Possible Lesson Plan:
Why was Joseph in Egypt when the rest of his family were in Canaan?
Why was Joseph in prison in Egypt?
What interpretation did Joseph give the butler and the baker?
How did Joseph help the Egyptian Pharaoh?
Why did Jacob send his sons to Egypt with money? Why not Benjamin?
Which brother stayed in Egypt while the others went to get Benjamin & why?
How did Joseph test his brothers to see if their hearts had really changed?
How did Joseph reveal his identity to his brothers?
And, for the whole class, how did God bring something good out of the evil Joseph’s brothers did to him?
Eventually, Joseph married in Egypt and had two sons with his wife, Asenath. Their union is also remembered in the marriage service. Why?
Ask the class about situations they would find hard to forgive: with their friends? With their parents? Brainstorm and list them on the board. What is the one thing someone could do that you could never forgive? Write that on a piece of paper. Would you want others to see it?
We always have choices. Adam and Eve had a choice in the garden. Joseph had a choice; he had every right not to forgive his brothers, or did he? Should we always forgive, no matter what the circumstance? Are there some things that can never be forgiven? Do others have to apologize before being forgiven? Is forgiveness even possible? Is there anyone in my life I have not forgiven? Why? What are the consequences of my not forgiving this person to the person? To myself?
M