This lesson teaches children that God keeps his promises, even when people are old, sick, or unsure what will happen next. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps every promise he makes, and he blesses families from one generation to the next, even when things look different than we expect.
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)
Have children stand up tall, then slowly lower their arms in a wide circle while they say the verse together, as if they are gently putting something down on the ground. Then have them sit down and say it again, a little quieter, while they cross their hands over their hearts.
The Story: Genesis 48 for Kids
One day, a messenger ran to Joseph with bad news. His father Jacob was very sick. Joseph loved his father, so he grabbed his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and hurried to see him. Jacob was old, and his eyes were so dim that he could hardly see anything at all.
When Jacob heard that Joseph was coming, he sat up in bed and got ready. He remembered how God had appeared to him long ago in the land of Canaan. God had told him, “I will make you into a great family, and I will give this land to your children.” Jacob never forgot that promise, even though many years had passed.
Then Jacob looked at the two boys standing with Joseph. “Who are these?” he asked. Joseph smiled and said, “They are my sons, the ones God gave me here in Egypt.” Jacob said, “Please bring them close to me, and I will bless them.” Jacob was so happy that he kissed them and hugged them. He told Joseph, “I never thought I would see your face again, and now God has let me see your children too!”
Joseph wanted his father to bless his sons in the right way. He lined them up so that the older boy, Manasseh, was closest to his father’s right hand. But Jacob crossed his hands on purpose. He put his right hand on the younger boy, Ephraim, and his left hand on the older boy, Manasseh. Joseph tried to move his father’s hand, but Jacob said, “I know what I am doing, my son. Both of these boys will become great, but the younger one will be greater.”
Jacob blessed the boys and asked God to be with them and to bring Joseph’s family back to the land of their fathers one day. God kept his promise to Jacob, and he would keep it for these children too.
Read It Together
Genesis 48:2
Someone told Jacob, and said, “Behold, your son Joseph comes to you,” and Israel strengthened himself, and sat on the bed.
(WEB)
Point out that Jacob gathered his strength when he heard his son was coming. Ask children what they do when a family member comes to visit them, and why a visit can make people feel stronger.
Genesis 48:15-16
15 He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, 16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. Let them grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
(WEB)
Show children how Jacob remembers all the ways God has cared for him his whole life. Help them name a few ways God has taken care of their own family this week.
Genesis 48:21
Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers.
(WEB)
Explain that Jacob told Joseph God would be with him and would bring the family back home. Point out that Jacob was trusting God’s promise even as he was getting ready to leave this world.
Talk About It
- What did Jacob remember about God’s promise, and why do you think he kept thinking about it?
- How do you think Joseph felt when his father put his hands on the boys in a different way than he expected?
- What is one promise someone has made to you that you were glad they kept?
- Why do you think God wants families to pass on what they know about him to their children?
- What is something you can do this week to remind your family that God keeps his promises?
Activity Ideas
Hand Promise Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Have each child trace one of their hands on the paper and write or draw one promise God has kept in their life inside the outline. Let children share their hand pictures with the group and talk about how God’s promises are like the sturdy hands of a loving grandfather.
Crossed Hands Game
Gather the children in a circle and have them cross their arms over their chests, then hold hands with the people on either side. Call out “Right hand on the little one!” and have children lift and move their hands in the way Jacob did. Play a few rounds, then talk about how Jacob surprised everyone by choosing differently than they expected, and how God’s plans can be surprising too.
Promise Keeper Card
You will need index cards, stickers, and a marker. Give each child a card and have them decorate it with a picture of a family member who helps them trust God. Ask children to take the card home and place it on the kitchen table, then tell their family one way God has kept a promise to them this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows how God’s promise to Abraham and Isaac continued through Jacob to his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob’s blessing reminds us that God’s plans often work through people in ways that surprise us, and that faith is handed down from one generation to the next. Jacob’s choice to cross his hands also shows that God’s purposes are not decided by birth order alone.
Be careful not to overstate the meaning of Jacob’s crossed hands to children as if it teaches a rule about how God chooses people. Keep the focus on God keeping his promises and on the blessing Jacob gave to his grandsons. Let children enjoy the story as a true account of a family who trusted God.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for keeping every promise you make to us. Help us to remember the ways you have cared for our families, just as Jacob remembered you. Teach us to trust you when things change, and help us pass our faith on to the people we love. Amen.
