Genesis 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.
Introductory Discussion Questions
Do you often have dreams?
What are your dreams like? Describe your dreams.
Do you like to dream? Why or why not?
Do you believe dreams have meaning? Why or why not?
Did your family have a favorite child? Was this a good or bad thing? Explain.
Introductory Dream Discussion
In pairs or groups, discuss some of your favorite dreams. Pairs or groups could discuss either sleeping dreams or dreams for the future. It is their choice.
Synonym Matching
generation herd
pasturing age group
flock account
brought tell
report truly
jealousy carry
speak envy
indeed care for
Antonym Matching
peacefully loosing
loved dispersed
bowing meanly
rebuked good
bad encouraged
binding sky
gathered hated
ground standing
Listening Blank Fill
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was ___________________ the flock with his brothers. He was a _____________ with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's _________________. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to ______________ father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any _______________ of his sons, because he was the son of his __________ age. And he made him a robe of many _______________. But when his brothers saw that their father _______________ him more than all his brothers, they ______________ him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Word Bank Fill in the Blank
Now Joseph had a 1_____________, and when he told it to his brothers 2__________ hated him even more. He said to them, “3__________ this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we 4__________ binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my 5___________ arose and stood upright. And behold , your sheaves 6__________________ around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 7______________ brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to 8____________ over us? Or are you indeed to rule 9____________ us?” So they hated him even more for his 10______________ and for his words.
over
gathered
they
dream
reign
Hear
His
sheaf
dreams
were
Verb Bank Fill in the Blank
Then he 1____________ another dream and told it to his brothers and 2__________, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars 3___________ bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father 4________________ him and said to him, “What is this dream that you 5____________ dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed 6________________ to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father 7__________________ the saying in mind.
come
kept
have
rebuked
were
dreamed
said
Pair Work Discussion Questions
A
Do you think Joseph came from a troubled family? Explain.
How does this story illustrate (show) that it is not wise to love one child more than the others?
What mistake do you think Joseph may have made in telling his dreams?
Do parents need to be careful in their gift giving to their children? Explain.
Based on the story so far, what do you think may happen next?
B
Why did Joseph’s brothers hate Joseph?
Why did the brothers not like Joseph’s dreams?
Do you think Joseph may have been proud as a young man? Why or Why not?
Is jealousy always bad? How should jealousy be dealt with?
What could Jacob have done to make the family situation better?
Research and Writing
Using the internet, research whether or not Joseph is often compared to a New Testament Bible Character. Write about your findings, and be prepared to share your findings in the next class.
Chinese Version
雅 各 的 记 略 如 下 。 约 瑟 十 七 岁 与 他 哥 哥 们 一 同 牧 羊 。 他 是 个 童 子 ， 与 他 父 亲 的 妾 辟 拉 、 悉 帕 的 儿 子 们 常 在 一 处 。 约 瑟 将 他 哥 哥 们 的 恶 行 报 给 他 们 的 父 亲 。
3 以 色 列 原 来 爱 约 瑟 过 於 爱 他 的 众 子 ， 因 为 约 瑟 是 他 年 老 生 的 ； 他 给 约 瑟 做 了 一 件 彩 衣 。
4 约 瑟 的 哥 哥 们 见 父 亲 爱 约 瑟 过 於 爱 他 们 ， 就 恨 约 瑟 ， 不 与 他 说 和 睦 的 话 。
5 约 瑟 做 了 一 梦 ， 告 诉 他 哥 哥 们 ， 他 们 就 越 发 恨 他 。
6 约 瑟 对 他 们 说 ： 请 听 我 所 做 的 梦 ：
7 我 们 在 田 里 捆 禾 稼 ， 我 的 捆 起 来 站 着 ， 你 们 的 捆 来 围 着 我 的 捆 下 拜 。
8 他 的 哥 哥 们 回 答 说 ： 难 道 你 真 要 作 我 们 的 王 麽 ？ 难 道 你 真 要 管 辖 我 们 麽 ？ 他 们 就 因 为 他 的 梦 和 他 的 话 越 发 恨 他 。
9 後 来 他 又 做 了 一 梦 ， 也 告 诉 他 的 哥 哥 们 说 ： 看 哪 ， 我 又 做 了 一 梦 ， 梦 见 太 阳 、 月 亮 ， 与 十 一 个 星 向 我 下 拜 。
10 约 瑟 将 这 梦 告 诉 他 父 亲 和 他 哥 哥 们 ， 他 父 亲 就 责 备 他 说 ： 你 做 的 这 是 甚 麽 梦 ！ 难 道 我 和 你 母 亲 、 你 弟 兄 果 然 要 来 俯 伏 在 地 ， 向 你 下 拜 麽 ？
11 他 哥 哥 们 都 嫉 妒 他 ， 他 父 亲 却 把 这 话 存 在 心 里 。
Exercise Answers
Synonym Matching: generation-->age group, pasturing-->care for, flock-->herd, brought-->carry, report-->account, jealousy-->envy, speak-->tell, indeed-->truly.
Antonym Matching: peacefully-->meanly, loved-->hated, bowing-->standing, rebuked-->encouraged, bad-->good, binding-->loosing, gathered-->dispersing, ground-->sky.
Listening Blank Fill: generations, pasturing, boy, wives, their, other, old, colors, loved, hated.
Word Bank Fill in the Blank: 1. dream, 2. they, 3. Hear, 4. were, 5. sheaf, 6. gathered, 7. His, 8. reign, 9. over, 10. dreams.
Verb Bank Fill in the Blank: 1. dreamed 2. said, 3. were, 4. rebuked, 5. have, 6. come, 7. kept.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.
