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Almost 400 years had passed since Joseph’s family, the Israelites, moved to Egypt. They were now slaves, and the current Pharaoh worried they had become so numerous. He ordered the deaths of all baby boys born to them. One mother, Jochebed, placed her infant son, Moses, in a basket and hid him among the reeds along the Nile River. Pharaoh’s daughter discovered him and raised him as her son.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Exodus 1:1-2:10

Outline:

1. The new Pharaoh fears the growing Hebrew population (Exodus 1:1-10)
2. Pharaoh’s plans for controlling the Hebrews (Exodus 1:11-22)
3. Baby Moses is saved (Exodus 2:1-10)

Tips for teaching children:

• Talk about families. What would it have been like trying to keep it secret that there was a baby in the house?
• Make a basket craft

Tips for teaching adults:

• Choose three or four readers to read the story aloud (using the outline supplied in the show notes). 
• Using a whiteboard or chalkboard, write the following character traits: abuser, courage, defiance, compassion, loyalty, and love.  Ask the class to write about these traits in addition to the characters in the story who exhibited or demonstrated these traits. 
• What can you learn from each of these women characters that you need or desire in your life?
• There are two families in this story: Moses’ and Pharaoh’s.  Using information from the story, describe what home might have been like in Moses’ family and then describe what home might have been like in Pharaoh’s family.  Pray that God will give you wisdom, guidance and a heart to be the godly family he wants you to be. 

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Birth of Moses 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Merry Christmas from David and Mary!

We will be back producing more episodes in January.

Scripture reading today: Luke 2:8-20

If you would like to review past podcast episodes relating to the Christmas stories, follow the links below:

• Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus 
• The Birth of Jesus 
• Wise Men and a Star 

Music: Angels We Have Heard on High by moodmode. Copyright free, pixabay.com 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Egypt and the regions near it experienced a seven-year famine. When Joseph’s brothers travelled to Egypt to obtain grain, Joseph did not reveal his identity until he saw that they were sorry for what they had done to him in the past. Joseph revealed his identity and forgave them for what they had done. After this, Joseph invited his father, Israel, to move the entire family to Egypt. Pharaoh welcomed Joseph’s family and gave them the land of Goshen as a place to live.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Genesis 41:53-47:12

Outline:

1. The brother’s first trip to Egypt to get grain (Genesis 41:53-42:38)
2. The second trip to Egypt to get grain (Genesis chapters 43-44)
3. Joseph reveals himself (Genesis chapter 45)
4. Jacob and his descendants all move to Egypt (Genesis 46:1-42:12)

Tips for teaching children:

• Discuss integrity and how it applies in a child’s world (school, friends, siblings).
• Older children can read Romans 12:17-19 and explain what it means.
• After telling the story, ask the children to choose a scene from the story and draw it.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Ask the class to read the story during the week leading up to your gathering. Ask them to be prepared to discuss it.  When gathered, ask the class for insights they gained in reading. How did the story relate to their own life?  
• Focus the class on Genesis 45:5-8 and ask the class: 
  • How could Joseph see God’s hand in all that has happened to him?
  • Why were the brothers only seeing their own guilt and punishment?
• Follow up with a time of reflection and consideration of our own life experiences.
  • How has God worked to bring good out of bad?  
  • Have we suffered through difficulties but later saw how God used that difficulty to go on to bring some blessing to others?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Joseph Saves His Family

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In Egypt, Joseph became a slave to an official named Potiphar and quickly rose to be the head servant of the household. After Potiphar’s wife lied about him, Joseph was imprisoned. After interpreting the dreams of fellow prisoners, Joseph was invited to interpret the dreams of Pharoah. Pharaoh was so impressed that he placed Joseph in charge of all of Egypt to prepare for an upcoming famine. At every step, even away from his family, Joseph gave glory to God and acted with integrity.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Genesis chapters 39 through 41

Outline:

1. Joseph in Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:1-20)
2. Joseph in prison (Genesis 39:21-40:23)
3. Joseph interprets the king’s dreams (Genesis 41:1-36)
4. Joseph saves Egypt from famine (Genesis 41:37-57)

Tips for teaching children:

• Define integrity as “doing right even when no one else can see what you are doing. Integrity is doing what is right because it is right.”
• Play a game, “What would you do if…?” Use this as a way to talk about what integrity means in various situations. For example:
  • What would you do if your friends at a sleepover wanted to watch a movie your parents had said you were not allowed to watch?
  • What would you do if you were in the school library and found $10 on the floor?
• Help the children learn about Egypt. There are resources online or in the public library.

