Joseph’s Brothers Lie About His Disappearance • Lesson 3 Bible Point

God wants us to tell the truth.

Bible Verse “Be kind to each other” (Ephesians 4:32a).

Growing Closer to Jesus Children will n hear a story about how Joseph’s brothers lied to their father, n learn to tell the truth at all times, n talk about times when they’ve lied, and n teach Whiskers the Mouse how to tell the truth.

Teacher Enrichment Bible Basis

n Joseph’s brothers lie about his disappearance.

Genesis 37:26-35

Much happened between Joseph and his brothers that helps to set the scene for today’s Bible passage. First, Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob, the father of all 12 sons. He demonstrated that favoritism by having a special coat made for Joseph (Genesis 37:3-4). Adding to the resentment his brothers already felt, Joseph told them about dreams he had in which he was shown to rule over his older brothers—something that definitely didn’t set well with them. It is with this background that Jacob sent Joseph out alone to see how his brothers were doing with the flock. Where Joseph found his brothers was over 50 miles away from home. When the brothers saw him coming, they saw their chance to get rid of their pesky little brother, and they plotted to kill him. Only Reuben, the oldest brother, opposed the plan. When slave traders from Midian came by, they provided the perfect opportunity to fulfill the brothers’ wishes and yet avoid killing Joseph. And Reuben wasn’t around at the time. So the brothers sold Joseph as a slave and lied to make their father think Joseph had been killed. The lies and deceit of Joseph’s brothers didn’t please God. Although they plotted evil, God was working out a plan in which Joseph’s dreams would come true and the family of his father, Jacob, would be saved from starvation. Joseph eventually became second in command of Egypt and made sure his family had food to spare when the rest of the region faced a terrible famine.

Prayer • Read Romans 8:28. • Think about difficulties you face that get you down. How can you better trust God with what’s happening? • Pray: Lord, when things seem to be going wrong, help me to trust that you’re in control and that you will…

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Lesson 3

Before the Lesson n Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies listed on the chart. n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children. n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.

This Lesson at a Glance Welcome Time Let’s Get Started Direct children to one or more of the optional activities until everyone arrives.

What Children Will Do

Classroom Supplies

Welcome!—Receive name tags,

“Shirt Name Tags” (p. 24), scissors, marker, safety pins or tape

Make cards with children’s pictures hidden inside.

Option 1: Hidden Pictures—

Glue sticks, construction paper, pictures of children cut from magazines

Option 2: Hide the Toys—

Stuffed animals

Option 3: Imagination and Pretend—Wear dress-up clothes,

Dress-up clothes, play dishes, dolls, stuffed animals

Pick-Up Time—Sing a song as

CD player

Setting the Stage—Find the hidden coat stamp, and then talk about hiding the truth.

CD player

Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the

Bible, CD player

Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Hear the story about

Bible

Do the Bible Story—Play a game of telling the truth.

“Joseph’s Coat” from Lesson 1

Missing Markers—Teach Whiskers to tell the truth.

Markers

Truthful Tune—Close in prayer, and then sing a song about telling the truth.

CD player

and be greeted by the teacher.

Learning Lab Supplies

Hide toys in the classroom.

and set the table for a party.

they pick up toys and gather for Bible Story Time.

Bible Story Time

Bible, and pray together.

Joseph’s brothers lying to their father from Genesis 37:26-35.

Closing

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

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Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Preschool, Ages 3 & 4

Joseph's Brothers Lie About His Disappearance

Welcome Time SUPPLIES: “Shirt Name Tags” (p. 24), scissors, marker, safety pins or tape • Kneel down and make eye contact with children as they arrive. • Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile. • Thank each child for coming to class today. • As children arrive, ask them about last week’s lesson or take-home page. Use questions such as “What did you tell your family about how Reuben tried to help Joseph?” and “How did you show kindness to your family this week?” • Say: Today we’re going to learn that God wants us to tell the truth. • Hand out the shirt name tags children made during Lesson 1, and help them attach the name tags to their clothing. Be prepared with extra shirt name tags for children who are new to your classroom or to replace any name tags that are damaged. • Direct children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.

Let’s Get Started Set up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity. Circulate among the children to offer help as needed and direct children’s conversation toward today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “Who are you inviting to your party?” or “Who is hiding in your picture?”

