Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 32 “Jacob Returns with a Family”

Featured Passage: Genesis 28-35 

On the way to Haran, God spoke to Jacob in a dream. God promised to be with him and to bring him safely back to Canaan. When Jacob arrived at his uncle Laban’s home he fell in love with Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter. Jacob bargained with Laban to work for seven years in return for Rachel as his wife. When the time came, Laban tricked Jacob and gave him Leah, his older daughter, to Jacob for his wife instead of Rachel!    Jacob had to work another seven years to marry Rachel. Jacob had many more adventures, but eventually he and his family made it back to the land of Canaan just as God had promised. He had twelve sons, who became the foundation for the nation of Israel.

Discuss:

• Laban tricked Jacob just as Jacob had tricked Esau. What lessons did Jacob learned from the way Laban treated him?
• God was with Jacob and protected him from Laban and Esau. What can we learn from how God took care of Jacob?
• God changed Jacob’s name from “Supplanter” to Israel which means “Overcomer with God”. Why did God change Jacob’s name?
• Notice how Jacob received the promises God made to Abraham. His large family was important in fulfilling the promise that Abraham would have many descendants.

Memory Challenge: 

The Sons of Jacob –  
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin

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