Jacob Bible Crafts for Sunday School Kids

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers, but they were very different from one another. Esau was a skillful hunter who enjoyed spending time outdoors, while Jacob preferred staying near the tents.

Esau was born first, which meant that he held the birthright normally given to the eldest son. One day, Esau returned from the countryside feeling extremely hungry. Jacob was cooking stew, and Esau asked him for some.

Jacob agreed to give Esau the food in exchange for his birthright. Esau accepted the offer and traded his birthright for bread and lentil stew.

Years later, their father Isaac became old and could no longer see clearly. Isaac asked Esau to hunt an animal and prepare a meal for him. After eating, Isaac intended to give Esau his special blessing.

Rebekah heard what Isaac had said and made a plan to obtain the blessing for Jacob instead. She prepared food for Isaac and covered Jacob’s hands and neck with goatskins so that he would feel hairy like Esau.

Jacob brought the food to his father and pretended to be his brother. Isaac was uncertain because the voice sounded like Jacob’s, but the hands felt like Esau’s.

Isaac gave Jacob the blessing intended for Esau. When Esau returned and discovered what had happened, he became extremely angry. Jacob left home because he feared that Esau would harm him.

During Jacob’s journey, he stopped for the night and used a stone as a pillow. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway reaching from the earth to heaven, with angels going up and down on it.

God spoke to Jacob in the dream and repeated the promises previously given to Abraham and Isaac. God promised to remain with Jacob, protect him, and bring him back to the land.

Many years later, Jacob prepared to return home. He learned that Esau was approaching with hundreds of men, and Jacob became afraid.

During the night, Jacob wrestled with a mysterious man until daybreak. Jacob refused to let go until he received a blessing. The man gave Jacob a new name—Israel—because he had struggled with God and with people and had overcome.

The following day, Jacob met Esau. Instead of attacking him, Esau ran to Jacob, embraced him, and welcomed him home.

Jacob’s story helps children explore the consequences of dishonesty, the importance of reconciliation, and the way God can work in the life of an imperfect person.