Invite children to help you create classroom rules. Rules that work well with 3- and 4-year-olds might include the following: Use quiet voices, work together, help each other, and say nice words to each other. Children will enjoy following rules they’ve helped create.

n Option 1: Hidden Pictures SUPPLIES: glue sticks, construction paper, pictures of children cut from magazines Fold the construction paper over at both ends so the edges meet in the middle, forming a center-opening card. Set out glue sticks and pictures. Have the children open the flaps and glue one or more pictures inside the card. Then have them fold the flaps back down, and ask questions such as “Where’s the little boy?” or “Who’s hiding in your card?” Talk with children about how Joseph disappeared one day because of a mean thing his brothers did.

Children love to see pictures of themselves. If you have access to a digital camera and a printer, take pictures of the children and let them glue the pictures inside the cards.

n Option 2: Hide the Toys SUPPLIES: stuffed animals Set out a variety of items such as the plastic leis, the pinwheels, or stuffed animals. Direct children to hide the items around the room. After the children hide their toys, ask them if they can see the toys. Explain that today’s Bible story is about a time Joseph’s brothers tried to hide the truth about something they did. Encourage children to find each other’s hidden toys.

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Lesson 3

n Option 3: Imagination and Pretend SUPPLIES: dress-up clothes, play dishes, dolls, stuffed animals Set out dress-up clothes, and suggest ways the clothes might be used. In a homeliving area, children could pretend they’re dressing up for a party, feeding a party meal to dolls or stuffed animals, or eating a party meal at a restaurant. As the children play, compliment them on the delicious things they’ve made and how nicely they’re dressed. Talk with them about the difference between real and pretend. Ask questions such as “Is this a real party or a pretend party?” or “Are we really at a restaurant?” As you talk with children, stress that it’s OK to pretend, but it’s not OK to lie. Explain that God wants us to tell the truth. When everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to Bible Story Time, encourage children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.

n Pick-Up Time SUPPLIES: CD player track 2

Lead children in singing “Come Along With Me” (track 2) with the CD to the tune of “Come and Go With Me.” Encourage children to sing along as they help clean up the room.

Come along with me and pick up all our things, Pick up all our things, Pick up all our things. Come along with me and pick up all our things So our room will be clean. (Repeat 2x.)

Bible Story Time n Setting the Stage SUPPLIES: CD player While the children are cleaning up, hide the coat stamp someplace in track 10 your classroom where your children will be able to find it. Don’t let the children see where you put it. Tell the children you’ll play a fun marching song to get their attention. Explain that when you play the song, the children are to stop what they’re doing and come to you. Practice this signal a few times with “Marching Music” (track 10) on the CD. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned. Gather children in a circle on the floor. Ask: • What did you make or do? (We hid pinwheels in the room; we made

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Joseph's Brothers Lie About His Disappearance

hidden pictures; we had a party.) Say: Some of you pretended to be at a party, some of you hid toys in our room, and some of you made hidden pictures. Why is it fun to hide? (Nobody can find me; I like being small.) Our coat stamp is hidden somewhere in our classroom right now. Can you help me find it? Help children find the coat stamp. After they’ve found it, play the marching music to have them return to the story area. Say: When things or people are hidden, we usually find them again, just as we found the coat stamp. Today we’re going to hear a story about some men who tried to hide the truth. When we try to hide the truth, people usually find out about that, too. God wants us to tell the truth. God always tells the truth. Everything written in our Bible is true. Let’s bring out our Bible now.

n Bible Song and Prayer Time tracks 3, 4, & 5

SUPPLIES: Bible, CD player Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, we’ll pass around our special Bible. The person who’s holding the Bible when the music stops will be our Bible person today. Remember that everyone will get a chance to hold

the Bible one week. Lead children in singing “I’m So Glad for the Bible” (track 4) with the CD to the tune of “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.” As you sing, pass around the special Bible. I’m so glad for the Bible. Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’. I’m so glad for God’s book today. I’m so glad for the Bible. Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’— Keep me learnin’ all about his way.

Let me hear ’bout God’s love— Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’. Let me hear ’bout God’s love for me. Let me hear ’bout God’s love— Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’. Let’s shine the light for all to see.

