jacob’s tricks lesson 42 - clover...

© 2011 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Discovering God’s Love Leader’s Guide • 361

Lesson 42

God’s Word“Speak the truth to each other.” Zechariah 8:16

God’s Word and MeTelling the truth is a way to show love to my family.

Jacob’s TricksBible StoryGenesis 27:1-45

Teacher ChallengeJacob is not the only Bible character with a long “sin list.” Abraham’s lies about Sarah, David’s murder of Uriah, and Peter’s denial of Jesus are all very seri-ous sins. Yet through a relationship with God, who extends grace and forgiveness, these people be-came heroes! By showing us the sins of real people, Scripture gives us examples of real situations we still encounter and holds out the real hope of forgiveness, restoration and blessing.

➥ Name two ways God’s forgiveness has been extended to you.

➥ Who is someone in your life who might benefit from hearing your story?

In Jesus, God’s amazing grace was fully expressed. As Paul reminded us in Romans 5:8, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What good news! God didn’t wait for us to do right. He acted to open the way for forgiveness so that we then were able to do right.

Teacher’s Planning1. Choose which centers you

will provide and the order in which children will participate in them. For tips on schedule planning, see page 9.

2. Plan who will lead each center, making sure to have one adult for approximately every six children. For staffing tips and ideas, see page 12.

Lesson 42



362 • © 2011 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Discovering God’s Love Leader’s Guide

Play to LearnActive Game Center: Mother, May I?

CollectBible, yarn or masking tape.

PrepareUsing yarn or masking tape, make two lines at opposite ends of the playing area. (Note: Remove masking tape immediately after activity.)

Do1. Children stand along one line. Stand on opposite line, facing children.

2. One at a time, each child along the line asks you, “Mother, may I take one (giant/baby) step?” You answer by saying, “Yes, you may” or “You may take two (giant/baby) steps.” All children then move accordingly.

3. Children continue asking permission to move until all have reached opposite line. Repeat game as time and interest allow.

Talk About➥ In today’s Bible story, Jacob did not speak the

truth. When we speak the truth to the people in our families, we show love to them. Let’s play a game called “Mother, May I?”

➥ Ethan, what could happen if someone asked you if it was raining outside and you said no instead of speaking the truth? That person could get all wet!

➥ The Bible says, “Speak the truth to each other.” Pray briefly, Dear God, help us to show love to our families by speaking the truth.

For Younger ChildrenRather than children asking permission to take steps, tell children how many steps they may take. Whole group takes steps at the same time.

For Older ChildrenAfter playing a round or two, children take turns to be the Mother.

Lesson 42




Play to LearnArt Center: Family Talk

CollectBible, index cards, markers, craft sticks, masking tape; optional—Lesson 42 Family Patterns from Discovering God’s Love CD-ROM.

PrepareOptional: Make copies of Family Patterns from CD-ROM, one for each child.

Do1. On index cards, children draw the members of their families, one person per index card. (Optional:

Children cut out and color Family Pattern cards from CD-ROM.)

2. Children tape cards to craft sticks to make puppets. Children use their puppets to talk to each other.

Talk About➥ In today’s Bible story, Jacob did not speak the

truth to his father. Jacob’s father was sad. Telling the truth helps the people in our fami-lies to be happy. Let’s make puppets and show ways we can speak the truth to the people in our families.

➥ Gabriel, what could happen if you told your mom you fed the dog when you didn’t feed the dog? Your poor dog would be hungry and sad! It’s good to speak the truth to your mom and dad. Speaking the truth helps your mom and dad take good care of you, your dog and every-one in your home!

➥ The Bible says, “Speak the truth to each other.” Taylor, who are some of the people you talk to each day? (Parents. Brothers and sisters. Teacher. Friends.) We show love to people by telling them the truth.

➥ Use your puppet to say something true. You can tell the name of a food you like to eat or a game you like to play. You can tell us what the weather is like or the name of your pet.

For Younger ChildrenChildren glue pictures to paper cups to make puppets that can stand.

For Older ChildrenUsing puppets, children act out family situations, showing ways to speak the truth to each other.

