YEA Lesson Library
Hungry Brothers
About This Lesson
Using Joseph’s example of treating his brothers well as an example to emulate, this lesson teaches the student to look for ways to help others and to do what is right.
Scriptures
Genesis 41:46-57
Genesis 42:1-7
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 121:1-2
Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 20:11
Zechariah 7:9-10
Matthew 5:3-12
Matthew 5:23-24
Romans 12:17-21
Hebrews 4:15-16
James 2:15-16
Words to Know
ALERTED - warned
LOYAL - faithful and true
MOPED - to act sadly
RECOGNIZE - to know
The Lesson
Freckles was Jason's best friend. He was a brown and white spotted dog. Freckles followed Jason everywhere. He loved to chase Jason around the back yard. Freckles slept at the foot of Jason's bed. And while Jason was at school, Freckles moped around the house. Freckles seemed to know when it was time for Jason to come home. He looked out the window for the school bus. Then he jumped and barked when Jason came
Jason awakened early one winter morning. He looked out his bedroom window. There was a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. This would be a great day to go sledding! After breakfast, Jason dressed in his warm coat and mittens. He put on his boots and hat. Then he and Freckles headed outside. Mother called, "Don't go near the pond. It might not be frozen solid.”
Many other children were at the big hill. They all had sleds. Everyone was having a great time. Freckles ran up and down the hill following Jason. Jason laughed and Freckles barked. They made tracks in the snow with the sled. Soon the snow was all packed down.
Jason saw that there was fresh snow on the other side of the hill. But, the pond was near the bottom of the hill. He wanted to try the fresh snow. Jason thought he could stop before he reached the pond. Down the hill he slid. Freckles ran along barking. Then something terrible happened. Jason's sled went out onto the icy pond. Splash! Jason fell through the ice.
Freckles barked and barked. He ran back and forth near the hole in the ice. Jason was in trouble. The other children heard Freckles barking. Someone ran for help. But, Freckles wouldn't leave the spot where Jason fell in. He was loyal and loved Jason. He even tried to pull Jason out of the water with his teeth.
Soon some older boys came and rescued Jason. He was cold, but he was okay. Freckles had saved his life. His barking alerted the other children that Jason was in trouble. Freckles was there when Jason needed him. He was a faithful friend! Proverbs 17:17 tells us, "A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." Let's see how Joseph helped his brothers in their time of need.
Joseph had been made the second most important person in Egypt. The people brought part of everything they grew to Joseph.Joseph stored the food in big barns. There was lots and lots of food
But, now the ground was getting hard and dry. There was no rain. Nothing could grow. There was nothing for the animals or people to eat. They remembered that Joseph had food stored in his barns. So the people went to Joseph to buy food.
Joseph had eleven brothers and a father far away. There also was no food to eat where Joseph's family lived. His father heard that there was food in Egypt. So, he sent ten of his sons to buy food. Without it they would all die.
God had Joseph in the right place at the right time. His brothers sold Joseph as a slave because they were jealous. But, God was watching over Joseph. God was even with Joseph when he was in prison. And God helped Joseph understand the king's dreams. Now it was God who put Joseph in such an important position.
Joseph's brothers stood before him to buy food. They didn't recognize Joseph. He was a man now. He had beautiful clothes. But, Joseph recognized his brothers. If you were Joseph, would you be mad at your brothers? Would you sell them food? After all, they wanted to leave Joseph to die.
These were Joseph's brothers. He loved them. Our memory verse says, "A brother is born to help in time of need." Joseph would be a loyal brother. Like Freckles, he would help save the lives of his brothers.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me and sending Jesus to die for my sins. Help me learn to be a loyal friend and brother like Jesus and Joseph. Teach me how to help others who are in trouble or need. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Proverbs 20:11
Monday - Psalm 121:1-2
Tuesday - Psalm 46:1
Wednesday - Hebrews 4:15-16
Thursday - Zechariah 7:9-10
Friday - James 2:15-16
Saturday - Matthew 5:23-24
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Tel what it means to be loyal.
2. Describe how Joseph showed he was a loyal brother.
3. Give at least three thingsJesus did to show His faithfulness and love to us.
4. Think of practical ways they can be a help to someone in need.
Topics & Themes
Faithful
Famine
Giving Thanks to God
God’s Love
God’s Plan
God’s Provision
Helping Others
Jesus, Older Brother
Joseph
Joseph’s Brothers
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students' and teacher's books, attendance and memory verse chart, stars, music player, cassette tape or CD, construction paper, crayons or marker pens, glue, chewing gum
Preparation
Before you can effectively teach, your students must be motivated. It is your responsibility to engage your students in such a way that they will stay tuned in to find out what the lesson is about. To do this your students must see how this information is relevant in their own lives. "Why do I need to know this?" and "How can this help me?" are questions that must be answered.
