Forgiveness and importance of family

Today's background readings: Joseph and his coat of many colours story

Genesis Chapters 37, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46

(See below for edit version)

• Has anyone every said bad things about you? (Discuss)
Has any stolen anything from you? (Discuss)
• How do you feel when people turn against you - eg: a good friend suddenly turns on you (Explain)
• When you experience things like this you feel hurt and angry.
• Joseph in today's story certainly shows the power of forgiveness.
• His brothers did a terrible thing to him and yet he loved his family enough that he was prepared to forgive them.
• If a person does a terrible thing to you. it is important to remember that forgiveness is about not getting even with that person.
• Forgiveness is about accepting a persons apology and making up with that person.
• When you do this, you become like Jesus who even when he was crucified on the cross said about all those who had hurt him "Father, forgive them"
• It is not easy, but it is what is expected of a Christian.
• That way you can be hold your head high and Jesus will be very proud of you.

Kids Church Activity:
Make a Snakes and Ladders board (A3 for older children and a A4 version for younger kids to colour in)– Older kids to put in the various parts not included. Each child also given two dice. The board to be laminated when completed for them to take home.

What you need to get ready:

Snake & Ladders sheets (A3 & A4 versions), Laminator (A3 & A4 sizes), Textas, scissors, coloured pens, dice.

Joseph
based on Genesis chapters 37, 41, 42, 45

FATHER Jacob had twelve sons. The oldest was Reubel the youngest was Benjamin but the one he loved best was Joseph. He wondered if God had important work for Joseph to do, when he grew up. He gave Joseph a very fine coat. It was bright, and beautiful, long flowing sleeves. It was not a coat for work. But Joseph wore all the time. His brothers felt very angry with Joseph for show
off and being so proud.
One day when the brothers were out working with the sheep Joseph came to see them. He had a message from father Jacob The brothers saw him coming in his bright coloured coat.
The long skirt brushed the grass and the long sleeves blew in the wind
as he walked towards them.
'Here comes that show-off! Let's get rid of him', said the brothers.
Then they grabbed Joseph, pulled off his bright coat, and pushed him into a pit. Joseph was cold and lonely and frightened.
Some men on camels came riding by. The brothers sold Joseph to these men, who took him to a land far away, the land of Egypt. Then the brothers went home, and pretended that Joseph was dead.
Joseph was not dead. He was taken to Egypt. At first he was a slave but later he worked for the king and became a very important man.
He became rich. He dressed in splendid clothes, even more splendid than the beautiful bright coat his father had given him. He was in charge of all the food in Egypt. People came from near and far, to buy what they needed from Joseph.
One day, to his great surprise, who should come to Egypt to buy food but — his brothers! They did not know Joseph. Their brother had grown up. He had changed. But Joseph knew them. He looked at them and he wondered, 'Are they still angry with me? No, I don't think they are.' So he said out loud, 'Look, don't you know me? I am your brother, Joseph!'
The brothers were frightened. 'Once we wanted to kill him' they whispered. 'Now what will he do to us?' But Joseph wasn't angry.
He knew that he was doing God's work. He didn't show of. He wasn't proud. He was just so very glad to see his brothers again, and they were glad to see him. They hugged each other. They laughed and cried together, because they were so happy.