Tips for teaching adults:

• For the following activity, you will need to choose volunteers who can read and then volunteers who can draw.
  • Have at least four different readers read the scripture aloud to the class.  Use the outline above as a guide for dividing the sections (or use your own outline).  
  • As the story is being read aloud, the other volunteers will be drawing what they hear. This can be done on a large whiteboard or paper so that everyone can see their work as they do it.
  • Afterwards, discuss the drawings and how they reflect the reading.
•  The story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife is well known. Ask the class to discuss Joseph's integrity.  
  • Where did Joseph develop his character of integrity? 
  • What can we learn about integrity from Joseph? 
  • Why is it right to make the right choice even if we knew we would pay for it later? 

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Joseph in Egypt

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Jacob had twelve sons, but his favourite was Joseph. Joseph’s brothers were jealous, so they conspired together and sold him as a slave to some traders heading for Egypt. They told their father that Joseph was dead.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 37:1-36
• Genesis 35:23-26

Outline:

1. Extreme family tensions and dreams (Genesis 37:1-11)
2. Brothers take revenge (Genesis 37:12-32)
3. Jacob’s grief (Genesis 37:33-35)
4. Joseph ends up in Egypt (Genesis 37:36)

Tips for teaching children:

• Guide children in writing the names of their siblings on small cards to form prayer reminders. Pray for the siblings in class and then send the cards home so the children will be reminded to continue praying.
• Draw an outline of a coat and decorate it with paints, stickers or glitter.
• Learn the names of the 12 sons of Jacob (from Genesis 35:23-26)
• Sing the “Sons of Jacob Song” song.

Tips for teaching adults:

• A long-sleeved coat was a symbol of favouritism and status.  Challenge class members to display objects or photos representing status and honour and discuss why these are considered important. 
• There is much negative emotion in this story, leading to tragedy.  Most of the students in your class can probably relate to the emotions in the story.  Ask the class to think about and discuss the following questions: 
  • How is your family like or unlike this family?  
  • Have you felt like your sibling was favoured over you?  How did this make you feel?  How have you dealt with your feelings?  
  • Which character do you identify with? Why?  
  • Each of us might experience jealousy or resentment at times.  How do you deal with jealousy and resentment in your life?  How should you deal with these?  Encourage the class to speak to one another about how they can deal with jealousy and resentment.
• Pray that we may learn to love and accept one another.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Joseph Sold By His Brothers

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Having deceived his brother and father, Jacob escaped to relatives in Haran. During the journey, Jacob dreamed of a stairway between heaven and earth on which angels were ascending and descending to the Lord at the top. God reassured Jacob of his blessing and promise. Undeserving as he was, this promise sustained Jacob over the next twenty years as he worked for his uncle Laban and built a family and wealth. Eventually, Jacob returned to his home and was surprised to find that his brother, Esau, welcomed him with open arms.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Genesis 28:10-33:20

Outline:

1. Jacob encounters God at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22)
2. A growing family and trickery at Haran (Genesis 29-31)
3. Jacob returns to Canaan and makes peace with his brother, Esau (Genesis 32:1-33:11)
4. Jacob’s family makes their home in the land of Canaan (Genesis 33:12-20)

Tips for teaching children:

