Joseph Forgives His Brothers: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Genesis 45:1-15
Children hear how Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, forgave them, and trusted God's plan. They learn Genesis 45:5 through a puzzle relay and make a heart card to share kindness.
Memory verse
Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. (Genesis 45:5, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell how Joseph made himself known to his brothers and forgave them.
- Explain that Joseph said God sent him to Egypt to preserve life.
- Choose one way to forgive or welcome someone this week.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Face It! (5 min)
Setup: None. Leave space for children to stand in place.
Say: Welcome! Today we meet a man named Joseph who had a very big choice to make.
Play "Face It" (3 min):
1. Have everyone stand in place.
2. Say: Show me a happy face. Now surprised. Now scared. Now sad.
3. Say: Now show me how you feel when someone says sorry and is kind to you.
4. Have everyone sit.
Say: Joseph felt many big feelings at once in our story. Now let's hear what happened.
Bible Story: "I Am Joseph!" (8 min)
Setup: Open your KJV to Genesis 45. Background: Earlier, Joseph's brothers sold him, and he ended up in Egypt (Genesis 37). Now there is a famine.
Say: Listen for the words "God sent me." Every time you hear them, point up!
Retell with actions:
- Joseph could not hold back his feelings (v.1-2). He sent everyone out, then wept so loudly that others heard. (Hands over eyes.)
- He said, "I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?" His brothers were too troubled to answer (v.3).
- Joseph said, "Come near to me." He said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt" (v.4). (Wave hands toward yourself.)
- He told them not to be grieved or angry with themselves, because God sent him ahead to preserve life (v.5-8). (Point up!)
- Five years of famine were still coming. Joseph told them to hurry, bring their father, and live in Goshen near him. He promised to feed them (v.9-11).
- Joseph hugged Benjamin, kissed all his brothers, and wept. After that, his brothers talked with him (v.14-15).
Say: Joseph chose kindness. Now let's find out why that matters.
Teaching: Three Big Choices (7 min)
Say: Joseph made three big choices. Hold up one finger for each.
1. He told the truth. "I am Joseph." He did not hide. (Hold up 1 finger.)
2. He forgave. He told his brothers not to be grieved or angry with themselves. (Hold up 2 fingers.)
3. He welcomed them. "Come near to me." He promised to take care of them. (Hold up 3 fingers.)
Say: Being sold was wrong, and the Bible never says it was good. But Joseph said God was at work and used it to save many lives.
Say: Forgiving does not mean pretending it did not hurt. It means choosing kindness instead of getting even.
Gently connect to Jesus: Jesus also forgives and invites us, "Come near." On the cross He prayed, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34).
Ask: Which choice is hardest for you, telling the truth, forgiving, or welcoming? Let children answer with fingers: 1, 2 or 3.
Say: Now let's learn our verse and play a game with it.
Game: Verse Puzzle Relay (6 min)
Setup: Write the verse in 6 chunks on cards, one chunk per card: "Now therefore be not grieved," / "nor angry with yourselves," / "that ye sold me hither:" / "for God did send me" / "before you" / "to preserve life." Shuffle and place face down on a table.
Say: Our verse is Genesis 45:5. Let's put it together!
Steps (6 min):
1. Read the verse aloud twice. Children repeat after you.
2. Spread the cards face up on the floor or table.
3. Children take turns walking (no running) to place the next card in order. The group reads the verse each time a card is added.
4. Mix the cards and play again, with the group trying to say the verse from memory.
5. Finish by saying the verse with an action for each chunk.
Say: Great work! Now let's talk about the story.
Talk Time (6 min)
Say: Turn to a buddy and answer each question. Then we will share.
1. What did Joseph say to his brothers when he told them who he was? ("I am Joseph." He told them to come near.)
2. Why do you think his brothers were troubled? (They had sold him, and now he was ruling. They were afraid.)
3. Joseph said God sent him to save lives. What does that tell us about God? (God is in control and can bring good out of hard things.)
4. When is it hard to forgive? What could help? (When it really hurt. We can pray and ask God for help.)
Say: Joseph welcomed his brothers with a hug. Now let's make something to share kindness.
Craft: "Come Near" Heart Card (8 min)
Setup: Cut paper into hearts or fold a sheet in half for each child. Safety: Scissors are used. Adults should cut for younger children. Check for glue sensitivities.
Say: Make a card for someone you want to forgive, thank, or welcome.
Steps (8 min):
1. Fold a paper in half like a card, or cut a heart shape.
2. On the front, write or draw "Come near." Add a picture of two people hugging.
3. Inside, write "God is good. I forgive you" or "I'm glad you're my friend." Younger children can draw instead.
4. Add the memory verse reference, Genesis 45:5, on the back.
5. Decorate with crayons.
Say: Take your card home and give it to someone this week.
Say: Now let's close by thanking God.
Closing and Prayer (5 min)
Say: Joseph welcomed his brothers and trusted God. We can too.
Quick review: Ask: Who can say the verse? Say it together once more with actions.
Prayer points (children repeat each line after you):
- Thank You, God, that You are with us even when things are hard.
- Help us tell the truth and forgive others.
- Help us welcome people who feel left out.
- Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving us and inviting us to come near.
Say: Amen! Take your card and your verse home.
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Index cards or scrap paper (6)
- Marker
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Crayons or markers
- Safety scissors
- Glue stick or tape
Teacher notes
- Safety: Scissors and glue are used in the craft. Adults should cut for younger children. Check for allergies or sensitivities before using glue.
- Be sensitive: some children may have been hurt by someone. Do not force anyone to forgive or share, and invite them to talk to you privately.
- Adaptation: Pair readers with non-readers in the game and craft. Let children draw instead of writing. Offer a quiet seat for anyone who needs a break.
- Keep to the text: the Bible does not say how the brothers felt after the hug, so avoid adding details.
Send it home with parents
Today we studied Genesis 45:1-15. Joseph told his brothers who he was, forgave them, and invited them to come near. He said God sent him to Egypt to preserve life. Children practiced forgiving and welcoming others.
- When did someone forgive you? How did it feel?
- Who could you welcome or be kind to this week?
Read Genesis 45:1-15 together. Then have each person share one hard thing that God later used for good, or one thing they need God's help to forgive.
Give your "Come Near" card to someone. Say the memory verse each night before bed.
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