Genesis 39:1-41:57

Joseph in Egypt Bible lesson for kids

A complete Joseph in Egypt lesson plan for Sunday school or homeschool — one version for each age band, from preschool to preteen. Pick the section that matches your kids and teach.

Jump to Ages 4–6Jump to Ages 6–9Jump to Ages 9–12

Preschool & Kindergarten

Ages 4–6

Objective

Children will understand that Joseph kept choosing what was right and God stayed with him during hard times.

Opening question

What can you do when the right choice feels hard?

Tell the story

Read Genesis 39:1-41:57 together and listen for the ways God helped Joseph. Joseph worked hard in Potiphar’s house, but Potiphar’s wife asked him to do something wicked, so Joseph said no and ran away. She told a lie about Joseph, and he was put in prison, where he kept helping others and trusted God. Much later, Joseph explained Pharaoh’s dreams, and Pharaoh put him in charge of storing food for the hungry years ahead.

Hands-on activities

Fill the Storehouse

Materials: Scrap paper, Two bowls or boxes

  1. Crumple the paper into small pretend bundles of grain.
  2. Place all the grain at one end of the room and an empty storehouse at the other.
  3. Carry one bundle at a time to the storehouse.
  4. Count seven bundles together for the seven plentiful years.
  5. Say, God helped Joseph make a wise plan.

Joseph Chooses What Is Right

Materials: our free printable coloring page, Crayons

  1. Show our free printable coloring page and name Joseph, Potiphar, and Pharaoh if they appear.
  2. Color Joseph while recalling that he worked hard and told the truth.
  3. Draw a heart beside Joseph as a reminder that God was with him.
  4. Point to the picture and say, I can choose what is right.

Talk about it

  1. What did Joseph do when someone asked him to do wrong?
  2. Was God with Joseph even in prison?
  3. What right choice can you make today?

Closing prayer

God, help us choose what is right and trust that you are with us.

Early Elementary

Ages 6–9

Objective

Children will explain how Joseph’s integrity prepared him to serve others wisely when God’s time came.

Opening question

Would you still do the right thing if nobody praised you for it?

Tell the story

Read Genesis 39:1-41:57 together and notice how Joseph acted in both ordinary and important moments. Joseph served Potiphar faithfully and refused to betray his trust, but a false accusation sent Joseph to prison. Joseph helped manage the prison and explained the cupbearer’s and baker’s dreams, yet he waited two more years before the cupbearer remembered him. Joseph gave God credit for explaining Pharaoh’s dreams, proposed a wise food plan, and became second in command over Egypt.

Hands-on activities

Integrity Corners

Materials: Two sheets of paper, Marker, Tape

  1. Write Right Choice on one paper and Wrong Choice on the other.
  2. Tape the papers in opposite corners.
  3. Read situations about finding money, breaking a toy, seeing answers, or receiving too much change.
  4. Move to the corner showing the honest response.
  5. Ask volunteers to explain how the right choice protects trust.
  6. Remind everyone that a right choice may not bring an immediate reward.

Faithful in Private and Public

Materials: our free printable coloring page, Crayons or colored pencils, Pencil

  1. Color our free printable coloring page while retelling Joseph’s changing responsibilities.
  2. Turn the page over and divide the back into two spaces.
  3. Draw one right choice made when nobody is watching.
  4. Draw one way a trustworthy person can help many people.
  5. Share the drawings with a partner.

Talk about it

  1. Why did Joseph refuse to betray Potiphar even when nobody else was present?
  2. How might prison have prepared Joseph for leadership?
  3. Why was it important that Joseph gave God credit for the dream’s meaning?

Closing prayer

God, help us act with integrity, wait patiently, and give you the credit.

Upper Elementary & Preteen

Ages 9–12

Objective

Students will connect Joseph’s private integrity and long season of waiting with wise, God honoring leadership.

Opening question

If doing the right thing makes life harder, is it still worth doing?

Tell the story

Read Genesis 39:1-41:57 together and trace Joseph’s movement from slavery to leadership. Joseph managed Potiphar’s household with integrity, refused a sinful invitation, and suffered prison because of a false accusation. In prison he served faithfully and interpreted dreams, but the restored cupbearer forgot him for two years. When Pharaoh dreamed of coming plenty and famine, Joseph credited God, explained the warning, offered a practical plan, and was placed over Egypt’s food supply.

Hands-on activities

Integrity Decision Lab

Materials: Scrap paper, Pencils, Bowl

  1. Write school and friendship dilemmas on separate slips, such as cheating, gossip, unfair blame, and keeping a promise.
  2. Place the slips in a bowl.
  3. Draw one dilemma at a time and discuss the easiest choice, the honest choice, and each possible cost.
  4. Act out a respectful response that protects integrity.
  5. Name one person who could provide help when the right choice feels risky.

From Waiting to Wisdom

Materials: our free printable coloring page, Crayons or colored pencils, Two sheets of paper, Tape, Pencil

  1. Color our free printable coloring page as a scene from Joseph’s long journey.
  2. Tape the extra paper into a long strip.
  3. Mark Potiphar’s house, prison, two years of waiting, Pharaoh’s court, plentiful years, and famine.
  4. Write one skill or character quality Joseph demonstrated at each point.
  5. Circle the moments that seemed unfair.
  6. Discuss how God’s presence mattered before Joseph could see the larger plan.

Talk about it

  1. What is the difference between doing right for a reward and acting with integrity?
  2. How can unfair suffering prepare someone without making the unfairness good?
  3. Where do you need patience, courage, or wisdom right now?

Closing prayer

God, help us remain faithful in unfair seasons and use our lives for your purposes.

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