Joseph's Colourful Coat
Jacob gave his son Joseph a special coat. Joseph's brothers became jealous, and they sold him to traders who took him to Egypt.
You will learn to...
- Retell the story of Joseph's coat and his dreams.
- Recognise how jealousy can hurt people.
- See that God was with Joseph.
Words to know
- Jealous
- Feeling upset that someone else has something you want.
- Traders
- People who travel to buy and sell things.
Read the full lesson (for older kids and grown-ups)
Jacob had twelve sons, and he loved Joseph in a special way. He gave Joseph a beautiful coat of many colours. Joseph's brothers saw this and became jealous.
Joseph had dreams in which his family bowed down to him. When he told his brothers, they grew even angrier.
One day the brothers took Joseph's coat and sold him to traders going to Egypt for twenty pieces of silver. They told their father that a wild animal had taken him. Jacob was heartbroken. But God had not forgotten Joseph.
Jealousy is when we feel upset that someone else has something we want. If we let it grow, it can lead us to hurt others. Joseph's story shows that even when people treat us badly, God is still with us.
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
Family conversation starters
- How can our family make sure everyone feels loved?
- What can we do when we feel jealous of each other?
Note for grown-ups
Joseph's brothers treat him cruelly. Children may relate this to sibling conflict; reassure them that feelings like jealousy are normal, and that hurting someone is never okay.
Main people: Joseph, Jacob · Topics: Jealousy, Family, God is with us · Review status: awaiting theological review