In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises even when people are unfair, and that God was with Jacob the whole time. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the Bible reading, and the activity.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises. Even when people are unfair to us, God is still with us and He still takes care of us.
Memory Verse
Genesis 31:3
The LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers, and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”
(WEB)
Ask children to put their hands on their hearts, then point up to the sky, then open their arms wide like a hug. Say the verse together with the motions three times, then let them repeat it on their own.
The Story: Genesis 31 for Kids
Jacob had worked for his uncle Laban for many years. Jacob loved Laban’s daughters, Rachel and Leah, and he had worked hard to take care of Laban’s sheep and goats. But Laban was not fair to Jacob. Laban kept changing Jacob’s pay again and again, and he tried to trick him over and over.
Jacob noticed that Laban’s sons were angry and that Laban did not look at him in the same friendly way anymore. Then God spoke to Jacob and said, “Go back to the land of your family, and I will be with you.” Jacob was happy to hear this, but he was also a little worried.
Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field and told them everything. He said, “Your father has not been fair to me, but God has been with me.” Rachel and Leah agreed to go with Jacob. They knew that God was taking care of their family, even though their father had been unkind.
So Jacob gathered his children, his wives, and all his animals and possessions, and he set out for the land of his father Isaac. Jacob did not tell Laban that he was leaving. When Laban found out, he chased after Jacob for seven days. But God came to Laban in a dream and told him not to say anything bad to Jacob.
When Laban finally caught up with Jacob, the two men argued. Then they made a promise to each other and piled up a heap of stones as a sign between them. Jacob and Laban said goodbye in peace, and each went back to his own home. God had kept His promise to be with Jacob the whole time.
Read It Together
Genesis 31:5
And said to them, “I see the expression on your father’s face, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.
(WEB)
Point out that Jacob told his family that God had been with him, even though things were hard. Ask children to notice that Jacob did not pretend his problems were not real, but he still trusted God.
Genesis 31:7
Your father has deceived me, and changed my wages ten times, but God didn’t allow him to hurt me.
(WEB)
Explain that Laban had been unfair and changed Jacob’s pay many times. Point out that God did not let Laban hurt Jacob, even when Laban tried to cheat him.
Genesis 31:49
And Mizpah, for he said, “The LORD watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another.
(WEB)
Tell children that Jacob and Laban asked the Lord to watch over them while they were apart. Explain that this means they trusted God to keep both of them safe and to see what each one did.
Talk About It
- Can you tell me about a time when someone was not fair to you, and how it made you feel?
- What did Jacob do when Laban was unkind to him, and what does that teach us about trusting God?
- How do you think Rachel and Leah felt about leaving their home to go with Jacob?
- What are some ways God takes care of us when life feels hard or unfair?
- Why do you think Jacob and Laban made a pile of stones to remember their promise?
Activity Ideas
Stone Pile Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and some small stones or pebbles if you have them. Ask each child to draw a simple picture of Jacob and Laban making their stone pile. Let them glue a few pebbles onto the paper to make the pile. As they work, talk about how the stones were a reminder of the promise Jacob and Laban made. Then ask each child to draw one thing God promises to do for us.
Follow the Shepherd Game
You will need a open space, such as a yard or large room, and a blindfold or a cloth to cover one child’s eyes. Choose one child to be Jacob, who is the shepherd. The other children are the sheep. Jacob must find his way to the other side of the room by listening to the voices of the teacher, who represents God, calling “This way, I am with you.” Take turns so every child has a chance to be Jacob. Talk about how God guides us even when we cannot see the way clearly.
Promise Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a sticker or piece of tape. Write the words “God keeps His promises” on each card, and have children decorate the front with drawings. Ask each child to write or draw one place where they need to trust God this week. Encourage them to put the card somewhere they will see it every day, like on a mirror or near their bed, as a reminder that God is always with them.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God keeps His promises even when people behave unjustly and relationships are strained. Jacob faced years of unfair treatment from his father-in-law, yet God was faithful to bring him home and protect him. The passage also shows the importance of honest conversation, careful planning, and making peace through agreements that protect everyone involved.
When teaching children, avoid making the story sound like Jacob’s suffering was simply a reward for trusting God or that bad things will always be fixed quickly. Present God’s faithfulness as steady and real, while being honest that Jacob’s situation was complicated and that people in the story made difficult choices.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You keep Your promises every day. Help us remember that You are with us even when people are unfair or things feel hard. Teach us to trust You and to be kind and honest, just like Jacob learned to do. Thank You for always taking care of us. Amen.
