You have a role in this

Joseph in Egypt: A Reading Plan

Posted on May 8, 2013June 27, 2013 by Carol Hulbert

To print out this discussion guide from a Google Doc, click here.

Our current Rotation covers part two of the Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers. We covered part one – the “colorful” coat portion of the story – in January and February. A review of part one (with a printable discussion) is here.

Part two concludes the cliffhanger that part one left off at – what happens to Joseph in Egypt?!? Because our story winds its way through several chapters in Genesis (39:1-5, 39:20-45:28, 46:1-7, 50:15-21) here is part one of a reading plan that breaks it down into manageable chunks so that you can all read the story over several days/weeks. Just read a passage and then discuss the associated question(s)/do the activities. Make it a habit to get out a Bible at the family dinner table. (Or wherever your family is gathered together.)

* A review question

Read in Genesis	Discuss…
37:3-4 *	Who was “Israel?” (Hint: It’s a name God gave someone; if stumped check out Genesis 32:28)
37:23-24 *	How does this special robe end up getting Joseph into a heap of trouble? Have you ever gotten into trouble because of jealousy? (Adults: ‘fess up time)
37:25-28 *	The next thing Joseph knows, he’s headed for Egypt (and I suppose he’s not riding a camel). When has a sudden turn of events surprised you? How do you suppose Joseph is feeling? What do you imagine his prayers to God sound like?
39:1	Where would you put Joseph’s trust-in-God-level at this point in the story? (not so much, a little bit, still strong?) Do you suppose it’s a good idea to prepare for the next rough situation, by strengthening your trust in God? Brainstorm some ideas for building trust. Create a list for the ‘fridge.
39:2-5	What do you suppose Potiphar saw that made him conclude: “the Lord is with Joseph”? What would it look like if someone noticed that God was with you?
39:20	Joseph was accused of doing something that he didn’t do. Where would you put Joseph’s “trust-in-God-level” at this point in the story? Tell about a time when you were at that place on the “trust-in-God-meter.”
39:20c-23	How do you suppose Joseph is feeling now? What does it feel like to know that God is with you? Bonus question for 3rd grade & up: what does the little “c” mean in “39:20c”?
40:1-8	How did Joseph come to interpret the dreams of the kings workers? (Hint: verse 7). What does this tell you about being sensitive to the needs of those around you? Speculate about where it might lead you if you notice someone’s needs today?
40:9-23 For < 3rd grade stop at verse 15	Do you suppose God speaks to us through dreams?  What strange dreams have you had? Why do you suppose the cupbearer forgot about Joseph? Where would you put Joseph’s “trust-in-God-level” at this point in the story?
41:1-16	Two years have passed! Do you suppose Joseph wondered where God was?  What do you suppose Pharaoh’s dreams mean? Why do you suppose none of Pharaoh’s “magicians” could tell him the meaning of his dreams? How would you describe Joseph’s relationship with God? (pay close attention to verse 16) When have you given God the credit for working in your life?
41:17-32	What is a famine? How would you describe your relationship with God – as going through a feast or a famine? If you could see into the future, what would you do?
41:33-44	What do you suppose Joseph is feeling now? How has Joseph changed since the beginning of our story in chapter 37? (Remember, he was bragging about his dreams.) How have you changed as you’ve “grown up”?
41:53-57	How can years of “abundance” help you prepare for years of “famine?”
	Read (and print) the next page of questions here.

Photo credits:
Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
Joseph is sold by his brothers, from Christians Unite: Christian Clip Art

Ripples of Hope: Fill My Net

Posted on April 18, 2013April 9, 2016 by Carol Hulbert

I hope it doesn’t rain today.

I hope I got a good grade.

I hope she’ll be my friend.

Hope is a word which gets a lot of use in everyday life. We sure could use a dose of hope these days!

