YEA Lesson Library
Change of Heart
About This Lesson
This lesson tells about the change in Jacob’s heart, as well as God changing his name to Israel. The student learns that when your heart changes, so do your actions.
Scriptures
Genesis 32:22-31
Genesis 35:9-10
2 Chronicles 7:14
Psalm 32:2
Proverbs 1:22-23
Ezekiel 18:30-32
Hosea 12:2-6
Romans 12:1-2
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
Ephesians 1:6-7
Colossians 1:12-14
Words to Know
HUMBLY - not full of pride, being aware of one's shortcomings
RIVER JABBOK - a river that empties into the Jordan River, about 20 miles north of the Dead Sea
SCHEMER - one who has a secret plan for getting what he wants
SUPERNATURAL - not of human origin, of God
The Lesson
When your mom and dad named you, they probably liked the sound of the name. Sometimes names are passed down from father to son. Some girls are named after movie stars or someone famous. But, in Bible times names had a special meaning. The name might describe how a person looked. Or, it might describe what the parent hoped the child would one day become.
Jacob's name means that he took something by force or trickery. Do you remember how he bargained with his brother to sell him his birthright? He wouldn't give him a bowl of stew until Esau agreed. Jacob also tricked his father into giving the special blessing to him instead of Esau. But, now he had to see his brother Esau, whose blessing he had received. Jacob was about to meet with Esau face to face.
The last time Jacob saw his brother, Esau was very mad at him. Esau even threatened to kill Jacob for what he had done. So, Jacob was sent away. Now it was time for Jacob to go home. He was nearing his homeland. Jacob received a message that Esau and four hundred men were coming to meet him. Do you think this was the end for Jacob?
No, Jacob prayed, "O God of Abraham my grandfather, and of my father Isaac - O Jehovah who told me to return to the land of my relatives, and said that you would do me good. I am not worthy of the least of all your loving kindnesses shown me again and again just as you promised me. For when I left home I owned nothing except a walking stick! And now I am two armies! O Lord, please deliver me from destruction at the hand of my brother Esau, for I am frightened - terribly afraid that he is coming to kill me and these mothers and my children. But you promised to do me good, and to multiply my descendants until they become as the sands along the shores- too many to count" (Genesis 32:11-12 TLB).
Jacob, the schemer, now began to think of ways to make peace with Esau. He divided his flocks, herds, and his families into groups. Then he sent gifts ahead to Esau. He sent 220 goats, 220 sheep, 30 camels and their babies, 50 head of cattle, and 30 donkeys! Why do you think Jacob sent all these animals? Could it be he thought the gifts would buy Esau's forgiveness?
During the night Jacob got up and wakened his wives and children and took them across the Jordan River at the Jabbok ford. He returned to the camp as was alone - or so he thought! During the night God came toJacob in the form of a man. He wrestled with Jacob all night long. Since God was in human form, He was not using His supernatural power. Jacob seemed to be winning. Then all at once the Man touched Jacob's hip and the bone went out of place. Jacob knew then that he had been wrestling with God, and not just a man. Jacob held on for dear life. The Man told Jacob to let Him go. But Jacob said he wouldn't let Him go until He blessed him. Hadn't God already promised to bless Jacob?
Before morning, God renewed His promise to Jacob. He let Jacob know that he had power with God because he didn't give up. God also changed Jacob's name. He was no longer one who tricks or schemes. He became Israel, prince of God. Jacob knew now that God would truly keep His promise.
The next morning Jacob crossed the river. He saw Esau coming toward him with his 400 men. How do you think Jacob's prayer and meeting with God the night before affected how he felt? Jacob reminded himself ofGod's promise. He bowed himself humbly before Esau. And, instead of coming to kill Jacob, Esau ran to meet him. He hugged Jacob around the neck and cried. Do you think there was a change in Esau's heart as well as Jacob's?
What do you think Jacob did as soon as he settled in the land of his father? What is the first thing you should do when God blesses you? Jacob did what his father and grandfather did after receiving the promise of God; he built an altar. There he thanked God and proclaimed that the True God was the God of Israel.
What do you think changed Jacob from being a schemer and cheater? And, why do you think God changed his name from Jacob to Israel? Don't you think it was because Jacob had a change of heart? When your heart changes, then your actions change also.
