Jacob and Esau Preschool Bible Lesson

In this Jacob and Esau Preschool Bible Lesson, children learn about Isaac and Rebekah’s twin sons and discover how Esau gave away his important birthright for bread and lentil stew.

Jacob and Esau were twins, but they were very different. Esau enjoyed being outdoors and became a hunter. Jacob liked staying near the family tents and made red lentil stew.

One day, Esau came home very hungry. He asked Jacob for some stew. Jacob asked Esau to give him his birthright, and Esau agreed. The meal was soon gone, but Esau had given away something very important.

Rather than exploring every detail connected with the birthright, this preschool lesson centres on one simple truth:

Esau gave away something very important.

This post explains how the Jacob and Esau Preschool Bible Lesson introduces the story, uses hands on activities to reinforce understanding and helps preschoolers remember the lesson truth in a simple and age appropriate way.

Connecting Jacob and Esau to God’s Promises

The lesson begins with a short review of God’s promises to Abraham.

Children remember that God promised Abraham:

• A big family
• A land for his family
• A special blessing through Jesus

God began keeping His promise by giving Abraham and Sarah a son named Isaac. Isaac grew up and married Rebekah.

Isaac and Rebekah later had twin sons named Jacob and Esau. The boys were part of the large family God had promised Abraham.

This short review helps children understand that the story of Jacob and Esau is connected to the lessons they have already learned. God was continuing His plan for Abraham’s family.

Reading the Story in the Jacob and Esau Preschool Bible Lesson

Next, children listen to the story from Genesis 25:19 to 34.

Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons named Jacob and Esau.

Although they were twins, the brothers were very different.

Esau enjoyed being outdoors and became a hunter. Jacob liked staying near the family tents.

Esau was born first, so he had a birthright. The birthright was a very important gift. One day, Esau would receive more of the family’s land and animals.

One day, Jacob made red lentil stew.

Esau returned home from hunting and was very hungry. When he saw the stew, he asked Jacob for some.

Jacob asked Esau to give him his birthright. Esau agreed, and Jacob gave him bread and stew.

Esau ate the meal and walked away.

The food was soon gone, but Esau had given away his important birthright.

Throughout the lesson, children repeat the lesson truth:

Esau gave away something very important.

The printable storybook uses clear language and colourful illustrations to help young children follow the main events without becoming overwhelmed by details.

Hands On Jacob and Esau Retelling Activity

To help children understand and remember the story, the lesson includes a hands on retelling activity.

The teacher prepares the printable characters and story props:

• Jacob
• Esau
• A cooking pot of red lentil stew
• A bowl of stew
• A bow and arrows
• A birthright card

As the story is retold, children help move the characters and props.

Esau is given the bow and arrows because he enjoyed being outdoors and became a hunter.

Jacob is placed beside the cooking pot because he liked staying near the family tents and made red lentil stew.

The birthright card is shown and explained as something very important that belonged to Esau.

Esau is then moved towards Jacob and the stew. The birthright card is exchanged for the bowl of stew.

Children see that Esau received one meal, but Jacob received the important birthright.

The teacher reinforces the story with simple statements:

• Jacob made red lentil stew.
• Esau came home very hungry.
• Esau had an important birthright.
• Esau gave Jacob his birthright.
• Jacob gave Esau a meal.
• Esau gave away something very important.

This retelling activity turns the story into a concrete experience. Children can see and move the objects involved in the exchange, which helps them understand what happened.

Jacob or Esau Sorting Activity

The lesson also includes a whole group Jacob or Esau sorting activity.

Children first look at the two heading cards featuring Jacob and Esau. The teacher briefly reviews how the brothers were different.

Children then sort eight picture cards under the correct brother.

The pictures connected with Esau include:

• An outdoor scene
• A bow
• A quiver of arrows
• The birthright card

The pictures connected with Jacob include:

• The family tent
• The cooking pot
• A wooden spoon
• A bowl of lentil stew

As each card is sorted, the teacher connects it to the story.

