JACOB The Conniving Survivor Prepare Key Passages Genesis 25:24-34 Jacob Is Born and Bargains for Esau s Birthright Genesis 27 Jacob Receives Isaac s Blessing Genesis 29 30 Marrying Leah and Rachel Genesis 32:22-32 Jacob Wrestles Genesis 33 Jacob Reunites with Esau What s behind all this? Sibling rivalry. Lying. Stealing. Cheating. Jealousy. Polygamy. Wrestling. Forgiveness. The story of Jacob has it all. As with most Bible heroes, Jacob is a flawed and imperfect person who God uses do to great things. From birth, Jacob was shrewd, cunning, and even devious. As the younger twin brother of Esau, he weaseled his way by means of a delicious stew and a peculiar disguise into the birthright reserved for the oldest son. From that moment on, there was a lot of pressure on Jacob. His grandfather, Abraham, was blessed by God to be the father of nations, but he only had 1 son, Isaac. In turn, Isaac and Rebekah were parents of Jacob and Esau. Nothing less than the Patriarchal Covenant was at stake. Despite some back-and-forth chicanery between Jacob and his uncle, Jacob got married and fathered 12 sons. After a wrestling match with God, Jacob was renamed Israel and his sons became known as the 12 tribes of Israel. Jacob showed his faithfulness in odd ways, but he survived the challenges of his life by doing what he believed God was calling him to do. Even when Jacob s methods were unorthodox, God remained with Jacob. God blessed Jacob in the midst of his shrewd and conniving actions and continued the covenant relationship that began with Jacob s grandfather, Abraham. Jacob heal grabber. Israel God wrestler. Both names were given to the man who was the grandson of Abraham and the father of the 12 tribes of God s people. re:form Ancestors Jacob 29
Where are TEENS at? Young people are strongly influenced by their family. As they get older, they begin to compare their family traits with those of other families. Jacob came from a family marked by deceit and lying. The relationship between Jacob and his brother, Esau, was defined by rivalry. Youth will relate their family experiences to this story in varying ways. Be open to listening to what teens have to say, but don t be afraid to direct conversation back to the conniving survivor. Most teens are establishing a new way of dealing with conflict, which psychologists call fight or flight. When a person is faced with conflict, they either fight with actions or words or the take flight by removing themselves from the situation. Jacob found himself in the middle of several struggles and handled them in a variety of ways. Encourage teens to consider how they might have responded if faced with similar circumstances. 30 20 1 1 sparkhouse. All Rights Reserved. May be reproduced for local use only provided each copy carries this notice.
encounter 15 minutes Make sure you ve got the obvious stuff for this session re:form Ancestors video (DVD or download), Anti-Workbooks, Bibles, pens or pencils, paper, tape, etc. VIDEO 1. SEt up Ask teens to think of a time they were tricked into doing something. Perhaps an older sibling or friend manipulated them into doing something silly without realizing it. Or maybe a parent tricked them into doing a chore. Have them share their story with a partner. Invite them to keep those stories in mind when they watch the video. 2. Watch Jacob: The Conniving Survivor, Chapter 4 3. Unpack Besides conniving survivor, what words would you use to describe Jacob? How does Jacob s relationship with his family compare to your relationship with your family? Why do you think God would lift up someone such as Jacob? Who does Jacob remind you of? Why? Paper plates. Chenille sticks. Sequins. Beads. Glue. Markers. You may want to reference childhood stories that address the theme of trickery. Some examples include The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood. What about the Bible? Have youth take turns reading aloud from Genesis 27:1-29. Consider assigning teens to read the parts of Jacob, Rebekah, Isaac, and narrator. Invite teens to create a paper plate mask in the likeness of someone in their family. Remind them to think of prominent physical attributes that define their family member and display those on the paper plate. How was Jacob able to trick his father into giving him his brother s blessing? What do you think about the role of Jacob and Esau s mother, Rebekah? Which member of your family does your mask represent? What kinds of masks or disguises do you sometimes put on when you re interacting with members of your family? In other parts of your life? re:form Ancestors Jacob 31
