Jacob - A Spiritual Concept for a Semester

Jacob (Genesis 25–33) — Two Very Different Twins

Mom and Dad’s Favorite Genesis 25:19–34

• The Birth and Childhood of Jacob and Esau
• The Sale of the Birthright

Main Message

• God answers prayer.
• God has had a plan from the very beginning.

Possible Activities

•   Build a nomad tent
•  Count lentils
•  Memory game
•  Hunter's Ball

Two groups (calm & wild):

•   Cooking a lentil dish (Jacob)
•  Archery (Esau)

A Hairy Affair Genesis 27

• Outwitting the Father, Deception for the Blessing 

MainMessage 

 God’s blessing makes a big difference (What is a blessing?)

Possible Activities

• Cooking (Esau/Rebekah)
• Hunting
• Story Theater
• Being Blind (Obstacle Course, Identifying Objects and People by Touch)

Flight Genesis 28

Jacob’s Flight

MainMessage 

• God is always with you and protects you

Possible Activities

Mister X Game:

• Groups of 2–3,
• 1 group is Mister X wearing a black coat,
• Announce your position every 5 minutes

Build a stone monument
 

What's that all about?! Genesis 29

Jacob at Laban’s -> Weddings (Laban’s deception)

Main message of Proverbs 

• God sees your sorrow
• Keep your promises; don’t be like Laban

Possible Activities

• Water-Drawing Game (Well)
• Let the children try it: promise something and then don’t keep your promise

Jealousy and Envy Genesis 30 + 31

• The children of Leah and Rachel
• Jacob flees from Laban

Main Message of Proverbs 

• Jealousy robs you of joy.
• Don’t let jealousy take root in your heart, and don’t compare yourself to others.
• God blesses you!
• God blesses honesty. (Jacob/animals)
• When something succeeds, it is a gift from God.
• (“Everything depends on God’s blessing.”) 

Possible Activities

• Felting (sheep’s wool)
• Carving sticks (Jacob)
• Design a poster: “What Does God Give?”—Giving Thanks Instead of Jealousy
• Drawing a family tree
• Israel – Phone Numbers (with names)

Home Soon? Genesis 32

Preparing for the Encounter with Esau and the Struggle with God

MainMessage 

• God will not forsake you and wants to bless you.
• Remember God’s promises, verses 10 and 13

Possible Activities

• Wrestling
• Trade Game
• Game where animals need to be cared for
• Take animals to the opponent’s depot (have as few animals as possible)

Reunion or parting ways? Genesis 33:1–20

The Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau

MainMessage 

• Forgive your fellow human beings, just as Esau forgave Jacob. (Luke 17:4)
• Jesus forgives your sins. (1 John 1:7)

Possible Activities

• Make gifts (Jacob for Esau / Christmas)
• Celebrate a reconciliation festival
• Game suggestion: Form two families
• Conclusion of the story

References

• Contents: Ameisli Romanshorn, 2012
• Cover image:Clipart courtesy of the publisher buch+musik ejw-service gmbh, Stuttgart -www.ejw-buch.defrom: Jungscharleiter Grafik-CD plus; Second revised edition 2002 © buch+musik ejw-service gmbh, Stuttgart