Genesis 42 · Grade 4

A Guilty Conscience

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Read and Think

More than twenty years had passed since the brothers sold Joseph. Now they bowed before him, fulfilling his dream, without knowing who he was. God's word always comes true, even if it takes many years.

Joseph tested his brothers. He wanted to know if their hearts had changed. Would they abandon another brother as they had abandoned him? He kept Simeon and asked them to bring Benjamin.

The brothers' guilty consciences spoke up. They remembered Joseph's cries from the pit. Reuben reminded them that he had told them not to sin against the child. Sin we try to hide does not simply go away. Only confession and forgiveness can bring true peace.

Show What You Know

How did the brothers fulfill Joseph's dream?
What did Joseph want to find out with his test?
What did the brothers remember?
What brings true peace from sin?

Think About It

Why does hidden sin bother our conscience?
Joseph tested whether his brothers had changed. How can people show that they have truly changed?

Memory Verse

They said to one another, “We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us.”

Genesis 42:21 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can your conscience lead you to make things right?
When do you need to admit past wrongs?