Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors: Sunday School Lesson
Genesis 37 · 39–45
Big Idea
God can take what others mean for evil and turn it into good to save many people.
Story Summary
Jacob loved his son Joseph and gave him a beautiful coat of many colors. Joseph's brothers grew jealous and sold him to traders going down to Egypt. There Joseph was lied about and thrown in prison, but God was with him. The LORD gave him wisdom to explain Pharaoh's dreams, and Pharaoh set him over all the land. When famine came, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt for grain — and Joseph forgave them and saved his whole family.
Memory Verse (KJV)
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
Genesis 50:20
Discussion Questions
- Why did Joseph's brothers hate him?
Teacher hint: Jacob loved Joseph more and gave him a special coat (Gen 37:3-4).
- Name some hard things that happened to Joseph.
Teacher hint: Sold by his brothers, lied about, thrown in prison.
- What does it mean that 'the LORD was with Joseph'?
Teacher hint: Even in slavery and prison, God blessed his work and never left him.
- How did Joseph treat his brothers when he finally saw them again?
Teacher hint: He forgave them and fed their families (Gen 45 & 50).
- Is there someone you need to forgive this week — even if they really hurt you?
Craft Idea: Coat of Many Colors Craft
Supplies
- A simple coat shape cut from card stock (one per child)
- Strips or scraps of colored paper (or fabric)
- Glue stick
- A Genesis 50:20 label
Steps
- Give each child a paper coat shape.
- Glue colored strips all over the coat — every color you can find.
- Stick the Genesis 50:20 label on the back.
- Hang it up at home as a reminder that God can turn hard things into good.
Printable Worksheet
The printable bundle includes the story page, a Genesis 50:20 memory-verse card, a 10-question quiz worksheet with answer key, and a Joseph's Coat coloring page.
Lesson flow (45 minutes)
- Welcome (5 min): Pray, then read the memory verse aloud three times together.
- Story (10 min): Tell the story summary in your own words; open a KJV to Genesis 37 · 39–45.
- Discussion (10 min): Walk through the questions above. Let every child answer at least once.
- Craft (15 min): Make the coat of many colors craft.
- Wrap-up (5 min): Hand out the worksheet to finish at home and recite the memory verse one last time.
More Sunday school lessons
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1 Samuel 17
David and Goliath
Ages 5–11 · ~45 min
Jonah 1–4
Jonah and the Whale
Ages 4–10 · ~40 min
Luke 2 · Matthew 1–2
The Birth of Jesus
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Genesis 1
The Days of Creation
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Daniel 6
Daniel and the Lions' Den
Ages 5–11 · ~45 min
Exodus 14
Moses Parts the Red Sea
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Matthew 28 · Luke 24
The Resurrection of Jesus
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Luke 10:25–37
The Good Samaritan
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Mark 10:13–16
Jesus Blesses the Little Children
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Luke 19:1–10
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
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Matthew 14:22–33
Jesus Walks on Water
Ages 4–11 · ~40 min
John 6:1–14 · Matthew 14:13–21
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Luke 15:11–32
The Prodigal Son
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Judges 13–16
Samson the Strong
Ages 6–12 · ~45 min
Esther 1–10
Queen Esther Saves Her People
Ages 5–11 · ~45 min
Joshua 6
Joshua and the Walls of Jericho
Ages 4–11 · ~45 min
Exodus 3
Moses and the Burning Bush
Ages 5–11 · ~45 min
Ruth 1–4
Ruth and Naomi
Ages 5–11 · ~40 min
Ephesians 6:10–18
The Whole Armor of God
Ages 5–12 · ~45 min
Mark 4:35–41
Jesus Calms the Storm
Ages 3–10 · ~40 min
Where to go next
Teaching Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors? Here is what to grab next for your class.