Confirmation Lesson
Joseph
Opening Prayer
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.
Amen.
Joseph
The story of Joseph is a long one so let's look at it in a little different way... through the Broadway musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat".
Genesis 37
Read Genesis 37:1-11
Watch the scene depicting Joseph's dreams from the Broadway Musical
"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat":
What do you think?
  • Do you think the dreams were a prophecy of what was to come?
  • What other examples do we have of God speaking through dreams in biblical times?
  • Does God speak through dreams today?
Genesis 37
Read Genesis 37:18-36
Watch the scene depicting Joseph's brothers (Jacob's other sons) betraying Joseph from the Broadway Musical
"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat":
The Silver Egg
  • Even when the world may seem to be a dark and confusing place, who is there for us?
  • What are the dark moments in your life that need to be turned around for good?
  • Joseph, who we're learning about tonight, went through a long, dark time. But, you'll see through the story that Joseph continued to trust God through it all. And you'll see, once again, that God keeps God's promises!
Genesis 39-50
Joseph is sold to Potiphar as a slave. While there, Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph. Joseph got away but she was holding on to his cloak and had it in hand as Joseph got away. She told her husband, Potiphar that Joseph was trying to seduce her. Potiphar was enraged and threw Joseph in jail. But Joseph continued to trust God through it all because he knew that God keeps God's promises!
Genesis 40
While in prison, Joseph interpreted the dreams of two men. Pharaoh heard of Joseph's gift of interpreting dreams and brought him from jail to interpret Pharaoh's own dream.. See that scene here:
Pharaoh was so impressed that he made Joseph in charge of the economics and making sure that he cared for those crops.
Genesis 42
Meanwhile, Joseph's family was starving. They heard of the surplus in Egypt so the brothers traveled there - twice. The first time, all of them went but the youngest, Benjamin, who Jacob wouldn't let go).
They went before Joseph to ask for help but they didn't realize their own brother. But Joseph recognized them! Joseph pretended to be a stranger. Joseph sent them home with sacks of grain but also put money in their packs. He planned to accuse them of being thieves if they came back to Egypt.
The brothers came back to face Joseph to ask for help again. Joseph treated them as guests and sent them home with grain once more. But he put a silver cup in Benjamin's sack. As they left for Canaan, Joseph sent people after them claiming to accuse them of stealing. They were brought back to face Joseph. Judah, one of the brothers, stood up for Benjamin and was willing to take the punishment for him. Here's what happened next...
Jacob and sons were all reunited. Joseph trusted that God Keeps God's Promises!
With that trust, Joseph was able to see God's blessings in the midst of tragedy and pain. Joseph was able to live with hope, peace and forgiveness.
WOW!
Fun Fact!

Leisha was in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with Donny Osmond (actor/singer playing Joseph here) when she was 12 down at the State Theater! How cool is that?!

Here's a look at us kids' dressing room. This was our talent show that we did for the cast before our last show. The tears at the end are because we were saying goodbye after working together for months.

You'll see Donny Osmond in this home video of Leisha's. Do you see any faces you recognize amongst the kids? You may know a couple.
Things to Think About
What do you think about this...
  • How would you have reacted if you were in Joseph's situation?
  • How can this story of Joseph and his brothers help you in times of tragedy and pain?
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts, you can email Leisha at ltays@oursaviourslc.org