Joseph and Jesus (CHALLENGE)

Time

10-15 minutes
Description

This Challenge uses a two-sided puzzle, with the image of Joseph on one side and the image of Jesus on the other.  It makes comparisons between Joseph (of Genesis) and Jesus and shows how Joseph was a preview (or “type” or “shadow”) of Jesus that helps us to understand the events of Jesus’ life better.  There are 26 comparisons, which are listed for your reference in the table at the end of this lesson.

Scriptures

• Genesis 37-50

 

Materials

• Card stock paper – 2 sheets per group (Alternatively, you can use posterboard, but you will then need to glue the puzzles to the posterboard.  This might cause you challenges with aligning the front and back puzzles.)
• Puzzle sets – 1 per group (The file for printing is called, “JJ – Joseph & Jesus – Puzzle,” and it can be found on the Lesson and Material Downloads page at www.teachingthem.com.  It would be best if these documents were printed in color.)
• Challenge Card (The file for printing is called, “JJ – Joseph & Jesus – Challenge Card,” and it can be found on the Lesson and Material Downloads page at www.teachingthem.com.  This can be printed in black and white on regular paper.  There are two Challenge Cards per page.)
• Glue
• Ziplock bags – 1 per group
• Scissors or cutting tool
• Transparent contact paper (or laminating paper – 2 sheets per group (approx. 12”x10”) – OPTIONAL
• Single hole punch – 1 to share – OPTIONAL
• Twine – 1 roll to share – OPTIONAL
• Prizes for the winning group – OPTIONAL

 

Preparation

• Print out the puzzle pages.
• Print out the Challenge Card document.
• Glue a “Jesus” puzzle to a “Joseph” puzzle back-to-back, and allow them to dry fully.  (Do your best to get them exactly aligned. You might want to place a heavy object on them while they are drying to prevent curling – especially if you live in a humid environment.)
• Cut out the puzzle pieces along the lines on the puzzle pages.  (The lines should match up front-to-back.)
• Mix the pieces up, and place each set of puzzle pieces into a different Ziplock bag.
• Cut the Challenge Card document in half (each half is identical), and put one in each Ziplock bag.
• Cut the contact paper or laminating pages to the approximate size listed above, and put two sheets into each Ziplock bag. (OPTIONAL)
• Practice the script.

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

• “We’re going to do a group Challenge today.”
• “It’s called, “Joseph and Jesus” and it’s part of the Joseph’s Journey Series.”
• “First, I’ll need to divide you into groups.”  (Divide the participants into the number of groups for which you have prepared puzzles.)
• “Each group will have a Ziplock bag with a puzzle in it.”
• “This puzzle is tricky, though, because there are pictures on both sides!”
• “When I tell you to go, open your Ziplock bags, and begin putting your puzzles together.”
• “Be sure to read the words on each side of the puzzle out loud before you add it to your puzzle.”  (Let them begin.  You can offer a prize for the fastest team to get their puzzle together if you want, but you might not want to because it could make them rush through and fail to read the descriptions on each side of the puzzle pieces.  When they finish, you can help them laminate the puzzle pieces if you want to.  Just peal off the protective paper, and carefully lay a sheet of the clear contact paper on top of the puzzle.  Then, flip it over and do the same for the backside.  Punch a hole in the top, and use the twine to add a loop that you can use to hang the puzzle.  This will allow them to see both sides.  When they are finished with the puzzle, have them answer the Debrief Questions below (also on their Challenge Cards.  The Rhyme Time is a reinforce to help them remember that the events of their lives can be used by God in a big way.)

 

Debriefing Questions.

1. What do you think about all the comparisons between Joseph and Jesus?
2. Why do you think God made them so much alike?
3. God used Joseph’s life in a big way to tell us about what Jesus would be like.  Do you think God could use your life like that?  Why or why not?

 

Rhyme Time

God has a purpose, a plan and a dream.

My present struggles are more than they seem.

 

