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Parents' Corner | March 10, 2019

ParentsCorner_Weekly

 

 

 

Dear Parents,

 

 Jacob grew up in strife with his twin brother, Esau. He spent many years away from his family to avoid Esau’s anger. God spoke to Jacob in a dream and reaffirmed to Jacob the promise He gave to Abraham and Isaac. Finally, God called Jacob home to the land of Canaan. God blessed Jacob and changed his name to Israel.

Jacob had 12 sons. They would become the leaders of the tribes of Israel. But Jacob’s favorite son was Joseph. Joseph was the son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, and Jacob didn’t hide his favoritism. He gave Joseph a gift that his other sons did not get: a beautiful coat of many colors.

Of course, this did not endear Joseph to his siblings. Neither did Joseph’s announcement that God had spoken to him in dreams—dreams that revealed that one day everyone in Joseph’s family would bow down to him. Joseph’s brothers planned evil against him, and Joseph ended up in Egypt.

Maybe Joseph felt alone in Egypt. Had God forgotten Joseph? No. Joseph’s brothers turned against him and tried to kill him, but God protected Joseph and used him as part of His plan to rescue his family. In a similar way, people turned against God’s Son, Jesus. Jesus’ death was God’s plan to rescue sinners.

Jesus experienced true loneliness and ultimate suffering as He died on the cross for our sins. God raised Jesus from the dead. When we trust in Him, God forgives our sin. Emphasize with your children that we won’t experience true loneliness because Jesus promised to always be with us. (Matt. 28:20) And compared to the weight of glory awaiting believers, our suffering on earth is a “momentary light affliction” (2 Cor. 4:17).

As you talk about this story with your kids, remind them that God is in control of our lives, and He accomplishes His plans in and through us—even as He works through the suffering and injustice we sometimes experience. We can trust God’s faithfulness. Through all circumstances, God’s will prevails—all for His glory and our good.

God Bless,
David Feiser
Family Ministry Director
The Well Community Church

Family Starting Points

March 10, 2019

Scripture Memory: Matthew 17:20

If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there," and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Big Picture Question:

What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s plan.

Bible Story: “The Stolen Blessing” (Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45)

  • Jacob’s brothers sold him to be a slave in Egypt.
  • God showed Joseph what dreams meant.
  • Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of collecting and storing grain.

Family Discussion Starters:

  • Many sad things happened to Joseph. Tell about a time something sad happened to you.
  • God was with Joseph through all of those tough times. Talk about a tough time you went through a sa family. Describe evidence of God’s grace.

Family Activity:

  • Think of a family that is going through a tough time. Take time to pray for them as a family.
  • Go further: Seve that family by running errands for them, inviting them to dinner, or raking their yard.

Next Week:

Joseph’s Dreams Came True (Genesis 42:1-46:34; 50:15-21)