Genesis 45 · Grade 4
Forgiveness and God's Plan
Read and Think
Joseph had every reason to take revenge. He was powerful, and his brothers were helpless before him. Instead, he wept, hugged them and forgave them. Forgiveness means choosing not to pay someone back for the wrong they did.
Joseph did not pretend their sin was nothing. He said plainly, You sold me. But he saw God's bigger plan: God sent me before you to preserve life. Joseph understood that God had been in control the whole time.
Joseph even warned them, Don't quarrel on the way! He knew they might start blaming each other. Joseph wanted peace in the family. In the New Testament, Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind and tenderhearted, forgiving each other as God in Christ forgave us.
Show What You Know
What does forgiveness mean?
Did Joseph pretend the brothers' sin was nothing?
What did Joseph understand about God?
Why did Joseph warn them not to quarrel?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- had every reason to take revenge.
- He was powerful, and his were helpless before him.
- Joseph understood that had been in control the whole time.
Think About It
Is there someone you need to forgive? What makes forgiving hard, and how can God help?
How does knowing God is in control help you forgive?
Memory Verse
“Now don’t be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
Genesis 45:5 (WEB)
Copy It
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 you see God at work in something painful?
- How can you show kindness to someone who hurt you?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.