This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises even when people around us do not, and even when waiting feels very long. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps every promise He makes, even when we have to wait a long time for it to happen.
Memory Verse
Genesis 28:15
Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you, until I have done that which I have spoken of to you.”
(WEB)
Have the children hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, like they are receiving a gift. Then slowly bring their hands together over their hearts as they say the words, showing that God stays close to us.
The Story: Genesis 29 for Kids
Jacob was traveling a long way from home. He had left his family and was heading to a faraway land. One day he came to a well in a field, and beside it were three flocks of sheep lying down, waiting to be watered. A big stone sat on top of the well, and the shepherds said they could not move it until all the sheep were gathered there.
Then Jacob saw a young girl coming with her father’s sheep. Her name was Rachel. Jacob was happy to see her. He rolled the big stone away all by himself and watered her sheep. Then he kissed Rachel and cried, because he was so glad to meet family.
Rachel ran home to tell her father, Laban, who was Jacob’s uncle. Laban hugged Jacob and welcomed him into his house. Jacob stayed there for a whole month, helping and living with his family.
Jacob loved Rachel very much, so he made a promise to Laban. He said, “I will work for you for seven years if you let me marry Rachel.” Seven years is a very long time to wait, but Jacob loved her so much that the years felt like just a few days. When the seven years were over, Jacob said, “Give me my wife now.”
On the wedding night, Laban tricked Jacob. He gave him Leah, Rachel’s older sister, instead of Rachel. In the morning Jacob was upset and asked Laban why he had done this. Laban said that the older daughter must be married first, and Jacob would have to work seven more years to marry Rachel too. Jacob did it, and in time he married Rachel as well.
God saw that Leah was not loved as much as Rachel, so He blessed Leah with children. Leah had four sons, and she named them to remember that God had seen her hurt. Even when people were unkind and unfair, God was still caring for His family.
Read It Together
Genesis 29:10
When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother, Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
(WEB)
Point out how Jacob went right to the well and worked hard to help Rachel. Ask the children what it looks like to be kind and helpful to others, even when no one asks us to.
Genesis 29:20
Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.
(WEB)
Explain that Jacob waited seven years because he loved Rachel. Show the children that even hard waiting can feel short when we are working toward something good.
Genesis 29:31
The LORD saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
(WEB)
Tell the children that God noticed when Leah felt unloved and unhappy. Remind them that God sees how people feel and cares about each of them.
Talk About It
- What did Jacob do to help Rachel at the well, and how do you think she felt about it?
- Why do you think the seven years felt short to Jacob?
- How did Laban trick Jacob, and how was that unfair?
- How do you think Leah felt when she knew Jacob did not love her as much as Rachel?
- What is one way God has shown He keeps His promises in your life?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Well Scene
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask the children to draw the well in the field with the big stone on top, the three flocks of sheep, Jacob, and Rachel. Let them add small details like grass, the sky, and the sheep’s faces. When they finish, ask them to tell you about their picture using the story.
Stone Rolling Relay
You will need a few cardboard boxes or heavy pillows to act as the stone, and an open space to move around. Divide the children into two teams and have each child take turns pushing the “stone” a short distance while the others cheer. Talk about how Jacob rolled the stone away by himself to help Rachel.
Promise Keeper Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a safe place to keep the card. Have each child write or draw one promise God has made in the Bible, such as God staying close to us. Let them take the card home and read it each night for a week, reminding them that God keeps every promise He makes.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God is faithful even when people are not. Jacob was deceived by Laban and had to wait much longer than he expected, yet God was still working out His plan through this family. Adults can see that God’s faithfulness does not depend on the behavior of the people around us.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God always makes waiting feel short or that every hard situation will turn out like Jacob’s. Focus on the truth that God keeps His promises, and let children know that waiting can be hard even when God is faithful.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping every promise You make to us. When we have to wait, help us trust that You are working even when we cannot see it. Help us be kind like Jacob at the well, and help us remember that You see us and love us. Amen.
