Click to go to the Bible reading: Genesis 37
Staging Information
Joseph
is in period costume. The actor could be any age from late teens to
senior. If possible have Joseph dressed in a very colorful coat, the
coat of many colors. Although forceful he must take care not to frighten
or intimidate the children. Joseph must "stay in character" at all
times, yet will look around at the congregation as he talks to the
children about their families. It is extremely important that the actor
conduct himself in such a way as to be entertaining and exciting but
he must be very careful not to come across as a "comedy act." This
drama is meant to generate interest yet with a theme of dignified,
sober sincerity.
Pronunciation, meaning & background
In advance the actor should thoroughly read from the Bible the entire account of this story.
Prior to Joseph entering the sanctuary, the pastor invites the children to come to the front of the church. The cue for the actress to enter are the pastor's words, "very special person".
Pastor says:
The great thing about Children's Church is that: you get to learn about God and about people in the Bible who have served God. And this morning we have a special treat for you! We have a very special person coming to talk to you in Children's Church this morning. Joseph enters sanctuary from side door:
JOSPEH
Good morning! My name is Joseph. Do you see my coat? I am very proud of it. It was a gift from my parents. It was called "the coat of many colors". Unfortunately this coat was the cause of problems between my brothers and I. They were jealous of my coat. Do you know what it means to be jealous? . . .. . It is when a person wants something that belongs to someone else. And that is wrong, isn't it? Well, my brothers wanted my coat so they decided to send me away to another country and to tell our father that I was dead. You see, my brothers started out with the sin of jealousy and then they did another wrong thing, they lied to our father. That happens so often doesn't it? One sin seems to lead to another sin. Soon things get worse and worse. We have to remember not to do that first wrong thing, don't we?
Joseph tells of his experience.
Joseph says:
I'm very happy to be with you children this morning. I'd like to tell you about my coat. Do you remember what I said it was called? . . .. . . That's right, "the coat of many colors". It was a special gift from my parents, just like the special gifts which your parents sometimes give to you.
One
day I was asked to take food to my older brothers who were looking
after our flock of sheep, far away from our home. Of course I wore
my coat of many colors. As I got near my brothers they saw that I was
wearing my coat and this made them even more jealous. So they sold
me to some travelers from another country who took me far, far from
my home and my family. And my brothers told my parents that I had been
killed. Their jealousy had made them so angry that they were not thinking
right. When my brothers told our parents that I had been killed, this
of course made my parents very sad. And, of course, I too was sad and
very lonely being so young and so far away from home. But I believed
that God would look after me and would keep me safe. So I prayed to
God, and He did hear my prayers.
I went to work for a rich man in the far country, and I worked very hard. Soon the rich man put me in charge of all of his business and I became very well known in that country.
Later on I explained to the man who I worked for that there was going to be a famine in that area. That would mean that there would be no crops and nothing for the people to eat. So I had the people build large buildings and fill them with crops enough to give everyone food for many years. Then when the famine came all of our people had plenty to eat.
Back in my own country there was also a famine. But the people there had not set aside any crops. Soon those people, including my father and my brothers had nothing to eat. So my brothers came to the country where I was living and tried to buy food. My brothers didn't recognize me when they saw me, but I knew them.
You remember that the last time I saw my brothers they were jealous of me, and they had treated me unkindly by sending me to another country. I know that some people might have tried to get even, but I did not. You see, in spite of the bad things my brothers had done to me, still they were my brothers and I loved them. So I gave food to my brothers and I had them bring my father to live with me in order that I could look after him.
Even though I had gone through some really scary things, it was good to be back together with my family. I thanked God for being with me and looking after me and all my family.
I have really enjoyed being with you children this morning. I have to go now but before I do let's talk to God. Bow your head and close your eyes.
"God, thank You for families. For children and parents, brothers and sisters. Thank you for the love and the warmth of our homes. Amen"
Joseph leaves
