Jacob's Dream

12/16/2024

Jacob's Dream by Jennifer Tolbert

God was faithful to his plan to save the world through Abraham's family. Once Abraham died, God began to work through Isaac, Rebekah, and their double blessing-twin sons named Jacob and Esau. This lesson focuses on a reminder God sent to Jacob about his commitment to rescue the world through this family.

This lesson illustrates that no one is so powerful that they can undo the works and plans of God. While Jacob's deceit did hurt his family and there were consequences for his sin, God renewed his commitment to make Jacob part of his plan.

Key Themes:

We can learn from bad things that happen to us.
We should repent when we do wrong.
God included Jacob in his plan, even though Jacob had sinned.

Memory Verse

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. -Proverbs 1:7

Songs

Books of the Old Testament
Father Abraham
I'm Calling You, Abraham
Three Wandering Jews
I Will Call Upon the Lord
Hear O Israel
1, 2, 3 Jesus Loves Me
Castle of My Heart

Story

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time

Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Ladder Game
Make a ladder using tape on the ground. Let kids move up and down the ladder by answering review questions.

2. Perfect Pillow
Supplies: Different Kinds of Pillows
Show different types of pillows. Be sure to include a rock as a pillow. Talk about which one would be the most comfortable.

3. Ladder Object Lesson
Supplies: 3 Step Ladder
Show the kids the ladder. Discuss what a ladder does (help you reach something that is higher). Perhaps demonstrate how a ladder can help you reach things that are beyond your reach. God's plans are higher than our plans. Jacob needed to reach a "higher" understanding of God and his plan. How did the ladder connect Jacob's earthy plan with God's heavenly plan?

Story: We have been talking about how God tried to redeem the world from sin. God promised Abraham that the redeemer would come from one of his descendants. The Bible tells us about all of the good and bad things that happened along the way.

This is the story of Abraham's grandson, Jacob. Remember that Jacob had tricked his family so he had to run for his life! His mother sent him back to her brother Laban. Along the way, Jacob had a special dream in which God reminded Jacob of the promise he made with Abraham and confirmed that he would be working with Jacob to make that plan come to be.

SHOW the power point Jacob's Dream or read Genesis 28: 1-22.
EMPHASIZE that: