Total Obedience – Joseph
The children will learn that-:
- We should obey even when it is hard.
Bible Story Reference: Matthew 1:18-24
Memory Verse:
Proverbs 16:20 (NIV)
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
Introduction
Angels!
- What do you know about angels? (Allow children to answer.)
- What would you do if you saw an angel?
- One of the things we know about angels is that they have wings. In today’s story, we will see an angel. So I’ll tell you what happened and whenever you hear me say the word “angels,” flap your arms like wings. Ready?
Bible Story
- Our Bible lesson today tells us about a visit from an angel (pause).
- Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. Mary came and told him that she was going to have God’s son. Can you imagine the thoughts that came to Joseph’s mind when he discovered that Mary was going to have a baby and they weren’t married yet?
- He probably asked himself, “What do I do now?” Joseph was a good man and did not want to disgrace Mary publicly, so he decided that it would be better to break off the engagement quietly. While he was considering this, an angel (pause) appeared to him in a dream.
- “Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife,” the angel (pause) said. “The child that is inside her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save the people from their sins.”
- When the angel (pause) of the Lord had spoken and made God’s plan clear, Joseph was obedient. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. He didn’t have to understand how everything was going to happen. He didn’t need to worry about what anyone else would think. Joseph trusted God and obeyed Him.
- Sometimes you and I may find ourselves in a situation where we don’t know what to do. Like Joseph, we might ask ourselves, “What do I do now?” If we listen, God will tell us what to do. He probably won’t speak to us through an angel (pause), but he will speak to us through the Bible! It is up to us to listen and obey.
Questions
- Who appeared to Joseph in a dream?
- How is Joseph described in the Bible? A righteous man or deceitful man
- Who was He told to marry?
- How can I get an answer from God?
Prayer
Dear God, we are filled with joy by the many lessons we learn when we accept Jesus as God’s son. Help us read your Word and listen as you give us the answers to life’s difficult questions. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Songs
Craft
What The Angel Said To Joseph
What You Need
- Paper (orange and white)
- Scraps of light brown and brown paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Marker
Steps
- Draw and cut out Joseph.
- Glue Joseph in the bottom right corner of orange paper.
- Write “What The Angel Said To Joseph” and “Matthew 1:18-25” at the top of the orange paper.
- Cut out five white “dream clouds” on the white paper.
- On each dream cloud, write a different sentence:
“Don’t be afraid to marry Mary.”
“The baby was from God.”
“Name him Jesus.”
“Mary was going to have a baby boy.”
“Jesus would save the people from their sins.” - Glue sentences around the orange paper.
- Write “Joseph and Mary had other sons and daughters (Matthew 13:55, 56), but Jesus was the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16)” at the bottom left side of the orange paper.