Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minutes)

Welcome back everyone! This is the final lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Jacob and Esau.” We have been learning about God’s blessings that we receive through His Son, Jesus. We learned that God blesses His children, but we have to do our best to what? Keep all of His blessings.

God is our loving heavenly Father who cares deeply about all of us. Let’s worship Him by singing The Salvation Poem. As we sing, let’s think about how God gave us the greatest blessing by sending His Son to be our Savior. If you’ve never asked Jesus into your heart to be the Lord of your life, you can do it now as we sing this song together!

Play Video 7: (Song) The Salvation Poem (3 minutes)

Be sure to preview the song so you can sing along with the children.

The Salvation Poem

SuperTruth and Discussion (3 minutes)

Our SuperTruth for today is: “I will forgive others as Jesus has forgiven me.” Let’s have only the boys say it together this time. Boys repeat.

Now, let’s have only the girls say it together. Girls repeat.

Does anyone think they can say it already without looking? Children respond.

Choose a few children to try it. Good! Jesus loved us so much that He came to Earth to pay an enormous price for our sin; a price that was so high, we could never, ever pay it! Because we are so blessed with His love and forgiveness, we need to show that same love and forgiveness to others!

Introduce Condensed Bible Story Video (1 minute)

If all children watched the Bible story video in a previous lesson, skip it here and go straight to the SuperVerse.

Who remembers why Chris was so angry with Joy that he said he would never forgive her? During a water fight, Joy accidentally got Gizmo’s circuits wet.

Now for the children who haven’t seen our Bible story about Jacob and Esau, we are going to watch a short version of the video. If you’ve already seen it, then this time as you watch, think about things that Jacob and Esau could have done differently.

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (10 minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to meet Jacob and Esau, twins who compete over many things. When Esau gives up his birthright and Jacob tricks him out of a blessing, they become estranged. Esau finally forgives Jacob and the brothers are reconciled.

Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3

Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat verse.

SuperVerse Graphic 3

SuperVerse Discussion (2 minutes)

Our SuperVerse, Ephesians 4:32, says,

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

What do you think it means to be kind and tenderhearted?

Is that easy to be when someone has hurt you?

No, it sure isn’t! The Bible tells us that Jesus came to Earth while we were still sinners! He could have thought—why should I go to Earth when I have everything in heaven and they aren’t even trying to do what’s right? But He didn’t; He chose to be loving, kind and tenderhearted toward us, and that’s how we need to treat others. Let’s say the SuperVerse again.

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group.

Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)

Many scriptures in the Old Testament were signposts that pointed to Jesus. Let’s watch our Signposts video to learn more about Jacob’s life and how Jesus is a descendant of Jacob!

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (4.5 minutes)

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Let’s pray before we leave for our Small Group time. Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your unconditional love and the forgiveness that You show us each day. Help us to show others that same kind of forgiveness so that You may be glorified. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Today in Small Group, we are going to play a game about forgiveness and the results of unforgiveness. Are you ready to play?

Teachers take children to Small Group classes for Grades 1–3 and 4–6. If the combined group is small, all children may stay together for Small Group time. 

Game

Why is forgiveness so important?

God tells us to forgive one another. Our SuperVerse says in Ephesians 4:32:

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

In addition, if we don’t forgive others, it hurts us on the inside. It can also hurt and even destroy our relationships with others! Jacob ran for his life from Esau after he stole his blessing from their father, Isaac. Their family was broken apart for many years because of anger, fear and unforgiveness.

Let’s do an activity to illustrate how unforgiveness strongly affects and hinders our lives. Divide the class into four teams. We are going to have a race, and each team is going to perform the same task. Let’s pretend that the members of Team 1 have great relationships with each other, and so do all the members of Team 3. If they have ever hurt each other, they have talked about the problem and given and received forgiveness. Because of this, each team can talk to each other to figure out how to do the task.

Now, it’s different with the players on Team 2 and Team 4! We will pretend that the members of these teams are all mad at each other because of some offense. You refuse to talk it out and forgive. Because of this, you won’t talk to each other, so you will do the task silently. Let’s see who can do it faster!

Give each team a piece of yarn. Explain that all the players on each team must figure out how to wind the yarn in and around all of their hands and fingers to create a giant spider web. Have the scissors handy in case the string gets too tight around anyone’s hands. Afterward, talk to the teams and compare their experiences; ask why was it harder to do it without talking and working closely with other team members.

Read Matthew 5:23-24^(cev)

“So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.”

Jesus makes it very clear that broken relationships with others greatly hinders our worship and relationship with God. Your “gift” that you are bringing to the altar could be your offering, your praise and worship, even yourself for service! Jesus said that you need to try to fix any relationship that is broken—THEN offer your gift to God!

Let’s hold hands, which represents reconciliation and unity among us and say our SuperTruth together: “I will forgive others as Jesus has forgiven me.”

