INTRODUCTION

JOSEPH TAKES HIS FAMILY TO SAFETY IN EGYPT

BIBLE POINT - God guides us.

KEY VERSE - “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).

BIG PICTURE - Seek God’s guidance in tough situations.

Joseph Takes His Family to Safety in Egypt

Matthew 2:13-23

You probably hear a lot of directions every day. Clean your room. Finish your homework. Play safely. Sometimes those instructions feel annoying or unfair, especially when you want to do your own thing.

This week, you will learn that God also gives guidance, and it is always given with love. At first, God’s instructions might seem like more rules, but as you learn about Joseph, you will see that God guides people to help them, protect them, and lead them in good ways.

As you explore Joseph’s story, look for the moments when God was leading him, even when life felt confusing. You will discover that God’s guidance is not meant to hold you back. It is meant to help you grow and become who God created you to be.

GROWING IN TRUTH

PLANTING THE SEED

Soon after Jesus’ birth, the ruler in Israel, Herod, heard that the new king had just been born. He didn’t want anyone other than himself to be king, so he made plans to kill Jesus. He told his soldiers to kill all the babies in the area who were 2 years old or younger. But an angel from God appeared to Joseph and told him to take Jesus out of that land to another one, where he would be safe from Herod. Joseph followed God’s guidance and left with Jesus and Mary. Later, after Herod had died, Joseph returned to Nazareth. Each time God guided Joseph, Joseph followed God’s lead, and he and his family were kept safe.

BIBLE POINT

God guides us.

KEY VERSE

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).

FAMILY FUN

As a family, take turns creatively thinking up role play situations in which God might guide you. Have two or three members of the family act out listening to God’s guidance and responding to it in each situation. You may even want to play a Follow the Leader game in which one family member guides the rest of the family on a household journey. Discuss:

• Has God guided you lately? What happened?

• When is it difficult for you to follow God’s guidance?

• What can we do as a family to follow God’s guidance?

READY, SET, GROW!

Today, students committed to one of the following Daily Challenges. Help your child grow in faith this week and follow through on their challenge! (Have each child circle their choice below.)

• When a tough or difficult situation appears this week, ask God to guide you through it.

• Why is it hard sometimes to rely on God? Make a list of reasons to rely on God to guide you.

• Read Nahum 1:7; then look up the word refuge in the dictionary for a better understanding of this verse.

SOW & GROW

Draw something or someone you learned about in today’s lesson.