God Meant It for Good

The Story

Read portions of the Joseph story from Genesis 39-46 and 50.

Genesis 39             “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man.”
Genesis 40, 41        Joseph is in prison, interprets dreams, and prepares for famine.
Genesis 42-44        Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain.
Genesis 45             Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them.
Genesis 46             Jacob (Israel) brings his family to live in Egypt.
Genesis 50             “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

Ideas for discussion

1. How was it that Joseph became a great ruler in Egypt?
2. What did Joseph do that helped the Lord protect him and make him prosper? (He believed in the Lord and obeyed Him. He also attributed the ability to interpret dreams to the Lord rather than to himself.)
3. How did Joseph learn that his brothers regretted how they had treated him? (see Genesis 42) How did Joseph feel when he learned this?
4. How did Joseph’s family respond to learning that the man who was selling them food was their brother, Joseph?
5. Joseph forgave his brothers, saying, “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20). What is the good that came from his time in Egypt?
6. Like Joseph, we may endure difficulties through no fault of our own. How can the story of Joseph help us see how the Lord works to bring good from evil and misfortune?

Read more about Joseph:

• “Joseph Forgives His Brothers” by Harold C Cranch
  If we love the Lord and try to obey His commandments, He will be with us to turn even our bad experiences into things that are good for us, that will prepare us for heaven.
• “The Story of Joseph” by David C. Roth (ages 18 and up)
  Examining the life and character of Joseph teaches us about how the Lord leads each of our lives.
• “The Lord’s Providence” by Peter M. Buss, Jr.
  An overview of how the Lord's providence guides all of us toward greatness and provides for our eternal happiness.

Projects and activities for various ages:

• Joseph Is Reunited with His Brothers Coloring Page
  Shows Joseph greeting Benjamin and his other brothers in Egypt.
• Dramatize the Story of Joseph Receiving His Brothers (ages 4-10)
  Retell the story or read selected portions from the Word as the children dramatize the story of the brothers going to Egypt and being reunited with Joseph.
• I’m Joseph Your Brother Song
  An original song about Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers.
• Joseph Story Line
  Judge whether the events of his life were happy, sad, or somewhere in between.
• Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams Coloring Page
  A picture of Joseph speaking to Pharaoh and interpreting his dreams.
• Sequence the Story of Joseph
  Use story strips to sequence the story of Joseph.
• Joseph Looks to the Lord Coloring Page
  Pictures Joseph wearing Egyptian clothing and looking upward to God.
• Food for Thought: God Meant It for Good
  Look at ways the Lord leads us and provides what is good—even in difficult times.
• Joseph Reveals Himself Trifold (ages 7-10)
  Color and assemble this three-panel project to show Joseph receiving his brothers in Egypt.
• Dream Charades from the Story of Joseph (ages 11-14)
  Act out charades based on the six dreams that Joseph interpreted.
• Joseph Rules Egypt Reflection Doorhanger (ages 11-18)
  Reflect on how you can store up good things in your life for times of spiritual famine.

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