This lesson teaches children that God keeps his promises even when people in the story lie and try to get things their own way. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps his promises, even when people try to cheat or get what they want the wrong way. We do not need to trick others to get good things, because God is faithful.
Memory Verse
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
(WEB)
Teach children to hold both hands open in front of them, then slowly fold them together over their heart as they say the words. Repeat it three times, getting slower each time, so they feel how quiet a trusting heart can be.
The Story: Genesis 27 for Kids
Isaac was an old man, and his eyes were so weak that he could not see well. He had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau was the older son, and Isaac loved him very much, especially because Esau loved to hunt and bring home tasty meat.
One day Isaac called Esau and said, “I am old, and I do not know when I will die. Go hunt some meat and cook it the way I like. Then I will eat it and bless you before I die.” Esau went out right away to find an animal to hunt.
Rebekah, the boys’ mother, had heard every word. She loved Jacob, the younger son, and she came up with a plan. She told Jacob, “Go get two young goats, and I will cook them the way your father loves. Then you will take the food to him.” Jacob was worried. He said, “My father will touch me, and he will know I am not Esau. Then he will curse me instead of blessing me.”
Rebekah told him, “If anything goes wrong, the blame will be on me. Just do what I say.” She dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes and covered his arms and neck with goat skin, so he would feel hairy like his brother. Then she gave him the food she had made.
Jacob took the food to his father and pretended to be Esau. Isaac felt his arms and said, “The voice sounds like Jacob, but the hands feel like Esau.” Isaac was tricked, and he blessed Jacob. When Esau came back and found out what had happened, he cried loudly and begged his father for a blessing too.
Read It Together
Genesis 27:1-4
1 When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, “My son?” He said to him, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “See now, I am old. I don’t know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and take me venison. 4 Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.”
(WEB)
Point out that Isaac asked Esau to do something good, and he wanted to bless his son. Ask the children what a blessing means to them, and why a father might want to bless his child.
Genesis 27:18-20
18 He came to his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me.” 20 Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He said, “Because the LORD your God gave me success.”
(WEB)
Show the children how Jacob lied when he said he was Esau. Explain that lying hurts people and makes a mess, even when someone wants something very badly.
Genesis 27:38-40
38 Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, my father.” Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. 39 Isaac his father answered him, “Behold, of the fatness of the earth will be your dwelling, and of the dew of the sky from above. 40 By your sword will you live, and you will serve your brother. It will happen, when you will break loose, that you shall shake his yoke from off your neck.”
(WEB)
Let the children see that Esau cried because he was sad and wanted help. Talk about how God still cares for people who feel left out or hurt, even when the story is hard.
Talk About It
- What did Jacob do to get the blessing, and why do you think he did it?
- How do you think Esau felt when he found out what happened?
- Why is it better to tell the truth, even when it is hard?
- What is one thing you can do when you really want something that belongs to someone else?
- How can you tell that God is still caring for people in this story?
Activity Ideas
Hand Print Blessing Card
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and glue. Have each child trace their hand on the paper and decorate the fingers with simple pictures or words, such as “God is faithful.” Then they can write a short blessing for someone in their family and give it to them as a gift.
Hunt and Find Game
Hide a few small toys or pictures around the room, and let the children take turns searching for them with their eyes covered by a soft cloth. After each find, talk about how Isaac could not see well, but he could still tell who was speaking. Keep the game lively and short.
Take-Home Promise Jar
You will need a clean jar, some slips of paper, and a pencil. Ask each child to write one thing they will do to show honesty this week, and place the slip in the jar. Encourage families to read a few slips together at dinner and talk about how God helps us keep our word.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows a family torn apart by favoritism, deception, and the choices people make to get what they want. Adults can see that God’s plan does not depend on human trickery, and that he remains faithful even when people act wrongly. The story also shows how words spoken in a family can shape relationships for many years.
Be careful not to suggest that the story teaches children to dress up or pretend to be someone else for fun. Keep the focus on the lesson that lying and cheating hurt people, and that God’s promises do not need our tricks to come true.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank you for keeping your promises even when we make mistakes. Help us tell the truth, even when it is hard, and help us trust you to take care of us. Teach us to be kind to others, especially when they feel sad or left out. Amen.
