What We Learned This Week:

This week we talked about Jacob's search for a wife, his trials with Laban, ending up with two wives and the truth that we reap what we sow.

Here are a few key points we touched on:

Jacob Searched for a Wife -

As Jacob travels to his mother's homeland to find a wife, he comes upon a well covered by a large stone. It looks like it will take many men to move it. Jacob finds out that a woman he sees coming to the well is from his mother's family. He is so excited he moves the stone away all by himself. He tells Rachel, the woman he saw, that he is her kinsmen and she runs home to spread the news. We see God working things according to his plan. 

Jacob Makes an Agreement with Laban for Rachel - 

Jacob wants to marry Rachel, but doesn't have any money - a custom of the day. Jacob works for Laban. When Laban asks Jacob what he wants in exchange for his work he asks for Rachels hand. He agrees to work seven years in order to marry Rachel.

Jacob is Deceived -  

After 7 years, Jacob's wedding night arrives. Laban tricks Jacob by giving him Leah as a wife instead of Rachel. In the morning Jacob discovers the trick and complains. Laban says the firstborn daughter, Leah, must be given in marriage before the younger.
Jacob stole his older brothers blessings by disguising himself and pretending to be Esau. Now Leah pretends to be Rachel and Jacob is deceived. In Galatians 6:7, God warns us that what we sow we will also reap. But in spite of the sinful trickery, God is advancing his plan. 

Where Is Jesus?

How does today's Bible story fit into God's greater plan of redemption?
Read Romans 6:1-2
Do we always reap what we have sown? No, we do not always reap what we have sown. That is the wonderful message of the gospel. By dying on the cross, Jesus Christ took on himself the wrath of God that we deserved for our sin. We sowed the sin; he reaped the punishment so that we could be forgiven. The warning of Scripture in Romans 6:1–2 is that we should not take advantage of the grace we have been given.
We also see the continuing of God's plan to bring about redemption through his son. One of Leah's boys, Judah, grew up to be the far-off grandfather of Jesus.
January Memory Verses:
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you."
Psalm 145:8-10

Curriculum and Resources

Waypoint Kids Church 

On Sunday mornings we use a curriculum written by Marty Machowski called The Gospel Story Bible Curriculm. Both the the weekly Sunday school curriculum and this easy-to-read children’s book,  invite kids to see Jesus clearly in the people, places, and events of the Old and New Testaments.
The Gospel Story Bible points to Jesus, helping kids identify Christ as the hero of every story. While it’s easy to forget Jesus in the midst of frantic schedules, family squabbles, and conflicting priorities, this curriculum teaches kids about God’s plan of salvation in Christ, which is continually on display throughout the Bible.

Weekly Engagement as a Family

One exciting part of the Gospel Story Curriculum is the companion family devotionals Long Story Short and Old Story New. These two book give families the tools they need to help their kids go deeper with their weekly Sunday lesson.
In just 10 minutes each day, parents can lead their kids through a quick devotional. Whether it be over breakfast, after dinner or as part of their daily homeschool we hope this devotional helps our kids learn more about God's salvation plan.
We are currently in the old testament using the Long Story Short.