Jacob’s Ladder


Text: Foreword + Genesis 28: 10-22

Memory Verse: I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go… Genesis 28: 15a (NIV)



Food:
Pretzel Ladders

Video:
Clips about Jacob & Esau and Jacob’s Ladder

Games:
Chutes & Ladders

God’s Service:
Wheelchair Pushers



Journal Stickers
Angels – rock – ladder

Song Suggestions:
We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder
“Asleep on Holy Ground” sung by Michael Card (CD – The Beginning)

Jacob’s Ladder – Foreword


Abraham and Sarah wanted a baby for a long time. In their old age –90 & 100 years old – God gave them a baby. His name was Isaac, which means laughter. Isaac grew up and married a woman named Rebekah. This story is about Isaac and Rebekah’s son.


Isaac and Rebekah also waited a very long time for a child. They prayed constantly that God would give them a child. God answered their prayers by giving them twins! They seemed to be fighting inside her. God told Rebekah that two nations will come from the 2 babies. One group would be stronger than the other, and the older would serve the younger.

The first-born son’s name was Esau. He had red, hairy skin and grew to love hunting, like his father. This was Isaac’s favored son. Jacob was the second-born twin. He had smooth skin, was quiet, and liked to stay home. Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite.

Esau was the first-born son and so he had special rights; he would get the birthright. That meant Esau would get twice as much inheritance as Jacob and be the family leader. Jacob had always been jealous of those rights.

One day after a hunting trip, Esau was starved. He returned to the tent to find Jacob cooking his favorite stew. Jacob traded his food and Esau gave Jacob his birthright.

Many years passed and Isaac became very old and almost blind. He was ready to pass on the birthright. While Esau was away, Rebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac into thinking Jacob was his brother. Isaac gave Jacob the birthright and blessing.

When Esau found out, he was furious. He planned to kill Jacob after his father died. Rebekah heard of Esau’s plan to kill his brother and sent Jacob to live with her brother in Haran.


Read: Genesis 28: 10-22


By Linda Norem and Rachel Haugland – for non-profit use
Reference: NIV Bible, The Living Bible, Revised Std Bible, Children’s Bible

Felt Board Activity – Jacob’s Ladder

Genesis 25:19-34
Genesis 27:1-45
Genesis 28: 10-22

(Scene: General outside scene – hills, trees, tent home, some sheep, Isaac and Rebekah)

Abraham and Sarah wanted a baby for a long time. In their old age – 90 & 100 years old – God gave them a baby. His name was Isaac, which means laughter. Isaac grew up and married a woman named Rebekah. This story is about Isaac and Rebekah’s son.

Isaac and Rebekah also waited a very long time for a child. They prayed constantly that God would give them a child. God answered their prayers by giving them twins! They seemed to be fighting each other inside her. God told Rebekah that two nations will come from the 2 babies. One group would be stronger than the other, and the older would serve the younger.

The first-born son’s name was Esau. (Add baby into Isaac’s arms.) He had red, hairy skin and grew to love hunting, like his father. This was Isaac’s favored son. Jacob was the second-born twin. (Add baby into Rebekah’s arms.) He had smooth skin, was quiet, and liked to stay home. Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite.

Esau was the first-born son and so he had special rights: he would get the birthright. That meant Esau would get twice as much inheritance as Jacob and be the family leader. Jacob had always been jealous of those rights.

When the boys grew up, Esau became a skilled hunter. (Remove babies, add grown-up Esau and Jacob.) He loved to be out in the fields. Jacob liked to help Rebekah with her work around the tent. One day after a hunting trip, Esau was starved. (Add Jacob, fire, pot of stew close to the tent. Move Esau over to the area.) He returned to the tent to find Jacob cooking his favorite stew. Jacob gave Esau his food and Esau gave Jacob his birthright.
(Remove Esau, Jacob, fire, pot of stew. Add Isaac – and “old” Isaac, if possible.) Many years passed and Isaac became very old and almost blind. He was ready to pass on the birthright. While Esau was away, Rebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac into thinking Jacob was his brother. (Put a different set of clothes on Jacob.) Isaac gave Jacob the birthright and blessing.

