Joseph in Egypt

The backstory to the Ten Commandments

Posted on January 16, 2014November 22, 2014 by Carol Hulbert

I am thankful that you seek for your family a means to connect all of your living to faith!

Last week I’d said that our Rotation on the Ten Commandments was likely to be difficult for your kids to grasp. Why did I say that? Do you suppose it was because…

(A) I spent weeks studying this story. How could I expect a child to grasp it?

+++OR

(B) It is an Old Testament story, and you know, the Old Testament can be tough…

+++OR

(C) The Bible is an unfolding narrative and for the Ten Commandments, there is a lot of important backstory. How could we possibly cover all of the story in Sunday’s Cool!

Answer: All of the above, but mostly the last one.

But I can relax! You are here to learn about that backstory and to help extend the learning at home.

So let’s address the backstory!

We’ll answer the questions:

How Moses and the Ten Commandments connects back to Abraham and Sarah? And Isaac and Rebekah. And Jacob & Rachel. And Joseph and all of his brothers. (They were all related weren’t they?)
How did the Israelites end up in Egypt?

Remember Abraham? He was living somewhere in current day Iraq and God called him. Over time God revealed his purpose to Abraham: “I want you to be a new tribe; a people that blesses others. You’ll show the world I care!” (Genesis 12:1-3; I’m paraphrasing here.)

The take-away point is that this was a radical new thought. Consider how other tribes at that time thought of their gods: distant and uncaring. Ponder the prospect of blessing your neighbors when what you’d been trained to do was to wipe them out!

Seriously different!

a speech bubble
Question to ponder: Did this new way of thinking stick?

So God is starting something big. He makes a Covenant with Abraham which included the promise of lots of descendants. And sure enough, God sticks to his promise! We met some of Abraham’s extended family when we covered the stories of Abraham’s son Isaac and his grandsons Jacob and Esau, and his numerous great-grandchildren (Jacob’s kids), including Joseph (with the multi-colored coat).

It was Joseph who caused the family (known as Hebrews or Israelites) to move to Egypt (Genesis 27:28, 42:3, 46:27). In fact, for a review on that story, let’s watch a video! (One that stars our kids!)

Can’t see the video? View it here on Vimeo.

Very entertaining!

Okay. We’ve still got some ground to cover to bring us to our story of Moses and the Ten C… So all of Jacob and his sons and their families (the stars in the video!) moved to Egypt; there were about 70 of them (of course in those days they only counted the men). Four hundred years later Abraham’s progeny have grown to include 600,000 — you guessed it — men! (Exodus 12:37).

However, life is not rosy for these descendants of Abraham. They are living in slavery in Egypt under a cruel pharaoh. Yet, God has not forgotten his covenant with these people. (Oh, yes – God had added to his promises: an enduring relationship with Abraham’s extended family, and as Genesis 17:7 reminds us: “I will be their God.”)

So God calls Moses (through a burning bush) to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to freedom. Many plagues later, they are on their way “home” to God’s promised land!

Mt. Sinai

There is much drama in the tales which follow: their escape complete with a dramatic water crossing, journeying through the desert, manna from heaven, water from rocks, and finally, vivid events on Mount Sinai, where the story of the Ten Commandments takes place.

Whew! The backstory is complete!
Now read our current story: Exodus 19:1-11, 16-19; 20:1-17; 24:1-2, 12-18; 31:18-32:24. I’m sure that it will be the backstory to yet another story!

Credits:
Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
Abram counts stars by Stjepan Mokatelo, via Christian Clip Art.
I created the family tree.
The video starred kids in 1st-6th grade at FUMC in Ann Arbor, MI. (Many, many thanks to Tom Gardner as photographer and video creator!)
Mt. Sinai by YoHandy, who licensed this photo on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.

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Discussing Joseph in Egypt, part two

Posted on June 27, 2013April 26, 2019 by Carol Hulbert

Here’s a daily hint: Spend time GROWing at the dinner table.
Growing as in…

Grace (say a table grace together).
Review the days highs and lows while you eat.
Open the Bible and read just a tiny bit.
Work on applying it to life.

The “work on it” part doesn’t have to be elaborate. It’s all about…

Asking questions or doing activities
that help us to see that the Bible applies to our lives.

So if our current Rotation story is about Joseph in Egypt, how can such a long story—with numerous characters and complex plot twists—be broken down in bite-sized (dinner table-sized) chunks?

