Rotation.org Writing Team

JACOB AND ESAU

DRAMA WORKSHOP

PART ONE: THE BIRTHRIGHT

PASSAGE

Story: Genesis 25:19-34
KeyMemory Verse: Genesis 28:16

PURPOSE

See Bible Background

Objectives for Workshop

See Bible Background

PREPARATION

Materials List

Costumes, if desired
Bibles
Chalkboard or poster

Advance Preparation Requirements

Ahead of time, write out the verse on the chalkboard or a poster.

PRESENTATION

Open with prayer.

Ask: Have you ever played a trick on someone? Has anyone ever played a trick on you? How did it feel? [Allow responses. Encourage the children to use lots of expressions/body movements.]

Say: Today we are going to learn about two brothers and what happened when one tricked the other. Distribute Bibles and show the children where to find Genesis and how to find Chapter 25. Read or paraphrase the story from the Bible, using lots of movement. Stop at verse 26.

Ask:

Who are Jacob's parents?
Which is older - Jacob or Esau?
What did they look like when they were born? [Esau is red and hairy, Jacob was grasping his brother's heel]

Read together verse 27. Have the children describe the differences between Jacob and Esau.
[Be careful here - there may be some in your group who have experienced sibling rivalry or preferential parents.]

Tell the children this is where the trick happens. Ask: "What do you think happens next?"

Ask for volunteers to put on costumes. Tell the children that you will narrate and they will act out what you say. When finished, ask:

How do you think Esau felt when he realized he had been tricked?
Why do you think Jacob wanted the blessing?
What is a blessing?
What happens to a family that cheats each other?
Where was God in this story?
What should we do when we have been cheated?

Put costumes away; say the verse together and close in prayer.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Adaptation - Older Student

Have groups write a script and act out the story. Group One would do verses 19-26, Group 2 verse 27, and Group 3 verses 29-34. If the class is small, ask for volunteers to read the parts. Pause after verse 26 and discuss, using above questions.

Have a pizza or popcorn prepared, but don't let them see it. At verse 29, bring out the pizza or popcorn. Wave it gently in front of them and ask: Does this smell good? Are you getting hungry? Act out verses 29-34. Share the pizza or popcorn as you discuss the story.

SOURCES

New Interpreters Bible Commentary, Vol. 1. Abingdon Press, 1994. Nashville, TN

Smith, Cindy. Amazing Stories from Genesis: 13 Easy-to-Use Lessons for Grades 3-4. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 1992, Pages 95-99.

* * *

PART 2: WRESTLING & RECONCILIATION

PASSAGE

Story: Genesis 28, 29; Genesis 33:1-17

Key/Memory Verse: Genesis 28:16

PURPOSE

See Bible Background.

Objective for Drama Workshop

Examine ways we have wrestled with problems

PREPARATION

Materials List

Bibles
Costumes [Optional]
Dove-shaped papers
Markers
Table and 2 chairs
Chalkboard or newsprint with a tournament-style bracket drawn on it
Flashlight

PRESENTATION

Open with prayer

Ask: Have you ever arm-wrestled someone? What was it like? Did you win? Today we are going to have an arm-wrestling tournament. [Write student's names on the chart.] Have the children wrestle (be sure no one gets too rough) and write the "winners" in the brackets. When it gets down to the last two, say: "We are now going to put a twist on this -- the final match will be in the dark." Turn off lights. As match nears the end, turn on the flashlight and slowly shine the light on the wrestlers, then stop the match. Gather children together and ask:

What was it like to wrestle each other?
Why was the last match in the dark? How did it feel?

Summarize the story from chapters 28 and 29. Invite the children to put on costumes. Say: "Our story today is about Jacob wrestling with God." Have children find the story in Genesis. Take turns acting out the story using the Bible as the script.

Ask:

Who was Jacob wrestling?
Why did he think it was Esau?
What would happen in the daylight? [Jacob could die if he saw the face of God]
Why does God wrestle with Jacob? Was there a winner?

Move on to Chapter 33:1-17. Assign parts: Jacob, Rachel, Leah, servants, children, narrator. The Narrator reads; others act out the story.

Ask:

How was Jacob feeling when he first saw Esau?
How did Esau act when he saw Jacob?
Will all the gifts make Esau accept Jacob?
Is Jacob "giving back" the blessing he tricked him out of?
How would you describe their relationship now?
How did God act in their reconciliation?

Distribute dove-shaped papers and markers. Have children write the key verse on one side; on the reverse have them write the name of someone they need to forgive or need forgiveness from.

Put costumes away, close in prayer.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Adaptation - Younger Children

Younger children may prefer to thumb wrestle. Either way, make sure no one gets hurt. The point is the struggle.

Enhancement

Make background scenes from coloring book pages copied onto overhead transparancies. Color them with markers if desired.

SOURCES

Same as above.

CONTRIBUTOR: Julie Burton

This message has been edited. Last edited by: julie burton,