Spin-off Assemblies: Got the T-Shirt
4. Slave Market
Theme: What am I worth? This assembly focuses on asking the children many questions – but not giving them
the answers! Let the children know that for the majority of the questions you are not expecting them to give you
answers – rather it is for them to think about for themselves.
SEAL theme: n/a
Story (Bible reference): Genesis 37:25-36
Joseph is sold as a slave and taken to Egypt. Once there he would have been sold in a slave market, and the
more useful he appeared, the more he would be worth.
Key Stage Relevance: KS1 & KS2
Resources:
Joseph box: whip or shackles
T-shirt: Representing a slave. Perhaps a white vest with chains around it.
Price tags for school uniform
Tags with verses on
Blank tags
Pictures of ‘stars’
20 coins in a bag
Introduction:
Ask the children how much they think they are worth – then ask for a ‘volunteer’ to come to the front.
Before your visit - cost out the price of the school uniform i.e. tie, shirt, (or polo shirt) school jumper/sweatshirt,
trousers or skirt, socks and shoes. Have the prices you have worked out on cards ready to attach to a child who
is wearing the school uniform, or to write down on a chart at the front of the hall. Ask for an adult /Year 6 to total
up the cost of the uniform.
Ask the children – Is this what they think they are worth? £.........?
Is it what we are wearing - or the kind of person we are that determines what we are worth?
Does it matter what age we are? Are younger people worth less or more than older people?
What about these people? I wonder what the world thinks they would be worth? Have some blank tags to write
down the prices that children suggest. Use some examples of famous people such as:
• Barak Obama
• Usain Bolt
• David Beckham
• Cheryl Cole
Why do we put a high price on them?
Main Content:
In our story of Joseph – Joseph is sold as a slave. Joseph’s brothers sold him for 20 shekels of silver – the
going rate for slaves between 5-20 years old (see Leviticus 27:3-7). Hold up the bag of coins. I wonder what the
brothers did with the money? I wonder if they were happy with the amount they got?
Re-tell the story from Genesis 37 using the slave t-shirt.
I wonder how they put a price on slaves?
I wonder what the slave owners were looking for....
• How strong they looked?
• How tall they were?
Spin-Off Assemblies © Spinnaker Trust Ltd 2010, 172 High St, London SE20 7QS
www.spinnaker.org.uk Reg. Charity: 1111353 Reg. Company: 5503977
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How handsome they were?
How well they would be able to do their job?
Joseph’s brothers thought they had got rid of him – forever! Joseph didn’t have an easy time as he was sold as
a slave, but God had His hand on Joseph, as he would find out as time went by.
Pupils response/reflection/Prayer:
The uniform costs this much (show price tag again of total of uniform) – but is it the clothes we wear that gives us
our worth or is it something else?
I wonder about you and me?
•
I wonder what the world thinks we are worth? Does it depend on age/skills/where we live?
•
I wonder what we think we are worth? How do we value ourselves?
Think of all the things you can do ...... walk, talk, see, taste etc
Think of all the things you are........... girl, boy, friend, brother, sister, kind, etc
Think of all the things you have ......... clean water, home, bed, etc
•
I wonder what God thinks we are worth? What does the Bible say about this?
Have some verses printed out on price tags e.g.:
Zephaniah 3:17 or Matthew 6:26
Imagine that you have an envelope in your hand. Turn it over – and slowly open it. Put your fingers inside the
envelope and pull out an imaginary price tag. Have a look at the price tag – on one side – it says this is what
God thinks we are worth. Then turn over the tag – and see what is written...... You are Precious to me 1 Peter
2:4
Christians believe God thinks that we are very valuable and precious to Him. I wonder how that makes you feel?
If you are used to praying at home – you might like to say something quietly to God in response to how that
makes you feel.
Play some quiet music as children have time to reflect/respond and pray.
Spin-Off Assemblies © Spinnaker Trust Ltd 2010, 172 High St, London SE20 7QS
www.spinnaker.org.uk Reg. Charity: 1111353 Reg. Company: 5503977
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