Lesson 42




Play to LearnBlock Center: Block Pool

CollectBible, blocks, several pool toys (pool noodles, beach ball or other water toys).

Do1. Children outline a large swimming pool by

laying blocks in a square on the floor.

2. Children pretend to play in the swimming pool using the pool toys you provide.

Talk About➥ Let’s make a pretend swimming pool to swim in!

➥ If I said, “Here in our classroom we have a roll-er coaster and a real elephant,” would that be true or not true? Telling the truth is a way that we show love to others. In our Bible story today Jacob said something that wasn’t true and it caused a lot of trouble for his family.

➥ If your mom asks if you are wearing your seat belt in the car, you need to tell her the truth. She can help you if you need help buckling your seat belt. Why is it important to wear our seat belts? (A seat belt helps to keep us safe.)

➥ The Bible says, “Speak the truth to each other.” We tell the truth because it is a way to show love to others.

For Younger ChildrenMake a masking-tape square. Children lay blocks on the masking-tape square to form the swimming pool. (Note: Remove masking tape immediately after the activity.)

For Older ChildrenProvide a sheet of cardboard. Children use cardboard and blocks to make a diving board. Children use toy people to jump off the diving board into the swimming pool.

Lesson 42




Play to LearnScience Center: Touch Cards

CollectBible, six to eight items with different textures (sandpaper, plastic wrap, fabric swatches, fake fur, bubble wrap, etc.), scissors, glue, index cards, large paper bag.

PrepareCut textured items into squares small enough to glue to index cards. Make at least two texture cards for each item. Place one set of cards in paper bag. Place the other set of cards on a table.

Do1. Children take turns selecting a card from the paper bag. Children close their eyes and feel the cards

on the table to find the card that matches the one they selected.

2. Gather the cards for the next round of play. For each round, vary the way children find the match-ing card (hide cards in classroom for children to find, place facedown in a grid pattern, etc.).

Talk About➥In our Bible story today, Isaac was so old that he

couldn’t see. He used his hands to feel instead. Let’s use our hands to find some things that feel the same.

➥If I said that this sandpaper feels like the plastic wrap, would that be speaking the truth?

➥The Bible says, “Speak the truth to each other.” We tell the truth to our families to show that we love them.

For Younger ChildrenChildren do not close their eyes. Children match the card they select to one on the table using both their sense of sight and their sense of touch.

For Older ChildrenIncrease the challenge for older children. Place only one card in the paper bag. On each child’s turn, he or she feels card in bag but doesn’t look at it. Then he or she finds matching card as described above.

Lesson 42




Listen to LearnGenesis 27:1-45

CollectBible, Bible Story 3 pictures from God’s Story for Me Poster Pack #1, Preschool Music #1 CD and player.

Greet Each OtherChildren sit in a circle. Say, Listen carefully to hear who I’m talking about. I see three chil-dren who are all wearing blue jeans. Children try to identify the three children. Continue game, varying the number and type of item that is the same (clothing colors, clothing types, hair bows, etc.).

Tell the StoryOpen your Bible to Genesis 27 Tell the story using the pictured motions (keywords in bold) or show Bible Story 3 pictures.

Do you have a brother? Do you have a sister? Listen to find out what happened when two brothers grew up.

Jacob and Esau were all grown up now. Their father, Isaac, told Esau, “I am getting old. I want to give you my blessing before I die.” Isaac wanted to promise Esau that Esau would be the new leader of the family. But first, Isaac asked Esau to go hunting and cook Isaac’s favorite food. Esau went out hunting right away!

But Jacob and Esau’s mother, Rebekah, wanted Jacob to be the new leader. She told Jacob, “We will get the blessing for YOU while Esau is gone. Do what I say, Jacob.”

Isaac was so old that he could not see anything. Rebekah told Jacob to put on Esau’s clothes. She put hairy goatskins on Jacob’s hands and neck because Esau had a lot of hair. Now that Jacob smelled and felt like Esau, Isaac would think Jacob was Esau! Rebekah made Isaac’s favorite meal. She told Jacob to take the food to Isaac.

Jacob took the food to his father. He then said something that was not true. “It’s me, Esau,” Jacob said. “I’ve made your food.” Isaac asked how he found the food so quickly. “Oh, God helped me!” Jacob lied again!