• Dress up as one of the characters and tell the story from that character’s point of view
• Designate one area as “Canaan” and the other as “Haran.”  Move between the areas as you tell the story. (Start in Canaan, go to Haran, and come back home to Canaan.)
• Make a craft involving a ladder. Alternatively, make a ladder of pretzel sticks and little marshmallows.
• Draw a family tree with Jacob, his wives and children.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This story is quite long (6 chapters), so it would be helpful to summarise it for your students instead of trying to go into too much detail or read the entire passage of Scripture.  Use the outline above to help summarise, and then use the main points of the outline as "talking points."  Draw questions from one or two sections of the story. For example, relate questions to Jacob’s dream of the ramp to heaven and his wrestling with God.
• Alternatively, spread the story over four teaching sessions. Refer to the outline above and cover one of the four points per session. 
• To help students relate to the story, you might use one or more of these discussion starters:
  • Which character do you identify with (or have at some point in your life)? Explain.
  • How does Jacob’s character change throughout this story?  
  • God uses a scoundrel like Jacob to move his plans to bless the nations through him.  What does this tell you about God?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Jacob Goes to Haran  

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Esau and Jacob were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau should have inherited the responsibilities and blessings that come with being the oldest son, but he rashly sold his birthright to his younger brother for a pot of stew. Later, in an elaborate act of deception, Rebekah and her favourite son, Jacob, tricked the elderly and blind Isaac. He was fooled into promising Jacob the family blessing. Jacob escaped his angry brother by travelling to his mother’s people in the city of Haran.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 25:19-34
• Genesis 27:1-28 through 28:1-5

Outline:

1. Twin sons are born to Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 25:19-26)
2. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25:27-34)
3. Rebekah and Jacob trick Isaac (Genesis 27:1-40)
4. Jacob escapes to Haran to find a wife (Genesis 27:41-28:5)

Tips for teaching children:

• Before telling the story, place a blindfold on a child volunteer. Hand them various items that they can feel and identify. Afterwards, tell the children that there will be a blind person in today’s story.
• Use paper, a whiteboard, sand, and a stick to draw the four main characters (Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Esau). These can be simple stick figures. Help the children describe each character and what we have learned about them in today’s story. 
• Help the children concoct a stew. You could begin with a simple broth made with an instant soup packet and boiling water. Supply various ingredients and spices so children can add what they wish.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Since this is a long story, perhaps you can divide the class into two groups and ask them to read the story and discuss aspects of the story.  Hand each group a list of questions they are to discuss among themselves.  After discussing these questions, gather the groups again to compare their discussion and responses.
• Here are a few questions to hand to the two groups: 
  • In what ways are deception and trickery manifested in the story? 
  • What do you see as a primary theme in this story?  Why?  
  • Describe the characters of this story: Esau, Jacob, Isaac and Rebekah.  What are the positive and negative aspects of their characters?  
  • What is one lesson to be learned from the story? 

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Jacob, Esau, and the Birthright

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Abraham wanted his son to marry a woman who worshipped the “true and living God,” so he sent a servant back to the land of his relatives to find a wife for Isaac. Rebekah and her family believed in God. She left her home and her family and travelled back to Canaan to become Isaac’s wife. Isaac married her and loved her, and they followed God together.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 24:1-67
• 2 Corinthians 6:14

Outline:

1. Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:1-9)
2. The servant encounters Rebekah and her family (Genesis 24:10-61)
3. Isaac and Rebecca marry (Genesis 24:62-67)

Tips for teaching children:

• Gather wedding pictures to show the children.  This is more fun if it is of people they know.
• Invite a married couple to talk to the children about what it is like to be married to a Christian.
• Trace the servant’s journey on a map.

Tips for teaching adults:

• You, the teacher, may best summarise this long chapter for the class. Or, if you have more time, divide up the chapter and choose several readers to read it aloud.
• Have the class name various marriage customs in our world today that they are familiar with, such as “arranged marriages” or “choosing your own partner”.  Discuss the pros and cons of each of these customs.
• Ask the class to consider their own background and marriage. Then, we will open up a discussion about how the way we are brought up affects our marriage (good, bad, or just interesting).