(Repeat first verse.) When the music stops, invite the child who’s holding the Bible to bring it to you. Stamp the child’s hand with the coat stamp, and thank the child for bringing you the Bible. Then stamp the other children’s hands. Return the coat stamp and ink pad to the Learning Lab. Say: I’m thankful for [name of child who brought the Bible], and I’m thankful for everyone in our class today. Let’s remember the special words we’ve been learning from the Bible. It says, “Be kind to each other.” Let’s sing our song to help us learn the Bible verse. Lead the children in singing “Be Kind and Loving” (track 3) with the CD to the tune of “Ten Little Indians.”

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Lesson 3

Be kind and loving to each other. Be kind and loving to each other. Be kind and loving to each other— Ephesians 4:32. (Repeat 2x.) It’s great to be around the kind of friends who are kind and forgiving to each other. Let’s thank God together for all our friends in this class. Lead children in singing “I’m So Glad We’re Together” (track 5) with the CD to the tune of “Give Me Oil In My Lamp.” I’m so glad we’re together. Keep us prayin’, prayin’, prayin’. I’m so glad we’re all here today. I’m so glad we’re together. Keep us prayin’, prayin’, prayin’— Prayin’ for each other every day. Lead children in folding their hands and bowing their heads as you continue to sing.

Thank you, Lord, for each one. Keep me thankful, thankful, thankful. Thank you for everyone who’s here. Thank you, Lord, for each one. Keep me thankful, thankful, thankful— Thankful for our friends both far and near.

n Hear and Tell the Bible Story SUPPLIES: Bible Have the children form a circle, and place the Learning Mat: Joseph’s Journey in the middle. Place a plastic lei around the picture of Joseph putting on his coat, and have the other lei ready to hand to a child. Open the Bible to Genesis 37:26-35. Say: Our story comes from the Bible, God’s special book. Our Learning Mat shows us pictures of our Bible story. Let’s play a game to remember what’s been happening to Joseph. Hand one child the second lei, and ask him or her to hold the lei so it circles his or her face. Then have that child tell you something about the picture that is circled by the first lei. Have that child hand the lei to another child. Children may share things such as “Joseph got a pretty coat from his dad” or “Joseph’s brothers look mad.” After several children have had a chance to hold the lei and share, move the first lei around the picture of Joseph in the well. Continue handing the second lei to the children, and have them tell things they remember from that part of the story such as “Joseph’s brothers were mean,” “Joseph was scared in the well,” or “Reuben tried to save Joseph.” When each child has had a turn to share, put the plastic leis away.

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Joseph's Brothers Lie About His Disappearance

Lead the children in saying the Bible Point God wants us to tell the truth. Then say: This week we’ll find out what happened when Joseph’s brothers had to go home and tell their father what happened to Joseph. But they didn’t want to tell their father the truth. Ask: • If you were one of Joseph’s brothers, what would you tell your father about what happened to Joseph? (He went to Egypt; he ran away; he’s gone.) Say: Let’s find out what the brothers told their father. Where is the picture of the brothers showing Joseph’s coat to their father? Wait for children to point to the picture on the Learning Mat. After the brothers sold Joseph to the people traveling to Egypt, they went home. They were afraid to tell their father what really happened to Joseph. They knew what they’d done to Joseph was wrong. Ask: • What wrong things did Joseph’s brothers do to him? (They wanted to kill him; they put him in the well; they sold him to the men on camels.) Say: In our Bible stories, we’ve learned that Joseph and his brothers didn’t get along. Joseph’s brothers were jealous and unkind. Today we’re learning that God wants us to tell the truth. The Bible tells us the brothers took Joseph’s coat and made it look like a wild animal had attacked Joseph and killed him. They showed the coat to their father, Jacob. They wanted their dad to believe Joseph was dead. Jacob thought an animal had killed Joseph. Jacob stayed sad for a long time. He loved Joseph very much. He didn’t want Joseph to die. The brothers let Jacob believe their lie. They didn’t tell the truth. Ask: • What happened when Joseph’s brothers told a lie to their father? (They made their dad sad; their dad believed them.) • What happens when you tell a lie? (My mom gets mad; I get in trouble; nothing.) • What can you do when you are thinking about telling a lie? (Remember it is wrong to lie; ask Jesus to help me.) • Why should we tell the truth? (So we won’t get in trouble; because God wants us to.) • Who will you tell the truth to this week? (My parents; my brother and sister.) Say: When we tell a lie, we’re hiding the truth. God wants us to tell the truth. Let’s play a game and practice telling the truth to our friends.

