Cup of Forgiveness

Itty Bitty Lutherans concludes Joseph's story this week.  We continue our look at books for sharing the faith with your children at home.


Story Notes:  The last of Joseph's dreams became a reality this week when his brothers bow down before him while seeking food.  As second only to Pharaoh, Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn't recognize him.  Now Joseph had the chance to get revenge and deny his brothers food.  Think of the great emotional distress! Multiple times throughout the text we read that Joseph wept loudly.  Despite their cruelty, Joseph once again behaved nobly and by the grace of God forgave his brothers. Not only did he reunite the family, but he saved them from famine, preserved the family and the line of Jesus, who brings us salvation from the eternal death we deserve because of our sin.



Can you find the cup in the food bag?

Read Genesis 42-44. Share this part of Joseph's story by filling a clear plastic baggie with Cheerios (our grain of choice!) and placing a small play set glass within the bag so it cannot be seen.  Hold the bag up for all to see saying, Joseph's brothers were so hungry.  They needed something to eat.  Joseph had a lot of food, so he gave them a bag of food to eat.  The brothers did not see that Joseph was the brother that they had sold away from their family.  Joseph hid something in Benjamin's bag of food.  He hid a cup.   Show the cup hidden in the cereal. They had to return with the cup, and take it back to Joseph.  When they brought the cup back to Joseph he told them that he was the brother that they threw in the pit. They were mean to Joseph.  Joseph forgave his brothers.  God forgives us. Joseph loved this brothers.  Jesus loves you!

You are forgiven because Jesus died on the cross for your sins.  Fill a shallow container full of more Cheerios, then hide the small plastic play cup and a large sea shell in the Cheerios.  Allow the children to uncover the treasures.  As they find them say, Mommy and Daddy have forgiveness of sins when we drink from the cup and eat the bread in church at the Lord's Supper. Your sins were washed clean in Holy Baptism; the pastor poured water on you and said, "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." For Jesus' sake, you are forgiven!


Reading the Faith: We can start to tell our children about the Sacraments, the means for forgiveness, life, and salvation, even from the time they are very young.  Again, little children will not totally "get" it. Do you? I don't! Readiness for complete comprehension not a good reason to hesitate in this instruction. Take your children to Communion with you for a blessing.  Take them for a visit to the font and talk to them about their washing in Holy Baptism. In class we read, Things I see at Baptism.  It's on sale right now, along with a few others of my favorites. Click on the title to check them out!

Things I See at Baptism by Julie Stiegemeyer  sale $2

Holy Baptism - Follow and Do by Joni Walker

The Lord's Supper - Follow and Do by Joni Walker sale $4

As you can see there are four additional books in this series and you can buy them all together as a box set.  They follow word for word with Catechism, and have charming illustrations.