Chapel of the Cross Faith & Family

This interactive Bible time is a great way for your family to gather around God's Word and read, listen, watch, sing, and do activities together that help you learn more about God's great love for you in Jesus.

Does your family always get along?

After twenty years of being unable to have children, God blessed Isaac and Rebekah with twin boys. But these boys were anything but identical! Even in the womb, they struggled with each other. The firstborn, Esau, came out red and hairy; he grew into a hunter and was Isaac’s favorite. Jacob came out grabbing his brother’s heel; he stayed near the tents with his mother, who favored him. God had told Rebekah that the older twin would serve the younger, but Isaac was intent on giving the inheritance blessing to Esau. Rebekah was not about to let that happen.

Gracious heavenly Father, thank You for giving us our families, even when we don't always get along. Help us to love one another. Bless our time together in Your Word. In Your name we pray. Amen.

God blesses us with families.

• Open your family Bible or a Children's Bible storybook and read this account together OR
• Read this account using an online Bible (Biblegateway.com) Genesis 25:19–34; 27:1–45 OR
• Listen to the Bible account being read using the video below.
  

• How were Jacob and Esau alike? How were they different?
• How did each person in this family do wrong?
• How did God bless this family, even though they sinned and hurt one another?
  

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. They had the same mother and father, but the looked very different. Esau was hairy and liked to hunt. Jacob was smooth-skinned and stayed at home. Esau was Isaac's favorite, but Jacob was Rebekah's favorite.

Each person in this account sinned against God and one another:

Isaac overlooked God’s prophecy that Jacob would rule over his brother.

Rebekah made her own plans for Jacob to get the blessing instead of trusting God.

Esau didn't care about his birthright.

Jacob deceived his father to get his blessing.

Even though this family did so many things to hurt one another, God forgave them and helped them to forgive one another. God still worked through this family to continue His plan of salvation. God's promise to Abraham and Isaac was also given to Jacob. One day, the Savior of the world would come from Jacob's family line.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of family. Help us to love one another and follow Your Word. Thank You for keeping Your promises to us, especially the promise to send our Savior, Jesus. In Your name we pray. Amen.

A portion of these Bible lesson materials are from the Enduring Faith Bible Curriculum from Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Find more resources to help your family draw closer to Christ at cph.org.

Click here for free devotional materials for children, families, and adults.

Chapel of the Cross--Lutheran exists to show the love of Jesus to North County and beyond, so that all may have a living relationship with Christ.

Our Core Values:

• Empowered by the cross of Christ
• People working together
• Opening the Word to all people
• Showing the love of Jesus
• Warm and supportive environment

Email: pastorlaesch@chapelofthecross.org
Website: http://www.chapelofthecross.org/
Location: 11645 Benham Rd, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 741-3737
Facebook: facebook.com/ChapelSTL