Easy! Use the following reading/discussion guide!

Joseph’s brothers arrive in Egypt. Unwittingly they bow down before Joseph! (Genesis 42:6)

Clipart - a girl points out while reading If you’d like to print out this reading plan/discussion guide, click here.
Need a review? See part one of Joseph in Egypt here. And if you’d like to go even further back, review the discussion guide for Joseph’s “Coat” portion of the story, here.

Read in Genesis	Discuss…
42:1-4	Why did Jacob have fears about Benjamin going to Egypt? Kids: Do you suppose that your parents have fears about you going places without them? What can help your parents when they are afraid?
42:5-7	Why do you suppose Joseph pretended to not know his brothers? What would your reaction have been if you were Joseph?
42:8-9	What “dreams” is Joseph talking about? (Hint: Genesis 37:5-11) How do you suppose Joseph is feeling watching his dreams come true!?
42:8-17	Why do you suppose Joseph locked up all of his brothers for three days? Describe a time when you schemed to “get back” at someone who had wronged you. Did you follow through with your plans?
42:18-23	Joseph says he “fears” God (verse 18) meaning he respects God. Where would you put Joseph’s trust-in-God-level at this point in the story? How do you suppose the brothers of Joseph are feeling: upset at their lot in life or sorry about what they did to Joseph? Where are they on the trust-in-God-meter?
42:24-28
42:

Share in the comments how applying-it-to-life helps you to GROW your family faith!

Photo credits:
Clip art “reader” by Improulx, in the Public Domain. Slightly altered and shared at Flickr.
Joseph is governor, an ilustration by Owen Jones from The History of Joseph and His Brethren (Day & Son, 1869) in the Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Worried? Time to work on remembering

Posted on June 20, 2013August 4, 2016 by Carol Hulbert

When faced with tough times does your trust in God evaporate?

Or do you remember?

When you cross deep rivers, I will be with you.
Isaiah 43:2a

Do you suppose Joseph had that thought while he was at the bottom of a pit or sold as a slave in Egypt or unfairly placed in jail?

He must have! Because in spite of all of the hard stuff that Joseph experienced, he maintained godly values and he readily shared his gifts with others.

Okay, so how do I get faith like Joseph.

And how can I help my kids to grow their trust in Jesus?

Here are a few ideas to try:

Model growing your own faith: Keep a Bible in a well-traveled space in your house. Let your children catch you reading the Bible and praying. Help your child to realize that a journey with Jesus is on-going. There is always something new to learn.
Start a family habit: when gathered together around the dinner table or while driving in the car, ask: What has God been teaching you lately? Share your stories of God with you. Hearing stories about how God was with someone can make it easier for us to remember: God is with me in all situations.
Re-focus: Use visualization techniques such as placing all their worries in a basket.
Commit Bible verses to memory. Look here and here, for ideas on how to learn verses by heart.
In times of stress, use breath prayer as a way to sense God’s presence. That link will take you to a how-to which uses an Aramaic word – the language Jesus used. Or try… On inhale: “God,” On exhale: “always here.” The possibilities are endless.

What are other ways that you teach your kids about growing their faith in God?

Photo credits:
Reflection time by Rajesh Kumar, who licensed this photo on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.

Wrestling worries

Posted on June 12, 2013July 12, 2016 by Carol Hulbert

Imagine living like this:

Potiphar left everything up to Joseph, and with Joseph there, the only decision he had to make was what he wanted to eat. Genesis 39:6a

I was reading our current Rotation story using Lectio Divina when this passage jumped out at me. Imagine not being concerned about anything, except what you eat! What a life Potiphar led!

Not a single worry.

Except whether to eat figs or grapes.

Crops need planting? No concern, Joseph will handle it.
Supplies need restocking? No problem, Joseph can take care of it.
(I wonder if Joseph did windows?)

Ever wished you could live like that – worry free? I sure have!

What about when your kids worry? How can you help them?
Does it work to say, “Jesus tells us not to worry?” (See Matthew 6:25-34)
Probably not.

Try this: Ask your child to close their eyes and imagine a basket. (Best done at bed time!) Have them imagine a basket on the floor next to their bed. Tell them to give details to their musing. What color basket? What shape and size?

a picture of a field is cut into strips and woven to look like a basket

When they have the image in their mind, ask them to imagine themselves putting their worries into that basket. Help them to form a clear picture of this process. Tell your child that Jesus will take care of the basket. Have them picture handing the basket to Jesus.

