Curriculum
Joseph's Brothers Are Jealous
Memory Verse:
“Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph — a beautiful robe.” Genesis 37:3
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Joseph was his father’s favorite son, and Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and the special treatment he received. This jealousy led Joseph’s brothers to capture him and sell him into slavery.
Scripture Summary
Jacob, whom God renamed Israel, had 12 sons and one daughter. The sons worked together doing chores and tending the livestock in the fields. Because Joseph was born late in Israel’s life to Israel’s favorite wife, Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons.
It was customary at the time for everyone to have his own robe or cloak. The garment was functional to keep oneself warm, to wrap up and carry supplies, and even to be used as collateral on a loan. Typically, cloaks were fairly plain, short-sleeved, and came down to about the knees.
But not Joseph’s cloak. His was made of the finest fabric (probably similar to that of royalty), long-sleeved, and came down to his ankles. It was a special cloak, just as Israel had seen Joseph as special.
It hurt Joseph’s brothers to know that their father loved Joseph the most, and their jealousy toward Joseph grew throughout the years. They hit a tipping point, of sorts, after Joseph had shared his dreams of his brothers bowing down to him.
Joseph’s brothers had had enough and planned to kill him. Reuben stepped in and suggested they throw him into a deep pit and not suffer the guilt of murder. As Midianites traveled by, brother Judah further suggested to sell Joseph and benefit from getting rid of him.
Further on in Genesis 41:16, Joseph shows that he had learned a lesson the hard way. Our talents are not to be bragged about to others. God gives talents and should receive the glory.
Why Is This Important
Some people have more possessions, qualities, or favor than we do. Some have less. When we lack contentment in what God has given us, we can fall into the temptation of jealousy.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
Jealousy Destroys Relationships
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such
‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:14-16)
Nothing good comes from jealousy. It’s easy for me to look at the familiar story of Joseph and his brothers and see the destruction jealousy provokes. Joseph was favored (favored unfairly by his father), and his brothers were jealous.
Because of jealousy, they plotted to kill Joseph and ended up selling him into slavery.
Or what about Sarah and Hagar (Genesis 16)? God had promised Sarah a child, though she was old and had not yet conceived. She took God’s plan into her own hands. Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, and Hagar conceived a son. Sarah then became so jealous of Hagar and Ishmael’s relationship with Abraham that she was abusive toward Hagar.
Maybe it’s just me, but stories like this are blatant with their themes of jealousy, and I’m too quick to judge. If I honestly take the time to look at my own life, in what ways have I given into the temptation of jealousy even in the subtle circumstances of life?
Instead of letting the love of Jesus flow freely through me, I can become quiet and aloof when I’m around other moms who seem to have it all together (and sporting their high- priced possessions). Instead of celebrating when a family member is taking the night off, I can become critical of them because it’s hard for me to rest and play.
While few of us have plotted to kill a relative out of jealousy (okay, hopefully none of us have!), the seeds of even subtle jealousy can grow into destructive chasms between us and those we love.
Prayer
Dear God, please open my eyes to my own acts of jealousy. Please forgive me. I want You to redeem these relationships in my life. Please show me the first step. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: “Coat of Scripture” handout - one for each child, Scissors for each child, Glue sticks, Crayons
Give each child a “Coat of Scripture” handout. Have kids follow these steps.
- Cut out the coat puzzle pieces.
- Glue them to fit together inside the coat.
- Color each piece a different color.
Once the colorful coats are finished, have kids read the whole Bible memory verse together.
SAY: Today we heard about a colorful coat, and we learned that jealousy can lead to terrible sin. When Joseph received the colorful coat from his father, his brothers felt a lot of jealousy. Then his brothers did some terrible things to Joseph.
ASK:
- Has there ever been a time when you were really jealous of something someone else had? (Allow kids to share openly.)
- What helped you overcome your jealous feelings?
SAY: It doesn’t feel good to be jealous. And if we do not deal with those feelings, they can lead us to do terrible things.
Interactive Bible Experience
Open your Bible and read the following verse aloud - Proverbs 14:30: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Instruct children when they hear the word “life,” they are to jump and move around like their body is alive. When they hear what envy/jeal- ousy does to the bones have them drop to the ground and freeze.
Read the verse several times and in several different ways:
- Read the verse slowly.
- Read the verse in a whisper.
- Read the verse in an accent.
ASK:
- What does a heart at peace do?
- What happens to us when we envy or are jealous of others?
PRAY: Dear God, You know our hearts better than we do. You know when we are jealous and envy something that someone else has. Help us keep our eyes focused on You so that we will not have jealous hearts. When we do see jealousy in ourselves, help us run to You for forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Snack
Colorful Coat Snacks
You’ll Need: Graham Crackers (two per child), Marshmallow cream, Jelly beans, Paper plates, Napkins
SAY: Today we learned about jealousy. Joseph’s brothers were jealous after their dad presented him with a coat of many colors. Let’s make some colorful coat snacks now.
Have kids follow these steps to make their Colorful Coat Snacks.
- Lay one graham cracker vertically on the plate.
- Break the other graham cracker in half and put it on each side as sleeves.
- Coat the graham cracker with marshmallow cream.
- Use the colorful jelly beans on the marshmallow cream to create a colorful coat snack.
- Enjoy.
Game
Eye Spy
Spread the children out around the room.
SAY: Today we learned about Joseph’s dad giving him a coat of many colors. We are going to play a game with colors now.
Play the game as follows:
- As a teacher, be the caller first. Say that you spy something in the room that is a certain color.
- Invite children to raise their hands and guess the object.
- The person who guesses correctly gets to be the next caller.
They will call out a color and kids try to guess what object the caller spied.
- Play as many rounds as time allows.
SAY: Wow, God created so many wonderful things and I love all the colors you chose. We have so much to thank God for, don’t we? That’s why we do not let our hearts start to be jealous of what others have.
Craft
Craft Stick Joseph
You’ll Need: “Joseph’s Brothers are Jealous How- to Video”, Crafts sticks - two per child, Colorful chenille wires, A styrofoam ball - one per child, Glue, Markers
SAY: Today we are going to make our own Josephs and give him a colorful coat.
Help children follow these steps to make their Craft Stick Joseph.
- Stick one craft stick into the styrofoam ball.
- Glue the other craft stick across the other craft stick to be arms.
- Allow to dry.
- Then wrap several colorful chenille wires around “Joseph” to give him a colorful coat.
Prayer
Colorful Prayers
You’ll Need: Four pieces of construction paper in the following colors: yellow, blue, red, and green
SAY: Today, we’re going to pray some colorful prayers. When you stand on a color, think of something that God made that has the same color. Then thank God for that thing. When I say “switch,” everyone go to another color and pray again.
Lead children in these steps:
- Spread the construction paper around the room with each piece being at least six feet apart.
- Allow each child to pick a piece to start on. Only one child per piece of construction paper.
- Give them time to pray on their first piece then say switch and they have to move to a different color.
AT THE END, PRAY: God, we praise You for being Creator! Thank you for Your church and Bible that teach us.
