Leader Guide

Singing Activity

Copy the sheet music for “The Sons of Jacob.”

Practice singing the song a few times so you are familiar with how it flows.

Write the names of Jacob’s twelve sons on the board: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

The Jewish people are descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham was the father of Isaac, who was the father of Jacob, who had twelve sons! God gave Jacob a new name—Israel—and Jacob’s twelve sons became the twelve tribes of Israel.

Some tribes had very well-known descendants! King Saul came from the tribe of Benjamin. Other kings came from the tribe of Judah: King David, King Solomon, and the King of kings—Jesus! All of the priests of Israel came from the tribe of Levi. Moses and Aaron both were descendants of Levi.

Point to each name on the board and have children say the names aloud with you to help with the pronunciation before they learn the song, "The Sons of Jacob." Then teach the children to sing to the tune of “Ten Little Indians.” Then teach the children to sing it using the sheet music and/or the song audio. Music is under the Get Ready tab of this activity.