Try it out! What are other ways you help your kids not to worry?

Photo credits:
Woven “basket” by Cindy Cornett Seigle, who licensed this photo on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.

Joseph in Egypt: June 2013 Schedule

Posted on May 30, 2013June 12, 2013 by Carol Hulbert

You’re in the right spot for tips on how to nurture your child’s spirituality. Subscribe to receive future posts. (Usually one or two a week but every day during Vacation Bible Camp week: July 8-12!) Enter your e-mail address to have posts sent directly to your inbox. Or click on the orange RSS icon to subscribe in a reader.

On Saturday nights and on Sunday mornings at FUMC our Cool Disciples experience Workshop Rotation Model Christian education. (Click on any of those bold words to find out more about our programs.)

In June, we are continuing to cover part two of the Old Testament Joseph story. Read in the Bible all of the passages we’re covering in Genesis 39:1-5, 39:20-45:28, 46:1-7, 50:15-21. Yes, it’s too much to read in one sitting! Here’s the answer: Use the reading plan for this Rotation to help with how to break it down into manageable chunks. This reading plan includes discussion questions – talk about it over the family dinner table and apply this story to your lives.

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers (a painting of unknown origin, in the public domain

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers (Genesis 45:1-15)

For Saturdays at the Green Wood location, here is the schedule…

Date	Workshop	Activity
6/1	Plant flowers!	Support the Green Wood clean-up day and help to beautify the church exterior.
6/8	A visit from Pastor Doug!	We’ll play some get-to-know-you games and hear what he thinks about the story of Joseph.
6/15	No workshops today.	Worship with your family.
6/22	Photography workshop	Retell the story by creating frozen pictures of story scenes.
6/29	Musical Storytelling	Tell the story in a musical way! Watch portions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Sing along!

For Sundays at the downtown location, here is the schedule of workshops…

Date	Our workshops…
6/2	Enjoy worship and Communion with your family
6/9	The big game! Are You Smarter than a 6th grader?
	Puppets	Games	Video	Musical Storytelling	Photography
	Room 215	Room 211	Pine Room	Social Hall	Room 204
6/16	4th grade	5th & 6th grade	1st grade	2nd grade	3rd grade
6/23	5th & 6th grade	3rd grade	4th grade	1st grade	2nd grade
6/30	2nd grade	4th grade	5th & 6th grade	3rd grade	1st grade

What’s happening in each workshop?

In the Games Workshop students will play a quiz game using the life-sized game board and an over-sized game die.
In the Photography Workshop students will create a series of tableaux (still photographs) of each portion of the story. These will later be made into a slideshow with narration.
In the Puppet Workshop students will use handle-bag puppets to enact the story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt.
The Storytelling Workshop tells the story with a musical! Experience Joseph’s feelings and events in his life by viewing and discussing parts of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
In the Video Workshop students will watch portions of the animated video Joseph King of Dreams.

If you are in the area please join us for the fun learning at First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor, MI

Photo credits:
Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
Painting of Joseph revealing his identity, from an unknown origin, in the Public Domain. Courtesy of La Vista Church of Christ. Licensed under a Creative Commons License.

When tornados stir things up – what to say to kids

Posted on May 23, 2013May 24, 2013 by Carol Hulbert

Why didn’t God save their house? Why was it destroyed?

How do you answer the tough questions?

Rather than panic, take a moment to marvel! Isn’t it wonderful that God created your child with a unsuppressed, passionate sense of wonder and curiosity! (How will they find out about the world without cross-examination?) Thank God for their questioning nature!

But, there is this hard question hanging in the air. Perhaps in your household due to the recent Oklahoma tornado. (Which for me, stirred up memories of our own close-at-hand destruction in March 2012.)