Introductory Discussion Questions
Do you often have dreams?
What are your dreams like? Describe your dreams.
Do you like to dream? Why or why not?
Do you believe dreams have meaning? Why or why not?
Did your family have a favorite child? Was this a good or bad thing? Explain.
Introductory Dream Discussion
In pairs or groups, discuss some of your favorite dreams. Pairs or groups could discuss either sleeping dreams or dreams for the future. It is their choice.
Synonym Matching
generation herd
pasturing age group
flock account
brought tell
report truly
jealousy carry
speak envy
indeed care for
Antonym Matching
peacefully loosing
loved dispersed
bowing meanly
rebuked good
bad encouraged
binding sky
gathered hated
ground standing
Listening Blank Fill
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was ___________________ the flock with his brothers. He was a _____________ with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's _________________. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to ______________ father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any _______________ of his sons, because he was the son of his __________ age. And he made him a robe of many _______________. But when his brothers saw that their father _______________ him more than all his brothers, they ______________ him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Word Bank Fill in the Blank
Now Joseph had a 1_____________, and when he told it to his brothers 2__________ hated him even more. He said to them, “3__________ this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we 4__________ binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my 5___________ arose and stood upright. And behold , your sheaves 6__________________ around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 7______________ brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to 8____________ over us? Or are you indeed to rule 9____________ us?” So they hated him even more for his 10______________ and for his words.
over
gathered
they
dream
reign
Hear
His
sheaf
dreams
were
Verb Bank Fill in the Blank
Then he 1____________ another dream and told it to his brothers and 2__________, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars 3___________ bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father 4________________ him and said to him, “What is this dream that you 5____________ dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed 6________________ to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father 7__________________ the saying in mind.
come
kept
have
rebuked
were
dreamed
said
Pair Work Discussion Questions
A
Do you think Joseph came from a troubled family? Explain.
How does this story illustrate (show) that it is not wise to love one child more than the others?
What mistake do you think Joseph may have made in telling his dreams?
Do parents need to be careful in their gift giving to their children? Explain.
Based on the story so far, what do you think may happen next?
B
Why did Joseph’s brothers hate Joseph?
Why did the brothers not like Joseph’s dreams?
Do you think Joseph may have been proud as a young man? Why or Why not?
Is jealousy always bad? How should jealousy be dealt with?
What could Jacob have done to make the family situation better?
Research and Writing
Using the internet, research whether or not Joseph is often compared to a New Testament Bible Character. Write about your findings, and be prepared to share your findings in the next class.
Chinese Version
雅 各 的 记 略 如 下 。 约 瑟 十 七 岁 与 他 哥 哥 们 一 同 牧 羊 。 他 是 个 童 子 ， 与 他 父 亲 的 妾 辟 拉 、 悉 帕 的 儿 子 们 常 在 一 处 。 约 瑟 将 他 哥 哥 们 的 恶 行 报 给 他 们 的 父 亲 。
3 以 色 列 原 来 爱 约 瑟 过 於 爱 他 的 众 子 ， 因 为 约 瑟 是 他 年 老 生 的 ； 他 给 约 瑟 做 了 一 件 彩 衣 。
4 约 瑟 的 哥 哥 们 见 父 亲 爱 约 瑟 过 於 爱 他 们 ， 就 恨 约 瑟 ， 不 与 他 说 和 睦 的 话 。
5 约 瑟 做 了 一 梦 ， 告 诉 他 哥 哥 们 ， 他 们 就 越 发 恨 他 。
6 约 瑟 对 他 们 说 ： 请 听 我 所 做 的 梦 ：
7 我 们 在 田 里 捆 禾 稼 ， 我 的 捆 起 来 站 着 ， 你 们 的 捆 来 围 着 我 的 捆 下 拜 。
8 他 的 哥 哥 们 回 答 说 ： 难 道 你 真 要 作 我 们 的 王 麽 ？ 难 道 你 真 要 管 辖 我 们 麽 ？ 他 们 就 因 为 他 的 梦 和 他 的 话 越 发 恨 他 。
9 後 来 他 又 做 了 一 梦 ， 也 告 诉 他 的 哥 哥 们 说 ： 看 哪 ， 我 又 做 了 一 梦 ， 梦 见 太 阳 、 月 亮 ， 与 十 一 个 星 向 我 下 拜 。
10 约 瑟 将 这 梦 告 诉 他 父 亲 和 他 哥 哥 们 ， 他 父 亲 就 责 备 他 说 ： 你 做 的 这 是 甚 麽 梦 ！ 难 道 我 和 你 母 亲 、 你 弟 兄 果 然 要 来 俯 伏 在 地 ， 向 你 下 拜 麽 ？
11 他 哥 哥 们 都 嫉 妒 他 ， 他 父 亲 却 把 这 话 存 在 心 里 。
Exercise Answers
Synonym Matching: generation-->age group, pasturing-->care for, flock-->herd, brought-->carry, report-->account, jealousy-->envy, speak-->tell, indeed-->truly.
Antonym Matching: peacefully-->meanly, loved-->hated, bowing-->standing, rebuked-->encouraged, bad-->good, binding-->loosing, gathered-->dispersing, ground-->sky.
Listening Blank Fill: generations, pasturing, boy, wives, their, other, old, colors, loved, hated.
Word Bank Fill in the Blank: 1. dream, 2. they, 3. Hear, 4. were, 5. sheaf, 6. gathered, 7. His, 8. reign, 9. over, 10. dreams.
Verb Bank Fill in the Blank: 1. dreamed 2. said, 3. were, 4. rebuked, 5. have, 6. come, 7. kept.
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