Hope is also talked about in the Bible. You can find lists of verses about hope. One of my favorites is:

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18

This weekend is Youth-led worship at FUMC. We will not be holding any workshops on Saturday at Green Wood or downtown on Sunday for grades 1st – 6th, so plan on attending this service!

Youth Worship 2013 banner logo

How about a little preparation? Around the family dinner table? (Or wherever your family is gathered together.)

The focus by the Youth will be hope. This even ties to our current Rotation on Peter’s story! Peter was likely down in the dumps about what he’d done to Jesus. Deciding not to just sit around and mope, Peter chose to go fishing.

a speech bubble Ask your kids: When Peter went fishing, what do you suppose he was hoping for?

A diversion: Something to take his mind off of what he’d done?
A net full of fish?
Jesus’ forgiveness?
Your ideas?

a speech bubble When was the last time you hoped for something?
Did you have to wait for what you were hoping for?

Perhaps Peter chose to go fishing because he was consumed by thinking about what he’d done to Jesus. His mind was probably racing in overtime. He couldn’t stand to be still!

a speech bubble How is waiting for what is hoped for, hard?
What do you do while you are waiting for hope?

a speech bubble Once Peter had spent time in the boat, quietly fishing, that is when Jesus called. Ask: The next time you are waiting for something, what do you think of the idea of turning to God for some quiet time?
What are ways you could have quiet time with God?

Jesus did offer Peter forgiveness. And because of that, we have hope! Jesus forgives us as well. And Jesus’ forgiveness empower us! We can have hope!

The Youth will be using this prayer in worship, adapted from the book Pray Like Hell. This will be presented in a very cool ripple effect that the youth created!

Bless to me this day the power of God to do good work.
Bless to me the power of Christ to love well.
Bless to me the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen me for what lies ahead.
Bless to me the power of the Holy Trinity to give me hope.

I hope you’ll attend one of these worship services!

Photo credits:
Ripples of Hope logo design by Deb Wood. Used with permission.
Photos of the youth from last years youth-led worship service used with permission.

Are you seeing ads? They are not from me! They are placed by WordPress, who otherwise offers a free platform from which to share lots of good-ness. If you see an inappropriate ad, please report it to support@wordpress.com. Include the URL, the date/time the ad appeared, and a screenshot of the ad.

Rotation Photos – share with your kids

Posted on February 20, 2013February 20, 2013 by Carol Hulbert

Here are some photos from our current Rotation at FUMC in Ann Arbor, MI. (We are studying Joseph’s Coat.) Consider gathering the family around the computer and sharing the pictures and talking about some of the questions that are posed.

Last Sunday the 5th and 6th graders were in the Drama Workshop. They had a chance to review the story (which they knew quite well, seeing as this was week number five for this story). They quickly moved on to practicing a skit telling the story of Joseph’s Coat.

Joseph tells his brothers about his dream.

Time Out. Talk about… a speech bubble
Ask your kids what Joseph’s dreams were about.
What did Joseph’s brothers think of the dreams?

Then the audience arrived for the real show! The preschool kids (who have also been learning in their own workshops about Joseph and his brothers) came upstairs on a field trip. They look pretty enthralled!

This show was complete with a spitting camel who arrived on the scene with some traveling traders. And this camel (seen below) really was playing the part! Watch out audience!

Time Out. Talk about… a speech bubble
In what scene in the story did the camel appear? (hint: camels were used on long journeys) How do you suppose Joseph felt at this point in the story? Do you suppose he wondered where God was?

The crew took a bow when it was over. And then they introduced themselves and proudly pointed out their little brothers and sisters in the audience!


The crew is introduced	2nd graders man the puppets!

Meanwhile, in the Puppet Workshop, the 2nd graders were busy enacting the story using puppets. There was a small class this week – only five, and all boys! But they still were able to put on a show. Here they are (on the right) with their puppets. Second grade boys sure have lots of energy! It’s a good thing our puppets are made to last. I’m not sure which they had the most fun at — putting on the puppet show or watching themselves on the TV afterwards? (We had taped the production. Hmm. I’ll have to see about posting that!)

