This Joseph in Egypt Preschool Bible Lesson helps young children understand how God remained with Joseph in Potiphar’s house, in prison and before Pharaoh.
Joseph experienced many difficult changes after being taken far away from his family. Through clear storytelling, review pictures, sequencing cards, a sorting activity, a storehouse craft and simple repetition, children learn that Joseph was never alone.
The lesson truth is: God was with Joseph wherever he went.
Connecting Joseph’s Story to Egypt
The lesson begins with a short review of Joseph’s earlier story.
Seven large review pictures help children remember that Jacob gave Joseph a special, colorful coat. Joseph had two dreams, but his brothers became jealous and treated him unkindly.
The pictures also show Joseph being placed in an empty pit, sold to traveling merchants and taken to Egypt.
This review helps children understand why Joseph was living far away from his home and family. It also introduces the reassuring truth that God had not forgotten Joseph.
Reading the Joseph in Egypt Story
The printable storybook presents the events from Genesis 39–41 in a clear sequence that preschool children can follow.
Joseph worked in Potiphar’s house and did his work faithfully. God was with Joseph and helped him do his work well.
When Potiphar’s wife wanted Joseph to do something wrong, Joseph said no and ran away. She then told a lie about Joseph, and he was placed in prison even though he had done nothing wrong.
God remained with Joseph in prison and helped him explain the dreams of two prisoners.
Later, Pharaoh had two unusual dreams about cows and heads of grain. No one could explain the dreams, but one of Pharaoh’s workers remembered Joseph.
God helped Joseph explain that Egypt would have seven years when plenty of food would grow. These would be followed by seven years of famine, when very little food would grow.
Pharaoh saw that Joseph was wise and placed him in charge of Egypt. Joseph stored food during the plentiful years so the people would have food during the famine.
After reading, the teacher asks simple questions:
- Where did Joseph first work in Egypt?
- What did Joseph do when he was asked to do something wrong?
- Why was Joseph placed in prison?
- Who helped Joseph explain dreams?
- What did Pharaoh’s dreams mean?
- What did Joseph store?
The children then repeat the lesson truth together: God was with Joseph wherever he went.
Joseph’s Story Line-Up Retelling Activity
The Joseph’s Story Line-Up activity helps children remember the important events in the correct order.
The eight numbered picture cards show:
- Joseph working faithfully in Potiphar’s house.
- Joseph choosing to do what was right and running away.
- Joseph being placed in prison.
- Joseph explaining the dreams of two prisoners.
- Pharaoh having two unusual dreams.
- Joseph explaining Pharaoh’s dreams.
- Pharaoh placing Joseph in charge of Egypt.
- Joseph storing food during the plentiful years.
Eight children can each hold one mixed up card. They work together to stand in the correct order from Card 1 to Card 8.
For a smaller group, the cards can be placed on the floor. Children take turns finding the next card and adding it to the sequence.
This activity allows preschoolers to hear, see and organize the events. Repeating the story with visual support helps children remember that God was with Joseph through every part of his story.
In the Story or Not? Sorting Activity
The In the Story or Not? sorting activity helps children identify the people, places and events that belong in Joseph’s story.
The activity includes two sorting headers:
- In the Story
- Not in the Story
Children look at each picture card and decide where it belongs.
The pictures from Joseph’s story show Potiphar’s house, Joseph saying no, prison, the prisoners’ dreams, Pharaoh’s dreams and stored food.
As each card is displayed, the teacher asks:
Did this happen in Joseph’s story?
The green check and red X provide clear visual support, while the picture choices help children recall important details from the story.
God Was With Joseph Storehouse Craft
The God Was With Joseph craft gives children a hands on way to remember how Joseph stored food for Egypt.
Children begin by coloring Joseph, the storehouse and seven baskets of grain. They then cut out the storehouse pocket and baskets.
The side and bottom tabs are folded and glued inside the marked box, leaving the top open. Children count the seven baskets and place them inside the storehouse pocket.
As the children work, the teacher reviews the main ideas:
- God gave Joseph wisdom.
- Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge of Egypt.
- Joseph stored food during the plentiful years.
- The stored food helped many people.
- God was with Joseph wherever he went.
The removable baskets make the idea of collecting and storing food more concrete for young children.
Reviewing the Bible Truth
The lesson closes with a short teacher led review.
Children answer simple questions such as:
- Where did Joseph work?
- Where was Joseph sent?
- Who helped Joseph explain dreams?
- Who placed Joseph in charge of Egypt?
- Why did Joseph store food?
- Was God with Joseph wherever he went?
The class then repeats the lesson truth once more:
God was with Joseph wherever he went.
The closing prayer thanks God for being with Joseph. Children are also encouraged to choose what is right, trust God when things are difficult and use what God gives them to help others.
Joseph in Egypt Take Home Booklet
The take home booklet gives children another opportunity to review the story with their families.
The booklet includes:
- A coloring cover showing Joseph beside an Egyptian storehouse
- A Bible verse from Genesis 41:48
- Three important things children learned
- The tracing sentence “God was with Joseph”
- A maze leading Joseph to the storehouse
- A picture activity about what happened first and last
The booklet is printed on one sheet of paper and folded to create a simple four page resource.
Families can read the booklet together, talk about Joseph’s story and review how God was with Joseph wherever he went.
Why This Joseph in Egypt Preschool Bible Lesson Works
The Joseph in Egypt Preschool Bible Lesson uses several ways of learning to help young children understand and remember the story.
- The review pictures connect the lesson to the earlier events in Joseph’s life.
- The storybook presents the events through clear visual storytelling.
- The Story Line-Up cards help children sequence the story.
- The sorting activity reinforces important people, places and events.
- The storehouse craft combines story review with coloring, cutting, gluing and counting.
- The take home booklet supports repetition and family discussion.
Together, these activities help preschoolers understand one clear Bible truth: God was with Joseph wherever he went.
What Is Included
The complete Joseph in Egypt Preschool Bible Lesson includes:
- Teacher lesson plan and script
- Seven review pictures from the previous lesson
- Joseph in Egypt printable storybook
- Eight numbered Joseph’s Story Line-Up cards
- In the Story and Not in the Story sorting headers
- Twelve picture sorting cards
- God Was With Joseph storehouse craft
- Black and white and full color craft versions
- Seven removable grain baskets
- Foldable take home booklet
- Printable preparation and activity directions
Get the Complete Joseph in Egypt Lesson
The complete resource will be available from Kinder Resources.
The Joseph in Egypt Preschool Bible Lesson is designed for Sunday School, church preschool programs, Christian classrooms, homeschool Bible time and other faith based early learning settings.
Blessings as you teach! 😊
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