I am sorry

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Begin: Guide reads the background, scripture & prays for the class Unwrap-Opening Activity

10:00-10:10

Set the Altar

10:10-10:15

Investigate: Tell & Wonder about the Story 10:15-10:30 Learn By Doing & Snack 10:30-10:45 Dismiss: Review the Cornerstone & Closing Prayer 10:50

Explore how the brothers Jacob and Esau say “I am sorry.”

Opening Prayer

Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids. He put the maids with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on ahead of them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Amen. Excerpted from A Prayer attributed to St. Francis, BCP p. 833.

Even young children can relate to the concept of siblings, and the complexities of that relationship. And they can probably relate to fighting with siblings. Jacob and Esau were Isaac’s twin sons, Abraham’s grandsons. In a culture that only rewarded the oldest son, Esau was born first. We are told in Genesis 25 that before they were born, the two boys “struggled together within her (Rebekah) (Gen. 25:22). Jacob was born second, “with his hand gripping Esau’s heel” (Gen. 25.26).

Then, God tells him to return to “the land of his birth” (Gen. 31:13).

That struggle continued after Jacob successfully acquired both Esau’s birthright (Gen. 25.31-34) and Isaac’s blessing (Gen. 27.18-40). The older son literally plans to murder his brother (Gen. 27.41), so Jacob leaves home. He doesn’t return for 20 years.

What is like to say that we are sorry? What is it like to hear those words? How ready are we to seek forgiveness, and to forgive others?

Arrival Activity

We find in today’s reading that Jacob approaches his brother with fear. He has arranged generous gifts to appease his wronged brother. Here, our story takes a surprising turn. Esau, who has been successful on his own, has apparently forgiven his brother and greets him affectionately.

Coloring Sheet: see last page (copies will be provided in your box)

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How many of you have a brother or a sister? (take a show of hands) Even though you love your sibling, I wonder if you have ever gotten into an argument with them or been upset with them for some reason? You don’t need to say what those fights were about, but I do want you to imagine it in your head. Try to remember what it feels like to be frustrated or upset with your brother or sister (or even a friend) because today’s story is about two brothers who did NOT get along with each other AT ALL. These brothers had such a hard time getting along, that they started fighting with each other BEFORE they were even BORN! I wonder how that could be possible?! (see if the children have any ideas or responses) I’ll tell you how: the brothers were twins. Do you know anyone who is a twin? Twins are together in their mother’s womb before they are born, and these twin brothers kicked and fought so much in their mommy’s body that she was very uncomfortable.

Bible, page 44. How you would feel to be tricked like this?! (let class respond) Well, Esau was very upset by being tricked. He felt betrayed by his brother. He didn’t trust him anymore. Jacob was afraid Esau would hurt him since he had treated him so badly, so Jacob left and went to live far, far away. But guess what?! After 20 years apart, the brothers decided to meet. They were both nervous to see the other: Jacob feared that Esau would kill him, and Esau feared that Jacob might trick him again. So, what do you think happened when they finally saw each other? Do you think they were still angry? Do you think they yelled at each other or fought? (let the children respond ) Instead of fighting or being angry about the past, they ran to each other with big hugs and both said “I’m sorry!” The brothers made up and became friends! This is such an important lesson on saying “I’m sorry,” and also on forgiveness.

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Even though they were twins, they looked nothing alike. The first twin to be born had a lot of red hair covering his head and body, so his parents named him ESAU, which means “hairy”.

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When the second twin arrived, he was doing something very strange: he was holding onto his brother’s foot when he was born! So, his parents gave him a name that meant “heel.” Does anyone know what his name was? JACOB.

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I wonder if you remember the last time you said “I’m sorry” to someone? I wonder if it is sometimes hard to say “I’m sorry?” Why or why not? I wonder why it’s important to apologize when we make mistakes? I wonder what happens when people don’t say “I’m sorry” for things they have done wrong?

Remember our story a few weeks ago about Abraham and Sarah? The ones to whom God promised a blessing of “descendants as many as the stars and sand”? Well, Jacob and Esau are their grandsons! They are proof that God kept his promise to Abraham of having a big family. Let’s hear the story. READ to the class from the Spark

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GAME IDEAS: Bring in the board game “Sorry” for the class to play or, play the card game Go Fish (decks of cards will be set out for you in the Resource Room to borrow). Instruct the children to say “I’m sorry! Draw a new card” (instead of just “Go Fish”) as a reminder of the lesson and the importance of those words. After the game, you might discuss that just saying the words “I’m sorry” (like they did in the game) is not enough. We have to mean them in our heart for them to be important. God wants us to admit our mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Saying “I’m sorry” is merely a message to the other person that we want things to be right again.

CRAFT IDEA: Hairy Esau Arm Cuff photo and instructions on page 5 These supplies will be set out in the Resource Room for you to grab if you would like to do this craft. You’ll Need: Brown paper, “hair,” and Elmer’s glue (in your class cabinet). Children will each get a half-sheet of brown construction paper and swirl glue onto the center 1/3 section Then, they will press “hair” into the glue. Once dry, use tape, or paper clips to help them create an “Esau arm cuff” to wear! They could even act out the story with each other using the cuff.

Say: Today we learned how God loves gifts that are given from the heart. Call: The Lord be with you. Response: And Also with you. Let us pray: Thank you God for teaching us to say, I am sorry. Help us to love everyone and to say, I am sorry when we hurt someone else.

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CRAFT IDEA: Hairy Esau Arm Cuff These supplies will be set out in the Resource Room for you to grab if you would like to do this craft. You’ll Need: Brown paper, “hair,” and Elmer’s glue (in your class cabinet). Children will each get a half-sheet of brown construction paper and swirl glue onto the center 1/3. Then, they will press “hair” into the glue. Once dry, use tape, staples or paper clips, help them create an “Esau arm cuff” to wear! They could even act out the story with each other using the cuff.

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Jacob & Esau: Brothers who said “I’m sorry!”

Jacob pretends to be his brother, Esau, to receive a special blessing from their father, Isaac. 6