Scripture: Genesis 39-41
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God has a plan, but sometimes bad things still happen.
- Students will learn God is always working, even when bad things happen.
- Students will learn God can use whatever happens to us (good or bad to prepare us for what He wants us to do).
- Students will learn God sometimes God will ask us to wait for the next step of His plan to happen.
- Students will learn we can serve God anywhere we are.
- Students will learn the how to have hope in God.
Guiding Question: How can placing hope in God be beneficial?
Materials: Nice art materials for a painting or collage
Procedure: Review the story of Joseph in Egypt. Remind students that Joseph was able to have hope when most people would have felt hopeless. He was able to do so because he had faith that God would take care of him. Ask students to think about a time when they needed hope and what they do to find hope. Students may share if they wish. If appropriate, provide a personal example of a time when you had to put your hope in God during a tough situation and he showed his faithfulness.
Introduce the activity. Have students make scripture art using Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Give students really nice art materials. Encourage them to make a painting or collage using this verse and decorating it with things that remind them God is there and gives them hope. Encourage students to display their finished art work in their homes.
Additional Questions: How can students be reminded to hope in God?
Supplemental Activity: Have students paint a rock with the phrase “Hope in God” that they can keep in their room to remind them to always hope in God no matter what.