Day 1-A Bride for Isaac

• Pray.
• Review the memory verse.
• When Isaac was in his kid-thirties, his mom, Sarah died (Genesis 23). Abraham was getting very old too. Isaac was not married yet, so Abraham had his most trusted servant travel back to his homeland to find a bride for Isaac from among his people and then bring her back to Canaan to marry Isaac.
• Summarize or read Genesis 24:1-9.
• Discuss how you, as a parent, want the best for your kids, and the best for them is what God wants for them. Abraham wanted God’s best for Isaac too.
• Summarize or read Genesis 24:10-14.
• Have your younger kids predict what’s they think is going to happen next.
• Read Genesis 24:15-21.
• Back then, it was considered hospitable to give water to someone who was thirsty, but to give water to someone’s animals was going above and beyond what was expected.
• Ask, “What does this tell you about Rebekah?”
• Summarize Genesis 24:22-67.
• Ask, “What do you think Abraham’s servant was feeling through all of this? He had been given a big task, and Abraham trusted him to make the right choice. Whom did the servant trust to guide him to the right girl?”
• Talk with your kids how God always hears us when we talk to Him. He wants us to seek Him. He will guide us and lead us when we trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• Parents, at some point today, tell your kids about when you met or when you got married. Or you could talk to them about what qualities they should look for in a husband/wife.

Day 2-Sibling Rivalry

• Pray.
• Review the memory verse.
• Read Genesis 25:21-34.
• Conversation points:
  • Isaac and Rebekah both called on God in prayer. Review what they each talked with God about.
  • What did God do? (verses 21 and 23).
  • Talk about the physical and personality differences between Esau and Jacob.
  • Ask them to explain the stew situation.
    • How was Esau feeling when he came in?
    • What was Jacob doing?
    • Did either of the boys treat the other like they should have?
    • Ask, “Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to agree to something you shouldn’t because you wanted the temporary pleasure that someone else offered you?” Parents, maybe give an example of this in your own life.
  • Explain that the birthright was a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17).
• Ask, “What is the Lord teaching you through this passage?”
• Pray, asking God to strengthen the relationships between siblings.
• Activity-
  • Play board games together
  • Work on a puzzle together

Day 3-Isaac and the Wells

• Pray.
• Review the memory verse.
• Have your kids drink a big glass of water. Talk about how easy it was for us to get that water now, and then remind them that it hasn’t always been like that.
• Discuss how important wells would have been back in Isaac’s day. Think about the where they lived, the climate, no running water, the animals they had, etc.
• Read Genesis 26:18-22.
• Ask, “What was going on that was causing quarrels between the herdsmen? Why was it such a big deal?”
• Ask, “How did Isaac handle this situation? What are some words you can think of to describe his attitude in this (self-controlled, patient)?”
• Instead of fighting back, Isaac moved on and found new places to dig for water.
• Ask, “What can our family learn from reading this? How does this passage help us in how we get along with others? Can you think of an example of when you might apply what you have learned today?”
• Read Genesis 26:23-25.
• Ask, “What did God remind Isaac of when He appeared to him that night?”
• God’s timing is perfect. He came to Isaac at a time that he was probably feeling anxious. God reminded him that He had not forgotten the promise He had made to Abraham. He reminded Him not to fear because He would be faithful to Isaac just like He was to Abraham.
• Ask, “What did Isaac do after God reassured him? Why do we need to call upon the name of the Lord and worship Him?”

Day 4-Isaac Blesses Jacob

• Pray.
• Review the memory verse. Can they say it s-l-o-w-l-y? Break it apart in sections and pause for a few seconds between each phrase just for them to think about what the verse is saying.
  • Children obey
  • your parents
  • in the Lord (meaning: as you would obey the Lord Himself)
  • for this is right.
  • Continue with verses 2-3 if your family is memorizing these.
• Ask, “Have you ever learned what not to do by watching someone else try something they shouldn’t? Tell me about it.”
• Today we are going to read a story with some examples of what not to do. Be listening for what God wants you to learn through their mistakes.
• Read or tell in your own words Genesis 27:1-45.
• Ask, “Who are the people involved in this story?”
• Have your kids take a minute to describe each person’s role in the story. What did that person say/do? Did he/she do what what was right? How can we learn what to do/not to do through the actions of each person?
• Ask, “Who seems to be missing from this story? (God) How do you think the outcome would have been different if the people in Isaac’s family would have relied on and listened to what God wanted from them? (Proverbs 3:5-6) How do you think God felt about all that went on?”
• Tomorrow we will read about God’s grace and faithfulness to His people, even though His people sin.
• Activity
  • Play a blindfold game
    • Blindfold one child. Have him/her stay at the table blindfolded while everyone else leaves the room. One by one, each person walks back in. The blindfolded person can guess whose feet they hear walking; they can touch the person’s arm, or listen to their voice to try to guess who it is.
    • Blindfold one or all of the kids. Fill a sack with familiar items from your home. Take turns letting each person feel inside the bag to guess the contents.