Teaching

In our Signposts video today, we saw how some of the important events in the lives of Jacob and Esau relate to the life of Jesus and our blessings as children of God. Let’s take a deeper look and discuss these events together.

1. Have a child read Certificate #1: God’s Promise Confirmed.
   
   When Rebekah was pregnant with twins, she felt the two children struggle with each other inside her. Rebekah asked God why this was happening. God told her that she would be the mother of two nations, and that they would be rivals. One nation would be stronger than the other and the older son—Esau—would serve the younger son—Jacob. God’s promise to Rebekah confirmed the blessing He gave to Abraham—that through him, all the nations on Earth would be blessed.
   
   Jacob was the father of twelve sons. The twelve sons became the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. One of Jacob’s sons was named Judah. Centuries later, one of the descendants of the tribe of Judah was Jesus! The promise to bless all the nations was fulfilled in Him! Our SuperTruth from Lesson 1 speaks of this: “I am a child of God and I share in all of His blessings.”

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

Another son of Jacob was named Levi. All of the priests and those who served in the temple came from the tribe of Levi. Jesus is our High Priest but He came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi.

Read Hebrews 7:13–14:

For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe.

Jesus’ eternal priesthood did not come from man, it came from God. Jesus is our High Priest who makes it possible for us to approach God with boldness and receive help in time of need!

2. Have a different child read Certificate #2: The Birthright.
   
   In Bible times, the older son usually would become the head of the family and inherit a double portion, or twice as much, as the other sons. This was made official by the birthright. Jacob took advantage of Esau when he was weak and hungry. He persuaded Esau to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew. Esau did not prize his birthright the way he should have, and he thoughtlessly sold it for something of little value. Later, Jacob’s mother Rebekah came up with a plan, and together they tricked Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of Esau! Jacob was cunning and deceitful—but God cannot be deceived or tricked!

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

Read Galatians 6:7–9

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Esau thought his need for a meal was more important than His spiritual blessings, and sold his birthright for the stew. We must never take for granted our blessings and rights as a child of God in Christ! Are there ways that we may be tempted to trade or give away our blessings today? 

3. Have a different child read Certificate #3: Jacob becomes Israel.

Jacob could trick people to get what he wanted. But was he willing to persevere and give all he had in order to receive a blessing from God? Before Jacob reunited with Esau, he wrestled all night with God! How could anyone wrestle with an all-powerful God? God set aside His omnipotence, which means “all power,” to take the form of a man when He wrestled with Jacob. Jacob refused to give up the fight until God blessed him with a new name—point to card on wall, Israel, which means “He struggles with God.” In Hebrew, Jacob meant “Heel grabber,” “Deceiver,” or “Trickster.” His new name, Israel, reflected the change that had taken place inside him. It showed his new character. Jacob was willing to fight for his blessing instead of using deception and trickery.

Do you remember a time later in the Bible when God would set aside His power to take the form of a man?

Yes, Jesus set aside His power to live among us and submit Himself to God’s will and die on the cross.

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

Names in Bible times were often given based on the events at the time of the child’s birth. Do you remember how Isaac was given his name? 

Yes, Isaac means, “Laughter.” Isaac’s mother, Sarah, laughed when she heard that she was to have a child in her old age.

Names also reflect a person’s purpose or calling. The Angel told Mary that her Son was to be named Jesus, which means “He saves.” Jesus’ name reveals His divine purpose, to save us from our sins. When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for every time we sin and disobey God. Do you know the meaning of your name?

Do you have an idea of your purpose or calling in God?

4. Have a different child read Certificate #4:Joint Heir.

Isaac, the father of Jacob and Esau, only had one blessing to give. Esau missed out and wept! God our Father in Heaven has one Son, Jesus Christ. When we believe in Jesus, the Bible says we each become a joint-heir in Christ—which means that we receive every blessing from heaven through Jesus!

Read Romans 8:29:

For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Isn’t that wonderful? Jesus is the firstborn, and He freely shares all of His blessings with us because we are His family! Let’s be sure to appreciate our place in Christ by trusting in His work on the cross and living our lives according to His Word.

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

Read Romans 8:16–17a:

For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

Isn’t that exciting? Sometimes we may not feel like we are God’s children. We may think we have missed out on His blessing. But this verse tells us that God’s Holy Spirit lives inside all of His children and assures us that we inherit His blessings and glory! But that Bible verse doesn’t end there.

Read Romans 8:17b–18:

But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.

What do you think it means that we must share His suffering, too?

Jesus endured trials, temptation and persecution on Earth. We, as His followers, are not exempt from this. But, we can be assured that God’s eternal blessings far outweigh the temporary trials here on Earth.

The Discipleship Challenge for this lesson is located in the Prayer section.