JOSEPH	JESUS
A Miraculous Birth Joseph’s mother, Rachel, wasn’t able to have children until God answered her prayers. (Gen 30:22-24)	A Miraculous Birth Jesus’ mother, Mary, was visited first by an angel and then by the Holy Spirit.  She gave birth to God’s only Son. (Luke 1:26:38)
A Shepherd Joseph tended his father’s sheep. (Gen 37:2)	A Shepherd Jesus said he was the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11)
His Father’s Favorite Child Jacob gave his son Joseph a colorful robe. (Gen 37:3)	His Father’s Favorite Child Jesus was the son in whom the Father was well pleased. (Matt 3:17)
His Greatness Was Prophesied Joseph had two dreams about his brothers bowing down to him. (Gen 37:5-7, 9)	His Greatness Was Prophesied The Old Testament tells us over 100 prophesies about Jesus.
Obedient to His Father Joseph obeyed his father and went to check on his brothers. (Gen 37:12-14)	Obedient to His Father Jesus obeyed His Father by coming to earth as a man. (John 7:28-29)
Sent to His Brothers, But They Weren’t Where They Were Supposed to Be Joseph looked for his brothers in Shechem, but they were in Dothan. (Gen 37:14-17)	Sent to His Brothers, But They Weren’t Where They Were Supposed to Be Jesus came to earth for the Jewish people, but they were living sinful lives. (Rom 3:9-20)
Hated by His Brothers Because He Claimed to Have Authority Over Them Joseph’s brothers hated him, because he had dreams about ruling over them.  (Gen 37:8)	Hated by His Brothers Because He Claimed to Have Authority Over Them The Jewish leaders hated Jesus, because He claimed to be the Son of God. (John 15:25)
Brothers Plotted to Kill Him Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill “the dreamer.” (Gen 37:18-20)	Brothers Plotted to Kill Him The Jews at the head of the church pressured Pilate to crucify Jesus. (Mark 15:11-14)
Robe Taken from Him by His Enemies Joseph’s robe was taken by his brothers. (Gen 37:23)	Robe Taken from Him by His Enemies Soldiers took Jesus’ robe and gambled to see who would get it. (Matt 27:35)
Put Into the Earth Joseph was thrown into an empty well. (Gen 37:24)	Put Into the Earth Jesus was laid in an empty tomb. (Matt 27:59-60)
Visited by Foreigners Carrying Resin and Myrrh While Joseph was in the well, a caravan of Ishmaelites came from Gilead with spices, balm (a resin) and myrrh. (Gen 37:25)	Visited by Foreigners Carrying Resin and Myrrh Jesus was visited by wise men from the East who brought gold, frankincense (a resin) and myrrh. (Matt 2:11)
JOSEPH	JESUS
Sold for Silver Pieces – the Price of a Slave Joseph’s brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites for 20 pieces of silver. (Gen 37:28)	Sold for Silver Pieces – the Price of a Slave The chief priests paid Judas 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus. (Matt 26:14-15, Exodus 21:32)
Robe Dipped in Blood Joseph’s brothers dipped his robe in blood to fool their father. (Gen 37:31-33)	Robe Dipped in Blood Revelation pictures Jesus as a warrior with a robe dipped in blood. (Rev 19:13)
Taken to Egypt Joseph was taken to Egypt by slave traders. (Gen 37:28)	Taken to Egypt Jesus was taken to Egypt by his parents.  (Matt 2:13-15)
Tempted by the Evil One Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife. (Gen 39:7-12)	Tempted by the Evil One Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. (Matt 4:1-11)
Accused of a Crime He Didn’t Commit Joseph was accused of flirting with Potiphar’s wife. (Gen 39:13-19)	Accused of a Crime He Didn’t Commit Jesus was accused of blasphemy. (John 10:30-39)
Punished with Two Criminals Joseph was thrown into prison, where he met two men who had offended Pharaoh. (Gen 40:1-4)	Punished with Two Criminals Jesus was crucified between two thieves. (Luke 23:32-33)
Given Authority Over Everything Joseph was given authority over everything in Potiphar’s house and in the prison.  (Gen 39:4-6, 22-23)	Given Authority Over Everything Jesus has been given authority over everything in heaven and on earth. (Matt 28:18)
Exalted to the Second-Highest Place Joseph was raised to sit at the right hand of Pharaoh and rule Egypt. (Gen 41:41-44)	Exalted to the Second-Highest Place Jesus was raised to sit at the right hand of God, the Father. (Heb 1:1-4)
Began His Greatest Work at the Age of 30 Joseph began ruling Egypt at the age of 30. (Gen 41:46)	Began His Greatest Work at the Age of 30 Jesus began His ministry at the age of 30. (Luke 3:23)
Became the Source of Bread for the World Joseph provided grain for Egypt and other nations during the famine. (Gen 41:53-57)	Became the Source of Bread for the Whole World Jesus is the Bread of Life, given for all people. (John 6:35)
JOSEPH	JESUS
Took a Gentile (non-Jewish) Bride Joseph married Asenath, daughter of Potiphera.  (Gen 41:45)	Took a Gentile (non-Jewish) Bride Jesus is the bridegroom, and the Church (made up of all believers) is His bride. (Eph 5:22-33)
Alive After “Death” Joseph’s brothers and father thought he was dead, but they were surprised to learn that he was actually alive! (Gen 45:25-28)	Alive After “Death” Jesus died and was buried, but He rose again on the third day.  (Matt 28:5-7)
Not Recognized By His Own People Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him when they first met him in Egypt.  (Gen 42: 8)	Not Recognized By His Own People Jesus was not recognized as Savior by the Jews.  (Rom 11:1-21)
Forgave Those Who Mistreated Him Joseph forgave his brothers. (Gen 50:19-21)	Forgave Those Who Mistreated Him Jesus forgave those who nailed Him to the cross. (Luke 23:34)
Saved Many Lives Joseph told his brothers that God allowed him to suffer so that he could save many lives.  (Gen 50:20)	Saved Many Lives Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)