Lesson 3.4 - Joseph's Dreams Came True

Unit 3: Lesson 4 - November 29

God is a Covenant-Keeper

Big Idea: Nothing Can Stop God's Plan

Joseph's Dreams Came True

Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project^® for Kids. This week's Bible story takes place nine years after Joseph’s rise to power as second-in-command of Egypt. The seven years of plenty were over, and the people were two years into the years of famine. Even in the land of Canaan, Jacob’s family needed food if they were to survive.
 

Ten of Jacob’s sons went to Egypt to buy grain. They went to Joseph, who was in charge of distributing the food. Joseph recognized his brothers immediately, but they did not recognize him. Joseph put his brothers through a series of tests. He accused them of being spies and required them to return with their youngest brother, Benjamin. Finally, he revealed that he was their brother! His brothers were terrified. Joseph was in position to exact revenge, but instead Joseph showed them grace.
 

Joseph explained why God allowed him to be taken to Egypt. Even though his brothers intended harm, God intended his good. Joseph told his family to come to Egypt where they could thrive. Thrive they did! In Egypt, they grew into a multitude. God kept His promise, and through the nation of Israel, He worked out His plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

*All materials shared are reprinted and used by permission through Lifeway.

Christ Connection: God had a plan for Joseph' life.  He allowed Joseph to suffer in order to rescue a whole nation.  God planned for Jesus to suffer so that many- people from all nations- would be saved.

 

Family Discussion Starters:

• How did God us evil for good?
• When someone wrongs you, do you choose to forgive or to seek revenge?

Family Activity:

• Talk about what is must have been like for Jacob's family to have no food.  Gather food to donate to a food pantry.
• Go further: Volunteer at a soup kitchen as a family.

Family Discussion Points:

Babies and Toddlers	Preschool	Kids
●        God’s plan is perfect. ●        God sent Joseph to Egypt. ●        God took care of Joseph’s family. ●        God kept His promise to bless Israel.	●        What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan. ●        God sent Joseph to Egypt to save his family.	●        What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan. ●        God sent Joseph to Egypt to establish a remnant.

Unit 3.3 - Joseph Sent to Egypt

Unit 3: Lesson 3 - November 22

God is a Covenant-Keeper

Big Idea: Nothing Can Stop God's Plan

Joseph Sent to Egypt

Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project^® for Kids. Today’s Bible story is about Joseph and his brothers. Jacob had 12 sons. They would become the leaders of the tribes of Israel. But Jacob’s favorite son was Joseph. Joseph was the son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, and Jacob didn’t hide his favoritism. Needless to say, Joseph’s brothers were jealous of Joseph. When Joseph told his brothers about the dream he had that they would one day bow down to him, the Bible says they could no longer speak peaceably with him. In short, they hated him.

 Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit with the intent to kill him. Then they figured they’d make a profit by selling him to people taking slaves to Egypt. Joseph was about seventeen years old when he was sold into Potiphar’s house. But God was with him--even when Potiphar’s wife had Joseph thrown into prison for something he didn’t do. God had a wonderful plan for Joseph. He raised up Joseph into a position of power in Egypt.

 

Remind your kids that nothing can stop God’s perfect plan to send Jesus through the family of Israel.

*All materials shared are reprinted and used by permission through Lifeway.

Christ Connection:

God sent Joseph to Egypt and blessed him so that he rose to a position of great power.  God used Joseph to help Joseph's family and many others.  Jesus gave up his position of great power to be the Savior of the world.

 

Family Discussion Starters:

• Why did Joseph's brothers hate him?
• Have you ever been jealous?
• How is Jesus like Joseph? (Both of them were betrayed by people close to them.)

Family Activity:

• Think of a family going through a tough time.  Spend time praying for them as a family.
• Go further: Serve a family by running errands, dropping off a meal, or raking their yard.

Family Discussion Points: 

Babies and Toddlers	Preschool	Kids
●        God’s plan for us is good. ●        God took care of Joseph in Egypt. ●        We can trust God even when we do not understand His plan.	●        What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s plan. ●        God sent Joseph to Egypt.	●        What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan. ●        God used Joseph’s suffering for good.

Unit 3:2 - Jacob's New Name

Unit 3: Lesson 2 - November 15

God is a Covenant-Keeper

Big Idea: Jacob's New Name

This week in The Gospel Project^® for Kids, our journey takes place 20 years after Jacob ran away from Esau. Jacob had lived with his uncle Laban for many years, and God had kept His promise to bless Jacob with a large family and riches. Now God said it was time for Jacob to return home. But uncertainty awaited Jacob in his homeland. His brother Esau was there. The last time Jacob saw Esau, Esau wanted to kill him.

Jacob tried to prepare for his meeting with Esau. He strategically divided his family into separate groups. He sent gifts ahead of them to appease Esau. That night, Jacob anxiously awaited word from Esau, and that is when he encountered the Lord. Jacob wrestled with the Lord all night.