The Apostle Paul says, "God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive.Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him. Don't live any longer the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed" (Romans 12:1-2 NIrV). How has your heart changed? Can God see it? Can your friends and family see it?
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for changing Jacob's heart from being a cheater and a schemer to a prince of God. Take my life and use me to be an example to others. Let others see by my actions that my life and heart have been changed.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Genesis 35:9-10
Monday - Proverbs 1:22-23
Tuesday - 2 Chronicles 7:14
Wednesday - Ephesians 1:6-7
Thursday - 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
Friday- Colossians 1:12-14
Saturday- Ezekiel 18:30-31
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Explain why Jacob sent such a large gift to his brother Esau.
2. Tell who it was that Jacob wrestled.
3. Define the meaning ofJacob and Israel.
4. State that when your heart is changed, so are your actions.
Topics & Themes
Change
Forgiveness
God’s Promises
Gratitude
Names
Perseverance
Prayer
Repentance
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students' and teacher's books, attendance and memory verse chart, stars, cassette, songbook, player and music tape or CD, mat or blanket, poster board, posters, markers, crayons, bell, awards
Preparation
Make a wrestling mat by placing a mat or blanket on the floor in the center of your room. Line the chairs around the perimeter of the mat for the spectators (students). You might want to purchase posters of wrestlers, or make your own, to decorate the room. Write "Round I" "Round 2," and "Round 3" on three separate sheets of poster board.
Wrestling Terms: Choke Hold -attacker grabs the victim by the throat with I or 2 hands; Full Body Press - attacker jumps at the victim at an angle, knocking him to the mat and holds him down; Hammer Lock - attacker grabs the arm of the victim and pulls it behind his back, pulling up to apply pressure to the elbow and shoulder; Leg Breaker - attacker grabs the victim's leg and holds it horizontal to the mat, places his own leg over the victim's leg and drops down driving the leg into the mat; Pinned - any move which disables the victim so that his shoulders are pinned to the mat; Scissor Hold - the attacker locks his legs around the body of the victim and applies pressure.
How to Teach This Lesson
Real or Phoney? - Ask if any of the kids have ever seen a wrestling match on TV. The wrestlers have names like: The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Undertaker and Bossman. They get into the ring and proceed to punch and toss each other around with moves like the drop kick, the choke hold, body slam and scissor hold. In the end one of the wrestlers is awarded a belt with a huge metal emblem; he is given the title of "champion." Ask: Have you ever wondered how those men could walk away, or even stand, after all that punishment? Is it for real, or is it just a show?
Match of a Lifetime - Jacob was about to come face to face with his brother whom he had cheated. But this wasn't the match of his lifetime. He already had a plan to win his brother’s forgiveness. He sent 580 animals to Esau as a gift. He divided his family and herds into groups and sent them ahead to impress Esau with his wealth. But, when he was alone, he met with a powerful opponent. God came to him in the form of a man.
Round I - (Have one of the students walk around on the mat holding up the sign showing all the students. Ring the bell to start the round.) Sometime in the night the Man came and began to wrestle with Jacob. He caught Jacob off guard and the struggle was on. One would have a choke hold or a hammer lock, then the other had a scissor hold. Finally Jacob had the Man pinned; it looked like he was winning. Ask: How is it that Jacob, a man, could be winning a wrestling match with God? Since God was in a human form, He wasn’t using His awesome power. (Ring bell to end the round.)
Round 2- (Student holds up second sign, as above. Ring bell.) Jacob and the Man had been wrestling all night. The Man told Jacob to let him go, but Jacob had him in a full body press. So, near sunrise the Man used a leg breaker on Jacob that put his hip out of joint. (Ring the bell.) Have someone read Jeremiah 32:17. This match isn't over yet!
Round 3- (Student holds up third sign. Ring the bell.) Now Jacob was injured, all he could do was hold on to the Man. He realized that this was not just a man he was wrestling. No man had such awesome power. He realized that he was in the presence of God. So Jacob begged God to bless him. Ask: How did changing his name prove to Jacob that God would bless him? Jacob means schemer, or one who takes something by force or trickery. Israel means prince of God.
