This lesson plan summarizes the biblical story of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 25:24-34 and 27:1-36. The teacher will have students act out the story, discuss how Jacob's deception of Isaac hurt Esau but Esau later forgave Jacob, and explain how God encourages us to admit mistakes and forgive others. Students will then look up Bible verses about forgiveness and make art projects with those verses to remember to forgive as God forgives. The lesson aims to teach that God gives second chances and wants us to forgive others.

1. Name of Lesson: Jacob and Esau Teacher: Jill Beckley
Location: RT 56 Date: September 22, 2019
Scripture: Genesis 25: 24-34 27:1- 36
Objectives:
At the end of this lesson,
students will know that God
gives second chances.
At the end of this lesson,
students will be able to admit
their mistakes and give
forgiveness to others.
At the end of this lesson,
students will think about how
they can forgive others.
MATERIALS  Bibles
 yarn or felt sheets and tape (to attach “hair” to kids’ arms)
OPENING
PRAYER
When it is around 9:50, have the kids participate in “Joys, Junk and
Jesus.” Joys = happy things, Junk = concerns/ prayer requests/ school ,
Jesus= where they saw Jesus in their lives this week. Invite a student to
write these on the board and pray over these prayer requests.
LESSON 1. Begin by asking the kids if they have any siblings, how many,
how old they are, and if they all ALWAYS get along. If they don’t
have a sibling, ask about a friend or close cousin. Ask some
examples when they maybe don’t get along always.
2. Introduce the book of Genesis to the students. Ask if it is in the Old
Testament or the New Testament. (Old) – Give candy to student
who answers correctly
3. Introduce the story of Jacob and Esau: They are twin brothers, the
older one was big and hairy and the younger one was smaller and
worked mostly in the house.
4. Have 4 children volunteer to come up and act out the bible story as
it is read aloud. (Jacob, Esau, Isaac, Rebecca) Esau gets hairy arms
to start with, but keep some yarn and tape for Jacob later. Read
Genesis 25: 24-34, 27:1- 36, and paraphrase the last part of the
story: Jacob feared his brother’s anger and ran away for many
years. Then God told Jacob to return to his home, and because he
was still afraid that Esau was holding a grudge, he prayed to God
for protection and forgiveness admitting that what he did was
wrong. When Esau saw Jacob, he gave him a big hug and forgave
him.
5. Give the actors a round of applause and throw away the yarn.
6. Ask the children what they thought of the story and allow for
many kids to share their thoughts
7. Tell them how sometimes we all do something wrong whether that
be fighting with our siblings, lying to our parents, or holding
grudges.

2. 8. Ask them how it makes them feel when they do something wrong.
(Disappointed, sad, etc.) How does it feel when someone does
something against you? (hurt, mad, sad, etc.)
9. Explain how God feels all of those things when we sin, yet if we
admit that we know that what we did was wrong and try to never
do it again, God forgives us and forgets all of those bad feelings.
He also encourages us to forgive others so that we do not have to
feel disappointed or angry either.
10. Allow time for any other questions.
ACTIVITY 1. Have students get into groups with a bible and search the index
for bible verses about forgiveness. (Romans 12-17, Matthew 5:7,
Hebrews 8:12, John 13:34, etc.)
2. Give them each construction paper, markers, stickers, scissors,
other art supplies
3. Have them write the verse and decorate their paper to take home to
remember that we should forgive others the way God forgives us!
CLOSING
PRAYER
Ask a kid to close us in prayer.
EXTEND the
lesson:
If you end with extra time play Pictionary. Some suggestions could be
bowl of stew, bow/arrow, twins, Esau, bible, etc. Let them get creative!