Jacob and Esau Reconcile Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Two brothers, together again.”
Jacob was coming home after many years away. He had a big family now, and many animals. Long ago he had tricked his brother Esau. And Esau had been very angry.
The night before, Jacob had wrestled until morning. God had blessed him and given him a new name: Israel. Now Jacob was limping because of his hip.
Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked. There was Esau, coming with four hundred men! Maybe Jacob’s heart was beating fast. What do you think Esau would do?
Jacob put his family in groups. First came the two servant women and their children. Then came Leah and her children. Last of all came Rachel and Joseph.
Then Jacob went out in front of them all. He walked toward his brother. And he bowed down to the ground seven times. Let’s count: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven! Can you bow down low?
And then Esau ran to meet him! He threw his arms around him. He hugged him. He kissed him. And they both cried. No more angry words. No more running away. Two brothers, together again.
Esau saw the women and the children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” Graciously means kindly, as a gift.
Then the whole family came near and bowed down to Esau. First the servant women and their children came. Then Leah and her children. Then Joseph and Rachel.
Esau asked about all the animals he had met on the way. “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” Company means group. Jacob had sent the animals ahead as a present for him.
Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; let that which you have be yours.” But Jacob said, “I have seen your face, as one sees the face of God.” Esau was not angry anymore. He was kind.
Jacob said, “Please take the gift that I brought to you. God has dealt graciously with me.” Jacob asked again and again. So Esau took it. Two brothers, together again.
Esau said, “Let’s take our journey, and let’s go. I will go before you.” That means: let’s travel together, and I will lead the way.
But Jacob said the children were little. The baby sheep and baby goats were little too. They could not walk fast. Jacob said, “I will lead on gently, according to the pace of the children.” Pace means how fast you walk. Can you take slow, gentle steps?
So Esau went back home to Seir that same day.
Jacob went on slowly. At Succoth he built a house, and he made shelters for his animals. Then he came in peace to Shechem, in the land of Canaan. Two brothers, together again.
There Jacob built an altar to God. He called it El Elohe Israel. That means “God, the God of Israel.” And Israel was Jacob’s new name!
God brought the two brothers back together in peace. Two brothers, together again.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Jacob felt when he saw Esau running toward him?
- What do you think the two brothers talked about after the big hug?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Jacob bowed down 7 times. Color the 7 bowing people.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Esau ran to meet him, embraced him” — Genesis 33:4 (Esau ran to meet him → run in place; embraced him → give yourself a big hug)
Dear God, thank you for hugs and for making up. Thank you that you bring families together. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Forgiveness Brings Us Together
Memory verse: “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32 · WEB
The Bible story
After years apart, Jacob travels home, terrified his brother Esau is still angry — but the tearful, joyful welcome he receives changes everything.
Talk about it
- Why was Jacob worried about meeting Esau? — He had upset Esau long ago
- What did Jacob send ahead to his brother? — Gifts of animals
- What did Jacob do the evening before meeting Esau? — He prayed to God
- How many men were coming with Esau? — Four hundred men
- What did Jacob do with his family when he saw Esau? — Put them in a careful line
- How did Jacob greet his brother? — He bowed low seven times
Where is Jesus in this story?
When Esau ran to hug the brother who had once wronged him, it gives us a little picture of God's love. Jesus told a story about a father who ran to welcome home a son who had done wrong, throwing his arms around him with joy. That is how God feels about us — He does not stay angry, but runs to forgive us and bring us home. Jesus came so that we could be friends with God again, forever.
What God wants to tell us
Jacob was scared that his brother would still be angry, but Esau chose to forgive and love him instead. God shows us that saying sorry and forgiving one another can heal even the biggest hurts. When we let go of anger and open our arms the way Esau did, God fills our hearts with peace and turns sad goodbyes into happy hellos.
Prayer
Thank You, God, for loving me even when I make mistakes. Help me to say sorry when I am wrong, and to forgive others the way Esau forgave Jacob. Fill my heart with kindness and peace, and help me run toward people with love. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
