The Stolen Blessing

Unit 3 • Session 1 God the Covenant-Keeper

UNIT 3 Use Week of: SESSION 1

THE STOLEN BLESSING

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45 KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24 MAIN POINT: God’s plan is perfect.

The Bible Story

Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45

BIBLE STORY FOR TODDLERS Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, had twin sons. Esau was born first; Jacob was born second. God planned to bless Jacob. Esau had a special gift called a birthright. One day, Esau gave Jacob his birthright for Jacob’s red soup. Esau made a wrong choice. When Isaac was old, Isaac wanted to bless Esau. Rebekah told Jacob to put on Esau’s clothes. Rebekah made a tasty meal, and Jacob took the meal to Isaac. Isaac could not see well. Jacob said, “I am Esau.” Isaac blessed Jacob instead of Esau! Esau was very angry with Jacob. Rebekah sent Jacob away until Esau calmed down. Isaac’s family made wrong choices. God did not stop His plan to bless Jacob.

BABIES GOSPEL GEMS ** God’s plan is perfect. **God planned to bless Jacob. **God planned to send Jesus through Jacob’s family.

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

Babies Leader FALL15_CC.indd 42 3/13/15 8:33 PM Unit 3 • Session 1 God the Covenant-Keeper

Babies Activities

EXPLORE THE BIBLE Provide hand-size Bibles for babies to hold and turn the pages. Open your Bible to Genesis 25. Say the Gospel Gems to babies in a soothing voice. You may read the key passage card printable. SAY: GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT. God has the power to make His plans happen. Isaac’s family made wrong choices, but God did not stop His plan. God planned to send Jesus through Jacob’s family.

SING A SONG Sing to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” : “What can stop God’s perfect plan, perfect plan, perfect plan? Nothing can stop God’s perfect plan! God’s plan is perfect!” SAY: GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT. God knows everything, and He always does what is right. God planned to bless Jacob even though Jacob and his family made wrong choices.

PLAY PEEKABOO Play peekaboo with babies. Exaggerate covering your eyes with your hands and saying “peekaboo!” with delight. SAY: Isaac could not see very well. Jacob tricked his father, which was a wrong choice. It did not stop God’s plan. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

BEAN SHAKER Place small, colorful items in a clear, sealed container and fill it with dry red lentils. Help the babies shake the container to reveal shapes. SAY: Esau traded his special gift for beans like these. Isaac’s family made wrong choices, but GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT. God planned to send Jesus through Jacob’s family.

God the Covenant-Keeper 43

Babies Leader FALL15_CC.indd 43 3/13/15 8:33 PM Toddler Activities

CIRCLE TIME (5 MINUTES) Provide small Bibles for toddlers to handle. Read the key passage card and guide toddlers to say it. Read the Bible story or tell it in your own words. Remind toddlers GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

SOUP ART For each toddler, tape a contact paper circle, sticky-side-up, to the bottom of a paper bowl. Supervise toddlers as they stick red lentils, red tissue paper, and other items to the bowl. Once toddlers have finished, seal the “soup” with another contact paper circle. SAY: Esau gave up his birthright for soup! Jacob tricked Esau and his father, but GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

SAY YOUR NAME Invite toddlers to sit in a circle with you. Invite them to say their names one at a time as you clap a simple beat. SAY: Jacob said he was Esau to trick his father. That didn’t stop God’s plan to bless Jacob. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

WHICH ONE IS JACOB? Explain that Jacob and Esau were twins who looked very different. Jacob had smooth skin and liked to stay inside. Esau’s skin was red and very hairy. Display the Jacob and Esau printable and ask toddlers to choose which is Jacob. SAY: Isaac had two sons, but God planned to send Jesus through Jacob’s family. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

DRESS-UP DISGUISES Provide dress-up clothes, hats for different jobs, or silly glasses. SAY: Jacob dressed up like Esau to steal his blessing. Jacob made a wrong choice, but GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide 44 Unit 3 • Session 1

Babies Leader FALL15_CC.indd 44 3/13/15 8:33 PM Bonus Teaching Hour

THE STOLEN BLESSING BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45 KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 26:24 MAIN POINT: God’s plan is perfect.

TRANSITION ACTIVITY - RHYTHM BAND Provide pots and pans for toddlers to hit with rubber spoons or spatulas. You may also choose to make maracas by pouring red lentils into empty, sealed water bottles. SAY: Jacob made a red soup. Esau wanted the soup, so he gave his special gift to Jacob. Esau made a wrong choice. Jacob made wrong choices too, but GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

SERVE A MEAL Provide toy food and dishes. Invite toddlers to cook and serve a “meal” to each other. SAY: Rebekah told Jacob to pretend to be Esau and serve his father a special meal. Rebekah and Jacob made wrong choices, but nothing can stop God’s plan. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

WALK TOGETHER Invite toddlers to hold hands and walk slowly in a circle. Sing to the tune of “Ring Around a Rosy” : “God is always with me. He will never leave me. God says, God says, ‘I’m with you!’ ” SAY: We walked in a circle with our friend. With means “together.” God promised to always be with Jacob. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

Check diapers, serve a snack if needed, and release babies and toddlers to parents according to your church’s security procedures.

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Babies Leader FALL15_CC.indd 45 3/13/15 8:33 PM “Do not “Fear not, be afraid, for I am for I am with you.” with you.” Genesis 26:24 (ESV) Genesis 26:24 (HCSB®)

Fear not, “Do not for I am be afraid, with thee. for I am with Genesis 26:24 (KJV) you.” Genesis 26:24 (NIV)

Key Passage Cards God the Covenant-Keeper Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide • Unit 3 Instructions: © 2015 LifeWay OK to Print Print on colorful paper and cut apart. Laminate the card to use in each session. Use as directed in the leader guide. Jacob and Esau Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide • Unit 3 Session 1 God the Covenant-Keeper Instructions: © 2015 LifeWay OK to Print Print and use as directed in the leader guide.