Day 1
We ended Genesis 44, and now we are starting Genesis 45! In preparation for the lessons to come, let’s read all of Genesis 45 to your Tiny Arrows!
Day 2
Judah had just finished talking to Joseph. Joseph was so overwhelmed! He wanted to tell his brothers the truth! He wanted to tell them who was, but he wanted to tell them alone! He was excited to share important information with them! Today let’s read Genesis 45:1 and share something exciting with your Tiny Arrows! Something that would be important to them! Then explain that Joseph wanted to share something exciting too!
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!“ So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. – Genesis 45:1 NIV
Day 3
Joseph was so overwhelmed about telling his brothers who he was that he wept loudly! It was so loud that people could hear him from the other room! Today let’s read Genesis 45:2 and see how loud you and your Tiny Arrow can weep! Can they weep so loud you can hear it from the other room?
And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. – Genesis 45:2 NIV
Day 4
Joseph finally told his brothers who he was! He told them he was their missing brother! His brothers were speechless! The important man they were with was the brother they had sold into slavery years ago! Oh my! Today let’s read Genesis 45:3 and color the coloring page.
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?“ But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. – Genesis 45:3 NIV
Day 5
Joseph’s brothers did not believe Joseph was who he said he was. Joseph even told them to come closer so they would recognize him! Today let’s read Genesis 45:4 and put on a hat, a mask or something on your head and have your Tiny Arrow come close so they can recognize you, even though you now look different!
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.“ When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!“ – Genesis 45:4 NIV
Day 6
Joseph’s brothers had done something mean to their brother. But God used that mean thing to do something good in return! Joseph had forgiven his brothers for what they had done and God had helped him through it! Today let’s read Genesis 45:5 and remind your Tiny Arrows to always forgive! Just like Jesus reminds us in Matthew 18:21-22. Read them the verse then ask your Tiny Arrow if we are to forgive a lot of times or only a few times. A lot of times!
“And now, do not be distressed, and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.“ – Genesis 45:5 NIV
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. – Matthew 18:21 -22 NIV
Day 7
Joseph is telling his brothers a big secret! He is telling them that for 2 years there has been a famine, but there are 5 years left! He is telling something to them that God had told him through Pharaoh’s dream! Today let’s read Genesis 45:6 and grab 7 small objects. Place two objects down and have your Tiny Arrow count them. Then place the 5 after the first two. Explain that the first two represents the years that have happened and the next 5 represent the 5 years to come. Then have your Tiny Arrow count them all together and see how many years of famine there will be! 7!
“For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years, there will be no plowing and reaping.“ – Genesis 45:6 NIV
Day 8
Joseph was telling his brothers that he was sent to Egypt ahead of them! He got there first, and they came later! Today let’s read Genesis 45:7 and designate a spot to be Egypt. Have your Tiny Arrow race there then have them count to 22. After they count, join them in Egypt!
“But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.“ – Genesis 45:7 NIV
Day 9
Joseph was telling his brothers that God had sent him to Egypt! He got a promotion from being a slave and a prisoner to being a ruler in Egypt! Opposites! Today let’s read Genesis 45:8 and tell your Tiny Arrow some opposites! The opposite of white is black, the opposite of cold is hot and the opposite of a slave is a ruler!
“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.“ – Genesis 45:8 NIV
Day 10
Joseph was sending his brothers home to Canaan! But Joseph wanted them to bring his father to Egypt to see him! Today let’s read Genesis 45:9 and talk about their grandparents visiting them! You can even invite their grandparents to come and visit, just like Joseph was inviting his dad to come and see him!
“Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay.’” – Genesis 45:9 NIV
Day 11
Joseph is inviting his family to come and live near him! He wants them to move from Canaan to Egypt! Today let’s read Genesis 45:10 and talk to your Tiny Arrows about moving! When you move you take all your stuff, your animals and family! Sometimes family also moves to live near you or you them! Then tell your Tiny Arrow a time someone they know or from the Bible moved to be near family! Like Jacob moved to his uncle’s house!
“‘You shall live in the region of Goshen, and be near me – you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks, and herds, and all you have.’” – Genesis 45:10 NIV
Day 12
Joseph wanted his family to move to Egypt so he could take care of them! There would be 5 more years of famine and Joseph wanted to make sure they had food! Today let’s read Genesis 45:11 and help your Tiny Arrow get someone a snack! Explain that they are trying to take care of them by getting them food, like Joseph wanted to get his family food!
“‘I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise, you and your household, and all who belong to you will become destitute.’” – Genesis 45:11 NIV
Day 13
Joseph told his brothers they should be able to recognize him! They should see that he really is there brother! Today let’s read Genesis 45:12 and talk to your Tiny Arrows about their siblings, your siblings, or siblings they know! Talk about the similarities they have, and how you can tell they are related!