Down in the kitchen, the 1st graders had a crushing experience! They each had one tasty-looking Oreo™ cookie and then the workshop leader smashed it! How did they feel about having crushed cookies? This was a good question that actually tied nicely into our story.
Time Out. Talk about… a speech bubble
What “crushing” experience did Joseph have?
Have there been times when you have felt “crushed” or disappointed, or let down?
What can you do when you feel that way?
Do you suppose learning our key Bible verse might help? (Romans 8:28a)

So, what to do with smooshed cookies? Let’s make the best of our crushing experience and turn it into something good to eat – “dirt pudding”! (Sorry, I didn’t make it to the kitchen on Sunday so these pictures are from the 5th & 6th grade visit to the Cooking Workshop.)

Time Out. Talk about… a speech bubble
What did Joseph do with the crushing experience of being sold in Egypt?
Do you suppose that Joseph remembered that God would always be with him?
What evidence do we have that God was with Joseph? (hint: read Genesis 39:1-5)

These last two pictures are silly…


Some shaking action was needed (and a quick set of rabbit ears)	Can’t have “dirt pudding” without gummy worms!

Which workshop will your child be visiting this weekend? Find out here.

Photo credits:
Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
Other photos from my archives.

Where is God when we need him?

Posted on January 30, 2013January 30, 2013 by Carol Hulbert

In preparing for our Rotation on Joseph’s Coat, I had an “ah-ha” moment. (It is times like this when I like to describe our Cool Disciples program as “adult education disguised as a children’s program.”) I was reading Genesis 37 and I was struck by the realization that in the entire chapter, God is never mentioned! That made me wonder:

Where is God in the story of Joseph and his coat?

That’s when I realized that this was the perfect chance to present this concept:

Recognize that in our lives God’s activity may be hidden.

Sometimes we wonder: where is God? And we want our kids to know that it is perfectly ok to have times in their lives when they may wail: Where are you God?!?

Surely Joseph had these thoughts as he watching his brothers trade him for pieces of silver. (Let alone during the long trip to Egypt!)

Surely Jacob wondered, where is God, when his sons presented him with Joseph’s bloody coat.

Surely you’ve wondered: Where is God? (I can think of dry times when I have!)

How about some discussion at the family dinner table? (Or wherever your family is gathered together.)

Share times when God has seemed far away in your life.
Allow others to share.
What brought you back to the reality of God as always being there with you?
What are ways that would help you remember that God is always with you?

God’s activity may be hidden to us. It may seem like God is ignoring us!

Rest assured that God is with you in all situations.

Sometimes God’s work takes place mysteriously out of sight. Joseph didn’t give up hope. It took time, but eventually Joseph was able to discover that God used each step of his life, the good and the bad, to complete a plan for Joseph’s life. Take a look at Genesis 50:20, as Joseph later (many years later!) said to his brothers:

You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best.

We may not always see it, but God is always there!

Photo credits:
Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
Joseph is sold by Károly Ferenczy, a painting in the Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Perfect Audience

Posted on December 13, 2012November 27, 2013 by Carol Hulbert

Our Rotation this month is about Jesus’ birth with a focus on the shepherds and angels portion of the story. The Message version of the Bible describes these shepherds as “camping in the neighborhood.”

Hmmm… Camping… How about a family camping expedition in the living room? Pitch a “tent” (drape a blanket over some chairs), stuff the backpacks with snacks or maybe even hold a picnic! (Try something simple, like sandwiches.) Use this opportunity to talk about shepherds, ask some questions, and add some spiritual growth memories!

a speech bubble Is it easy to stay clean when you are camping?

If you’ve ever been camping, you know how hard it is to be neat. You can image how hard it was for shepherds in the time of Jesus. They also probably smelled like sheep. And they had another stigma: in those days, shepherds were looked down upon. They were considered as lowly as a tax collector.