Isaac smelled Esau’s clothes that Jacob was wearing. He felt the goatskins on Jacob’s hands. The tricks worked. Isaac said, “It sounds like Jacob’s voice, but these hands feel like Esau’s hands.” Isaac ate, and then he said the words of blessing. Isaac thought he had blessed Esau, but he was really blessing Jacob!

When Esau found out Jacob had tricked their father, he burst out crying. Isaac was sad, too; but it was too late. Esau was so angry, he wanted to hurt Jacob! Jacob had to go away and stay with his uncle. He had to stay away for many, many years.


Lesson 42

Talk About the StoryWhat happened because Jacob and Rebekah did not tell the truth? (Isaac was tricked. Esau was angry. Jacob had to go away.) Their lies made lots of trouble for EVERYONE in their family! Telling the truth to our families shows we love them. Telling the truth is much better than telling lies and making trouble!

Sing to GodLet’s sing about ways we can love the people in our families. Lead children in singing “Let Us Love” (track 11 on CD). This song tells us that God’s Word says we should love one another. Telling the truth to others is one way to show love to them!

Hear and Say God’s WordHolding your Bible open to Zechariah 8:16, say verse aloud. God wants us to speak the truth to each other. We can tell the truth to everyone! Then lead children in repeating the verse several times. As the children are repeating the verse with you, point to one child. You and the children say that child’s name instead of the words “each other.” Repeat until every child has been named. (Note: If you have a large class, say more than one child’s name at a time.)

Pray to GodWe can ask God to help us to speak the truth. Invite volunteers to each say this brief prayer: Dear God, please help me to always speak the truth.

Praise to GodSay two sentences, one that is true, and another that is not true. Pigs have wings. Sheep say “baa.” Children identify the true statement. Continue with other statements. Invite older volunteers to think of true and false statements. God wants us to speak the truth. Telling the truth is one way to show love to our families!

Option: Add motion to the verse activity. Children stand and clap on each word of the verse. When a child’s name is said, he or she re-mains standing and the other chil-

dren sit down. Children stand and repeat activity until each child has had his or her name called.

Lesson 42


Talk to LearnBible Story Activity Pages CenterCollectA copy of Activity 3 from The Big Book of Bible Story Activity Pages #1 for yourself and each child, scissors, crayons or markers; optional—fabric scraps, glue.

DoLead children to complete pages following the instruc-tions. (Optional: Children glue fabric scraps to tent on page.) Use the conversation suggestions as children complete their pages and retell the story.

Preschool Puzzle CenterCollectCopies of Puzzles 83 and 84 (p. 173 and p. 175 from The Big Book of Kindergarten Puzzles) for each child; pencils, crayons or markers.

DoChildren complete the puzzles and color pages. Use the conversation suggestions on the pages.

Read-Aloud Story CenterCollectA copy of Story Picture 42 from The Big Book of Read-Aloud Stories #1 for yourself and each child, crayons or markers.

DoRead the story and distribute pictures. Use the conversation suggestions as children complete their pages.

Bible Story Activity 3

Name ____________________________________“Speak the truth to each other.”Zechariah 8:16

�

• What did Jacob do to trick Isaac? Jacob was not kind.• What can you do to be kind? What kind words can you

say to the people in your family?

�

© 2009 G

ospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to the original purchaser only.The Big Book of Bible Story A

ctivity Pages #119

173

© 2001 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted. The Big Book of Reproducible Kindergarten Puzzles

Jacob left his family because they were angry when he didn’t tell the truth.

Follow the paths to find out which one Jacob took.

We can show love to our families by telling the truth.

Our Bible says, “Speak the truth to each other“ (Zechariah 8:16).

Puzzle 83

BONUS

IDEA!Color in the picture of Jacob.

Using the same color you made Jacob’s clothes, color the path Jacob took.© 2011 G

ospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only.The Big Book of R

ead-Aloud Stories #1

Story Pic

ture

42

89

“Speak the truth to each other.” Zechariah 8:16Color the picture. Draw stripes on the ball.

jacob’s tricks lesson 42 - clover...

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