Younger Primary Lesson Plan: Genesis 42–50

Happy Opening (2 minutes): “Bandage Hearts!” (Object Lesson)
Hold up a small box of bandages. Smile and say: “Today we’re learning about a family that got hurt feelings… and then got healed!”
Let each child gently tap their own heart and say, “Heavenly Father can help my heart.”
Tell them the big happy idea: “We can forgive.”

Simple Scripture Story (5 minutes): “Joseph Forgives His Brothers” (Genesis 42–45; 50:15–21)
Props: 1 simple scarf (Joseph), 1 paper crown (Joseph as governor), 1 small bag of pretend grain (famine food).

1. Choose one child to be Joseph (scarf) and a few to be brothers. You be the narrator.
2. Explain simply: Joseph’s brothers were mean long ago, and Joseph had hard days. Later, Joseph became a leader in Egypt. Then a famine came, and Joseph’s family needed food.
3. Act it out: Brothers “walk” to Egypt (tiptoe). Joseph (with crown) sees them. Pause and ask: “Do you think Joseph will be mean back?”
   Share the key truth from the bundle: Joseph forgave and helped them, and he taught them that God could bring good after something hard: “God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20, quoted in the Come, Follow Me bundle).
   Connect to the opening: “That’s like putting a bandage on a hurt heart.”

Big Idea (repeat often):
“I can show love and forgiveness to my family.” (Come, Follow Me bundle, “Teaching Children”)

Wiggle and Learn Activities (12–15 minutes total)

1) “Forgive Toss” (Game)
Materials: 3–5 soft balls/beanbags; a basket.
Steps:

1. Put the basket a few steps away.
2. Each child tosses one beanbag in.
3. Every time they toss, they say: “I can forgive.”
   What to say: “Joseph chose forgiveness. We can choose forgiveness too.”
   Connection: “Now that our words are ready, let’s use our bodies to show forgiving!”

2) “Love One Another March” (Music & Movement)
Materials: none.
Steps:

1. March in a circle.
2. When you stop, everyone puts a hand on their heart and says, “Love!”
3. March again and stop and say, “Forgive!”
   What to say: “Joseph showed love to his family (Genesis 45:4–15, referenced in the bundle). We can show love too.”
   Connection: “Now let’s make something to help us remember what to do at home.”

3) “Bandage-Heart Craft” (Hands-On Craft)
Materials: paper hearts, crayons, stickers, and real bandages (or paper ‘bandages’).
Steps:

1. Give each child a paper heart.
2. Let them draw a happy family face on it.
3. Put a bandage on the heart and say: “Forgiveness helps heal.”
   What to say (simple and gentle): “If someone hurts our feelings, we can ask Heavenly Father to help us forgive.”
   Connection: “Let’s look at a picture of a father giving a blessing—because Heavenly Father helps families.”

4) “Blessing Hands” (Role-Play & Acting)
Materials: none (optional: a picture of Jacob blessing his sons if you have it printed).
Steps:

1. Have children sit quietly for 10 seconds with hands folded.
2. Explain simply from the bundle: “Jacob, Joseph’s father, wanted to give priesthood blessings to his family” (Come, Follow Me bundle, Genesis 48:8–9 section).
3. Let children practice being reverent: place hands on their own head very gently (not on others) and whisper, “Heavenly Father helps me.”
   What to say: “The Lord helps families.”
   Connection: “Now we’ll see a real picture of Jacob blessing his family.”

Picture Time (2–3 minutes): Gospel Art Book Picture
Use: “Jacob Blessing Joseph (Jacob Blessing His Sons), by Harry Anderson” (named in the bundle).
Ask:

1. “What do you see happening?”
2. “How do you think Joseph felt when his father blessed him?”
3. “How can Heavenly Father help our family feel peaceful and loving?”

Song and Actions (2–3 minutes): Children’s Songbook
Sing: “Love One Another” (Children’s Songbook, 136) (listed in the bundle).
Simple actions:

• On “love one another”: hug yourself.
• On “as I have loved you”: point up (Heavenly Father and Jesus).
• On “this is my commandment”: nod “yes.”
  Tie to big idea: “When we love, we forgive.”

Jesus Loves Me Moment (1–2 minutes)
Sit in a small circle. Hold up the bandage box again.
Say: “Joseph forgave his brothers. Forgiveness brings healing” (Come, Follow Me bundle, Genesis 45; 50:15–21 section title).
Invite children to finish a sentence (one at a time, very short):

• “I can be like Jesus when I ______.” (help, share, say sorry, forgive)

Take-Home Hug (10 seconds)
“Today, give someone in your family a hug and say, ‘I love you.’ If you can, forgive quickly.”

Teacher Survival Tips

1. Keep activities tiny: switch every 2–4 minutes to match short attention spans.
2. Use “freeze” cues: say “Hands on hearts!” to reset reverence fast.
3. If children get wiggly, repeat the Big Idea while moving: “I can show love and forgiveness to my family.”