The nature of the question asked may be different, but at any rate a response is required. What will you say? Here are some things to consider in formulating your reply:

Ask them what they know about the situation. You want to be able to provide them with answers that are specific to what they are looking for. (No need to go into details beyond what they have wondered about.)
Perhaps you need time to think about what you will say. It is okay to say: “I would like to continue talking about this, but I need time to think it over.” (But remember to reintroduce the topic later! Saying: “Remember when you asked me about…”)
Use age-appropriate words to describe what has happened. Give them a name for their feelings. “You sound frightened” or “You seem worried.”
It is okay to say that you don’t have all the answers! Words like: “I don’t know. God’s world is sometimes really hard to understand. We can’t see the reasons for why things happen. Sometimes we have to live in the mystery. All we can know is that God always loves us. God wants us to be safe.”
For specific questions:
- Where was God?
  Your religious thinking may differ but Methodists don’t believe that God creates storms or other natural disasters to punish people. Reassure them that God weeps right along with those who suffer loss. God’s love never ends! And nothing that happens can separate us from his love. (See Romans 8:38-39.)
- Why didn’t God stop this from happening?
  Back in the beginning of time God set in motion the creation of our world. God created our world to be ruled by natural laws. Take, for example, gravity: gravity is good – it keeps us from floating out of control! But gravity can also be bad – such as when an airplane looses power and falls to earth. It would be nice if God could save the airplane and temporarily suspend the law of gravity. But if that were to happen, we’d all go spinning off into space! Specifics in the case of a tornado: we have an unsettling mix of hot and cold air. Yet individually, hot and cold serve purposeful parts of our physical world. God doesn’t arbitrarily manipulate the laws of nature!
- I’m wondering if I can trust God?
  A valid concern! God gives us a choice. Point to Bible stories such as Joseph in Egypt; Joseph chose to trust God in spite of difficult situations he faced. He eventually saw a purpose for his suffering. (See Genesis 45:4-7.) Trusting God doesn’t make troubles go away; it does make troubles easier to handle.
Point out the helpers. God always sends helpers. (Especially when you are looking for them!) Ask your children how they think that they can be a helper? (Prayer for victims is always one answer.)
Create a family plan for what to do in a similar situation. Calmly hold a family drill.

Are there questions you have or topics you’d like to see addressed? Fill out the form below to let me know.

Photo credits: Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
Damage in Dexter, MI March 2012 tornado by Andy Fowler, who licensed this photo on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.

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

Cool Disciples Schedule – May 2013

Posted on May 2, 2013May 15, 2013 by Carol Hulbert

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On Saturday nights and on Sunday mornings at FUMC, our “Sunday’s Cool” is a different sort of Christian education. We are a Workshop Rotation Model church. That means kids spend five weeks learning a particular Bible story, each week encountering a different kid-friendly multimedia workshop.

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams

In May and in June, we are covering part two of the Old Testament Joseph story. Read part two in Genesis 39:1-5, 39:20-45:28, 46:1-7, 50:15-21. (It covers a lot of reading – nine chapters! Stay-tuned, a reading plan will be up next week.) A review of part one (with a printable discussion) is here.

For Saturdays at the Green Wood location, here is the schedule…

Date	Workshop	Activity
5/4	Puppets Workshop	Use handle-bag puppets to enact the story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt.
5/11	Games Workshop	Play a quiz game to focus on story details.
5/18	Video Workshop	Watch portions of the animated video Joseph King of Dreams.
5/25	No workshop for Memorial Day weekend.	If you’re not at Family Camp, worship with your family.

For Sundays at the downtown location, here is the schedule of workshops…

Date	Our workshops…
5/5	Enjoy worship and Communion with your family
	Puppets	Games	Video	Storytelling	Photography
	Room 215	Room 211	Pine Room	Social Hall	Room 204
5/12	3rd grade	1st grade	2nd grade	5th & 6th grade	4th grade
5/19	1st grade	2nd grade	3rd grade	4th grade	5th & 6th grade
5/26	Memorial Day weekend! Family Camp! If you’re in town, attend worship with your family.

This Rotation will continue in June!

What’s happening in each workshop?

In the Games Workshop students will play a quiz game using the life-sized game board and an over-sized game die.
In the Photography Workshop students will create a series of tableaux (still photographs) of each portion of the story. These will later be made into a slideshow with narration.
In the Puppet Workshop students will use handle-bag puppets to enact the story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt.
The Storytelling Workshop tells the story with a musical! Experience Joseph’s feelings and events in his life by viewing and discussing parts of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
In the Video Workshop students will watch portions of the animated video Joseph King of Dreams.

If you are in the area please join us for the fun learning at First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor, MI

Photo credits:
Click here for info on banner photo (not visible in readers or email).
Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream, an illustration by O. A. Stemler and Bess Bruce Cleaveland from the Standard Bible Story Readers: Book 3 (in the Public Domain), made available by La Vista Church of Christ under a Creative Commons non-commercial 3.0 license.