Many of us think that our past, our family history, or our supposed lack of ability exempts us from being eligible to be used by God. If we use those items as a checklist, MOST of us would most certainly be eliminated from consideration.
God, however, doesn’t see things the way we do. God looks beyond the outward appearance and present circumstances to see what we can become. If we allow Him, God can take our lives and use them in a big way.
In this lesson, the kids will learn that Joseph’s past, family, and situation was less than perfect. Yet, God used Joseph in a mighty way, just as He will use each child who is willing.
Dream A Big Dream
July 6, 2024 • SLAM
Dreams can be tricky. It’s not always easy to tell the difference between a dream from God and “too much pizza the night before.” But, we can know that God wants us to dream BIG for Him.
Joseph had a dream. The only problem was, he didn’t handle his dream the right way. Although God wants us to dream big for Him, we should not use God’s dream for our lives as a means of making ourselves feel more
important than others.
In this lesson, the children will be challenged to dream big for God and to use that dream to accomplish God’s will for their lives. Through the story of Joseph sharing his dream with his brothers, the children will learn the right time and manner in which to share the dream that God has placed in their hearts.
Running From Temptation
July 13, 2024 • SLAM
Joseph was sold as a slave to Potiphar. He soon found himself in charge of Potiphar’s house. Potiphar’s wife
noticed how amazing Joseph was and she wanted Joseph to be her
“boyfriend.”
Joseph knew that it was wrong to be the boyfriend of a married woman. He resisted temptation, but Potiphar’s wife wouldn’t give up.
Many times we face temptation to sin and it is difficult to resist. Some people think it is impossible to live a life
without sinning. Although nobody is perfect, it is possible to resist
temptation and keep from sinning.
In this lesson, the children will learn from Joseph’s good example. They will learn how to handle temptation in the right way and NOT sin.
Why Is This Happening To Me?
July 20, 2024 • SLAM
Joseph did the right thing. He resisted temptation and refused to give into Potiphar’s wife. As a result, he was
falsely accused and thrown into prison. That seems like a terrible thing to happen to someone who just obeyed God.
Sometimes, even when we choose to do the right thing, life can deal us a bad hand. In those moments, we have a choice to make. Will we blame God and get angry? Or will we continue to do what’s right despite our
situation?
In this lesson, we learn about Joseph’s response to hard times. Like Joseph, we must continue to do right even when everything seems to be going wrong.
God Hasn't Forgotten You
July 27, 2024 • SLAM, Sophia Weeks
Joseph sat in a cold dark prison for two whole years waiting on Pharoah’s cupbearer to put in a good word for him so that he could be released. But, all the while - nothing happened.
It would have been easy for Joseph to think God had forgotten all about him. But, Joseph knew that God had
promised to take care of him. He trusted God through it all, and ultimately God came through.
Often, we don’t see the hand of God working and begin to think that God has forgotten us. But, the Lord says He will never fail us or forsake us.
We must not misinterpret the silence and understand that God is working behind the scenes even when we can’t see it.
Can God Ever Reach THEM?
August 3, 2024 • SLAM
We tend to put people in categories. Some people we think are potential Christians. Others we label as
“hopeless” and assume they will never give their lives to God. After all, they are just “too far gone.” We stop
praying for them, witnessing to them, or even hoping for a change.
Joseph’s brothers would probably have been on his “unreachable” list. But, God showed that His love can reach anyone and bring them back to Him. Through an amazing series of events, God reaches even Joseph’s wicked brothers.
In this lesson, the children will learn that God can and wants to reach everyone with His amazing love and forgiveness. Our job is not to decide who can and can’t be reached. Our job is love, pray, and believe for every person to be saved.
Stinking Thinking
August 10, 2024 • SLAM
Joseph’s brothers returned to their father to give him the news about what they had been told by “the leader in Egypt.” Immediately, Joseph’s father began to whine and complain and engage in negative thinking.
He assumed the worst, blamed everyone else, and ignored the feelings of those around him. It was not a good situation. His example gives us a pattern of what negative thinking can do to a person.
In this lesson, the children will learn to take the negative thinking they have about themselves, about others, and about life itself and turn it around with God’s help.
We don’t have to live with our negative thinking patterns forever. God most definitely can change the way we think by transforming our hearts and minds.
Let Go Of The Hurt
August 17, 2024 • SLAM
Joseph had a huge opportunity. The brothers who rejected him and sold him into slavery were now standing before him. He had the power to punish them for the rest of their lives or even order them to be killed. Instead, Joseph made the choice to forgive his brothers of the wrong they had committed against him. He even went a step further and blessed them and their entire families. It was not an easy decision, but Joseph did what was right.
In this lesson, the children will discover that forgiveness is never easy, but it isthe plan God has for His people whenthey are wronged. After all, Jesus forgave those who hurt Him. It’s the least we can do to do the same.
Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?
August 24, 2024 • SLAM
Joseph had many setbacks in life. In fact, he had some of the worst things that could happen to a person take place in his life.
He was mistreated and hated by his brothers who sold him into slavery. He was falsely accused of attacking his boss’ wife. He was then thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He was forgotten by a man who was supposed to help him get out of prison and was left to rot for two whole years. But, in spite of all of that, Joseph was able to see that God’s hand was at work in his life.
In this lesson, the children will learn how God can use the bad things that happen in life and turn them around to accomplish His GOOD plan.
Be Faithful In The Moment
August 31, 2024 • SLAM
Throughout his life, Joseph had opportunities to doubt God and do the wrong thing. He could have lashed out against his family, slept with Potiphar’s wife, turned his back on God, refused to interpret Pharoah’s dream, or sought revenge against his brothers.
Instead, Joseph was faithful with every moment of his life. He realized that one mistake or wrong choice could detour God’s plan for his life. No matter what he faced, he was faithful.
In this lesson, the children will learn that EVERY MOMENT counts! If we will follow God and be faithful in every moment, He will bring about success in our lives just as he did in Joseph’s life
