Jacob Takes Esau’s Blessing is a preschool Bible lesson that helps young children understand how Jacob pretended to be his brother and received the blessing Isaac intended for Esau.
This story can be difficult for preschoolers because it includes deception, family conflict, and an important blessing that cannot be seen or held. Therefore, the lesson uses clear storytelling, printable characters, matching cards, a tactile craft, and simple repetition to make the main events easier to understand.
The lesson truth is: Jacob took Esau’s blessing.
Connecting the Story to God’s Promises
The lesson begins with a brief review of the three promises God made to Abraham.
God promised Abraham a big family, a land for his family, and a special blessing through Jesus.
Abraham had a son named Isaac. Isaac later had twin sons named Jacob and Esau. As Abraham’s family continued to grow, children can see that God was still working to fulfill His promises.
This short introduction connects Jacob and Esau’s family story to the larger story of the Bible. However, it does not suggest that God approved of the wrong choices people made.
Reading the Jacob Takes Esau’s Blessing Story
The printable storybook introduces the events in a clear sequence that preschool children can follow.
Isaac was very old and could not see well. He asked Esau to go hunting and prepare his favorite food. Afterward, Isaac planned to give Esau his special blessing.
Rebekah heard what Isaac said and made a plan for Jacob to receive the blessing instead. She prepared the food, dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes, and covered his neck and hands with goatskins.
Jacob then went to Isaac and pretended to be Esau. Isaac believed him and gave Jacob the special blessing.
Later, Esau returned and discovered what had happened.
After reading, the teacher uses four simple questions to review the main events:
- Who did Isaac want to bless?
- Who made a plan for Jacob to receive the blessing?
- Who did Jacob pretend to be?
- What did Isaac give Jacob?
The children then repeat the lesson truth together: Jacob took Esau’s blessing.
Hands On Bible Story Retelling
The retelling activity helps children act out the story using printable characters and props.
The set includes Isaac seated on his bed, Rebekah, Jacob, Esau, a special food prop, Esau’s clothing, and separate goatskin pieces for Jacob’s neck and hands.
Children first see Isaac ask Esau to go hunting. Then Esau is moved away while Rebekah and Jacob are introduced.
The most interactive part of the activity is dressing Jacob. Children place Esau’s red clothing over Jacob and add the goatskin pieces to his neck and the backs of his hands.
Next, the special food is placed beside Jacob, and he is moved toward Isaac.
Using removable pieces makes the disguise much easier for young children to understand. They can see how Jacob changed his appearance and pretended to be his brother.
Isaac’s Senses Matching Activity
Isaac could not see well, so he used his other senses when Jacob came to him.
The Isaac’s Senses matching activity includes four sense cards:
- Ear for hearing
- Hand for touch
- Nose for smell
- Mouth for taste
Children match each sense to the correct story clue.
- Isaac heard Jacob’s voice.
- Isaac touched the goatskins.
- Isaac smelled Esau’s clothes.
- Isaac tasted the special food.
This activity helps children remember important details from the story while also connecting the lesson to familiar learning about the senses.
An optional worksheet is included for children to complete after the whole group activity. They draw lines to match each sense to the correct story clue.
Jacob Pretended to Be Esau Craft
The Jacob Pretended to Be Esau craft gives children a tactile way to remember the disguise.
Children first color Jacob and his clothing. Then they spread glue over the marked areas around his neck and on the backs of his hands.
Short pieces of brown yarn are added to represent the goatskins Rebekah placed on Jacob.
As the children work, the teacher can review the main ideas:
- Jacob wore Esau’s clothes.
- Jacob had goatskins on his neck and hands.
- Jacob pretended to be Esau.
- Jacob took Esau’s blessing.
The yarn adds texture and makes the most memorable part of Jacob’s disguise easy for preschool children to recall.
Reviewing the Bible Truth
The lesson closes with a short review using simple questions.
- Who did Isaac plan to bless?
- Who made a plan for Jacob to receive the blessing?
- Whose clothes did Jacob wear?
- What was placed on Jacob’s neck and hands?
- Who did Jacob pretend to be?
- What did Jacob receive?
The class then repeats the lesson truth once more: Jacob took Esau’s blessing.
The closing prayer thanks God for keeping His promises and asks Him to help the children tell the truth, obey Him, and make good choices.
Jacob Takes Esau’s Blessing Take Home Booklet
The take home booklet gives children another opportunity to review the story with their families.
The booklet includes a coloring page showing Jacob bringing the special food to Isaac. It also includes a Bible verse from Genesis 27:21.
Inside, children can trace the lesson truth: Jacob took Esau’s blessing.
Additional activities ask children to identify the things Jacob used to pretend to be Esau and to circle the person who received Isaac’s blessing.
The back of the booklet reviews three important things children learned:
- Isaac wanted to give Esau his special blessing.
- Jacob wore Esau’s clothes and goatskins.
- Jacob pretended to be Esau and took the blessing.
Why This Preschool Bible Lesson Works
The Jacob Takes Esau’s Blessing Preschool Bible Lesson uses several ways of learning to help young children understand the story.
- The storybook provides clear visual storytelling.
- The retelling props allow children to move the characters and dress Jacob.
- The matching activity uses familiar body senses to review important clues.
- The yarn craft adds a hands on sensory experience.
- The take home booklet supports repetition and family review.
Together, these activities make a complex Bible story more concrete and understandable for preschool children.
What Is Included
The complete Jacob Takes Esau’s Blessing Preschool Bible Lesson includes:
- Teacher lesson plan and script
- Three Promises to Abraham review picture
- Jacob Takes Esau’s Blessing storybook
- Printable retelling characters and props
- Removable Esau clothing and goatskin pieces
- Isaac’s Senses matching activity
- Optional senses worksheet
- Jacob Pretended to Be Esau yarn craft
- Take home booklet
- Printable review activities
Get the Complete Jacob Takes Esau’s Blessing Lesson
The complete resource is available from Kinder Resources.
The Jacob Takes Esau’s Blessing Preschool Bible Lesson is designed for Sunday School, church programs, Christian preschool, and faith based early learning settings.
Blessings as you teach! 😊
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