Rotation.org Writing Team

JACOB AND ESAU

CINEMA/VIDEO WORKSHOP

PART ONE

PASSAGE

Story: Genesis 27:34–41

Key/Memory Verse: Genesis 28:16

PURPOSE

Understand what happens when we do things our way, not God’s.

See Bible Background

PREPARATION

Read the Bible Background information

Materials List

Bibles
Lion King video
Chart paper or blackboard
Chalk or markers
Projection equipment
Screen

Advance Preparation Requirements

Have the Lion King video ready in the right spot.

Before class begins, post a chart (or use a blackboard) with the title “Our Way.” Create two columns on the chart: How we feel; How others feel.

PRESENTATION

Open - Introduction

Ask: Have you ever done something you shouldn’t, even though you knew it was wrong? What were the consequences were of your actions? How did you feel after being caught? List responses on the chart.

Ask: What about the person you wronged? How do you think that person felt? List responses on the chart.

Tell the children that these are some of the feelings Jacob and Esau may have felt, as well as the characters in the movie clips they will watch.

Dig - Main Content

Tell the children they will watch clips of The Lion King, specifically when Simba is promised the kingdom after his father, and when Simba is threatened by his Uncle Scar. Tell them to be on the lookout for how Simba and Scar are feeling.

Show clip 1 – Scar & Mufasa discussing Simba [4:05 – 6:20]

Show clip 2 – Scar telling a secret to Simba [10:50 – 12:37]

Show clip 3 – Scar tricks Simba and Mufasa [30:00 – 40:00]

Ask: How did Simba and Scar feel as the events unfolded? List responses on the chart. [Scar falls under how we feel, Simba falls under how others feel.]

Tell the children they are now going to dig into the Bible to see how Jacob and Esau felt when Jacob stole Esau’s blessing. Distribute Bibles and ask the children to find Genesis 27:34–41 in the Old Testament. Ask for a volunteer to read it.

Ask: How are Jacob and Esau are feeling? List their responses on the chart. [Jacob falls under how we feel, Esau falls under how others feel.]

Reflect - Closure

Ask the children to look at both columns on the chart. Have the children summarize how we feel and how others feel when we decide to do things our way.

Ask the children if doing whatever we want, without considering God’s commands, is a good way to live. Have them list some consequences of living outside of God’s plan.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Adaptation for younger students

Replace the chart with this activity: Give each child two pieces of paper cut into circles. Have each child draw four faces: happy, sad, angry, and surprised. As you ask the questions about how the characters feel, have the children hold up a face.

Read the Bible passages to them from a child friendly Bible.

Adaptation for older students

If time allows, have the children role play a part of the story they heard today.

PART TWO

PASSAGE

Story: Genesis 27:42–33:20

Memory Verse: Genesis 28:16

PURPOSE

Think about the consequences of our actions.
Learn how God works in flawed people

See Bible Background

PREPARATION

Read the Bible Background information.

Materials List

Bibles
Lion King videoM
Projection equipment
Screen
Chart paper or blackboard
Chalk or markers

Advance Preparation Requirements

Have the Lion King video ready in the right spot

PRESENTATION

Open - Introduction

Ask: Tell about a time when you were caught doing something you shouldn’t. What were the consequences? If you could go back, what would you have done differently?

Tell the children that in the story of Jacob & Esau, Jacob had to live with the consequences of his actions, just as the characters in the movie clip they will see had to live with their actions.

Dig - Main Content

Tell the children they will watch the end of The Lion King to see what happens when we do things our way.

Show clip 1 – Scar talks with the hyenas [47:30 – 49:10.]

Show clip 2 – Simba returns, Scar orders Sirabe, Simba reveals himself. [1:09:30 – 1:12:40.]

Summarize: When Scar took matters into his own hands, the land wasted away and the animals feared for their survival.

Ask: How might the story might have happened if Scar had not intervened to take the kingdom from Mufasa and Simba?

Tell the children they are now going to dig into the Bible to see how the story of Jacob and Esau happened. Ask the children to find Genesis 27:42–45 and Genesis 33:1–20 in their Bibles and ask for a volunteer to read them.

Summarize: Because Jacob took matters into his own hands, he had to leave his home. Even when he returned, he started his life over in the new land God had promised, not his homeland.

Ask: How might the story of Jacob and Esau might have ended if they had done things God’s way?

Say: Even though we can’t go back and fix our mistakes, God still loves us and uses us for His purpose. Have a child find and read Genesis 32:24–32 and Genesis 28:10-16.

Summarize: God blessed Jacob, after all his failings! He name was changed to Israel, and he lived in the land God had promised his ancestors. Even though Jacob had disobeyed God, He still used Jacob as the father of a great nation. God still loves us and accomplishes His plans through us even when we goof up!

Reflect - Closure

Have the children respond true or false to the following statements:

God forgives my sins when I ask Him to.
I can still be God’s child even though I sin.
God still loves and cares for me even though I sin.
God wants me to listen to His commands.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Adaptation for younger students

Replace the chart with this activity: Give each child two pieces of paper cut into circles. Have each child draw four faces: happy, sad, angry, and surprised. As you ask the questions about how the characters feel, have the children hold up a face.

Read the Bible passages to them from a child friendly Bible.

For the reflection time, sing "Jesus Loves Me."

Adaptation for older students

If time allows, have children role play a part of the story they heard today.

CONTRIBUTOR: Stephanie Smith