CU3-16

**Goal**: Students will use the myth of Jacob and Esau as a way to discuss how immediate desires can cause us to lose sight of longer term goals. ** 1. **** Gain attention of the learner**: In current society, when a parent has property or belongings, they are passed down through a will or given away. What would your students want to do with their acquired worldly goods when their lifetime is over? ** 2. **** Review relevant past learning**: Birth of a nation – here Esau represents Edom and Jacob Israel and tells the story of the relations. Previous Bible stories reviewed, set down the groundwork for the forefathers and mothers. Jacob’s family is key to this story. It is his sons that make up the future tribes of Israel. ** 3. **** Present new material**: The Bible tells of how when Jacob’s twin sons became adults, he would pass down his birthright, proclaiming one of them the inheritor of twice as much of his fortune. Esau didn’t care about this, but Jacob understood and wanted to make sure he would get it. Rebecca also wanted Jacob to get it, so they devised a plan to trick Isaac in believing he Jacob was Esau. Tell the story from Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-41 ** 4. **** Provide guided practice**: Two times in this story food was more important than the promise. How important were the promises in this story? Ask students to map out a cause and effect map depicting the events that transpired in these stories. Ask students to tell what would happen if one event of this story didn’t happen. ** 5. **** Provide independent practice**: Hunger is Esau’s motivator, what is Jacob’s motivator. What is something of value that you would never give up. Draw a picture and describe why it holds such value.
 * 3-16 Instant Gratification - Esau and his Birthright **
 *  6. Close the lesson **: Share the drawings and compare what the students’ value. Religion often asks people to give up their birthright of rational thought for the porridge of an after life, etc.