Thank you for volunteering to serve as a student leader in the preteen KIDS’ Club class this Sunday, October! Please complete the preparation document below before Saturday night. The form must be completed by then for you to serve as a student leader on Sunday.

PREPARE

God saves. He saved the life of Joseph, only one of two major characters in the Bible about which nothing negative is mentioned (the other person is Daniel). Just about every other person in The Big God Story had some kind of flaw or issue he was dealing with. But it seems Joseph really knew who he was. He was confident in his God and knew that God saves. Even the arrogance some attribute to him in his youth can be seen simply as youthful honesty and naïveté.

At every opportunity where Joseph might have fallen, he reaffirmed his faith in the power, sovereignty, and salvation of God. One lesson he would learn through life experience is that the road to glory leads inexorably through suffering and trials—it is the way God grows our faith. Throughout Joseph’s enslavement, he knew that God saves. Throughout all the false accusations and imprisonment, Joseph knew God saves. And throughout the severe famine, Joseph knew God saves. Through these trials, Joseph was learning obedience and endurance.

It was this confidence in who he was (and whose he was) that helped Joseph avoid the temptation of sin with Potiphar’s wife, of taking credit for the interpretation of dreams, and of taking revenge on his brothers when they learned who he was. Joseph knew God’s plans are higher than ours. When we trust in who God made us to be and we trust that He is the One who saves, we can learn that suffering is not always bad. It is a tool God can use to shape and refine us for His use. And we can learn that regardless of our circumstances, God is in control, and He is working for our good and His glory (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28).

Joseph’s life gives us a powerful testimony to the greatness of God’s saving power as well as His wise plans. What a roller coaster—sold into slavery, then granted the privilege of running an important official’s household, then falsely accused of attempted rape, then thrown into prison, and then ultimately elevated to second-in-command of Egypt!

From our perspective, it’s easy to see God’s sovereignty and salvation in Joseph’s life. We have the whole story. But, of course, Joseph didn’t. Imagine bouncing along a dusty road, captured by slave owners who’d ripped you away from everything you’d ever known. Or imagine sitting in a jail cell, falsely accused of attacking a prominent man’s wife. Imagine the hopelessness and fear of those moments when you have no idea what’s ahead.

Today, as you read through a passage of Scripture/hear a story you’ve likely heard before, ask God to give you fresh insight. Ask Him to give you a new appreciation and awareness of His control over every situation in your life. Pray that your children would know God’s presence as they walk through difficult circumstances in their own lives and trust that He knows exactly what He’s doing. Pray that they would take comfort in knowing that they’re God’s beloved children and that He is mighty to save.

PRAY

Spend a few moments praying over the class, praying for children by name. Pray they will grow in their wonder for God and His Story. Pray they will always know church is a place where they will be welcomed & safe. Pray for the safety of our children at church this Sunday. Pray God’s Spirit will awaken hearts and minds to the truth of who God is & His love for us through the lesson this week.