This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises and wants His people to return to Him and turn away from anything that takes His place. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion, and one activity.
Big Idea
God takes care of His people wherever they go, so we should keep following Him and put away anything that gets in the way of loving Him.
Memory Verse
Genesis 35:3
Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.”
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are holding a gift. Then bring them to your chest as you say the words slowly. This motion reminds children that God is the one who answered them when they needed help.
The Story: Genesis 35 for Kids
Jacob had a long and busy life, and God had been with him through many hard days. One day God spoke to Jacob and said, “Go up to Bethel and live there. Build an altar there for Me.” Bethel was the place where Jacob had first met God, when he was running away from his brother Esau. Jacob remembered that God had kept him safe, and he wanted to obey.
Before the family set out, Jacob gathered everyone in his household. He told them to get rid of the foreign gods they had brought with them. They gave Jacob the idols and the earrings they were wearing, and Jacob buried them under a big oak tree near Shechem. Then everyone cleaned themselves up and changed their clothes, getting ready to worship the true God.
As they traveled, God protected them. The people in the towns around them were afraid, so no one chased Jacob’s family. When they reached Bethel, Jacob built an altar and named the place El Bethel, which means “God of Bethel.” He wanted everyone to remember that God had appeared to him there.
God spoke to Jacob again and gave him a new name, Israel. God promised that Jacob would have many descendants and that the land would belong to them. Jacob set up a stone pillar, poured out a drink offering, and poured oil on it to honor God. Then God went up from him, and Jacob was left with his family and his promise.
Sadly, the story also tells of loss. Rachel had a baby boy at a place near Bethlehem, and she died soon after. Jacob named the baby Benjamin, and he set up a pillar on Rachel’s grave. Later Isaac, Jacob’s father, grew very old and died, and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Read It Together
Genesis 35:1
God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and live there. Make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.”
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke first and told Jacob where to go. Ask children to notice that God gave a clear direction and that Jacob’s obedience started with listening to God.
Genesis 35:7
He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the face of his brother.
(WEB)
Show children that Jacob built an altar so he could remember where God had met him. Explain that a place can remind us of God’s help, just like a special photo or toy can remind us of a happy time.
Genesis 35:9-10
9 God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan Aram, and blessed him. 10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob. Your name shall not be Jacob any more, but your name will be Israel.” He named him Israel.
(WEB)
Point out that God blessed Jacob and gave him a new name. Explain that God can change how we see ourselves and that He gives us a fresh start when we follow Him.
Talk About It
- What did God tell Jacob to do, and how do you think Jacob felt about going back to Bethel?
- Why do you think Jacob asked his family to put away the idols they were keeping?
- What are some things that might take the place of God in our hearts, even if they are not statues?
- How did God take care of Jacob’s family on their trip, and how has God taken care of you?
- What is a place or thing that helps you remember that God is with you?
Activity Ideas
Build a Paper Altar
You will need paper, markers, scissors, and glue, plus a few small stones or buttons. Have each child draw a simple altar or stone pillar on paper and decorate it with words or pictures of ways God has helped them. Glue a few stones or buttons to the bottom to make it look like a real pillar. Talk about how Jacob built his altar to remember God’s help.
Put Away the Idols Game
Set out a few small toys or pictures that stand for things that could crowd out God, such as a favorite game or a shiny object. Let children take turns hiding them in a box while the rest of the group sings a song about following God. When everyone is finished, bring the box out and talk about how God asks us to keep Him first.
Take-Home Memory Card
Cut an index card or a piece of cardstock into a small rectangle. Write Genesis 35:3 on one side and let the child draw a simple picture of Bethel or an altar on the other. Encourage the family to read the verse together at dinner or bedtime and use the hands-up motion from class. This helps the lesson continue at home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God remains faithful to His promises even when life brings grief, such as the loss of Rachel and Isaac. It also shows that returning to God often involves removing whatever competes with Him and then worshiping Him in a specific, intentional way. Adults can see in Jacob’s story a model of renewal that begins with listening to God’s voice.
Avoid overstating the story’s details about the idols or the earrings to children, as the text does not explain their exact meaning or what happened to them beyond Jacob burying them. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and Jacob’s willingness to obey, and avoid turning the lesson into a list of rules.
A Prayer to Close
Lord God, thank You for taking care of us wherever we go. Help us listen when You speak and put away anything that takes Your place in our hearts. Remind us of Your help each day so we can follow You with joy. Amen.