All of us have times when we are in need. We may be sick and need help with meals or cleaning house. We might be faced with a tragedy and need the encouragement of friends and family. Because of their size and immaturity, children have many needs. Use this lesson to encourage the children to help one another, and especially those who are less fortunate than they are.
Before you come to class, cut enough pieces of construction paper in half so that each child will have one.
How to Teach This Lesson
Begin the lesson with a "What if" game. Ask the following questions: "If I were sick in bed, I would want someone to. " "If I couldn't walk, I'd like someone to. ". "If I couldn't see, I'd
like someone to . . . " Allow time for the children to think of their own answers. Then let the children think of other "if" situations where someone could help them.
We AlI Need Help At Times - Ask: Can you think of a time when you needed help with something? Maybe it wasn't something as serious as not being able to walk. Have you ever needed help with your vocabulary words? Or, what about when you were learning to ride your two-wheeler; did you need help? It is always nice to have someone around to lend a helping hand. And, everyone can use help once in a while - even parents and teachers!
Loyalty - "A true friend is always loyal. . .” A true friend doesn't help just when he feels like it. He is there when you need him. He loves you even when you do things that he doesn’t like. He is always thinking about what is best for you. Ask: Do you think your parents are loyal to you? Are they there when you need them? Do they do things that are best for you? Who else do you know who is loyal?
Man's Best Friend - We often think of a dog as being man's best friend. The story of Freckles in the student's book, and many others show the loyalty and faithful love of pets. Joseph proved to be a faithful and loyal friend to his brothers. In spite of the cruel way they treated him in the past, Joseph was willing to help them in their time of need. Jesus proved that He is truly "Man's Best Friend" when He died on the cross for our sins. He willingly gave His own life to save us (John 3:16). He is always there when we need Him (Hebrews 13:5-6). We can call to Him in prayer and He hears and answers us (Isaiah 55:6). When we are in trouble or need to know how He would have us act, He promises to guide us (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Be A Helper - Think back to the "What if” game at the beginning of today's lesson. Ask: Is there something that you can do to help if your mother is sick? If your daddy has had a hard day at work, what could you do to help him? If someone in your class at school has had a house fire, what could you do to help? Give the children time to think of their own solutions. Read John 13:35 aloud.
Review Questions
1. Who needs help?
2. In our story about Joseph, what kind of help did his brothers need?
3. What does it mean to be loyal?
4. In what ways is Jesus "Man's Best Friend?"
5. Are there things you can do to help others?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Give each child a half sheet of construction paper and a stick of chewing gum. Fold the paper in half to form a card. Have them glue the gum to the front of the card. Now draw something using the gum as part of the picture (wings of an airplane, surfboard, trunk of a tree, body of a dog, etc.). Inside the card write a short get well message (Get well soon, Hope you're feeling better, Thinking of you, etc.). Keep these cards in a box to be sent to children or others throughout the year who might be sick. Envelopes can be purchased at an office supply store.
REACH Activity
Materials needed: tempera paint, paint brushes, package of colorful construction paper, string, glue, tape, Kids Classics Collection songbook and/or CDs, Bible, YEA book, Bible notebook, black permanent marker, watercolor paints, 11 x 17 drawing paper, card stock, pencils, markers, colored pencils, crayons, scissors, ruler, index cards, CEM Hymnal, Bible dictionary, concordance, access to encyclopedia or the Internet, Bible encyclopedia, Bible map or Bible atlas, dictionary, poster paper for a mural, seeds, soil, containers, photo of friend, frame
Bible notebook: A spiral bound notebook will be used as a Bible notebook. This is a good place to write and keep all of the writing activities.
1. Have you ever been really hungry? Do you worry about not having enough food? Matthew 6:25-34 tells us not to worry about what we’re going to eat. God will provide. Our job is to seek God’s kingdom first! Read the verses. Then write a thank you prayer to God that He has provided enough for you to eat and the opportunity to seek Him.
2. If you were Joseph, how would you treat your brothers when they came to you for food? Write your answer in your Bible notebook.
3. Draw: Using your favorite materials, create a picture of Joseph meeting his brothers for the first time in many, many years.
