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In the Beginning · Lesson 7

Jacob and Esau

Genesis 27:1-45; Genesis 28:10-22; Genesis 33:1-11 Old Testament PrincipleHonesty

Jacob asleep on the ground with a stone pillow, dreaming of a glowing stairway to heaven with angels on it.

Jacob lied and cheated, but God kept His promise to him anyway, because God's grace is bigger than our sin.

We can be honest, even when it costs us, because God is always truthful with us and His grace covers our sin.

  1. CreationGod made it
  2. FallWe broke it
  3. RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
  4. RestorationJesus makes it new

Memory verse

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.”

Ephesians 4:25 BSB

Christ Connection · God’s love

God met Jacob, a liar on the run, with a stairway between heaven and earth and a promise of His presence. Jesus said He is that stairway (John 1:51). Like Jacob, we don't earn God's love. Jesus came to bring sinners like us to God.

John 1:51; Romans 5:8; Romans 9:10-12

The Big Story · Redemption

God kept His promise to Abraham through Abraham's grandson Jacob, even though Jacob was a deceiver. God's rescue plan moves forward by grace, not by people being good enough.

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Teacher guide plus handouts for preschool through 6th grade. Members can read the full lesson and download everything.

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Teacher Guide Preschool K–2nd 3rd–4th 5th–6th

Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade

God was kind to Jacob even after he lied, so I can tell the truth.

Memory verse

“Speak truthfully to your neighbor.”

Adapted from Ephesians 4:25

Start here

Ask, "Have you ever told a lie and then had to tell another lie to cover it up?" (Keep it light, no names needed.) Say, "Today we'll meet a man who told a big lie, and it caused lots of trouble. But God surprised him."

Bible story 6 min

Isaac and Rebekah had twin boys. Esau was born first. Then Jacob came out holding Esau's heel! Esau grew up to be a hairy hunter. Jacob liked to stay near the tents.

When Isaac was old, he could not see well. He wanted to bless Esau, his oldest son. But Rebekah wanted Jacob to get the blessing. She had a plan.

Jacob put on Esau's clothes. He covered his smooth arms with hairy goat skins. Then he went to his father.

The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.

Try an activity

Truth or trick? 8 min

You’ll need: Index cards, Marker

  1. Read true and false sentences about the story.
  2. Kids stand tall for "truth" and crouch for "trick." Have someone say the true version each time.
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