Parents' Corner | February 27, 2019
Dear Parents,
Jacob and Esau were rivals before birth. They struggled in the womb, and Jacob was born grabbing onto Esau’s heel. Even though he was younger, Jacob convinced Esau to sell him his birthright for some stew. When Isaac was old and blind, the time came for Isaac to bless Esau. With the blessing came the privilege afforded to the firstborn—leadership over the family. With Rebekah’s guidance, Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother’s blessing.
In his anger, Esau planned to kill Jacob. Rebekah sent Jacob away to her brother Laban until Esau calmed down. Isaac blessed Jacob before he left and told him to find a wife among his relatives.
Jacob had a 500-mile journey ahead of him. Along the way, he stopped and camped under the stars. He used a rock as a pillow and fell asleep. That night, Jacob dreamed and saw a stairway from the ground to the sky, and God’s angels were going up and down on it.
The Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac” (Gen. 28:13). God promised to give Jacob’s family land and numerous descendants, and He promised they would be a blessing to all the nations of the earth. In the morning, Jacob set up the stone as a marker and poured oil on it He named the place Bethel, which means “House of God.” He vowed to follow God if God kept His promise to be with him and take care of him. Then Jacob continued on his journey.
As you share with your kids, remind them that Jacob was the child chosen by God to carry the family line—to follow God, to lead the family, and to teach the next generation to follow God too. The promises for Abraham and Isaac also became the promises for Jacob. At Bethel, God showed that His plan was to continue the covenant through Jacob’s family and eventually a whole nation, leading to the birth of Jesus—the promised Savior.
God Bless,
David Feiser
Family Ministry Director
The Well Community Church
Family Starting Points
February 24, 2019
Scripture Memory: Matthew 17:20
If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there," and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Big Picture Question:
What can stop God’s plan? Nothing can stop God’s plan.
Bible Story: “The Stolen Blessing” (Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45)
- Jacob and Esau were brothers.
- Esau traded his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew.
- Jacob tricked his father into giving him Esau’s blessing.
Family Discussion Starters:
- Jacob and Esau were brothers, but they were very different. Talk about the differences between your family members.
- Everyone in today’s Bible story either wanted the wrong things or tired to get good things the wrong way. Talk about times you have been tempted to do the same.
Family Activity:
- Make a “Family Wants” list of things you all want for your family. Talk about how we can trust God to give us what we need and what is best for us. Pray for your family to trust God and be content with what you have.
Next Week:
- “Jacob’s New Name” (Genesis 32-33)
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