When Esau found out he was furious. He planned to kill Jacob after his father died. Rebekah heard of Esau’s plan to kill his brother and sent Jacob to live with her brother in Haran.

(Remove Esau, tent, sheep. Add a stone to the scenery.) One night as Jacob was traveling to Haran he found a stone and laid his head on it to sleep for the night. (Move the stone. Lay Jacob down, using the stone as a “pillow”.

As he slept that night he dreamed that there was a ladder resting on the earth and reaching up to heaven. (Add ladder.) He saw angels of God going up and coming down the ladder. (Add angels on the ladder.) Then Jacob saw the Lord standing above the ladder. (Add God over the ladder.)
He said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your grandfather, and your father Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are now sleeping. Your descendants will be as many as the dust of the earth. They will spread west and east, north and south, and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. I am with you and will protect you everywhere you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.”

(Remove ladder and angels.) When Jacob woke up in the morning he was afraid. He thought, “Surely this is the house of God and the gate of heaven.” He turned the stone on it’s side like an altar and named it Bethel. He made a promise. He said, “I want Go to be with me and protect me on this journey. I want him to give me food to eat and clothes to wear, so that I will be able to return to my father’s house in peace. If the Lord does these things, He will be my God.

Then Jacob continued on his journey. He felt like a different person because God had told him he was not alone anymore.



By Linda Norem and Rachel Haugland – for non-profit use
References: NIV Bible, The Living Bible, Revised Standard Bible, The Children’s Bible

Jacob’s Ladder – Food
“Pretzel Ladders”


Preheat the oven

Read: The Story (May want to read while the ladders are baking instead of at the beginning)
Practice: The memory verse

Supplies: Soft bread sticks or pretzels (Pillsbury – 3 sticks per child), several baking pans, hot pads, spatula, plates, napkins, drink – (optional dipping sauce – honey, frosting)

Make the “Ladders”(Pretzel idea from Melissa @ rotation.org – Jacob Ideas (Not complete lesson sets) http://rotation.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/486101078/m/3056048121

o Have the kids wash their hands
o Prepare the bread sticks/pretzels according to the package
o Arrange them in “ladders”, 2 sticks side by side, 1 cut in 1/3 or ¼’s and placed between them as the steps/rungs – pinch together.
o (Optional) Some packages may have you brush them with butter or whipped egg white and sprinkle with course salt.

o Bake according to the package
o Carefully remove “ladders” onto their plate

o Say a prayer before you eat: Thank you God for this food. Thank you for reminding us that the doorway to heaven is always open. We can always talk to you in prayer. Amen


Discussion: (From ChristineOC - rotation.org – Jacob’s Dream(Jacob’s Ladder) http://rotation.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/486101078/m/665605372
(Use while ladders are baking or while they are eating)

• What places does the Bible story mention? Where did Jacob leave from? (Beersheba-find it on a map) That was his family’s home, at least for a while. They were nomads, living in tents and moving their herds from place to place.
• Where was Jacob going to? (Haran-find it on a map) This was where his mother had come from. He was supposed to find a wife from that area also.
• Where did Jacob sleep one night while he was traveling? (Bethel, which used to be called Luz-find it on a map)

The patriarchs are Abraham, his son Isaac, and Isaac’s son, Jacob.
• Everyone put your finger on Beersheba, move north to Bethel, then continue up to Haran. Now try to estimate how far it is from Beersheba to Haran. Use the guide in the lower left corner. (They should come up with something like ‘over 300 miles’, or ‘400 miles’). Now, how far from Beersheba to Bethel, both of which are in Israel now. (50 miles or 100 kilometers).
• I wondered how long it would take to walk that far so I looked up a few things on the internet: “At age fourteen Thomas Carlyle set out on foot with a companion to enroll in Edinburgh University, 100 miles away. The walk took five days.” So that is 20 miles each day.
Also, A hiker described some interesting walks they took and made notes like: 15 km, 5 hours. So I figured someone could walk about 25 kilometers in about an 8 hour day.
Jacob had probably walked at least two full days before he used that rock for a pillow and dreamed -- or was given a vision -- of the way to Heaven.


