The story of Jacob and Esau helps us teach our children that every choice they make is very important, no matter how small the decision seems, the effects and consequences are long lasting. The ideas below may help you when teaching a lesson about Jacob and Esau. Feel free to use these ideas to supplement your current curriculum or to make your own lesson.
Story Suggestion
Read the children’s version of Jacob and Esau to the class, and have each child talk about a choice that they made in their own lives that may have been similar. For example, something that they gave up in order to do or receive something else. Also, read the story of the brothers' reconciliation and discuss forgiving others and ourselves for mistakes.
Suggested Bible Verses
- Genesis 25:24-26
- Hebrews 12:17
Game Ideas
I Would Rather Have …
Directions: Have the kids choose things from around the classroom with a picture of Jesus being one of the objects, and try to trade each for them. Whoever ends up with the picture gets to keep it.
Snacks
A good snack for this lesson would be:
Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 cans of chicken broth
- 2 cups of water
- 2 cans chicken gravy
- 2 packages of frozen mixed vegetables
Directions:
- Pour the vegetables into a bowl.
- Let each child have a turn scooping a cup of them into the pot.
- Add the water and the broth to the vegetables bring to a boil, and then add the gravy.
Another good snack for this lesson would be:
Ladder Shaped Pretzels
Ingredients:
- 2 packages refrigerated bread dough
- Salt
Directions:
- Cut the dough into enough sections so that each child will have 3 pieces.
- Roll each piece out into thin ropes.
- Take 2 ropes and place them side by side, tear the remaining piece into smaller pieces, and twist each end onto the longer ones, forming a ladder.
- This recipe could also be used as a craft activity.
Art Center Ideas
Pinch Pot Bowl
Materials:
- Air-dry clay
- Paint
Directions:
- Roll the clay into a ball.
- Stick thumbs into the center of the ball, pinching the sides to make it hollow, keeping in mind that you are making a bowl shape, not a donut.
- Flatten out the bottom of the ball to make a nice flat surface for the bowl (so it will sit sturdily on a table without risk of it falling).
- Let it air dry for about 15 minutes.
- Use acrylic paint to decorate the pot however you like or leave it natural. Let it dry before letting a child take it home.
Popsicle Stick Ladders
Materials:
- Colored Popsicle sticks
- Wood glue
Directions: Have the kids glue the sticks together to make ladders.
Suggested Prayer for This Lesson
Thank you God for the gifts you gave that are mine alone to always save. My name and my family, my heart and soul just for me. My love for you I will share to show you that I always care.
Find more great Sunday School lesson ideas and Bible crafts here on Suite101.
Denise Oliveri - Denise has been writing for Suite101 for many years, and enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with readers. Her main occupation at ...
