The Story
Read or retell the story of Jacob and Rachel in Genesis 29:1-30
Ideas for discussion
- What did Jacob do when he saw Rachel and the sheep at the well? (He rolled the stone from the well and watered the sheep. Then he kissed Rachel, wept, and told her that he was Rebekah's son.)
- How did Laban receive Jacob? (He ran to meet him, embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house.)
- What did Jacob do so that he could marry Rachel? (Jacob worked hard for seven years so he could have Rachel for his wife; but he didn't mind the work, and the seven years seemed only a few days because he loved her so much.)
- Laban tricked Jacob by giving Leah to him instead of Rachel. He did give Rachel a week later, but Jacob had to work for seven more years for her. Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah.
- This story pictures our spiritual journey. We are inspired to want to become a better person. We aspire to the ideals pictured by Rachel, but we aren’t there yet. We have to work toward that goal, and Leah pictures part of that process.
- As we make this journey, it is good to remember that the well from which Jacob rolled the stone symbolizes the Word where we can drink the water of truth from the Lord. We can learn spiritual truths from the Lord’s Word that will inspire us and show us how to become a better person.
- The Lord leads everyone to find a marriage partner—either on earth or in heaven. Everything we do to become a better person is also helping us a become a better marriage partner.
Read more about this story and friendship:
- “Jacob Finds Rachel” by Grant Schnarr (for ages 3-6)
It takes a lot of work to have true marriage love. But it can happen. This is a promise that the Lord gives to each one of us. - “Finding Your Marriage Partner” by Peter M. Buss, Sr. (ages 7-14)
The beautiful story of Jacob meeting Rachel can be told in our own lives as well. - “Jacob and the Shepherdess of Haran” by Peter M. Buss, Sr. (ages 18 and up)
Every one of us has felt the love of wonderful ideals. Sometimes they move us to tears. Sometimes they inspire us with huge determination. What they need to do is cause us to seek after the truth which will allow us to realize our dreams! - Healing Our Broken Hearts by Jeremy Simons (ages 18 and up)
It is not easy to find a person to truly love in this world. And so there are many people who are brokenhearted. - “Steps and Stages in Preparing for Marriage” by Prescott A. Rogers (ages 15-17)
Gives five steps you can take to prepare yourself for marriage: read, pray, love, observe, and shun evils.
Projects and activities for various ages:
- Hearts Picturing Marriage (for ages 3-7)
Make one heart labeled “Mommy” and one labeled “Daddy.” - Act It Out: Jacob Meets Rachel (ages 4-8)
play-jacob-meets-rachel (Instructions and a script for acting out the story of Jacob meeting Rachel at the well. - Rachel and Her Flock Coloring Page by Marguerite L. Acton
Shows Rachel walking with her flock of sheep. - Jacob at the Well Coloring Page by Marguerite L. Acton
This drawing shows sheep coming to well after Jacob removed the stone. - Jacob Meets Rachel by the Well (for ages 5-9)
Make a collage of Jacob meeting Rachel by a well, fastening the stone in a way that will let Jacob “roll” it away from the well to help Rachel water the sheep. - Jacob Falls in Love Coloring Page by Lisa S. Buss
Jacob sees Rachel as she approaches the well. - Jacob and Rachel Embrace Coloring Page by Marguerite L. Acton
A lovely illustration of Rachel and Jacob. - Working for Rachel in Our Lives (for ages 12 and up)
What spiritual truths inspire you and make you want to work hard to make them a reality in your life? - Work for the Ideal Spiritual Task by David Roth (for ages 18 and up)
Think about your goals in life and then ask the Lord to be with you as you do the work of reaching goals in important areas of your life.
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