Additional Discussion: (By Rachel Haugland - Use while eating)

o In Jacob’s vision, there was a stairway resting on earth and reaching up to heaven. Who was on the stairs? (angels)
o Who was standing above the stairs? (God)
o What did God say? (I will give you this land you are sleeping on – I will be with you and protect you – Your descendents will be as many as the dust of the earth)
o Who was Jacob’s father? (Isaac)
o Mother? (Rebekah)
o Who was Jacob’s grandparents? (Abraham & Sarah)
o When Jacob awoke from this vision, what did he do or say? (Placed the stone on its side/made an altar, and called the place Bethel – said, “Surely this is the house of God and the gate of heaven.”)



Pulled together by Rachel Haugland – for non-profit use.

Jacob’s Ladder – Video


Prepare the popcorn and drink

Read: The story
Practice: The memory verse

(Teacher: In order for this to go smoothly, you need to understand the story and be familiar with when to start/stop the DVDs. Please practice with the church’s DVD. Not all DVD players are alike. Know how to work the fast forward button and how to skip chapters.)

Tell the kids: We will be watching 4 different clips from 2 different movie companies. As we watch them, you will see that they are played by different actors. Esau is played by a hairy-red haired man. Jacob is more clean cut. Isaac is old. Rebekah usually has a cloth covering her hair. Remember that Jacob and Esau are twins.

Video #1: “The Story of Jacob and Joseph” by Columbia Tristar Home Video – copyright by Milberg Theatrical Productions – www.cthv.com (Start on chapter 4)

o The Birthright - Before starting say:
o We are studying Jacob’s ladder this rotation. There wasn’t a video devoted just to Jacob’s ladder, so we choose to include some of the story leading up to it.
o This first scene is about Jacob stealing the birthright from his older twin. Remember the birthright was given to the oldest son. He was given a double portion of the money and goods when the father died. This scene is about the younger son, Jacob, stealing the older son’s birthright when Esau was so hungry he didn’t care.
o Remember also, Jacob was human. He wasn’t perfect. But God had a plan for Jacob anyway. God has a plan for us, too.

o Let’s watch Jacob as he talks to his mother, Rebekah.
o Watch Chapter 4 and 5 - stop when Esau starts eating out of the pot of stew/Pause at chapter 6 and say:

o The Blessing
o This part is about the blessing. The blessing was a special saying handed down to the oldest son by the father. It was a special honor to receive the blessing. Rebekah and Jacob trick Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing instead of the older son, Esau.
o In this clip, Isaac talks about Yewah. Who is that? (Yewah is another name for God.)
o Let’s watch as Isaac prepares to give the blessing to his son.

o Press play and continue watching. Watch chapters 6 - 8 – stop after Rebekah sends Jacob to Haran – when Jacob walks away with the donkeys.

Change to the second video.


Video #2: “The Bible Collection – Jacob” – 1994 TNT Originals, Inc – Distributed by Warner Home Video, Inc (has some PG-13 bedroom scenes – be careful on what you show to the kids) Start on chapter 3.

o Part #1: (Leaving to Haran and Jacob’s Ladder)

o Before starting say:
§ This part is about Jacob’s ladder. This takes place after the blessing. Jacob is sent to Haran to live with his uncle until Esau’s anger has cooled down. On the way to Haran, Jacob lays his head on a rock to rest. He has a dream.
§ This video is from a different company, so there are different actors playing the parts. This scene starts with Rebekah talking with Jacob. Then, Isaac sends Jacob to Haran.