engage 25-30 minutes Choose 1, 2, or all 3 activities from pages 12 13 of the Anti-Workbook for your Engage time together. 1. red STUFF, RED STUFF Where s this going? Youth consider the ways they and others act like Jacob by deceiving and being deceived by others. Scraps of red paper. Without even haggling, Esau gave Jacob his birthright for a bowl of stew. Ask a volunteer to read Genesis 25:29-32. Distribute scraps of red paper to each person. Invite everyone to write examples of the red stuff they have offered others. This can include items, information, ideas, or other things they have bargained with to get their way. They might also write about times they were offered red stuff by others. After they have written one item on each scrap of paper, have them tape their red stuff to the bowl in the AW. Allow time for teens to read some examples of red stuff aloud. re:form Ancestors DVD What do you think about the way in which Jacob acquired Esau s birthright? Many research studies have found that firstborn kids tend to be reliable, cooperative, assertive, ambitious, and crave approval. How do you respond when you feel tricked or deceived? How does this part of the story fit into God s plan for Jacob? 2. JACOB S AMAZING RACE Where s this going? Youth experience having someone tied to them through an amazing race and wonder about always having God with us, just like Jacob did. birth-right being entitled to something, such as land, money, or power, by virtue of birth order Ahead of time, set up stations with the following instructions for Jacob s Amazing Race: Rock Pillow: Write Jacob s words from Genesis 28:16 on a rock. Tree of Wives: Draw Jacob s family tree by using Genesis 29:31 30:24. Wrestling Match: Thumb wrestle with your partner. Label one thumb God and the other Jacob. Hey Brother: Cross the finish line, throw your AW on the ground, shout Hey, brother! and give a high five. Rocks. Permanent and washable markers. Poster board. Masking tape. Twine. 32 Shoot video of the race and post it on the re:form Gallery! Introduce the activity to youth by explaining that throughout Jacob s journey, God was always with him, as if tied to his leg. Remind them that our lives are full of adventures and struggles, and God is always with us, too. Have teens stand next to a partner and tie their inside legs together with twine, in the style of a 3-legged race. Give a brief explanation of each of the stations of Jacob s Amazing Race. Have pairs move to a starting line 20 1 1 sparkhouse. All Rights Reserved. May be reproduced for local use only provided each copy carries this notice.
and begin the race. The first team to check off all stations wins. For an added twist, tell pairs that they must balance both AWs between their tied legs as they move from station to station. What did you notice about Jacob s story as you raced with your partner? If your life were an amazing race, what would some milestones be? How do you know God is with you on your journey? 3. heel GRABBER Where s this going? Teens reflect on Jacob s identity and consider the ways their own identity is shaped. Remind youth that Jacob s first action as he was being born was to grab onto his brother s heel. From that point on, he was known as a heel grabber. Invite everyone to reflect on what they re known for, what they want to be known for, and what they wish they weren t known for. Encourage teens to write several examples on the heel-shaped paper slips you ve provided and then tape the slips over the corresponding pictures in their AWs. Allow an opportunity for them to share their responses with a partner or small group. What kind of first impression do you think you make? How do you think your words and actions affect what others think of you? What s something about your reputation you disagree with? Heel-shaped paper slips. Jacob, heel-grabber and supplanter, was now struggling for the benefit of others and had earned the double-edged name Israel one who strives with God and shows himself ready to accept God s blessing. re:form Ancestors DVD Jacob had 4 wives (Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, Zilpah) and as many as 33 children. Unlike his grandfather (Abraham) and father (Isaac), who only produced 1 or 2 children, the father of nations covenant made with Abraham became most profoundly realized through Jacob. re:form Ancestors Jacob 33
respond 15-20 minutes Colored pencils. Mural paper. Tape. Small strips of paper. Take a picture of the mural and post it on the re:form Gallery. Regroup Unroll a large sheet of mural paper for every 6 8 teens. Ask teens to draw several images of how God has held onto them or how they have clung to God throughout their lives. When everyone has had a chance to add something to the mural, tape it to the wall. Encourage discussion about the various times in Jacob s life during which he was clinging to, wrestling with, arguing with, and embracing God. Share Close the session with an opportunity for youth to share what they have learned about the character and how that connects with their life. Identify aspects of their work and recall points of discussion that can serve to recap the session for youth. Which image on the mural is most powerful for you? Why? How have you experienced God in the midst of a dysfunctional relationship? How does clinging to God help you endure life s tough spots? Send Have teens write Genesis 28:16 on several small pieces of paper. As they leave, invite them to place these notes around the building under seat cushions, on door frames, in the corner of bathroom mirrors, and other creative spots. Encourage teens to remember that God is dwelling in our lives, even when we don t know it. 34 20 1 1 sparkhouse. All Rights Reserved. May be reproduced for local use only provided each copy carries this notice.