(Back to OT Junior Seminary Overview)
Old Testament Lesson 18: We will be combining Genesis 35-37 and Genesis 38-39
To Prepare: Read Genesis 35, Genesis 37, and Genesis 39; print a copy of the activity below for each child participating. There’s a scripture mastery scripture in this lesson, so if desired, have scriptures and red pencils ready!
To Teach: Begin with a prayer. Tell children that Jacob/Israel was told to move to a new home. While they were traveling, Rachel became pregnant a second time and had another son, Benjamin, but then she died. (Genesis 35:16-19) Jacob’s father, Isaac, also died.
Read Genesis 37:3-4. How did Jacob feel about Joseph? How did his brothers feel about him? Read or summarize Genesis 37:5-11 and explain Joseph’s dreams. How did his brothers feel when they heard these dreams?
One day Joseph’s father sent him to check on his brothers, who were tending the flocks. Read or summarize Genesis 37:18-36 (this is the story of how Joseph’s brothers sold him into Egypt).
Summarize Genesis 39:1-4 by explaining the Joseph was sold as a slave into the house of a man named Potiphar. Potiphar saw that Joseph was good and that he did good work, so he put Joseph in charge of taking care of his house and money. Joseph was also a handsome young man, and when Potiphar’s wife saw this, she wanted him to kiss her. (Don’t look at me, that’s how they phrase it in the illustrated scripture story, which you can certainly use here.) Joseph knew this was not right. Read verse 9 and if desired, help children mark it in their own scriptures in red.
Read or summarize Genesis 39:11-18. One day when there was no one else in the house, Potiphar’s wife tried to make Joseph kiss her. Joseph ran away so fast that he left part of his clothes in her room. Potiphar’s wife was angry. She lied and told Potiphar that Joseph had tried to kiss her, but she shouted and he got scared and ran away so fast that he left part of his clothes behind. Potiphar believed his wife and was angry with Joseph. He sent Joseph to prison.
Color Joseph’s beautiful coat. Get creative! You’re done!
by 
