them to the plans family. of God for him and for the world. At first, his dreams—coupled with his own arrogance—land One can imagine Joseph turning to the various him in trouble and lead him into years of hardship confessions, whenever he starts to dream of revenge away from his family, in prison, and in a strange against his brothers. Or perhaps Joseph would turn land. But later, in prison again, his dreams lead him to the Ministration to the Sick (BCP, p. 453) to find to become a ruler of Egypt—as predicted by those comfort and healing in his sorrow and his sufferings. same early dreams—and then to use his power to Most of all, Joseph might pray daily the Prayers of save the lives of many from death by starvation. the People (BCP, p. 383-393) so that he would not What Joseph does not realize at first is that, though only keep in mind prayers for himself, but would his family bows down to him, he must bow down to also be reminded to pray for others. These Prayers God in his service. It takes Joseph years to find this of the People include intercessions for the church out. and its mission, the nation, the world, the local community, all who are sick or are suffering and Notice that Joseph does not give up hope, even after those who have died. If Joseph would have prayed years in Egypt and then in prison. We suspect that these prayers, these intercessions would take him his dreams, which he probably knows are from God, out of any self-pity by helping him to widen his carry him through the rough times and the times horizon and see who else needs God’s help. of doubt and despair. For God does not talk to us only when we are conscious but also when we are If he had a Hymnal 1982, he might find some hymns sleeping. God speaks to us in unexpected ways. to comfort him and carry him through these hard years, like “O Master, let me walk with thee” (#659, We probably will not dream of dominating and #660) or “Abide with me” (#662). If he also had ruling our family, and will never actually rule. In fact, the African-American hymnal Lift Every Voice and we are actually called to serve more than to rule. But Sing (also in Hymnal 1982, #599), he might turn to we may dream of God’s plans for us. Let us listen to the African-American national anthem of that same these dreams, and let us follow these dreams. title, which sounds a note of triumph and victory in God in the midst of stormy and oppressive times. Indeed, Joseph would have a wealth of resources to see him through these years in Egypt, so that he can continue to dream of freedom, and of the God who promises it—knowing that “to serve you is perfect freedom,” as is said in the Collect for Peace, which we pray in Morning Prayer (BCP, p. 99). © 2014 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only. 3 | LESSON 5 | JOSEPH’S STORY | WEAVING TOGETHER THE FAMILY OF GOD, YEAR 2 Gathering Or in place of the Lord’s Prayer, here is a simple prayer to open the lesson time: As the children enter the ■ Almighty God, you bring us here to worship you, room, engage them in a simple to learn your stories and to learn how to follow activity that will prepare them you. Send your Spirit on us as we learn the story for the storytelling time to come. On page 14, you’ll of your servant Joseph. Help us to see you in this find a Gathering Activity, Road to Egypt, to use if story and in our lives. We ask this in the name of you wish. Below are other suggestions. Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen. Younger children may make Joseph’s Colorful Coat Or you may use any prayer from the Prayer Book or on page 15 at the end of the lesson. They can wear from any book of prayers, or make one up yourself. this vest, like Joseph’s multicolored coat, while you are telling the story. (Alternatively, they can make Telling the Story this during the activity time.) Read aloud today’s stories about Another option for younger children is to make Joseph from a children’s Bible, magnetic stick puppets, which they can use as you showing the pictures, tell the stories tell the story. See the activity Magnetic Joseph and in your own words, or read from the version we Brothers on page 29. provide, found on pages 8-13. Older children may enjoy a brief time of fellowship Use storytelling enhancements to bring the so that they can later devote time to the lesson. story to life, if you can. See the Appendix (also This community-building time is important in the downloadable) for ideas. You might also find church, and if you encourage it during Gathering biblically accurate videos that you can use to tell the time, the children will be more ready to focus on the story. If the children made paper-bag vests, have the lesson later. children wear them during storytelling time. After all the children have arrived and had a few There are four scenes in today’s story of Joseph, minutes of activity or fellowship time, gather Part 1 (Part 2 will be told next week): Joseph with them together and say a simple opening prayer. his brothers; Joseph in the house of Potiphar, the An appropriate prayer today would be the Lord’s Egyptian officer; Joseph in prison; and Joseph Prayer. This prayer that Jesus taught the disciples with Pharaoh. Try creating “Act I, Scene 1” cards to also reflects the petitions and pleas of Joseph. Have introduce each scene. These would help to structure everyone say the Lord’s Prayer together, or for the story for the children. younger children who have not yet learned it, say it for them. When you have finished telling the story, mention that this story is “To Be Continued.” Then proceed to the worship time. Do not try to analyze the story or its meaning at this time. Let the story itself take center stage in the minds of the children. © 2014 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only. 4 | LESSON 5 | JOSEPH’S stORY | WEAVING TOGETHER THE FAMILY OF GOD, YEAR 2 Prayer Invite the children to sit in a circle and join in prayer. Say a brief prayer yourself then invite prayers from Set up a small worship center in each child in the circle: your room. It may be simply an ■ Invite children to share any prayers of empty space, with the children and thanksgiving to God for the ways in which God leaders gathered in a circle. has been present and active in their daily lives Materials: during the past week. What can they thank God for—friendships at school, guidance over family small table with a cloth to cover it matters, good weather for roller-blading, good 2 candles or a single Christ candle decisions, assurances of love from family and matches friends? Bible ■ Welcome prayers of intercession, asking God’s cross guidance and healing for those in need or in optional: flowers trouble.