CHOICES: Primary Lesson Helps, Old Testament Lesson 13 Activity – Jacob and Esau, Primary 6 manual

ACTIVITY: Jacob and Esau thumb puppets
Using the puppets, talk about Jacob, who obeyed the commandments, making thumbs-up choices, and Esau, who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, making thumbs-down choices (Genesis 25:30–34).
     To Play Game: Jacob chose the right, so place a Jacob (thumbs-up) puppet on the right hand and an Esau (thumbs-down) puppet on the left hand of each youth.  Read the following actions as children vote thumbs-up for right actions and thumbs-down for wrong choices.
Thumbs Up & Thumbs Down Choices: Going to a movie on the Sabbath ➘ Saying a prayer at mealtime ➚ Cheating on a test ➘ Reading the scriptures each day ➚ Being a friend to someone who doesn’t have friends ➚ Complaining when it’s time for family home evening ➘ Cleaning up after yourself ➚ Doing your chores cheerfully ➚ Smoking ➘ Listening reverently in Primary ➚ Listening to your little brother or sister ➚ Working hard to get your homework done each day ➚ Going to a friend’s house after school without permission ➘  Forgetting to call your parents when you get to your friend’s house ➘ Making a get-well card for a sick neighbor ➚ Smiling ➚ Sweeping the garage without being asked ➚ Spending tithing money ➘ Watching a bad movie ➘ Listening to uplifting music ➚ Saying please and thank you ➚ Staying up too late ➘ Eating junk food often ➘ Repenting ➚

TO MAKE Print and cut out the Jacob and Esau thumb puppets for each youth. Tape tab ends to fit finger.

THOUGHT TREAT: CTR Cookies. Write with frosting CTR on a cookie for each youth. Tell them that as they choose the right each day they deserve a thumbs-up, which means good job. Let’s try each day to make thumbs-up choices.

SCRIPTURE CARDS: Help children Search and Ponder this scripture card by filling in the blanks. PRINT this 5 x 7 scripture card from the pdf included with the above activity. You can punch the two holes on the left and tie a ribbon to attach cards or use two metal rings to connect cards.

Genesis 25:30-34
“Esau said, … I am at the point to die and what profit shall this birthright do me? Jacob said, Swear to me this day: and he sware unto him: and [Esau] sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.”