Esau liked being outdoors. He became a hunter and used a bow and arrows. He was also born first and had an important birthright.

Jacob liked staying near the family tents. He made red lentil stew and gave Esau a meal.

Once all the pictures have been sorted, children review the main event:

What did Esau give Jacob?

His birthright.

What did Esau receive?

Bread and stew.

The lesson also includes an optional cut and paste worksheet. Children cut out the eight pictures and glue each one beneath the correct heading.

This provides an additional way to review the differences between the brothers while practising cutting, gluing and visual sorting skills.

Lentil Stew Craft

To reinforce the lesson, children complete a simple lentil stew craft.

Each child receives a printable craft page showing Esau standing behind a large bowl.

Children first colour Esau and the bowl. The large blank area inside the bowl is then covered with Elmer’s School Glue.

Children sprinkle or place dry red lentils onto the glue and gently press them down.

A shallow tray can be placed beneath the page to catch any loose lentils. The finished crafts should remain flat until the glue is completely dry.

As the children work, the teacher reviews the story:

• Jacob made red lentil stew.
• Esau came home very hungry.
• Esau gave Jacob his birthright.
• Jacob gave Esau bread and stew.
• Esau gave away something very important.

The real lentils add a sensory and fine motor element to the activity. Children can see and touch the food that became part of the story.

The finished craft also includes the lesson truth:

Esau gave away something very important.

Reviewing the Bible Truth

At the end of the lesson, children gather together for a short review.

The teacher asks simple questions such as:

Who were Isaac and Rebekah’s twin sons?

Jacob and Esau.

What did Jacob make?

Red lentil stew.

What did Esau give away?

His birthright.

Which was more important, the birthright or one meal?

The birthright.

Children then repeat the lesson truth together:

Esau gave away something very important.

This short review helps children remember the main people, objects and events from the story.

The closing prayer thanks God for keeping His promises to Abraham. It also asks God to help the children think carefully and care about what is truly important.

Jacob and Esau Take Home Booklet

Each child receives a take home booklet that reviews the story and lesson truth.

The booklet begins with three simple learning points:

1. Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons named Jacob and Esau.
2. Jacob made red lentil stew.
3. Esau gave Jacob his birthright for bread and stew.

Children can colour a story picture showing Jacob, Esau, the stew and the birthright.

The booklet also includes a Twins, but Different activity. Children draw lines to match Jacob and Esau with the pictures connected to each brother.

A handwriting page allows children to trace:

Esau gave away his birthright.

Another activity asks children to colour and circle what Esau gave away. Children choose between the birthright card, the stew, the spoon and the bow and arrows.

These simple activities help families review the lesson at home and give children another opportunity to talk about what Esau gave away.

Why This Jacob and Esau Preschool Bible Lesson Works

This Jacob and Esau Preschool Bible Lesson works well because it connects naturally to the lessons about Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah.

Children first learned that God promised Abraham a big family. They then learned how Isaac was born and how Rebekah became his wife. Now they meet the next generation of Abraham’s family.

The lesson uses repetition, visual storytelling, hands on retelling, sorting, craft and simple discussion to help preschoolers understand one clear truth:

Esau gave away something very important.

The retelling pieces help children see the exchange between Esau and Jacob.

The sorting activity helps children remember how the brothers were different.

The lentil craft gives children a concrete reminder of the meal Esau received.

The take home booklet provides a simple way for children and families to review the story together.

By keeping the focus clear and developmentally appropriate, children leave the lesson understanding that Esau traded something very important for one meal.

Purchase the Jacob and Esau Preschool Bible Lesson

The complete Jacob and Esau Preschool Bible Lesson includes:

• Teacher introduction and faith focus
• Complete teacher script
• Three Promises to Abraham review picture
• Printable Jacob and Esau storybook
• Hands on retelling characters and props
• Jacob or Esau sorting activity
• Optional sorting cut and paste worksheet
• Lentil stew craft template
• Closing review and prayer
• Take home booklet

You can find the complete lesson here:

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Blessings!