Joseph –The Faithful Prisoner

The child will learn that:-

  • Joseph was honest and hardworking, even in prison.
  • Christians believe that God was with Joseph. In the same way, He will never leave them or let them down.

Bible Story Reference: Genesis 39: 1-6 & 19-23

Memory Verse: 

Genesis 37: 8a (NIV)

His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?”

Opening Activity

  • Ask the child if they have ever been away from their family. How did it make them feel?
  • Briefly remind them of how Joseph came to be away from his family and how he had been bought by Potiphar to be his slave.
  • Explore how Joseph might have reacted in this situation, arriving in a different country and being sold to work as a slave.

Bible Story

  • Joseph was brought down to Egypt and sold as a slave to a man called Potiphar. Potiphar was a captain in the King’s army. Potiphar saw that Joseph was honest and hardworking. He knew that God was with Joseph and he put him in charge of his household (Genesis
    39: 1-4).

  • From the time Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household, the Bible tells us that God blessed his house. He didn’t have to worry about anything but the food he ate (Genesis 39: 5-6). Remind the child that God was with Joseph and was looking after him.

  • One day, Potiphar’s wife blamed Joseph for something he did not do. She told lies about him to Potiphar. Potiphar believed his wife. He was very angry and had Joseph thrown into prison even though he had done nothing wrong (Genesis 39: 19-20). Had God forgotten
    about Joseph?

  • The Bible tells us that God was still with Joseph and cared for him even in prison. Joseph continued to be honest and hardworking. The keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners. Whatever Joseph did in the prison, God made it successful (Genesis 39: 21-23).
  • Summarise the good qualities which Joseph showed in this part of the story. It would have been easy for him to turn his back on God but instead he continued to please Him. God was preparing Joseph for the responsibilities he would have in the future. He had not forgotten Joseph and He would never let him down.

Questions

  1. What country was Joseph taken to?
  2.  Who bought Joseph?
  3.  What was Potiphar’s job?
  4. Why did Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household?
  5. Why was Joseph thrown into prison?
  6. Did Joseph deserve to be put into prison?
  7. Who was with Joseph, making everything he did a success?
  8. Why do you think God allowed Joseph to be put into prison?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for always being with me. Amen.

Songs

Crafts

Joseph in the Prison

What You Need

  • Two pieces of paper
  • String
  • Paper Punch
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Crayons
  • Pencil

Steps 

  1. On a piece of paper,draw and colour Joseph.
  2. Cut out Joseph.
  3. Stick Joseph on another piece of paper.
  4. Make holes at the top and bottom of the piece of paper.
  5. Make a knot at the end of the string and thread it, up and down through the holes.
  6. Tie a knot at the other end.
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