Yet these were the people who first heard the good news of Jesus’ birth!

And heard the news in grand style!
Tell the story of the shepherds and angels (from Luke 2:8-18) around your pretend campfire. (What is camping without a campfire!)

a speech bubble Why are shepherds the perfect audience for angels announcing the birth of the Christ child?
Why do you suppose God didn’t chose “important” people to tell first?
Who would you expect God to tell?

There is a momentous message in God’s choice of society’s outcasts as the first visitors he invited to see his baby son!

a speech bubble Have you ever felt not good enough to hear from God?

God’s gift of his son Jesus is for everyone, even you and me.

God sent his son Jesus as a way to bring people back into a relationship with God. Those who are young, old, broken, a mistake-making-mess, tired, forgotten, feeling unworthy… His message of love comes once again, perhaps as quietly as a sleeping baby or as unexpectedly as God’s glory blazing around!

Enjoy this video telling of our story from The Jesus Storybook Bible.

Photo credits:
Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
A young Bedouin shepherd boy by Ed Brambley from Cambridge, UK, who licensed this photo via Wikimedia Commons under a Creative Commons License, via Wikimedia Commons.
Campfire also licensed under Creative Commons, by Mike Davis.

From now on you will be called…

Posted on November 28, 2012May 14, 2015 by Carol Hulbert

Here’s a fresh take on an answering machine message:

Hello. This is not an answering machine, This is a question machine. And there are really only two questions that matter: who are you and what do you want?

Jacob got to answer those questions during his wrestling match with God.

Picture the scene: Jacob is feeling doomed. Twenty years ago he left his home and his family to escape the anger of his brother Esau. Now God has told him to return home, but Jacob is nervous: Does Esau still want to kill him? Jacob has learned that his brother Esau is coming to meet him with an army of 400 men! That doesn’t sound very peaceful.

Jacob has tried every trick in the book including prayer and an attempt to appease his brother with gifts. (Cattle, and camels, and goats, oh my!) Now he finds himself engaged in a full-throttle wrestling match with God! What next?!

Who are you?

Jacob got his name from the way he was born. As the second-born twin he entered the world holding on to the heel of his brother, so they named him “Heel-catcher.” In those days “Heel-catcher” had other not-so-nice meanings: “trickster,” “swindler,” or “scoundrel.” Hmm, Jacob lived up to his name, I’d say?

Now that God has asked him his name, Jacob has to admit it…

a name tag: hello my name is scoundrel

But God has a new name for “The Grabber!”

Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it’s Israel (God-Wrestler); you’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through.
Genesis 36:28 MSG

In giving Jacob a new name it is like God is saying: You may not think that you are “good enough,” but I love you anyway. I’m giving you a second chance. Here is how I mean for you to be.

Hmmm, this means that I could be…

How would you answer the question: What is your name?
What name would you like to live?

Discuss these questions with your family.

Photo credits:
A slightly altered “Hello, my name is…” originally by kirrilyrobert, who licensed this photo on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.

Yikes. Mistakes! (Yet Grace abounds.)

Posted on October 24, 2012October 24, 2012 by Carol Hulbert

The characters in our current Rotation story on Jacob and Esau, are just like us:

Not perfect.

I am glad that the Bible includes stories of less than stellar personalities and people who flub-up big time. It makes it easier for all of us to relate to them. We can look at these characters and see reflections of ourselves.

And (hopefully) learn something! How about this: Isn’t it great to know that God always loves us, no matter what; even when we screw up!

In spite of our mistakes, God doesn’t turn away.
He continues to seek a presence in our lives.

That’s the point this story makes!
So how do we talk about this with our kids? a speech bubble

Here’s an idea: There are lots of mistakes happening in this story, so use mistakes as a jumping-off point for some discussion at the family dinner table. Or wherever your family is gathered together. (If you’d like to print out this discussion guide, click here.)