SuperVerse

Our SuperVerse is Ephesians 4:32:

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 

Our SuperVerse today is in the New Testament book of Ephesians. Have everyone look up Ephesians 4:32; and together, read it aloud. Ask for examples of being kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. What did Christ do to show us forgiveness? Came to us while we were still sinners, and died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins.

How must God’s forgiveness affect our actions toward others? Follow His example with gratitude and forgive others, too. Forgive as He forgives.

Let’s close our Bibles and try to memorize this verse with a game of jumping beans!

Divide the class into two groups. It can be boys versus girls or any division that seems fair. Have everyone sit down, and explain that when you point to one group, they should jump up and begin saying the verse. When you point to the second group, they should jump up and continue saying the verse while the first group quickly sits down—until you point to them again. Each group must pay close attention, as they won’t know when you will call on them again. Try doing this several times. You can do every other word or whole phrases. You may let one group say more than their fair share and use this as another opportunity to demonstrate kindness and patience toward one another.

Note: If younger children are not able to memorize the entire SuperVerse, simply have them repeat it several times and be sure they understand its meaning.

Prayer

If we hurt other people, what do we usually tell them? I’m sorry.

If we only say that, however, we are still in control because we are telling the other person something. But if we also ask, “Will you forgive me?” we give up control and humbly ask the other person’s forgiveness.

There are four important parts in asking forgiveness.

1. Tell the person very sincerely that you are sorry for what you did.
2. Tell the person exactly why what you did was wrong.
3. Tell the person that you will try very hard never to do it again.
4. Humbly ask the person to forgive you.

Let’s pretend that you made fun of someone and hurt his or her feelings. What would you say? "I’m very sorry. I realize how much it hurt you when I made fun of you. I will never do it again. Will you forgive me?"

You may suggest other situations suitable for the ages of the children and have them discuss how to ask forgiveness. If you do all this and the person won’t forgive you, keep praying that he or she will forgive you later. You can have peace knowing that you did all that you could to bring healing to that relationship.

The greatest act of forgiveness anyone could ever do was when Christ died on the cross. He didn’t do one thing wrong in His entire life, yet He took the punishment for all of the sin that every person has ever done and will ever do! Was that fair? No.

It wasn’t fair—but Jesus chose to die for our sins because He loves us so much. Even as He hung on the cross, He showed His unconditional and unfailing love by asking God to forgive those who nailed Him there!

If someone hurts us and we don’t think we can forgive, we need to ask God to help us, and He will. Jesus talks about this in the Lord’s Prayer.

Read Matthew 6:12:

“Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”

What does this mean? If we want God to forgive us, we must forgive others.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Today, we wrap up our Forgiveness Challenge. Does anyone have something to share that happened since our last lesson regarding the challenge?

Our challenge ends today, but we must continue to forgive as He forgives—every day!

Pray slowly, allowing time for the children to agree silently: Dear Jesus, thank You for forgiving us completely every time we confess our sins to You. Please forgive me for the wrong things I have done, because I have not only hurt others, but also You. I am truly sorry for my sins. Give me the strength and wisdom to turn away from my sins and not do them again. Help me to forgive others who have hurt me, as You forgive me. Thank You, Jesus, for Your love and mercy. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Drama

We are doing a skit today about forgiveness. Assign the parts of the king and two servants and give the actors simple costumes, if desired. Tell the rest of the class to play the guards and other servants. Narrate the story with great feeling, pausing for children to pantomime the actions. Emphasize all names in the story so children know when to begin acting.

In Matthew 18:21-35, Peter asked Jesus if he had to forgive someone seven times. Jesus said, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven!” Then He told this story to teach His disciples about forgiveness:

• The king looked at his accounting book to find out how much money his servants owed him. He saw that Servant 1 owed him millions of dollars!
• Servant 1 got out his wallet … and checked all of his pockets … but he didn’t have a penny!
• The king said, “Sell that servant—along with his wife and children and everything he owns!”
• Servant 1 was very upset! He fell down on his knees … and desperately begged, “Please, be patient with me! I promise to pay you back!”
• The king scratched his head … and thought about it. He felt sorry for the servant, so he said, “Okay, let him go. He doesn’t need to pay me back. I forgive him for the whole debt!”
• Servant 1 then went to Servant 2, who only owed him a few thousand dollars. Servant 1 grabbed Servant 2 by the throat— very gently, of course! —and demanded that he pay all of it right away!
• Servant 2 fell down on his knees … and begged desperately: “Be patient with me and I will pay you back!”
• But Servant 1 refused! He called the guards… and told them to come and arrest Servant 2… and put him in prison until he could pay every penny.
• When all the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened …
• The king called in Servant 1 and said, “You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you have mercy and forgive your fellow servant?”

Did Servant 1 do what our SuperVerse says today; why or why not?

Let’s say our SuperVerse, Ephesians 4:32, and see if you are correct. 

