Throughout the Pentateuch, we witness the powerful theme of barrenness and God’s promise of offspring. The narrative begins with Sarah, who was barren but had been promised a son by the Lord. Similarly, Rebekah faced the same struggle of barrenness before conceiving twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob, in turn, received the promise of numerous descendants before he even found a wife. The pattern continues with Rachel, who was initially childless, while Leah, though able to bear children, faced her own challenges. This recurring motif of barrenness followed by divine intervention highlights the significance and role of children in fulfilling God's vision for His people.

Joseph was the next youngest son of Jacob. Born when Jacob was elderly, Joseph was cherished by his father but hated by his half-brothers. When Joseph was 17, Jacob gifted Joseph with a beautiful robe to demonstrate his special love for his son, which further enraged the other sons (Genesis 37:3).

To make matters worse, God gives Joseph prophetic dreams. Joseph recounts these visions to his family, alarming his father and inciting his brothers to violence. His first dream, in which his brothers' sheaves bow down to his sheaf, indicates that Joseph will be their king. Next, Joseph dreams that the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow down to him. Joseph incurs his father's rebuke because of the implication that even his parents will bow down to Joseph. Having had enough, when they are pasturing their father's sheep in Shechem, Joseph's brothers plot to kill Joseph but instead sell him into slavery to a caravan traveling to Egypt.

In Egypt, Joseph is sold to Potiphar, a captain of King Pharaoh's guard. "Because the Lord was with Joseph," everything he did was successful (Genesis 39:2). Potiphar became more prosperous and promoted Joseph to the head of his household. Soon, Potiphar's wife took notice of Joseph, who was not only brilliant but also physically attractive. Joseph obeyed God and resisted her sexual advances. He paid the price of rejecting Potiphar's wife with a prison sentence when she retaliated by falsely accusing him of attempted rape.

But God was with Joseph. After two years in prison, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream, which portrays an impending famine. Joseph's suggestion that Pharaoh find "an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt" was essentially his resume for the position (Genesis 41:33). During the famine, Joseph's brothers traveled to Egypt to find food and bow down to Joseph, the ruler in charge. They are reunited, and the entire family relocates to the safety and shelter Joseph provides. Joseph's dreams come true!

Application: Joseph played a crucial role in unfolding God’s plan. God inspired his dreams as a teenager. Just as Joseph had a specific destiny, every child has a purpose and a God-given story to be written in the tapestry of history.

• Do we encourage children to dream and do great things for God?
• At what age are children spiritually mature enough to be called by God?
• Are we teaching children to obey God by keeping themselves sexually pure?
• Do we cherish children no matter the circumstances of their birth?

Conclusion: Children and teens are not an afterthought to God. They are God's plan for the present and the church's hope for the future. How are we teaching and training them to be the leaders God has called them to be?

Lesson Summary

The theme of barrenness and God's promise of offspring is prevalent throughout the Pentateuch. The repeated motif of barrenness followed by divine intervention emphasizes the importance of children and their role in fulfilling God's vision for His people.

• Joseph, born when Jacob was elderly, plays a crucial role in unfolding God's plan. Despite being cherished by his father, he faces hostility from his brothers.
• Jacob gifts Joseph a special robe, further aggravating his brothers. Joseph receives prophetic dreams from God that alarm his family, leading to his brothers' violent actions.

Joseph is sold into slavery to Egypt, where he encounters success under Potiphar.

• After facing false accusations and imprisonment, he interprets Pharaoh's dream of famine.
• Joseph is appointed ruler, and when his brothers travel to Egypt to find food, he is reunited with his brothers and family.

By reflecting on Joseph's journey, we can learn that every child has a purpose and a God-given story to fulfill.

• We must encourage children to dream and fulfill great things for God.
• Teaching children to obey God with sexual purity is essential.
• Children and teenagers are integral to God's plan and the church's future.
• It is crucial to educate and prepare them to become the leaders God has intended them to be.

Lesson Plan

(Download the HBLT Handout)

Objective: By the end of a lesson on Joseph's dreams from Genesis 37:5-10, we will honor God's call on children and teens by encouraging them to speak, sing, dance, and minister in our church.

HOOK: Watch this clip of Ar'miah exhorting us on Instagram. Discuss how her mother models what it means to equip and encourage the young. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBCM6uYyil9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

BOOK: Highlight the account of Joseph, focusing on him as a young man who dreams prophetic dreams. Joseph is persecuted, enslaved, and imprisoned, but God fulfills the vision by elevating Joseph to be a ruler in Egypt who delivers his family and the nation.

LOOK: How are we shepherding, equipping, and encouraging the teenagers in our church?

TOOK: Is there a teen who is quiet and unnoticed? How can he or she be encouraged that God has a call on his or her life?

SONG/VIDEO: "I Worship You" by Ginnieg01 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM2gTINib8J/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

COOK: In our next lesson, we will unravel the enemy's plot to kill, steal, and destroy our children.

Teacher Nugget: God sees you! As you do the will of the Father, God sees your effort—the hours of prayer, preparation, and passion to teach His Word accurately. Be encouraged! God is helping you!

Children's Sermon: I Have a Dream!

Invite children aged 5 to 11 to the front of the church and ask them to sit in a semicircle. The pastor-teacher, with an open Bible and a puppet, sits at the opening of the semicircle and introduces the puppet, naming it to the children. After the puppet welcomes the children, they introduce themselves by saying their names. Next, ask the lesson questions; there are no wrong answers. Conclude this 10-minute children's sermon by giving children a craft project. They may return to their seats or go to a separate area where teens and adults assist in completing the project. Children present or display their crafts at the end of the service.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of a 7- to 10-minute lesson on Joseph's dreams from Genesis 37:5-10, children will discuss what it means to dream about the future by dressing up as people who help others (pastors, teachers, police, doctors, firemen, etc.).

MATERIALS: Career outfits/costumes for children, such as pastors, teachers, police, doctors, firemen, etc.

HOOK: Who knows the name of a famous African American leader who said, "I have a dream?" Yes, it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! He was a great preacher and leader who made a speech about laws that should be fair for everyone. What do you want to be when you grow up?

BOOK: The Bible tells us about a boy who dreamt he would be a great leader because he obeyed God. His name was Joseph. When Joseph told his brothers about his dreams, they became angry and called Joseph names. They even sent him away from the family to Egypt, which is in Africa. God helped Joseph become a great leader. When his parents and brothers ran out of food, they traveled to Egypt, and Joseph gave them everything they needed. His dreams came true!

LOOK: God will help your dreams come true, too! He will bless you so that you can help your family.

TOOK: I have something special for each of you to wear. Choose a costume, a cap, a hat, or another clothing item, and tell us what this person does to help other people. (Pastor-teacher, encourage children to stand as they explain the work the person they represent performs to help people. Thank God for the children and their families.)

SONG/VIDEO: "I Worship You" by Ginnieg01 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM2gTINib8J/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

COOK: With parental consent, take a class picture or ask parents to bring in pictures of their child/children next week. Tell the children, "We will look at the photos next week when we talk about the baby, Moses!"