4. Create a mural of the following: Jacob saying goodbye to the ten brothers; ten brothers going to Egypt for food; and the brothers bowing to Joseph with their faces to the ground. In your Bible notebook explain how Jacob might have felt when he had to say goodbye to his ten sons, and how Joseph might have felt when he saw his brothers coming toward him. Share the mural and your explanation to the Sabbath School class or your family and friends.
5. Sing: “His Banner Over Me Is Love” on page 36 of Kids Classics Collection, “This Is My Commandment” on page 4 of Kids Classics Collection, “This Little Light of Mine” on page 49 of Kids Classics Collection, “God Will Take Care of You” on page 69 of the CEM Hymnal.
6. Draw a picture of your family. Even if you don’t have a brother, write the memory verse underneath as a caption.
7. With help from an adult, find and read three Scriptures which show that Jesus is your Older Brother.
8. Read Romans 8:28. How did this verse apply to Joseph’s life? To his family’s life? Write about it in your Bible notebook.
9. What is your favorite food to eat when you are really hungry? Write about it in your Bible notebook.
10. What does it feel like to be really hungry? Matthew 5:6 says we need to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Think about how you would act if you were really hungry for God and His ways. Write about it in your Bible notebook.
11. During this experiment draw pictures in your Bible notebook of what happens to each container. Plant seeds (any kind) in two different containers (any size) with moist (wet) dirt. Place the containers outside. Provide water as needed for one container. Do not water the other container. Observe both containers for one week, keeping notes on each container in your Bible notebook. For each container answer these questions: What happened with/ without water? For the waterless container, how long did it take for the dirt to harden? What happened to the seed? When there is a drought, no rainfall, as happened in the YEA lesson, the ground would have looked and felt like the dirt in the container without water. Everything and everyone needs water to survive! Share the experiment and results with your Sabbath School class or family.
12. In some parts of the United States and the world, drought is a serious problem, especially during the summer months. Find the meaning of the word “drought” and then talk about the YEA lesson with your family. Check the weather reports together and pray for the people that must go through a drought. Pray also that it will soon rain!
13. Most communities have a food bank or pantry that feeds families in need. Talk to your family about contributing to the food bank in your area.
14. Ask your Sabbath School teacher if the class can collect canned goods for a local food pantry. On top of the box or container write the memory verse, or put copies of the memory verse in the box.
15. How did you feel the last time someone treated you badly? Did you do something nice for them anyway? After this YEA lesson, write in your Bible notebook what you learned about how to treat others. Read the lesson and devotional Scriptures first if that will help you. You do not have to share your notebook.
16. Ask someone to take a picture of you with a loyal friend. Make two copies of the picture, one for each of you. Frame your picture and place it in a special place. In your Bible notebook explain why you consider him/her a loyal friend. You do not have to share your notebook.
17. Use your Bible and concordance to find at least two more “friend” Scriptures. Write each of them in your Bible notebook. Choose one verse to make a bookmark. Each time you use your bookmark it will remind you how you too can be a friend to others.
18. Read Romans 12:18, part of your devotional reading for this YEA lesson. Decide that one entire day this week you will live in “peace” with everyone, including family and friends. In your Bible notebook write about your “peace” day!
19. Do you have a pet that is as loyal as Freckles? Even if your pet has never saved your life or anyone else’s, they are still very special. Thank the Creator God for the animals that He created by His own hand. On what day of creation did that happen? Take very special care of your pet. Write and make a book that tells the story of your pet’s life. If you do not have a pet, write about what kind of animal you would want to own. Include pictures or drawings in your book and share it with your Sabbath School class or family and friends.
20. Pray today for your enemies or anyone else that may have hurt you (Matthew 5:43-44). Ask God to help you be a good and loyal friend. Being kind to others shows that you want to be more like Jesus Christ. This pleases God!
21. Memory work activity for book: To help with the memorization of Psalm 23, give each student 13 4 x 6 cards. On one side of the card the student should write one phrase of each verse. For instance, one card will have: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The next card would have: He makes me lie down in green pastures. The third card would be: He leads me beside still waters. Continue with each phrase of the psalm. On the other side of the card the student should draw a picture that will help them remember that phrase. Since the students will be expected to recite Psalm 23, the cards should be made after YEA Lesson 1. After each of the subsequent lessons, the student should practice the psalm until memorized. Provide a reward for their hard work!
Song
"Love, Love" is on page 91 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead in a short prayer of thanksgiving, then ask each child to thank God for something He has given them, or some way He has helped them. (These can be two or three word prayers.)
Printable Pages