Here’s how it could go: Start off by describing a mistake that you made recently.

For me it was a recent spelling mistake that I should have caught, but I hit “Reply” too quickly. Oh, and then there was speaking too quickly, and saying what I shouldn’t have said. Ouch. You get the point.

Now, ask your kids what mistakes they’ve made. (Accept all replies.)

Then ask what mistakes are made in the story of Jacob and Esau?

Pull out a Bible and re-read Genesis 25:29-34. (Or ask older kids- readers, to look for mistakes.) Then, ask some questions…

Do you suppose Esau made a mistake in selling his birthright for a bowl of stew?
What is a birthright?

In Bible times the oldest son received special privileges that were seen as very valuable; this was called a “birthright.” If there were two sons, when it came time to divide up everything, the older son would receive two portions and the second son, one. The oldest would become the “head of household” and the family spiritual leader.

Ask more questions…

Who was born first in our story? (Genesis 25:25, Esau)
But what was it that God had told their mother, Rebekah, about these twins before they were born? (If necessary, read Genesis 25:22-23.)

The younger one will be greater! This is strange because, as the birthright says, usually the firstborn is the greater. But here God is telling Rebekah that her 2nd born son (Jacob) would have the special honor of eventually being head of the family. That’s different!

Do you suppose that Rebekah had told her family this story?

Look for more mistakes in Genesis 27:1-38.

What mistakes have been made?
Jacob and his mom have created a big lie! Why do you suppose they did this?
But didn’t they remember what God had said (in Genesis 25:22-23)?
What do you suppose God thinks of what they’ve done? Does he still like/love Jacob?
What happens next? (If necessary read Genesis 27:41-43 – Jacob runs away from Esau.)
Would you call this a “blessing” for Jacob? (no, he had to leave his family behind!)
But then what happens when Jacob is running away? (If necessary read Genesis 28:10-22 – God shows himself to Jacob and promises to be with him.)
Jacob had made a mess, but God still wanted to work with him! Do you suppose God will do this for us?

God keeps on working in all of our lives despite the messes we cause! God is a loving and forgiving God!

Close with a short prayer. A suggestion: Lord, surely you are in this place; with us always. Help us to be aware of your forgiveness and to remember that you love us. Amen.

Photo credits: Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
Reflection by Margaret W. Carruthers, who licensed this photo on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.

Teaching kids about worship: let them participate!

Posted on October 18, 2012October 19, 2012 by Carol Hulbert

This Sunday at FUMC in Ann Arbor, MI, the kids will be participating in worship. What a great way to teach them about worship – by involving them in the service; by asking them to help lead! If your child is not taking an active part this Sunday, here are some ways to help them to get more out of the service.

The theme for this Sunday is: “Jesus, My Friend.” Spend some time talking about friends. Is being someone’s friend, hard work? What does it take to be a good friend? Does it ever involve doing something you maybe don’t like doing? Relay a story from your past friendships.
Talk about Jesus as being your friend. Is it easy being friends with Jesus? What if someone snubbed you or put you down, because you liked Jesus? Would you still want to be friends with Jesus then?
Read the scripture together that will be used in the service: Mark 10:35-45. To make it easier to understand, read it in The Message.
Talk about the sermon title: “James and John: Let’s ‘Like’ Jesus!” Wonder together about how Pastor Bob will develop his sermon. According to this weeks “Thursday Thoughts, we’ll be asked to speculate on whether being friends with Jesus is as easy as clicking “Like.”
Practice prayer. Include all of those who will be helping lead us in worship, in your prayers.
Practice singing some hymns. We’ll be using “Jesus Loves Me,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.” Below are some videos from YouTube that include the lyrics with the songs.

Ask your kids after the service if your preparation helped them to worship. (Report back okay?)

Photo credits:
Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
“Like” button by Sean MacEntee, who licensed this photo under a Creative Commons License on Flickr.