Joseph and Providence - Teacher (Standard) (print)

Youths (ages 9-12) · Genesis 37:18-36; Genesis 45:1-15; Genesis 50:15-21 · Standard ·35 minutes

Teach now

Objective: Students explain Genesis 50:20 without calling the brothers’ wrongdoing good.

Read: Genesis 37:18-36; 50:15-21

Opening: Write two headings: What they intended / What God brought about. Ask why those are not the same moral claim.

Say:

Ask:

Do: Complete the Intention, Action, Outcome Grid using Genesis 37 and 50.

Close: Pray for trust in God, truth about wrongdoing, and wisdom in forgiveness and repair.

Materials: Bible; Intention, Action, Outcome Grid; Pens

4 minConnect. Use the opening prompt and invite two or three brief responses.
4 minContext. Introduce the passage setting, speaker or main characters, and genre in age-appropriate language.
8 minRead and observe. Read Genesis 37:18-36 and 50:15-21, making separate notes for intention, action, consequence, and later outcome. Ask: Which words and actions show the brothers’ intention? What good purpose does Joseph identify later?
7 minDiscuss. Compare the two intentions in Genesis 50:20 and test applications against the whole narrative. Ask: Why does a good outcome not make an evil act good? What must be considered before trust is restored?
8 minActivity. Complete the Intention, Action, Outcome Grid activity and review what it demonstrates. Activity: Intention, Action, Outcome Grid. Printable: Y1-L06-P01-intention-action-outcome-grid.
4 minRespond. Review the objective, repeat the take-home line, and pray.

Materials: Grid; Pens

Low-resource option: Use four board columns.

Memory verse: Genesis 50:20

Prayer: Ask for trust in God, moral clarity, and wisdom in forgiveness and safety.

Take-home line: God can continue His good purposes through human evil without making the evil good.