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  A Wife for Isaac

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Abraham’s faith was tested when the Lord asked him to sacrifice Isaac on an altar. Abraham had a strong faith in God’s earlier promise that he would have many descendants, so he set out to prepare an altar and kill his only son. Abraham displayed this willingness to obey God unconditionally. At the last moment, an angel stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son.

Are we willing to give up (sacrifice) anything if it will help us to serve God better?

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 22:1-19
• 2 Chronicles 3:1
• Hebrews 11:17-19
• James 2:20-24

Outline:

1. Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:1-10)
2. Abraham passes the test (Genesis 22:11-14)
3. The angel restates God’s promise (Genesis 22:15-19)

Tips for teaching children:

• Ask children to draw four squares on a piece of paper (or fold the paper into squares). In one square, they should write the word “GOD.” In each of the other four squares, they can draw pictures of people or things that are very important to them. Create “1st Place” ribbons from paper or actual ribbon. Children then talk about the people and things that are important to them and then glue the first-place ribbon on the square containing the word “God.”
• Zentangle the word “FAITH”. Instructions here.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Encourage your group to consider various aspects of the Scripture by presenting the following questions:
  • Why does God test Abraham in this way? 
  • What does Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac reveal about his faith and trust in God?
  • How does God's intervention at the last moment change the narrative?
  • What are two big takeaways from this story for you? 
• Help the group contemplate sacrifice by asking them to:
  • Use a piece of paper to write down a significant sacrifice they have made because of their faith and trust in God.  
  • Read these out to the class if they are comfortable to do so.  
  • Pray that each of us can grow into the faith of Abraham.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Abraham Prepares to Sacrifice Isaac

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Upon learning that the Lord was about to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham bargains with God to spare the city if he can find just ten righteous people. But only one man, Lot, was found righteous, and the cities were destroyed. As Lot and his family fled the city, Lot’s wife turned and looked back at the city despite being warned not to. She turned into a pillar of salt.

Sin causes pain and sorrow. A definition of “sin” for children could be: “Words, thoughts or actions against God or what He wants. These can be words, thoughts or actions we DO. It can also be words, thoughts or actions that we should do but choose NOT TO DO.”

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 18:16-19:29
• 2 Peter 2:6-8
• 1 Corinthians 15:33

Outline:

1. Abraham bargains with God (Genesis 16:33)
2. The angels find evil in the city of Sodom (Genesis 19:1-9)
3. Mercy for Lot and his family (Genesis 19:10-22)
4. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:23-29)

Tips for teaching children:

• Cut out two large heart shapes. One of white paper and the other black.  Leave the white heart whole, but cut the black heart into 5 or 6 pieces like a puzzle.  
  • Show the white heart and talk about a pure heart that wants to follow and please God.
  • Next, lay the white heart down and begin covering it with the black “puzzle” pieces. As you place each piece, talk about sin that makes our hearts “dirty”. For example, for children, this might involve saying bad words, lying, or hitting someone. Talk about how God can make our hearts clean again when we tell Him we are sorry and ask for forgiveness.  Remove the black pieces when you talk about forgiveness.
  • The people in today’s story (in Sodom) were not sorry for their sins. They wanted to have a sinful heart.

Tips for teaching adults:
The goal of discussion questions is not to receive one right answer.  The teacher uses these questions to generate discussion. This opens up people's minds to see things in the text that would otherwise not be apparent at first glance. 

For instance, ask the participants to read Genesis 19:25. Note that Abraham seemed very bold, and then ask:

• What is Abraham asking God to do?
• What does he mean by asking, “Won’t you do what is right?”  Does he think God might not do what is right? 
• How does the text encourage us, the reader, to consider God’s mercy and justice? 

You could also ask the students to consider the sin of Sodom.  

• How does the text suggest that Sodom’s biggest sin was violence and injustice?  
• How does Sodom’s inhospitality contrast with the Lot’s hospitality as well as Abraham’s hospitality?  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Sodom and Gomorrah

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]