Jacob Fled From Canaan
Genesis 28:10-22
March 16, 2025
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
In today’s passage, God continued His faithfulness to Abraham by extending kindness to Jacob amidst a time of great turmoil. God promised to bless Jacob, be with him, watch over him, and never leave him until His faithful promises had been fulfilled. Jacob found himself at a crossroads, seemingly alone, and was tasked with finding a wife in accordance with God’s plan to bless their family.
What can we learn from Jacob’s time of trial and his wrestling with God? How can this help us when we are suffering or wrestling with God ourselves?
After receiving his father’s blessing, Jacob was instructed by his mother and father to flee Esau’s wrath and find a wife. While on the run, God visited Jacob in a dream by which He confirmed the promises He had made to Abraham. Even in Jacob's sinfulness, God's faithful lovingkindness was shown to him as God declared that His covenantal promises would continue through Jacob's family. Then, Jacob made a vow, just as God had made one to him: “If God remains with me, watches over me, provides for me, and returns me safely as He says He will, then He will be my God.”
Later in chapter 32, we see the next phase of Jacob’s journey with God, as he wrestled with Him unknowingly. Jacob said to the man, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man—whom we know to be God—changed Jacob’s name from that of a deceiver to “Israel” Israel, meaning “He Sstruggled with God.” Despite Jacob's struggles with God, he prevailed and was blessed by Him. In the end, Jacob realized that God spared his life in this encounter. By grace, he was granted a new name and identity and was able to return home.
Today, we come to a similar crossroads as we wrestle with the role Jesus deserves in our lives as Savior and Lord. Those who surrender to Him by faith can, like Israel, experience new life in He who redeems and restores sinners, bringing them into His family forever. No longer are we bound by our old selves but given a new identity in Jesus.
Ask God to reveal to your kids the reality of the new life He offers in Jesus. Though we may not always understand His ways, God gives us grace as we come to surrender to His will for our lives. May His truth become clear in their hearts and minds as you teach them about His love.
** Next week: Joseph Taken to Egypt (Genesis 37; 39-46; 50)
This Week's Main Ideas
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This Week's Main Ideas •
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God promised to be with Jacob.
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BABIES-TODDLERS
God calls us His children.
PRESCHOOL-K
God changed Jacob’s life and gave him a new name, Israel. By dying and rising from the dead, Jesus made the way for us to be adopted into God’s family. When we trust in Jesus, we get a new name, too—children of God.
1ST-5TH GRADE
God changed Jacob and gave him a new name, Israel. Jesus came so that we might have a changed life, forgiven of sin. Jesus’ death and resurrection provided sinful people the way to be welcomed into God’s family forever.
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Q: Who is in control of everything?
A: God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth. Nothing is outside of God’s good plan.
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New Memory Verse!
PRESCHOOL-K
You planned to harm me. But God planned it for good.
Genesis 50:20a NIRV
1ST-5TH GRADE
You planned to harm me. But God planned it for good. He planned to do what is now being done. He wanted to save many lives.
Genesis 50:20 NIRV
Family Discipleship Activities
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Family Discipleship Activities •
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Read all or parts of Genesis 28:10-22 from the Bible
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The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. It stands 2,717 feet tall and has 163 floors above ground. Let’s say you were at the top of the building and the elevators weren’t working … you would have to walk down 2,909 stairs to make it to the ground! That’s got to be the world’s longest stairwell!
While he was sleeping, Jacob saw an even longer stairwell—stairs that went from earth to heaven. Jacob saw God’s angels going up and down the stairs, and he heard God repeat the promise He had made to Abraham and Isaac. Jacob was convinced that God would keep His promise. Jacob’s vision shows us God’s desire to be with His children. While our sin breaks the relationship we are meant to have with God, God would send His only Son, Jesus, to earth. Jesus would willingly give His life on the cross so that anyone who believes in Him can have a loving relationship with God forever and ever.
In his dream, Jacob saw a stairway that went from earth to heaven. Jacob did not go up the stairway. God came down to talk to him. Jesus also came down from heaven to earth. Jesus made the way for people to come to God through His death and resurrection.
Pray: Thank You, God, for giving us a picture of just how much You love us and want us to have a relationship with You. We praise You for sending Jesus to be the One who rescues us from sin. Help us know Him and trust in Him so that we can live in relationship with You. Amen.
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New Memory Verse
PRESCHOOL-K
You planned to harm me. But God planned it for good.
Genesis 50:20a NIRV
1ST-5TH GRADE
You planned to harm me. But God planned it for good. He planned to do what is now being done. He wanted to save many lives.
Genesis 50:20 NIRV
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Mornings
Ask God to make you aware of His presence today as you make choices, interact with friends, and seek to obey His Word. How does God’s nearness help us to face each day with confidence? How can we depend on Him for help in our daily needs?
Evenings
Praise God for sending Jesus to be Immanuel—God with us. Praise Jesus for humbling Himself and coming to live in live on earth with us. Most of all, thank Jesus for dying on the cross to save us from our sin.
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For Fun
Challenge members to a stair race. See who can climb a set of stairs the fastest. You can make it more interesting by adding obstacles or doing it relay-style. As you rest after the activity, talk about Jacob’s dream and what it teaches us about God’s desire to be near us.
Remind your kids that God sent Jesus from heaven to earth to save us from sin. Through faith in Jesus, one day we can be with God forever.
To Serve
Write the words or phrases of a Bible verse on separate sheets of paper. Place the sheets on the stairs in your home or along a path your family walks often. As you walk the stairs or path this week, practice memorizing the verse by saying the words in order. Make it more of a challenge by removing some of the sheets during the week but challenging kids still say those words of the verse!