“You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I am speaking to you.” – Genesis 45:12 NIV
Day 14
Joseph wanted his brothers to tell his dad that he has been honored and everything they had seen! He also wanted his dad to come to Egypt! Today let’s read Genesis 45:13 talk to your Tiny Arrows about awards and honors! Types of awards or medals they can get like in sports, academics, music and even positions! Then ask them what type of honor Joseph got! He got a new position! He became a leader!
“Tell my father about all the honor accorded to me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.“ – Genesis 45:13 NIV
Day 15
Joseph was so excited to see his brother Benjamin that he gave him a big hug and wept! Today let’s read Genesis 45:14 and have your Tiny Arrow give you a big hug!
Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. – Genesis 45:14 NIV
Day 15
Joseph gave his brother Benjamin a big hug! Then he kissed all his brothers! Today let’s read Genesis 45:15 and have your Tiny Arrow give you a big kiss!
And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward, his brothers talked with him. – Genesis 45:15 NIV
Day 16
Pharaoh found out that Jospeh’s brothers were over at Joseph’s house and that made him happy! Just like we are happy for our friends when they have friends or family come to visit! Today let’s read Genesis 45:16 and help your Tiny Arrow remember the last person who visited and how it made them feel. Then help them to remember the last time one of their friends had a visitor and how that must have made their friend feel!
When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. – Genesis 45:16 NIV
Day 17
Pharaoh told Joseph that he wanted his family taken care of! He wanted them to come live in Egypt too! Today let’s read Genesis 45:17-18 and color the coloring page.
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’” – Genesis 45:17-18 NIV
Day 18
Pharaoh wanted Joseph’s family to come and live in Egypt, but he told them not to bring any of their stuff, because they could get new stuff in Egypt! Today let’s read Genesis 45:19-20 and help your Tiny Arrow think about moving. What if they could only take themselves and a few outfits and none of their toys and belongings. That they would get everything new at their new house! Ask your Tiny Arrow if that would make them happy or sad!
“You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this; Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’” – Genesis 45:19-20 NIV
Day 19
Joseph gave his brothers carts and provisions for their journey home! Today let’s read Genesis 45:71 and talk to your Tiny Arrow what this would be equivalent to today. It’s like Joseph gave his brothers semi trucks or large vans to take back home with them to put all their stuff in. And it’s like he gave them coolers full of food and drinks to have on their way back home!
“So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. – Genesis 45:21 NIV
Day 20
Joseph gave his brothers provisions and carts to go back home. He also gave his brothers a new set of clothes! But to his brother Benjamin, he gave him 300 shekels of silver and 5 sets of clothes! Oh my! Today let’s read Genesis 45:22 and color the coloring page!
To each of them, he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin, he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. – Genesis 45:22 NIV
Day 21
Joseph gave his brothers carts, provisions, clothes and money. Joseph gave his father 10 donkeys loaded with the best things from Egypt! He also gave him 10 donkeys with grain, bread and provisions! Today let’s read Genesis 45:23 and Genesis 43:11. Jacob brought Joseph the best of the land from Canaan and now Joseph is giving his father the best from the land of Egypt!
And this is what he sent to his father: 10 donkeys loaded with the best of Egypt, and 10 female donkeys, loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. – Genesis 45:23 NIV
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. – Genesis 43:11 NIV
Day 22
Joseph sent his brothers home with their carts and donkeys and all their presents! As they were leaving he told them to not fight on their way home! Today let’s read Genesis 45:24 and talk with your Tiny Arrow’s about how well they know people! Joseph knew his brothers so well that he told them not to fight. Ask your Tiny Arrows what they know about people. Maybe their favorite hobbies, food, etc.
Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way.“ – Genesis 45:24 NIV
Day 23
Joseph’s brothers went back home! They traveled from Egypt and went back to Canaan. Back to their father! Today let’s read Genesis 45:25 and talk to your Tiny Arrows about traveling. Joseph’s brothers would have to travel about 250 miles to get back home! That’s about a 5 hour drive or 3 and a half day walk! Now show them how long and how far it would take them to get to their grandparents or someone they know’s house.
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. – Genesis 45:25 NIV
Day 24
Joseph’s brothers got back home and they told Jacob the exciting news! Joseph was alive! Not only was he alive but he was ruling Egypt! Jacob was so shocked he did not believe them! Today let’s read Genesis 45:26 and color the coloring page.
They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. – Genesis 45:26 NIV
Day 25
Jacob just learned that his son Joseph was alive! Jacob got to see the carts and everything his sons had brought as proof of their words and it was like Jacob was his old self again! Today let’s read Genesis 45:27 and tell your Tiny Arrow something that would make them excited! Then explain that Jacob was excited too!
But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts, Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. – Genesis 45:27 NIV
Day 26
Jacob was convinced that his son was alive! He wanted to go and see him before he died! Today let’s read Genesis 45:28 and ask your Tiny Arrow something they have always wanted to do. Would they want to travel, visit certain people, or eat something fun? Jacob was going to be able to go do something he did not think he could ever do again, see Joseph!
And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before die.” – Genesis 45:28 NIV
Day 29
Today let’s reread Genesis 45 and remember the activities and verses we learned!