Stairway to Heaven Theme: The story of Jacob's dream about a ladder Object: A Jacob's Ladder toy or a paper Jacob's

Ladder chain Scripture: In a dream he saw a stairway standing on the earth. Its top reached to heaven. The angels of God were going up and coming down on it. (Genesis 28:12 NIrV) I have something really amazing to show you this morning. This is a wonderful little toy called a Jacob's Ladder. It is a toy that has been around for a many, many years. Watch and see what it does. (Demonstrate) I told you it was amazing! Now this looks really complicated and I must confess that I don't understand exactly how it works, but it is so simple to make that you could even make one yourself with a little help from your parents. Do you remember what I told you this toy is called? That's right! Jacob's ladder. The toy got its name from a story in the Bible about a man named Jacob who had a dream about a ladder that reached up to heaven. Do you know that story? Well, let me tell it to you. Jacob started on a long journey to a town called Haran. When he reached a certain place he stopped to spend the night. He took a large stone and rested his head on it and went to sleep. As he slept, Jacob had a dream. In his dream there was a ladder that reached from the ground all the way up to heaven. There were angels running up and down the ladder. He looked and saw God himself standing at the top of the ladder. God spoke to Jacob and told him that he was going to bless him and his people and that he would watch over him and keep him wherever he went. When Jacob woke up he said, "Surely the Lord is in this place." Then he took the stone he had used for a pillow and poured oil on it. He named the place Bethel, which means the house of the Lord. This is a wonderful story of how God blessed Jacob, but it is much more than that. It is also a picture of what Jesus has done for you and me. Jesus came down to earth to make a way for you and me to get to heaven. Jesus is the way, the only way, for us to get to heaven. Heavenly Father, thank you for providing a way for us to get to heaven. If there are some here today who have not found the way, we pray that they will find it today. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

This week I learned

This week we learned the story of Jacobs Ladder from Genesis 28. 28 . Memory verse: In a dream he saw a stairway standing on the earth. Its top reached to heaven. The angels of God were going up and coming down on it. (Genesis 28:12 NIrV) : ( 28:12)

Questions to ask : What was the reaction of Esau when he found out that Jacob had stolen the blessing? (Genesis 27:41) ? ( 27:41) What did Rebekah tell Jacob to do when she found out that Esau was angry? (Genesis 27:43-35) ? ( 27:43-45) What did Jacob see in his dream at Bethel? (Genesis 28:12) ? ( 28:12) What did God promise to Jacob? (Genesis 28:13-15) ? ( 28:13-15)

Family activity : Our message this week was Jacobs Ladder Sit down and talk as a family about the blessing of God given to us. . .

Jacob's Ladder Paper Chain 1. Cut two strips of paper 1" wide and about 20" long. 2. Lay the strips perpendicular to each other and overlap at one end and then glue or staple these ends together. 3. Taking the strip at rear, fold it over the front strip. Then take the second strip and fold it forward over the first. Continue folding until the entire length is folded according to the illustration. To finish the chain, glue the ends. 4. Pull the ends to open the ladder.

Stairway to Heaven Memory verse: In a dream he saw a stairway standing on the earth. Its top reached to heaven. The angels of God were going up and coming down on it. (Genesis 28:12 NIrV) 1st and 2nd Grade Coloring Page

Stairway to Heaven Memory verse: In a dream he saw a stairway standing on the earth. Its top reached to heaven. The angels of God were going up and coming down on it. (Genesis 28:12 NIrV) 1st and 2nd Grade Page

Can you find your way through the "maze of clouds" to Jacob's stairway to heaven?

Jacob had a dream. In his dream, the LORD said, "I will give to you and your family the land on which you are now sleeping."

Stairway to Heaven Memory verse: In a dream he saw a stairway standing on the earth. Its top reached to heaven. The angels of God were going up and coming down on it. (Genesis 28:12 NIrV) 3rd Grade Page

Question: What was the blessing of God given to you?

Stairway to Heaven Memory verse: In a dream he saw a stairway standing on the earth. Its top reached to heaven. The angels of God were going up and coming down on it. (Genesis 28:12 NIrV) 4th Grade Page

Question: What was the blessing of God given to you?

Stairway to Heaven Memory verse: In a dream he saw a stairway standing on the earth. Its top reached to heaven. The angels of God were going up and coming down on it. (Genesis 28:12 NIrV) 5th Grade Page
Direction: Read Genesis 27 and 28 and answer the following questions. 1. What were the names of the two brothers?

2. Why was Jacob making the long journey?

3. What was Jacob afraid of as he hurried along the lonely mountain path?

4. Where did Jacob spend the night?

5. What did he use for a pillow?

6. What did he dream about when he fell asleep?

7. In the dream, what did God promise Jacob?

8. As Jacob took the stone, which he had used as a pillow, and set it up as a memorial, what promise did he make?

9. Do you believe that God watches over you wherever you are?