Free Sunday School lesson · Ages 2–12

Joseph Forgives His Brothers

Genesis 45:1-15; Genesis 50:15-21 (KJV)

This free Sunday School lesson teaches Genesis 45 and 50, where Joseph makes himself known to the brothers who sold him and comforts them instead of paying them back. It is written for ages 2 to 12, and children learn what forgiveness looked like when it cost something. Each age group gets six printable activities.

Everything here is free to download, print and copy for your class. Open to everyone.

Ages 2–4 Ages 5–6 Ages 7–9 Ages 10–12 Teacher guide

Sunday School lesson

This lesson at a glance

Bible passage
Genesis 45:1-15; Genesis 50:15-21
Ages
2 to 12, in four age groups
What is included
Six activity sheets for each age group and one Teacher Notes and Answer Keys guide
Memory verse
Genesis 50:21 (KJV)
Format
US Letter PDFs, print-ready, black and white
Access
Open to everyone. Free to print and copy for your class

What children learn

Children learn that Joseph forgave a real wrong, that he spoke kindly to his brothers, and that God meant their wrong for good.

The printables in this lesson

Each age group has six different activities, chosen for what a child of that age can do. Read any one on screen before you print it.

Ages 2–4 All ages 2–4 resources

coloring page Ages 2–4

Color the picture. Listen and tell.

Memory verse: Genesis 50:21 (KJV)

Free PDF (231 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Find the same picture in each row. Circle it.

Free PDF (196 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Listen to each clue. Circle a picture.

Free PDF (150 KB)

sequencing activity Ages 2–4

Cut the pictures. Put the first event first. Tell.

Adult help with scissors and glue.

Free PDF (97 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Color. Draw inside. Fold and tell.

Adult help with folding and scissors.

Free PDF (146 KB)

drawing activity Ages 2–4

Draw in the big space. Tell the Bible connection.

Free PDF (70 KB)

Ages 5–6 All ages 5–6 resources

early learner activity Ages 5–6

Look carefully. Find. Tell. Explain.

Memory verse: Genesis 50:21 (KJV)

Free PDF (243 KB)

sequencing activity Ages 5–6

Read together. Write 1-3. Cut and retell.

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (127 KB)

comprehension worksheet Ages 5–6

Look. Read together. Circle the Bible answer.

Free PDF (149 KB)

Scripture memory activity Ages 5–6

Read together. Fill one word. Cut the bookmarks.

Memory verse: Genesis 50:21 (KJV)

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (69 KB)

early learner activity Ages 5–6

Cut. Find the pairs. Explain each Bible picture.

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (140 KB)

drawing activity Ages 5–6

Read together. Draw the change. Tell how you know.

Free PDF (64 KB)

Ages 7–9 All ages 7–9 resources

word puzzle Ages 7–9

Read the clues. Unscramble. Use the passage.

Free PDF (55 KB)

Scripture memory activity Ages 7–9

Read. Recall the missing words. Locate the verse.

Memory verse: Genesis 50:21 (KJV)

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (86 KB)

drawing activity Ages 7–9

Read the verses. Draw before and after. Explain.

Free PDF (65 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 7–9

Find each reference. Record the fact you discover.

Free PDF (55 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 7–9

Read the references. Record answers. Explain a connection.

Free PDF (54 KB)

comprehension worksheet Ages 7–9

Read. Look at the reminders. Explain the Bible lesson.

Free PDF (137 KB)

Ages 10–12 All ages 10–12 resources

word puzzle Ages 10–12

Decode the phrase. Investigate its Scripture setting.

Free PDF (87 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Read the references. Write discoveries beside the pictures.

Free PDF (111 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Read. Record the facts. Explain how they connect.

Free PDF (54 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Find each word. Explain its meaning in this passage.

Free PDF (54 KB)

sequencing activity Ages 10–12

Read. Draw three discoveries. Explain your choices.

Free PDF (34 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Read the Scripture. Explain and plan a practical response.

Free PDF (137 KB)

Teacher Notes & Answer Keys

One guide for all four age groups: the lesson objective, teaching guidance, a verified answer for every sheet above, the meaning of the King James words the sheets use, and preparation and safety notes. Each entry names the sheet it answers.

printable All Ages

7 pages

Free PDF (68 KB)

Before you teach it

Do not excuse the brothers' harmful actions or make children responsible for reconciling unsafe situations. The embracing scene is an artistic reconstruction of Genesis 45:14-15. Hands are an application reminder, not a separate recorded event. Pictures are visual reminders; species, clothing, exact shapes and small scene details are reconstructions unless the passage states them. Offer pointing, oral answers or a scribe. Supervise all cutting. Read the cited verses before using the activities.

Teaching at home during the week as well? Faith Schooling publishes a K–5 curriculum for reading, mathematics, and language and writing. The placement check is free.

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