Unit: God Helps People
Session Titles: Joseph’s Early Life
Life Point: People can know that God has a plan for their lives
Unit Bible Verse: “I know the plans I have for you… to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Weekly Bible Verses: “I know the plans I have for you… to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Bible Passage: Genesis 37
Extras from LifeWay (GREAT Ideas Here): http://blog.lifeway.com/biblestudiesforlife/leaderextras/by-age-group/
Craft: Joseph and His Coat
Create Joseph’s coat to make the verse, Genesis 37:3
http://www.dltk-bible.com/crafts/mpaperjoseph.htm
Game: Color Elimination
As the children arrive in class write down on small pieces of paper different things they are wearing and what color they are. For example, you can write white socks, blue pants, red dress, orange hair clip, red flowers on shirt, pink shirt with blue stripes, brown shoes, etc. You can also use the color of their hair and eyes. Put all the pieces of paper in a bag. Have all the children stand up. Give each child a turn to pick a piece of paper from the bag and then read what it says. If a child is wearing something that is picked from the bag, he or she has to sit down. Keep playing until only one child is standing up.
http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/rrpreschoolsamplejoseph.html
Illustration: Box
God Has a Plan for You
Items Needed: An empty box
Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Application:
Let me show you all what I have today. What is it? It’s an empty box!
What can you do with an empty box? Well, since it’s career night, lets give this box a job. We can stand it up on it’s side and pretend that it is a refrigerator! But wait……if we really use it for that, then all the food we put in will begin to spoil and stink up the place. OK, we can lay it flat, climb in it and use it for a car! But wait….I’m too big to fit in the box. I’d crush it! Besides, it has no wheels……we wouldn’t get very far. I know! I’ll use it for a hat! But wait…..the box is too big for my head, and it really isn’t very stylish. Hmmm…..maybe this box just doesn’t have a job, or purpose.
But this box has to have a purpose it was made for something! It is best used when it is used as it was designed! You can put things in the box and store things in it! That is what this box was made for! It is only really of value to me if I can use it for what I designed it for!
This box is a lot like you and me, kids. God says in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” God has a plan for our lives. He has a job just for us! We might try to live our lives the way we want to, but we will only really be of great value to anyone when we are doing what God has planned for us. He has a very important plan for each of us, and God wants us to find it and fulfill it–all with His help, of course! When we discover what God’s plans are for us, we find great joy in being what God made us to be. As a matter of fact, we’ll find a lot of satisfaction in doing things we never dreamed of.
http://www.elephantgrace.com/2012/03/04/bible-based-activity-god-has-a-plan/
Craft: God’s Plan Box
Kids will create a memory box to help them remember God’s plan for them.
Scripture: Psalm 33:11
You’ll Need: One box per child, wrapping paper, decorating supplies, and a Bible
Have kids cover their boxes with wrapping paper and decorate them with stickers, markers, or other supplies. Make sure kids leave their boxes so they can be opened. Encourage kids to use their boxes to store things that remind them of how God used challenging times to do great things in their lives. For example, they could put in a ribbon from a sports competition to remind them of the good that came from practicing hard.
After the boxes are made, read aloud the Scripture.
Ask:
• What does this Scripture say about God’s plans for you?
• What are the amazing things God has already done for you?