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 39: 21a (NIV)

The Lord was with him.

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 Prison

What You Need

  • Brown ,black and white paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Coloured pencils/ Crayons

Steps 

  1. Fold the brown paper in half.
  2. Unfold and cut out a rectangle from the middle of one side.
  3. Cut four strips of black construction paper.
  4. Add glue around this opening and stick black prison bars.
  5. Draw Joseph on a piece of paper and colour him.
  6. Add glue to Joseph’s figure and put him in the prison cell.
  7. Fold brown paper in half so Joseph shows through prison bars.
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