Explain to your kids that Jacob did not win by strength but by confessing his dependence on God’s blessing. Jacob had nowhere else to turn. He could not succeed by his own strength. Jacob held onto God and would not let go. God poured out His grace on Jacob. He blessed Jacob and gave him a new name, Israel. From Jacob’s descendants—from the nation of Israel—God would bring into the world His Son, Jesus.

*All materials shared are reprinted and used by permission through Lifeway.

Christ Connection:

 God changed Jacob's life and gave him a new name, Israel.  Jesus came so that we might have a changed life, forgiven of sin (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Jesus' death and resurrection provided sinful people with the way to be adopted into God's family.  When we are adopted into the family of God we also receive a new name - children of God (John 1:12).

 

Family Discussion Starters:

• Jacob was afraid Esau was still angry with him.  Tell about a time you had a disagreement with a family member and how you forgave each other. 
• Jacob prayed, asking God to rescue him from his brother.  What is something that scares you? Talk to God about it.

Family Discussion Points:

Babies and Toddlers	Preschool	Kids
●        God’s plan is perfect. ●        God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. ●        God’s chosen people are called Israel. ●        God sent Jesus through Israel’s family.	●        What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s plan. ●        God changed Jacob’s name to Israel.	●        What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan. ●        God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the name of God’s covenant people.

  

Unit 3:1 - The Stolen Blessing

Unit 3: Lesson 1 - November 8

God is a Covenant-Keeper

Big Idea: Jacob Stole Esau's Blessing.

 

God told Rebekah before her sons were born that the older would serve the younger. That wasn’t how families typically worked in Bible times. The birthright was an important part of the patriarchal culture. Typically, upon the death of his father, the older brother would receive twice as much property and goods as the younger. But Esau gave it to Jacob for a hot bowl of stew. Later, Jacob wore his brother’s clothes and lied to his father to receive a special blessing Isaac meant to bestow on Esau—another privilege afforded to an oldest son. With his blessing, Isaac made his son master over his brother. Just as God said, the older would serve the younger.

Teach your kids that nothing can stop God’s perfect plan. Jesus is the firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15), and He deserves all the privileges afforded to Him. But when Jesus hung on the cross, He gave up His blessing for us. Jesus took the punishment we deserve so that the Father would give us the blessing Jesus deserves.
*All materials shared are reprinted and used by permission through Lifeway.

Christ Connection:

 Jesus is the firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15), and He deserves all the privileges afforded to Him. But when Jesus hung on the cross, He gave up His blessing for us. Jesus took the punishment we deserve so that the Father would give us the blessing Jesus deserves.

 

Family Discussion Starters:

• Jacob and Esau both wanted the wrong thing or tried to get good things the wrong way.  Have you ever done the same?
• How did God make His plan happen? (Esau gave his birthright to Jacob.)
• Talk about a time when it was hard to trust that God was working our His perfect plan.

Family Discussion Points:

 

Babies and Toddlers	Preschool	Kids
●        God’s plan is perfect. ●        God planned to bless Jacob. ●        God planned to send Jesus through Jacob’s family.	●        What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s plan. ●        Jacob took what belonged to his brother.	●        What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan.. ●        Jacob stole Esau’s blessing.

 

Prophet's Playhouse Fall 2015

Prophet's Playhouse

Our 3rd-5th graders participate in a class called "Prophet's Playhouse" on Wednesday nights.  During these classes the children focus on several stories in Scripture and use plays or skits to teach these stories to others.  They also focus on developing the skills of scripture reading, song leading, and public prayer.  These skills are demonstrated as our children lead the worship services at Martin Boyd Christian Home and East Brainerd Church of Christ.   The kids did an amazing job and had fun  learning God's word.  Thank you to our adult leaders! 

Here are a few pictures from Prophet's Playhouse.

Before the Show and Ready to Go!

 

 

The Story of Samson: Judges 13-16

 

 

 

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet: John 13 

 

Jairus and his Daughter: Luke 8:40-56

 

 

 

 Behind the scenes - Stagehand

 

 



WATS: We Are The Sermon

WATS: We Are The Sermon

Each year our church dedicates one day where all members commit to reach out to our community together and be the hands and feet of Jesus.  WATS (We Are The Sermon) is a time for us to "Love All and Serve All" just like Jesus demonstrated throughout His life.  It was a great day of worship and service for our family.  Here are a few pictures of our children serving and showing God's love in the community. 

We are so blessed with these children and their loving HEARTS!!

EBKids making gift bags and notes of encouragement for the staff at East Side Elementary.

 

 

EBKids had at work raking and doing yard work for an EB family. 

 

EBKids packing snack packs and Christmas bags.

EBKids preparing the fellowship meal and  cleaning.