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

What do you think; was Servant 1 kind? No! Was he tenderhearted? No! How about forgiving? No! Wow, he didn’t do anything that Jesus wants us to do! Jesus set an example for us in forgiving others. He forgave and continues to forgive us every day, so we need to forgive others as He forgave us!

If time permits, repeat the skit allowing different actors to play the parts.

Squirt Game

Today as a class, we will brainstorm about things that someone might do that requires forgiveness. Write the same list of offenses on both whiteboards. Name calling, cheating, fighting, lying, arguing with siblings, etc.

Divide the children into two teams and have them form lines behind the mark or line. Place each board about eight feet away against a wall or chair—or have brave sixth grade helpers hold the boards—with towels beneath. When you say GO, have the first child try to erase the offenses by squirting the board just three times, then quickly pass the squirt bottle to the next child in line, until everyone has had a turn. Refill the squirt bottles from the bucket, as needed. The first team to erase the words completely is declared the winner. Repeat as time allows.

When we ask God for forgiveness, our sins are washed completely away! Repeat the SuperTruth: “I will forgive others as Jesus has forgiven me.”

Forgiveness Activity

Today’s SuperTruth says: “I will forgive others as Jesus has forgiven me.”

What does it mean to forgive someone?

Ask the first child who answers to come up and link arms with you at the elbow.

We have all experienced times when we needed to ask for forgiveness or we gave forgiveness to someone. How does it feel to forgive or to be forgiven?

It can feel like a big weight has been lifted that you’ve carried around, right? I want each of you to think about a time when you were forgiven or forgave someone. As you think of it, come up and join the circle by linking arms with the last child.

Unforgiveness can break or even destroy relationships. Our circle is not fully connected, is it? No. Let’s imagine that ______—child’s name on the other end of the chain—has done something to hurt me and I am having a hard time forgiving him/her. This offense has come between us and has broken our relationship.

Matthew 6:14–15 says,

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

This verse tells me that not only has my unforgiveness come between me and ______—child’s name, but it has also come between God and me! I don’t want that! I have broken the circle and forgiveness is no longer flowing. Now I go to ______—say the child’s name and move toward him or her while still staying linked to the first child—and ask to be forgiven because I have hurt him/her with my actions. ______—child’s name—forgives me because of the love of Christ inside him/her—lock arms to close the circle. Our relationship is restored—not only between ______-child’s name— and me, but with God, too! Forgiveness now flows freely!

Because of how Jesus reconciled us to God through forgiving our sins, we need to freely forgive as He does! Repeat the SuperTruth: “I will forgive others as Jesus has forgiven me.”

Bible Game

Divide the class into two teams. Teams do not need to be even in number, but try to balance each team with children you know are familiar with using the Bible.

Our activity today is a challenging game that will build your skills using the Bible. We will look up verses on forgiveness. I will alternate questions between the two teams, giving you 30 seconds to find a passage in your Bible, walk quickly to the board, and write the answer. If you can do it in 30 seconds, you win five points. If you need more time, your team will get an additional 30 seconds to find the answer and shout it, to win three points. Play as many rounds as time permits, giving each team an equal number of chances.

Note: NLT version is used for the answers below. Make adjustments for alternate wording of Bible versions the children may have.

Team 1 

In Luke 17:3-4, Jesus said you must forgive a person even if they wrong you how many times? Seven.

Team 2

In Numbers 14:19-20, what did God do in response to a request from Moses? Pardon the people’s sins.

Team 1

In John 8:9-11, Jesus didn’t do something to the woman—what was it? Condemn her for her sin.

Team 2

In Luke 6:37, if we forgive, what happens? We are forgiven, God forgives us.

Team 1

 In Genesis 50:16-17, who asked for forgiveness? Joseph’s brothers.

Team 2

 In Luke 17:3-4, Jesus said if someone sins against you but then does what, you must forgive them. Repents.

Team 1

 In Luke 23:34, who did Jesus ask God to forgive? The people who crucified Him.

Team 2 

In Ephesians 1:7, with what did Jesus purchase our freedom and forgiveness for our sins. His blood.

Team 1

In Mark 2:1-5,11, whose sins did Jesus forgive and heal, too? Paralyzed man, man lowered from roof.

Team 2

In Mark 2:6-7, why were the religious teachers and leaders so upset at Jesus? They said only God can forgive sins.

Team 1

This is a long scripture passage, so give the team 60 seconds to find the answer. In Acts 7:54-60, who asked God to forgive those who killed him? Stephen.

Team 2

This is a long scripture passage, so give the team 60 seconds to find the answer. In Luke 15:11-24, who was forgiven? Note: The actual words “forgive” or “forgiven” are not used. Prodigal son, lost son.

Let’s shout our SuperTruth together: “I will forgive others as Jesus has forgiven me.”