o Start on chapter 3 – watch Jacob talking to Isaac and receiving the blessing.
§ Then fast forward to the spot where Jake lays his head down on a rock, then continue watching (this bypasses the non-biblical part where Esau tracks Jacob down and takes his money/animals)
o Pause the DVD after Jacob wakes up and gets done talking (end with Jacob saying: “he will set aside a 10th plot for Him”)


o Part #2: (Reunion with Esau and Wrestling with God)

o Skip ahead to chapter 10
o Before starting say:

§ This clip talks about the reunion of Jacob and Esau. Jacob is uneasy about how his brother will receive him. Remember the unrest between the two over the blessing and the birthright. After they meet, there is forgiveness and they became friends again.
§ This clip also includes when Jacob wrestles with God. Note that Jacob’s hip gets hurt and he walks with a limp.

o Watch chapter 10
§ Stop after Jacob and Esau hug and Esau says, “God has blessed you indeed.”


Discussion:

o Esau gave away his birthright for a bowl of stew. He didn’t receive his father’s blessing either. Jacob got everything. Esau was mad! At the end, Jacob and Esau were reunited and forgiveness was given. How hard was that for Esau to forgive his brother? Do you think God was at work to help Esau?
o If someone does/says something wrong to you, how hard is it for you to forgive them? Do you say you forgive them, but not forget – hold a grudge? How can we forgive and forget? (Prayer, put ourselves in their position)

o Jacob stole his brother’s birthright with his mother’s help. Why do you think he did that? (We don’t know. Greed? God directed him? We know that when his mother was pregnant with the twins, God spoke to her and said that the older would serve the younger.)
o Rebekah and Isaac each had a favorite child. They wanted to help their favored son. Does this seem fair? (No) Is life always fair? (No) What do we do about it – if things don’t go smoothly for you – or someone gets more “breaks” than you do? (Learn that life is not fair – know that there may be a reason for what happened, you may not know what that reason is, remember God is in control – maybe you are to “grow” on the inside, learning patience and wisdom- always turn to God)

o On the way to Haran, Jacob had a dream. There was a stairway stretching from the heavens down to earth. What was on the stairway? (Angels going up and coming down)
o Who was standing at the top of the stairs? (God)
o What did God say? (I am the God of your father and grandfather. You will multiply and have many descendents. I will not leave you.)

o Jacob was not perfect. He was human. Why do you think He chose Jacob to be such a strong leader? (God had a plan – He was Isaac’s son, Abraham’s grandson)
o What do you think God has in mind for you? What’s God plan for you? Will you be willing to serve Him?



Pulled together and discussion questions by Rachel Haugland
Reference: The Amplified Bible and The Living Bible

Jacob’s Ladder - Games
(Similar to Chutes & Ladders, from C. Doerr)


Reference: Taken from Rotation.org – Jacob’s Dream (Jacob’s Ladder) Lesson set http://rotation.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/486101078/m/665605372/r/756608823

Jacob’s Ladder – God’s Service

We are signed up at Bethany Manor Nursing Home to help get the residents to chapel on Sunday morning during this rotation. You will be organizing and directing the kids while they push wheelchairs from their rooms to the chapel – and back to where they need to go after the service.

· You will need to line up drivers to get the kids from church to Bethany Manor on time. Make sure you have seat belts for everyone (and that they use them!) Also be aware of limitations for small children and airbags/front seat riding.

· You will need to leave church before the scheduled time of Sunday school. That means you will need to call and talk to the families involved ahead of time to let them know of your plans. (Class lists are in the basement)

· Return the kids to church (let the families know what time – they don’t all stay for church)

· Please help the children know that they are doing an important community service in God’s name. They need to respect the residents (even if they look like they can’t understand) and use good manners.


Thank you!


Chapel starts at 10:00
You need to be at Bethany Manor by 9:15 - 9:20