n Do the Bible Story SUPPLIES: “Joseph’s coat” from Lesson 1 Take out the “Joseph’s coat” from the “Do the Bible Story” activity in Lesson 1. If you no longer have the coat, create a simple one by cutting a head hole, armholes, and a front opening in a paper grocery sack. Decorate with colored markers or tempera paint. Say: We’re going to use the coat we made a couple of weeks ago to help us remember to tell the truth. One person is going to hold Joseph’s coat. That person will tell us something about the story of Joseph. It could be something true about the story, or it could be something silly or untrue about the story. The rest of you will have to decide if it’s something true

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Lesson 3

Don’t be alarmed if your classroom seems a little noisier with active learning! Having quiet and controlled students doesn’t necessarily mean your class is a success. A better clue might be seeing happy, involved, excited children moving around the classroom, discovering Bible truths with all their senses.

about the story or something untrue. If I said, “Joseph took a plane to Egypt,” you would all say “untrue” because planes hadn’t even been invented back then. Be ready to whisper suggestions to the children if they’re having difficulty thinking of things to say. Give the coat to one child, and have him or her say something about the story. Then ask the rest of the group to shout out “true” or “untrue.” Then pass the coat to another person and play the game again. Allow several children to hold the coat. Then say: Let’s say this rhyme to remind us of Joseph’s story. Have the children stand in a circle, and give one person the coat. Say each line aloud, pausing for the children to repeat the line after you. After each line, have the children pass the coat to the person next to them. Joseph had a coat. A coat he loved so much. Joseph had a coat With red and blue and such. His brothers all were mad, And they were jealous, too. His brothers all were mad With anger showing through. They took away his coat. The brothers were so mean. They took away his coat. It was such an awful scene. They dirtied up the coat, And then they told a lie. They dirtied up the coat As poor young Joseph cried. We should tell the truth And never tell a lie. We should tell the truth And praise our God on high. Say: God wants us to tell the truth. Joseph’s brothers did not tell their father the truth; they lied to him. Say: Sometimes it’s very hard to tell the truth. Jesus always told the truth, and he wants to help you tell the truth, too. If you ever make a mistake and tell a lie, ask Jesus for help right away. He’ll give you courage to tell the truth, and he’ll forgive you for your sin. Ask: • Have you ever told a lie? (Yes; I can’t remember.) • What should you do if you do tell a lie? (Tell the truth right away; say I’m sorry.)

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Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Preschool, Ages 3 & 4

Joseph's Brothers Lie About His Disappearance

Closing n Missing Markers SUPPLIES: markers Have children sit in a circle. Bring out Whiskers the Mouse and several colored markers, and go through the following script. When you finish the script, put Whiskers away and out of sight. (As you bring Whiskers out, have him set a couple of markers beside you.)

Teacher:

Hi, Whiskers! Children, let’s say “hi” to Whiskers. (Wait for children to greet Whiskers. Then continue.)

Whiskers: Teacher: Whiskers: Teacher: Whiskers:

Hi, friends! How are you? I’m glad to see you today. (Looking at Whiskers) I heard there’s been a lot of arguing at your house lately. Is something wrong? My brother’s colored markers are missing. Everyone thinks I took them. What do you think happened to the markers? (Looking around and fidgeting) I don’t know. Maybe they’re just lost. I haven’t used Sammy’s markers for a long time.

Teacher:

I thought I saw you with some markers in your hand. Were you just using Sammy’s markers?

Whiskers: Teacher: Whiskers: Teacher:

(Holding out his hands) I don’t have anything in my hands. What are you talking about?

Whiskers: Teacher: Whiskers: Teacher:

(Reaching for the markers) Whiskers, are these your brother’s markers? Where did you get those? I saw you set them here just before you came to visit us today. Isn’t that how the markers got there? (With head hanging low) I don’t know. Whiskers, is that true? (Whiskers shakes his head sadly.) Have you been telling the truth? (Shaking his head again) No, I lied. I took Sammy’s markers without asking. But I’m afraid to tell my brother the truth. He might get mad at me. (To children) Children, what do you think Whiskers should do? (Let children respond.) (To Whiskers) Whiskers, we’ve been learning that God wants us to tell the truth. Why don’t you say that Bible Point with us? (Lead children and Whiskers in repeating the Bible Point: truth.)

Teacher: Whiskers:

God wants us to tell the

Our friends in this class think you should tell Sammy the truth. You’re right. I felt really bad when I lied. I’ll go find Sammy, tell him I’m sorry, and give him back his markers. Then I’ll feel much better. Thanks for helping me learn about telling the truth. Goodbye!

Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Preschool granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Lesson 3

n Truthful Tune SUPPLIES: CD player Say: We’ve just learned that God wants us to tell the truth. I know it’s hard to tell the truth when you think you’re going to get in trouble. But remember that we can pray for Jesus to help us. Let’s pray now, and ask Jesus to help us tell the truth. Wait for children to bow their heads, and then pray a prayer similar to this one: Dear Jesus, thank you for the special time we had with our friends in class today. Help us to always tell the truth even when it’s hard to do. In Jesus’ name, amen. Before we go home, let’s sing our song to help us learn to get along with others and tell the truth. Lead children in singing with the CD (track 9): “All Get Along” (Lesson 3) to the tune of “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy.” track 9

I know that God wants us to all get along, All get along, all get along. I know that God wants us to all get along, All get along today. And we’re so happy, so very happy When all of us are kind to everyone. And we’re so happy, so very happy When all of us are kind to everyone. I know that jealousy is not nice—it’s wrong. Not nice—it’s wrong. Not nice—it’s wrong. I know that jealousy is not nice—it’s wrong. I’d rather get along! So let’s be kind to everyone, To everyone, to everyone. Let’s be kind to everyone, To everyone, to everyone. I know that God wants me to speak only truth, Speak only truth, speak only truth. I know that God wants me to speak only truth— Speak only truth to you.

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Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Preschool, Ages 3 & 4

Joseph's Brothers Lie About His Disappearance

Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom. Photocopy the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with the children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.

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Lesson 3

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.

n Lively Learning: Real and Pretend Say: Playing and pretending is lots of fun. When something has happened that’s real, you have to tell the truth and not pretend. Let’s play a game to practice telling the truth. When I say something that’s true, jump up and down. When I say something that’s not true, crouch down and cover your head with your hands. Read the following statements, one at a time. • I have one head. • You are all cows. • I have two ears. • Children are taller than houses. • All children have 10 noses. Close by reminding children that God wants us to tell the truth.

n Make to Take: Pretending Masks Talk with children about the difference between lying and pretending. Then have children make masks so they can pretend. Provide large paper plates, markers, glue, scissors, and construction paper. Help children cut eye holes in their plates. Then encourage them to hold their masks to their faces as they tell you what they’re pretending to be. If you have time, help children add whiskers, hair, or other special features to the masks.

n Treat to Eat: Truthful Fruit Bring apples for your snack time. Take one apple in your hand, and say: If I told you there was a star hiding inside this apple, would you believe me? Wait for children to respond. Then say: I’m going to cut the apple in half, and we’ll find out if I’m telling you the truth. See p e 5. ag Cut the apple in half horizontally. The seeds will form a star shape. Show the cut apple to the children. Ask: • Is there a star inside the apple? Did I tell the truth? As you cut a slice of apple for each child, remind them that God wants us to tell the truth. Hand out the apple slices.

n Story Picture: Joseph’s Brothers Lie to Their Father Give each child small, ragged fabric scraps, glue, and a copy of the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson). Help children glue the fabric scraps to the picture of Joseph’s coat. As children are working, review the events of today’s Bible story.

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Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Preschool, Ages 3 & 4

wants us to d o G ll the truth. te

m Help

e learn this:

“Be kind to each other” (Ephesians 4:32a).

Ask me: n What did Joseph’s brothers tell their father about Joseph? n Tell me about a time someone told you a lie. How did you feel? n What makes it hard to tell the truth? How can we help each other tell the truth in our family?

Family Fun

Lesso

n3 Today yo ur child le arned that GOD WA TELL TH E TRUTH NTS US TO . Children how Josep heard h’s brothe rs lied to th father (Ge eir nesis 3 practiced telling eac 7:26-35). They h other th e truth.

n Play a family game of Hide-and-Seek. When everyone has been found, talk about what it was like to hide or to be found. Explain to your child that hiding the truth is lying. Eventually the truth usually gets found. n Work together as a family to make a Joseph robe. Set out markers and an old, light-colored adult shirt. Have each family member color one part of the shirt. As you work, talk about what the brothers did to Joseph’s special robe and how they hid the truth. Take turns wearing the decorated shirt and acting out the story.

Joseph’s Brothers Lie to Their Father (Genesis 37:26-35)

Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum®, Preschool, granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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