The Exciting, Wild Life of Joseph
The fair is filled with exciting spectacles, wild rides, and sweet treats. Joseph lived one exciting life filled with wild ups and downs, but God gave him a sweet reward in the end. When we put our trust in God, he will help us through whatever we might face in life.
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At The Fair 8-Week Children's Ministry Curriculum Overview
Memory Verse:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways obey him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIRV)
Lessons:
Hall of Mirrors
Scripture: Genesis 37:1-11, Joseph's Dreams
In the Hall of Mirrors, you'll see a lot of your own reflection but you might not be able to see where you're going. When God gave Joseph special dreams, he was able to see God’s plan for his life. Joseph believed God could do what he saw in his dreams, even though Joseph didn’t know how he would get there.
Objective: Kids will learn that we can trust God to make a way even when we can’t see one.
Bumper Cars
Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36, Joseph Sold in Slavery
You'll get quite a jolt when that first bumper car rams into your car. Joseph experienced a lot of bumps in his life, the first came when his angry brothers sold Joseph into slavery. Although Joseph couldn't see it then, God would use that terrible event to bring about great things.
Objective: Kids will learn that we can trust God, even when the unexpected happens.
Ferris Wheel
Scripture: Genesis 39:1-21, Joseph In Potiphar's House
The Ferris Wheel takes us high and then takes us low. Joseph felt the low of being sold by his brothers, then the high of working for the powerful Potiphar, and then the terrible low of being accused of and punished for something he didn't do.
Objective: Kids will learn that we trust God whether we are happy or sad.
The Drop Tower
Scripture: Genesis 39:21-40:23, Joseph in Prison
Most fairs have a ride that is meant to give you a scare by taking you up really high, and the letting you drop! Joseph found himself in a real frightening situation when he was dropped into prison. But even in that scary place, God used Joseph to help others.
Objective: Kids will learn that we can trust God when we are scared.
Magic Show
Scripture: Genesis 41:1-40, Pharaoh's Dream
Many people come to the fair for the entertainment. One of the most popular acts is the magician who seems to be able to do impossible things. While magicians can’t actually do the impossible, God can. After 2 years of being in prison, God did what was seemingly impossible for Joseph. Through God's power – Joseph was able to interpret a dream for Pharaoh and save the people of Egypt from starvation. In one day, Joseph went from being a prisoner to being the second most powerful person in Egypt.
Objective: Kids will learn that we can trust God to make impossible things happen.
Sweet Treats
Scripture: Genesis 41:41-56, Joseph Put in Charge
Some people would say the best part of the fair is the FOOD. Sweet treats and deep-fried everything. After years of struggle, Joseph was finally experiencing the sweet life for himself. Pharaoh trusted Joseph to store food for his entire kingdom and Joseph relied on God to help him lead with wisdom and strength.
Objective: Kids will learn that we can trust God to help us make wise choices.
Ring Toss Game
Scripture: Genesis 42, Joseph's Brothers Go to Egypt
At many fairs, you can find all kinds of games at the midway. Many of these games have a “trick”, that if you know what it is, it makes it easier to win. When famine hit the land, Joseph's brothers went to Egypt for food. Since Joseph's brothers did not recognize him, Joseph played a little “trick” on them in order to see if their hearts had changed since they sold him into slavery. However, Joseph had already chosen to do the right thing and give them the food they needed, even if their hearts hadn’t changed.
Objective: Kids will learn that we trust God to help us love everyone, even those who have wronged us.
Roller Coaster
Scripture: Genesis 44:1-45:4, 45:14-15, Joseph Makes Himself Known
The roller coaster is full of ups and down and twist and turns. Joseph's life was full of ups and downs, twists and turns, but he never lost his faith in God. In the end, Joseph was able to lead the people of Egypt, save many people from the famine, and even reunite with the brothers who once hated him.
Objective: Kids will learn that we can trust God to work all things together for the good of those who love him.
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