February 16th & 23rd: Jacob and Esau
This story focuses on the actions of two very different siblings whose conflicts began when they were born. Esau was born first, with Jacob gripping Esau’s heel. Esau, the older, was red and hairy, while Jacob was the smooth-skinned younger twin. Esau loved the outdoors, while Jacob was content to stay close to home. Their sibling rivalry is understandable when we learn about the favoritism at play—Isaac loved Esau, while Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:28).
When Isaac blesses Jacob in this story, it is considered a deathbed blessing. In the ancient world, such a blessing held great power for the recipient’s future. Jacob stole this powerful blessing from his brother with help from his mother. (Esau’s rage is not mentioned in the Frolic Preschool Bible retelling—his anger was powerful enough that he declared he would kill Jacob!) This stolen blessing is not the end of the story, however. Jacob goes on to wrestle with God, be renamed Israel, and reconcile with Esau.
Young children learn that twins have a unique sibling relationship. In your family, you may have twins. If not, your child may have met twins in day care, at preschool, or at church by now. Language and expectations surrounding twins often focus on what’s the same and what’s different. However, these qualities may not matter as much to preschoolers. After all, young children are just beginning to notice differences in physical appearance.
But preschoolers are looking for ways to describe the differences they do perceive. They are also becoming aware that some differences lead to unfair treatment. This story mentions differences between Jacob and Esau, parent favoritism, and even trickery on Jacob’s part! You can help children understand the message that God made us different from each other. In the midst of our differences, God’s blessing is for all.
February 2nd & 9th: Abraham and Sarah
A man named Abram and his wife Sarai left their homeland to follow God’s call to a new land. They endured many trials during their journey, including Sarai’s barrenness. However, God was always with them. God renamed Abram Abraham, meaning “father of many nations.” God renamed Sarai Sarah, meaning “princess.” God promised Abraham and Sarah a child. This promise made Sarah laugh. She couldn’t believe she would have a child after waiting for so long! It seemed impossible, but God kept this promise.
Young children love hearing stories with impossible parts, because impossibility can
lead to humor, amazement, and delight. Sarah’s laughter then and your humor while teaching this story can help young children learn that keeping promises is a loving, joyful act. They’ll also learn about Isaac, the baby of God’s promise, who began a whole nation called Israel through his son Jacob. God’s family grows
to be bigger than all the stars in the sky.
January 19th & 26th: Noah
Read the story of Noah with your child:
“Noah! Build a boat,” God said. “Fill it with animals.”
Two at a time, animals crawled, flew, and waddled onto the boat.
Noah and his family hurried inside. Let’s look up to see the storm clouds gather.
A storm began! For 40 days rain poured from the sky. It rained and rained for 40 days!
A flood covered the whole world with water. That is so much rain!
Finally the rain stopped. The water dried up.
Two at a time, animals slithered, hopped, and wriggled off the boat.
Noah and his family hurried outside. The flood was over! God put a rainbow in the sky.
“I will never flood the earth again,” God promised.
When we see a rainbow in the sky, we can remember God’s promise.
Pray together:
Dear God, thank you for keeping promises to us.
Where we are,
Whatever we do.
Thank you for being with us.
Amen.
January 5th & 12th: Creation
Read the story with your child:
In the beginning, there was nothing - except for God. Then God breathed and began to speak.
“Light! Let there be light!” God made light. And it was good.
“Sky!" Let there be sky!” God made the sky. And it was good.
“Water and land! Plants and trees! Sun, moon, stars!” God made them all. And it was good.
“Fish and birds and wild animals!” God made living creatures. And it was good.
“People! Let there be people!” God saw all of creation, and it was very good. Then God rested.
We are part of God’s good creation.
Say this prayer together:
Point to yourself. I am part of God’s good creation.
Motion to your child. You are part of God’s good creation.
Hold your child tight for a hug. We are part of God’s good creation.
Hold hands up. Thank you, God, for creating us. Amen!