This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises, even when the people He chooses have made mistakes. It is designed for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises from one generation to the next, even when people have done wrong. Jacob’s sons were not perfect, but God still kept His plan for their family.
Memory Verse
Genesis 49:18
I have waited for your salvation, the LORD.
(WEB)
Ask the children to put both hands on their heart when they say the verse, then lift their hands up high as if they are waiting for something good. Say the verse together three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Genesis 49 for Kids
Jacob was an old man, and he knew his life was almost over. He had twelve sons, and each one had grown into a man with his own strengths and his own mistakes. Jacob called all of them together so he could speak to them.
Jacob spoke to each son one at a time. He reminded Reuben that he was the oldest, but also that Reuben had done a very wrong thing and would not be first in honor. He said, “Reuben, you were my firstborn, but you were like water that boils over, and you did not stay strong.” Jacob was sad about what Reuben had done.
Jacob then spoke to Judah. He told Judah that his brothers would praise him, and that he would be strong like a lion. Jacob said, “The scepter will not depart from Judah.” This meant that one day a king would come from Judah’s family, and God would keep that promise.
Jacob also blessed Joseph, the son who had been sold into Egypt long ago. Joseph had been hurt badly by his brothers, but God had helped him stay strong. Jacob said, “Joseph is a fruitful vine by a spring.” Jacob was thankful that God had been with Joseph through every hard thing.
After Jacob blessed all twelve sons, he asked them to bury him in the cave in the land of Canaan where Abraham and Isaac were buried. Jacob said, “I am to be gathered to my people.” Then Jacob breathed his last breath, and he was gathered to his people.
Read It Together
Genesis 49:1-2
1 Jacob called to his sons, and said: “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which will happen to you in the days to come. 2 Assemble yourselves, and hear, you sons of Jacob. Listen to Israel, your father.
(WEB)
Point out that Jacob gathered all his sons together so they could listen. Ask the children why it is good to gather and listen when a parent or grandparent wants to share something important.
Genesis 49:8
“Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s sons will bow down before you.
(WEB)
Show the children that Judah’s brothers would praise him, and his father’s sons would bow before him. Explain that this was a blessing about strength and leadership, and that God was working through Judah’s family.
Genesis 49:22-24
22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring. His branches run over the wall. 23 The archers have severely grieved him, shot at him, and persecuted him: 24 But his bow remained strong. The arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, (from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel)…
(WEB)
Point out that Joseph was attacked by archers, but his bow stayed strong. Tell the children that the strength came from God, the Mighty One of Jacob, who helped Joseph even when people were unkind.
Talk About It
- What do you think Jacob felt when he saw his sons together for the last time?
- Why do you think Jacob was sad about what Reuben had done?
- How did God help Joseph stay strong when his brothers treated him badly?
- What is one promise God has kept in your own life?
- How can you show someone in your family that you want to be faithful, like Jacob’s family learned to be?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Twelve Sons
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple picture for one of the twelve sons, such as a lion for Judah, a vine for Joseph, or a boat for Zebulun. Let them write the son’s name at the bottom and share one thing they think that son was good at.
Lion, Vine, and Donkey Freeze
You will need an open space and no special items. Call out names like “Judah lion” or “Joseph vine,” and the children act out the animal or plant in a freeze pose. Play a few rounds, then ask them to freeze like a strong bow, which reminds them of Joseph’s bow staying strong.
Blessing Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, a pen, and a sticker or small drawing. Have each child write one kind thing they can say to someone in their family, and draw a small heart on the card. Encourage them to give the card to that person during the week and say the memory verse together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s promises move forward through real families who fail and need grace. Jacob’s blessings are not a reward for good behavior, but a reflection of God’s faithful plan. The chapter also points forward to the coming king from Judah’s line, which Christians understand as fulfilled in Jesus.
Avoid telling children that each son’s blessing or curse was a simple fixed sentence for their whole life, since the text is poetic and its details are debated among scholars. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and on the family’s need for grace.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for keeping your promises to us and to our families. Help us listen when others speak, and help us stay strong when people are unkind to us. Remind us that you are with us every day. Amen.
