The Birth Of Jacob (Genesis 25:19-28) Basic 2 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Narrate the story of the birth of Jacob
2. Explain how Jacob cheated his brother and father
3. Discuss Jacob’s dream at Bethel
4. State the blessings promised to Jacob

Introduction

Today we will learn about Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, whose life shows us how God can change people and use them for His plan of salvation.

Lesson Content

The Birth of Jacob (Genesis 25:19-28)

Isaac and Rebekah:

• Isaac was Abraham’s son
• Isaac married Rebekah
• For a long time, they had no children
• Isaac prayed to God for children
• God answered his prayer and Rebekah became pregnant

The Birth of Twins:

• Rebekah was going to have twins
• Before they were born, the babies struggled inside her
• God told Rebekah: “Two nations are in your womb”
• “The older will serve the younger”

Esau and Jacob Born:

• The first baby was born red and hairy – named Esau
• The second baby was holding Esau’s heel – named Jacob
• Jacob’s name means “heel grabber” or “supplanter”
• Esau became a hunter who loved the outdoors
• Jacob was quiet and stayed near the tents

Different Parents’ Favorites:

• Isaac loved Esau because he brought him wild game to eat
• Rebekah loved Jacob more
• This favoritism caused problems in the family

How Jacob Cheated His Brother and Father:

1. Stealing Esau’s Birthright (Genesis 25:29-34)

What is a Birthright:

• The first-born son got special privileges
• He would inherit most of his father’s wealth
• He would become the family leader
• He would receive God’s special blessings

How Jacob Got the Birthright:

• One day Esau came home very hungry from hunting
• Jacob was cooking red stew
• Esau said, “Give me some of that red stew! I’m starving!”
• Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright”

WEEK 10

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Narrate the story of Joseph and Moses
2. Discuss Joseph’s dreams
3. Explain the events that led to the release of the Israelites from Egypt
4. Describe the events of the crossing of the Red Sea

Introduction Begin by reviewing the previous lesson on God’s plan of salvation. Remind pupils that God always has a plan to help His people, even in difficult times.

Main Content

1. The Story of JosephJoseph’s Early Life:

• Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son among his twelve sons
• His father gave him a beautiful coat of many colors
• His brothers became jealous of him

Joseph’s Dreams:

• Joseph had two special dreams from God:
  • First Dream: He dreamed that he and his brothers were binding sheaves of grain in the field. His sheaf stood up straight while his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to his
  • Second Dream: He saw the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him
• These dreams meant that one day Joseph would be a great leader
• His brothers became more jealous and angry when he told them about his dreams

Joseph Sold into Slavery:

• His jealous brothers sold him to merchants going to Egypt
• They told their father that Joseph was killed by a wild animal
• In Egypt, Joseph became a slave but God was with him

Joseph Becomes a Leader:

• God helped Joseph interpret dreams
• He interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams about seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine
• Pharaoh made Joseph the second most powerful man in Egypt
• Joseph’s dreams came true when his family came to Egypt for food and bowed before him

2. The Story of Moses and the Israelites in Egypt (15 minutes)

The Israelites Become Slaves:

• After Joseph died, the Israelites multiplied greatly in Egypt
• A new Pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph made them slaves
• The Israelites suffered greatly under harsh treatment

Moses is Called by God:

• God called Moses through a burning bush that was not consumed
• God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of His people
• Moses was afraid, but God promised to be with him

The Ten Plagues:

• When Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go, God sent ten plagues:
  1. Water turned to blood
  2. Frogs
  3. Gnats/Lice
  4. Flies
  5. Death of livestock
  6. Boils
  7. Hail
  8. Locusts
  9. Darkness
  10. Death of firstborn sons

The Passover:

• Before the final plague, God told the Israelites to put lamb’s blood on their doorposts
• The angel of death “passed over” houses with blood on the doorposts
• After his son died, Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites go

3. The Crossing of the Red SeaThe Escape:

• Moses led about 600,000 Israelites out of Egypt
• God guided them with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night

Pharaoh Changes His Mind:

• Pharaoh regretted letting the Israelites go
• He chased after them with his army
• The Israelites were trapped between the army and the Red Sea

The Miracle at the Red Sea:

• Moses stretched out his hand over the sea
• God parted the waters, creating a dry path through the sea
• The Israelites walked through on dry ground with walls of water on both sides
• When the Egyptian army followed, God caused the waters to return
• The Egyptian army was drowned, but all the Israelites were saved

Class Activity Have pupils act out key scenes from the stories:

• Group 1: Joseph telling his dreams to his brothers
• Group 2: Moses at the burning bush
• Group 3: The crossing of the Red Sea

Summary and Evaluation Ask pupils to answer these questions:

1. What were Joseph’s two dreams about?
2. How did Joseph become a leader in Egypt?
3. What were three of the plagues God sent to Egypt?
4. How did God help the Israelites cross the Red Sea?

Conclusion

Emphasize that these stories show God’s plan of salvation – He always provides a way to save His people. Just as He saved Joseph’s family and the Israelites, God has a plan to save us today.