A Change of Two Hearts - Ask: As Jacob went to meet his brother the next day, what did Jacob do that showed that his heart, as well as his name, was changed? Instead of being scheming, Jacob was humble (bowed himself, Genesis 33:3). Ask: What did Esau do that showed that his heart was changed? He ran and hugged Jacob, weeping.
Round 4 - Jacob came away from his wrestling match as a winner. God blessed him and changed him. Ask: According to Romans 12:1-2, what must you do to have your heart changed? When your heart is changed, so are your actions!
Review Questions
1. What did Jacob do to try to win Esau's forgiveness?
2. After Jacob sent his herds and family across the River Jabbok, who met with him?
3. How was it that Jacob seemed to be winning the wrestling match?
4. What did the Man do that showed Jacob that He was really God?
5. Jacob walked with a limp, but in what way was he a winner?
6. What evidence was there that Jacob's heart was changed? That Esau's heart was changed?
7. If your heart is changed, what else will change?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Divide your class into two groups. Have one group compose an advertisement describing the wrestler, "Scheming Jacob," and the other group "Israel, Prince ofGod." (If time permits, they can actually make a poster.)
Have the students recite John 1:1-18, the longer memory work assignment for this book. Give an award to every student who can recite it.
REACH Activity
Back to the Bible: Change Your Heart
Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” How does this verse relate to your lesson? Write an essay about this in your Bible notebook.
Journal Jot: Esau's Perspective
Imagine that you are Esau. You see all of these animals coming towards you. You see all of these people. And then you see your brother, Jacob. Pretend that you are Esau, writing in your journal at the end of the day. What do you write?
Word Study: remiyyah
This Hebrew word (remiyyah) is found in Psalm 32:2 and means “treachery” or “deceit.” When Jacob finally wrestled with God, he (Jacob) was changed. We know he was because God changed his name to Israel. If you remember, Jacob had stolen the blessing intended for Esau. He fled because Esau was angry enough to kill him. Now, Jacob (Israel) has come back to the land God had promised to give to him and to his descendants. Jacob was willing to make amends with his brother. No more deceit. No more trickery. He humbled himself (Genesis 33:3). This was a changed man.
God changes each of us, purifying us, molding us into the image of Jesus Christ. And that’s a very good thing! Write a thank you note to God - thanking Him for changing you!
Just Toolin’ Around: Jacob’s Timeline
Some study Bibles have a timeline of different Bible characters. The ESV Study Bible has a chart outlining the events in Jacob’s life. If you don’t have a study bible, search online. There are lots of websites which will give you a timeline of the major events in Jacob’s life. Copy the timeline into your Bible notebook. Be sure to cite where you got your information.
Did you Know? Peniel
Jacob named the place where he wrestled all night with God. He called it “Peniel.” That means “face of God.” Jacob said, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared” (Genesis 32:30, NIV).
If you met God face to face, what would you call the place?
Stretch It Out: Ballad
A ballad is a type of song which tells a story. The lines don’t necessarily need to rhyme, but they can. Write a ballad to tell the story of Jacob wrestling with God and then crossing the Jabbok River to meet Esau. Check the story carefully; make sure you are factual (Genesis 32-33). Set your ballad to music. You can use music that people already know, if you like. Share your ballad with your family.
Music Notes: Amazing Grace
This hymn is on page 106 of the CEM Hymnal.
John Newton is the author of the text of this hymn. He was a slave trader and rough seaman. One day there was a horrific storm at sea. Newton thought he was going to die. It was the changing point. He left the sea and became an ordained minister of the Anglican church. He wanted simple hymns for the parishioners to sing. Since there were very few at that time, he wrote the text and his close friend William Cowper wrote the melodies. Towards the end of his life, John Newton said, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!” (Source: Amazing Grace, Kenneth W. Osbeck, 1990, p. 170.)
As you sing this hymn, praise God for the grace that He has given to you through His Son Jesus Christ!
Questions?
Write down any questions you have in your Bible notebook so that you can remember to ask your parents or your pastor.
Song
"I Will Sing Of The Mercies Of The Lord Forever" is on page 17 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students to thank God for changing Jacob's heart and to ask Him to change their heart also.
Printable Pages
