The Story of Joseph (September 9th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: Genesis 37:1-31; 49:1-6

The story of Joseph is such a beautiful illustration of redemption, forgiveness, and God’s presence in our lives (even when things are really really tough!). When sharing this lesson with the children, sibling rivalry and jealousy are often a strong connecting point to their own lives. Joseph confused and frustrated his brothers and their father’s obvious favoritism didn’t help. God shared many things with Joseph in his dreams and reveals a lot about what is to come in Joseph’s life. As the Bible relates, Joseph’s brothers allow their jealousy to get the better of them and they sell Joseph into slavery, lying to their father about what really happened. God continues to reveal truth about the future in his dreams and also, Joseph is granted wisdom for understanding the dreams of others. While still a slave, Joseph helps the Pharaoh to understand dreams. The Pharaoh is so thankful for Joseph and his wisdom that he gives him important jobs and a better life. One day, Joseph’s brothers come to beg the Pharaoh for some grain in a time of famine. They don’t recognize their long-lost brother, so they are surprised when he eventually reveals himself to them. Because of his job with the Pharaoh and because he loves his brothers and father (even though his brothers did something terrible to him!), they all come to live and be happy together in Egypt. This is not a “happily ever after” story, however, as God’s people continue to struggle throughout the coming generations. But this story is a wonderful reminder of the ways that God redeems our relationships, brings the lost into a place of being known, and allows his great work to be revealed in our obedience to him. Joseph stayed true to his calling from God and restored his family through his love.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)

Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?

I wonder what part is the most important?

I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?

I wonder what the story of Joseph and his family might be teaching you?

Prayer:

“Father, thank you for Joseph. We can learn so much from his life. I pray that you would remind me that you are always with me, even when things are difficult. Even when the people I love the most make mistakes, help my to forgive them, just as Jesus forgave those who hurt him. I know that you are always with me. Help me to be the kind of person that can bring joy to you and who can show the world how powerful and wonderful you are. Amen.” 

The Circle of the Church Year (September 9th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: Genesis 1:1- 2:3  

Each Sunday, the Godly Play teachers review the season that we are in. They reflect with the children about the season, what God may be trying to teach us during this time, and they encourage the children to look forward to the seasons to come. Through a directed lesson, the children will learn today about the importance of acknowledging and considering these seasons as we worship, learn, and pray each week. The concept of God’s timing and His provision of seasons for preparation and growth will be discussed. They will talk about the “Great Growing Season,” Advent, Christmas, Resurrection and the Easter Season, and the day of Pentecost. Your child will probably bring home a beaded cord with a colored bead to represent each of the 52 Sundays in the year. I recommend that you put this cord in a place where daily Bible reading takes place so that you can consider the seasons throughout the year. Remember, the natural seasons of the year help us to look back with gratitude and look forward with anticipation... God has provided us with seasons in our faith to do the same.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder which of these colors/ seasons you like best?

I wonder which of the colors/ seasons is the most important?

I wonder if you’ve ever seen these colors in church, at home, or at school?

I wonder why the Church tells time with colors?

Prayer:

“Dear Father, thank you for the seasons. Thank you for the changing weather, the growing trees, and the cooling winds. Thank you for the sun and the moon, which help us mark our days. Thank you also for the seasons of the Church Year, so that we can remember to prepare our hearts for what is to come and can remember back to the beautiful things that have taken place. Amen.” 

Listening to and Talking with God (September 2nd)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: Psalm 5: 7

This week, we revisited the concepts from our lesson about the Classroom Sanctuary. These behaviors are so important and they require quite a bit of repetition for the little ones, especially those who have just transitioned from the Toddler classroom. We moved in to a discussion of Prayer and the ways that we interact with and talk to God. As a group, children will enjoy the picture book In God’s Name by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. This book explores the various ways that we draw near to God- through his strength, through his peace, through his provision. The children discussed the various ways they have seen God in their own lives. The children also practiced a few simple prayers together and shared prayer requests after a short conversation about them. Finally, a good deal of time was devoted at the end of today’s lesson for children to write, draw, paint, or sculpt a prayer to God.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder what you think of when you think of God?

I wonder what you see in your thoughts when you say his name?

I wonder what sorts of things you might want to talk to God about?

I wonder if there is anything that you think you should tell God about right

now?

Prayer:

“Dear God, thank you for listening to me when I share my thoughts and prayers with you. I know that you care for me and I am so glad that we can talk every single day- in the morning, in the daytime, and even late late at night. Amen.”

 eep. I encourage you to read about it in scripture (Psalm 23) as a preparation for their learning. 

The Story of Samuel (August 19th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

The story of Samuel is a beautiful illustration of patience, provision, and sacrifice. Although Hannah desires a child of her own, she must wait and wait for many years until Samuel is born. In fact, during the time that she is praying and hoping for a child, she prays so fervently, that a temple priest, Eli, worried that she was not well. When Samuel is born, Hannah and her husband Elkanah decide to dedicate him to the Lord. They bring him to the temple to be taught and guided by Eli in prayer, study, and care for God’s people and the ark of the covenant. You may share with your children that he was sort of like an apprentice. In our lesson with the children, we explored the experience that Samuel had in which God called him audibly and directly. Samuel responds to God and expresses, “Speak, God, for your servant hears.” What follows is not easy. Eli dies, there are terribly battles, the ark is lost…. Much later, Samuel appoints Saul to be king, and then later appoints David, Jesse’s youngest son and an ancestor or Joseph, who will one day help to raise our savior Jesus. What a big and glorious story it is! One of the most significant aspects of Samuel’s story is that he and his mother are dedicated to listening to God and doing HIS will, even if it is not exactly how they might have thought things should or could be. This lesson in submission to God takes a lifetime to learn!

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)

Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?

I wonder what part is the most important?

I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?

I wonder what the story of Samuel and his family might be teaching you?

Prayer:

“Dear Father, I know that you understand everything and know what is best for each of us. Thank you for caring for us and blessing us with so much each and every day. Help me to listen carefully for what you share with me. Help me to do what is right and bring glory to you through my decisions. I love you and am glad that you will walk along with me in all I do. Amen.”  

The Story of Ruth (August 19th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: Ruth 1: 6-17

As we explored the story of Ruth on Sunday, we connected God’s story between the generations that preceded her and those that will come after. Ruth is King David’s Great Grandmother! This story focuses attention on the nomadic events of Ruth’s life with her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of her husband. She chooses to stay with Naomi, rather than return to her own people. Later, when they are gathering grain, Boaz sees Ruth and they eventually wed. A few generations later, David was born to Ruth’s grandson Jesse. It is quite engaging for children to realize that Ruth was Jesus’ ancestor. During the lesson, we ask the children to wonder about whether Ruth knew how special her marriage with Boaz would prove to be.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)

Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?

I wonder what part is the most important?

I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?

I wonder what the story of Ruth and her family might be teaching you?

Prayer:

“Dear Lord, protect me from getting grouchy when things don’t happen the way I expect them to. Help me to think about your story and the ways that you are in control. I want things to happen the way you want them to happen. Thank you for all the ways that you care for my family and I everyday. Amen.”

Looking forward: In the weeks to come, we will be studying the appropriate ways that we enter into the sanctuary each Sunday. Later we will begin to learn about the early days of Jesus’ ministry and the miracles that he first performed.