Joseph’s Journey

Genesis 37; Genesis 39–40

Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called Genesis. The word genesis means “the beginning.”

We begin with a person named Joseph. Joseph trusted God. And God had plans for him.


One day, Joseph’s father gave him a special gift. It was a coat! A beautiful coat.


But Joseph's older brothers were mad because of the present that Joseph received from their dad. How would you feel if someone gave your brother a very special coat and not you?





That’s kind of how Joseph’s brothers felt. They were mad and jealous of this very special coat. They didn’t like that their dad had given Joseph a special coat and they didn’t get one. And they really didn’t like how Joseph talked and talked about the dreams he had. So they put Joseph in a hole and took his special coat.


How do you think Joseph felt? That was so hard. But Joseph trusted God’s plan for him. Then the brothers sent Joseph far away . . .


 . . . to the land of Egypt to work.


Joseph didn’t know if he would ever see his family again. It was so hard!


But Joseph trusted God’s plans for him. Joseph was a good worker and did the right thing.


He was such a good worker that he was given a bigger job!


But then something bad happened. Oh no! People said Joseph did something bad that he didn’t do. And he was put in jail.


That was so hard. But do you think Joseph still trusted God? Yes!


And guess what? God had MORE plans for Joseph. And God has plans for you, too!





Bible Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. —Jeremiah 29:11, NLT

Text Truth: I can trust God’s plans even when they are hard.



Family Devotional

Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
—Genesis 39:20-21

In our Bible story, we learned that we can trust God’s plans, even when they’re hard like Joseph did. When things happen that make us sad, it’s hard to keep smiling. Sometimes God’s plans are hard, like when Joseph’s brothers sent him far away or when the people in Egypt put Joseph in jail. But just like Joseph, we can keep smiling and trusting God’s plans, even when they’re hard. Why? Because we know God loves us. God loves me, and God loves you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. —Jeremiah 29:11, NLT

Even though Joseph was sad, he knew that God had plans for him. So, with your family, make a list of things that make you sad. And write down the name of each family member next to their sad thing.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, sometimes things are hard, and it makes us feel sad. [family member’s name] feels sad when [what family member said], and [family member’s name] feels sad when [what family member said]. (Continue with each family member.) Help us to do what Joseph did and keep trusting Your plans, even when they’re hard. Help us choose to do what is right no matter what. We know You love us, and You know the plans You have for us. You’re the best, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported license.
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