Lesson 3 of 6 · Choose kindness after hurt
Joseph and His Brothers
Describe how Joseph helped his family and practice a kind response with safe boundaries.
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Story retelling · Based on Scripture
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Short story · Ages 3–5
Joseph's brothers had hurt him. Later, his family needed food. Joseph chose to help. He spoke kindly to them and cared for their children, too.
Full story · Ages 6–12
Joseph's father gave him a special coat. His brothers saw that their father favored him, and they could not speak kindly to Joseph. Genesis 37:3-4 (KJV)
Years later, Joseph revealed who he was to his brothers in Egypt. He told them there were still years of famine ahead and invited his family to live nearby so he could provide food. Genesis 45:3-11 (KJV)
Later, the brothers feared revenge. Joseph recognized that they had meant harm, but he spoke kindly and promised to provide for them and their children. Genesis 50:15-21 (KJV)
Word to know: A famine is a time when there is not enough food.
Make it your own
Family activity · Our application of the story
Being hurt is real. Tell a trusted adult when someone hurts you. When it is safe, practice saying what happened calmly. Kindness can include asking for help, making a repair, and refusing to get revenge.
Ages 3–5 · Little Learners
Practice kind words
- Use two toys to act out taking a turn with a shared toy.
- Practice: May I have a turn? and I am sorry I grabbed it.
- Draw someone who helps you. Tell them one thing you appreciate.
Talk together: Who can help if someone keeps hurting you?
Ages 6–8 · Young Explorers
A repair plan
- Imagine you knocked over someone's block tower.
- Say what happened, apologize, and offer to help rebuild it.
- Draw three boxes: what happened, kind words, helpful action. Fill each one.
Talk together: How did Joseph's kindness include more than words?
Ages 9–12 · Scripture Discoverers
Kindness and boundaries
- Read Genesis 50:15-21 (KJV). Find one sentence acknowledging harm and one showing care.
- Write a response to this situation: a classmate repeatedly takes your things.
- Include a calm boundary, help from an adult, and a choice not to retaliate.
Talk together: Does Joseph say that the harm his brothers intended was good?
Let’s remember
Choose one answer for each question. A grown-up can read with you.
Parent & teacher guide
Learning goal: Describe how Joseph helped his family and practice a kind response with safe boundaries.
Before you start: Joseph appears here as a person in the biblical story, not as a thirteenth tribe entry. Explain favoritism without blaming Joseph for being mistreated. Do not demand hugs, instant trust, or reconciliation with an unsafe person. Forgiveness and protection can be discussed together; children may pass on sharing personal experiences.
A simple rhythm: Read the selected story, explain the new word, do one activity, and ask one question. Use the quiz only if it helps; youngest children can answer aloud or skip it.
Activity answers & discussion
Ages 3–5: A trusted caregiver or teacher. A child should not be asked to solve repeated harm alone.
Ages 6–8: He promised food and care for the family and their children (Genesis 50:21 (KJV)).
Ages 9–12: No. He identifies their intention as evil while describing Yahuah's good purpose (Genesis 50:20 (KJV)). Good outcomes do not excuse harm.
Quiz answer key
- Food. Joseph offered to nourish his family during the famine. Genesis 45:11 (KJV)
- Kindly. The passage says he comforted them and spoke kindly. Genesis 50:21 (KJV)
- No. Joseph directly acknowledged their harmful intention. Genesis 50:20 (KJV)
During the week: As a family, practice a sincere apology followed by one concrete repair.
Story and activities: original educational retellings and applications. Source text: King James Version via Bible Gateway. Quotations preserve the translation's words; retellings use Yahuah. Artwork depicts an imagined learning setting, not a historical reconstruction.
Children’s Kingdom · Activity sheet
Joseph and His Brothers
My name: _______________________ Date: ______________
Ages 3–5: Practice kind words
- Use two toys to act out taking a turn with a shared toy.
- Practice: May I have a turn? and I am sorry I grabbed it.
- Draw someone who helps you. Tell them one thing you appreciate.
Who can help if someone keeps hurting you?
Ages 6–8: A repair plan
- Imagine you knocked over someone's block tower.
- Say what happened, apologize, and offer to help rebuild it.
- Draw three boxes: what happened, kind words, helpful action. Fill each one.
How did Joseph's kindness include more than words?
Ages 9–12: Kindness and boundaries
- Read Genesis 50:15-21 (KJV). Find one sentence acknowledging harm and one showing care.
- Write a response to this situation: a classmate repeatedly takes your things.
- Include a calm boundary, help from an adult, and a choice not to retaliate.
Does Joseph say that the harm his brothers intended was good?
One thing I can practice:
Grown-ups may write a child's spoken answer. There is no score for this activity.