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Lesson:

Trust God. He has a plan for you, even if you don't see that plan!

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Joseph

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    Joseph

    

    Joseph was one of 12 sons born to Jacob. Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son. This favoritism led to his jealous brothers selling Joseph into slavery. Joseph’s gift of interpreting dreams set in motion an unlikely path for his life. He went from slave to prisoner. And then he went from prisoner to governor of Egypt. Although his brother’s plotted to kill him, God had another plan for his life.

    • Bible References

      • Genesis 50:20
      • Jeremiah 29:11
      • Matthew 6:33
      • Isaiah 55:9
      • Genesis 37:2-35
      • Genesis 39:1-23
      • Genesis 41:1-52
      • Genesis 45:7-8
      • Genesis 50:24-25
      • Exodus 13:19
      • Joshua 24:32

  • Jacob

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    Jacob

    

    Jacob shows favoritism to Joseph by giving him a coat of many colors (Genesis:37:3). This increased sibling rivalry. Joseph's brothers hated him and sold him into slavery. Jacob was grieved for many years. When Jacob's sons went to Egypt for food, they discovered that Joseph had become the Governor of Egypt. Jacob's family was restored. Before passing, Jacob blessed each of his sons and their families. Jacob's sons became the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel (Genesis:49:1-28).

    • Bible References

      • Genesis 35:15
      • Genesis 37:3
      • Genesis 49:1-28
      • Genesis 43:14
      • Genesis 45:28
      • Genesis 25:23
      • Genesis 25:29-34
      • Genesis 32:28
      • Genesis 35:11-12
      • Genesis 37:3-4
      • Genesis 37:34-35
      • Genesis 45:28
      • Genesis 45:18
      • Genesis 46:2-4
      • Genesis 46:30

  • Pharaoh (Joseph)

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    Pharaoh (Joseph)

    

    The Pharaoh was the leader of Egypt and Egypt was the greatest civilization in Joseph's lifetime. When the Pharaoh was having distressing dreams, Joseph, with God’s help, was able to interpret them. Because of this, the Pharaoh acknowledged Joseph’s wisdom, released him from prison, and placed him in charge of all of Egypt

    • Bible References

      • Genesis 41:39
      • Genesis 39:1
      • Genesis 46:34
      • Genesis 47:6
      • Exodus 1:8
      • Genesis 41:8
      • Genesis 45:16
      • Genesis 41:38-40
      • Genesis 47:7
      • Genesis 47:13-26

  • Joseph's Brothers

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    Joseph's Brothers

    

    The 10 older brothers were jealous of Jacob’s love for Joseph. They hated Joseph. At first, some plotted to kill him. But Rueben stepped in and changed the plan. He suggested tossing Joseph into a pit. Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph but they eventually sold him into slavery. Their guilt ate away at them for years. By God’s grace, Joseph rose to power in Egypt, saved his family, and reunited with his father. Joseph forgave his brothers.

    • Bible References

      • Genesis 37:20
      • Genesis 37:18-20
      • Genesis 37:14
      • Genesis 35:23-26
      • Genesis 45:3-8
      • Genesis 37:2-36

• Adventure Guide

  • 

    Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God

  • 

    Joseph and Pharaoh’s Dream - Family Discussion Guide

• Videos

  Joseph Shares his Dreams

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    Joseph Shares his Dreams

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    Jacob Favors Joseph

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    Joseph and the Pharaoh

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    Land of Canaan

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    Joseph Reconciles with his Brothers

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    Joseph Interprets the Dream

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    The Cup Bearer Returns for Joseph

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    Joseph Thrown in Pit

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    Joseph Sold to Slavery

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    Joseph - The Salvation Poem

• Q & A

  • When things around us seem to be going bad, what can we learn from Joseph’s experiences?

    As a young boy, Joseph's life seemed ideal! He had received encouraging dreams from God and his father loved him very much -- but his life events took a drastic turn. Joseph's jealous brothers tossed him in a pit (Genesis 37:22), sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:27), and then Joseph ended up in prison (Genesis 39:19-20). Throughout these ordeals, Joseph kept his faith in God. By relying on God to help him interpret Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph was given the role of Governor of Egypt. Joseph's life shows us that even when things seem bad, we need to hold fast to God and trust that He will see us through life's challenging situations (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
    
    
    Trust God's plans for you

    • Genesis 37:22
    • Genesis 37:26-28
    • Genesis 37:27
    • Genesis 39:19-20
    • 2 Thessalonians 3:3
    • James 3:14-16
    • 1 Peter 3:9

  • When people falsely accuse you, like they did to Joseph, how should you respond?

    Joseph wanted to perform well as a servant to Potiphar, but Potiphar's wife lied about Joseph. Potiphar threw Joseph in prison. This hurt Joseph. Instead of becoming bitter, Joseph chose to trust in God throughout his trials in prison. As a result, "the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden" (Genesis 39:21-23). The warden put him in charge over all those held in prison. God blessed Joseph to have success in whatever he did. Learn from Joseph. Do not lie. Be brave enough to tell the truth. And when people lie about you, do not seek revenge. Jesus taught us to, "Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:44-45a).
    
    
    Discover how you can know God

    • Genesis 39:21-23
    • Matthew 5:43-45
    • Proverbs 3:3-4
    • 2 Corinthians 8:21

  • Does God still speak through dreams like He did to Joseph?

    Yes! The Bible tells us that God speaks through many different ways, including dreams. But everything that we believe is a message from God should be tested by making sure it is found in the Bible. In Acts 2:17, the Apostle Peter quotes the prophet Joel from the Old Testament: "'In the last days,’ God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.'" This is one of the ways that God will speak to us and reveal His will to us. The Bible says in Job 33:14-15, "For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds." God promises that we will hear His voice (John 10:27), and He sometimes uses our dreams to help us hear Him clearly.
    
    
    Trust God's plan for you

    • Acts 2:17
    • Job 33:14-15
    • John 10:27

  • Why does God let bad things happen like allowing Joseph to become a slave?

    God has given each person on earth the right to choose good or evil – just like he did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Sometimes, when people choose to do bad things, innocent people can get hurt. That is why it is important that we do the right thing all the time. The book of James teaches us, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow" (James 1:2-3). We live in a sinful world where some people do bad things to other people. But if we put our trust in God and forgive those who hurt us, the Lord can turn bad things to good in our lives. The Apostle Paul tells us, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28).
    
    
    Trust God's plan for you

    • Genesis 3
    • James 1:2-3
    • Romans 8:28
    • Psalms 34:19

  • Bad things happen in our lives. What can we learn from Joseph's example?

    The Lord revealed to Joseph that He was the one who sent him to Egypt, even though he used his brothers to do it. In Genesis 45:7, Joseph tells his brothers, "God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors." Sometimes it looks like the bad things that are happening in our lives could never be a part of God's plan. When Joseph was sold into slavery, betrayed, or sent to jail, he probably questioned God. But later he realized that the Lord had a purpose in all the trouble -- to preserve the promise He made to Abraham. God will protect you through trouble if you put your trust in Him. Psalm 18:2 says, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety." So when things get hard in your life, take a moment to thank God that He is working it all out for your good -- and for His loving plan.

    • Genesis 45:7
    • Psalms 18:2
    • Proverbs 3:5-6
    • 1 Timothy 4:10