📖

Thinking About Tomorrow

Twin Brothers, Different Hearts

Day 34of 180
Week 7of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the difference between making choices for now vs. later

2

Learn that wise choices consider future consequences

3

Develop the ability to pause and think before deciding

📖 Scripture Connection

Genesis 25:32-34

“Esau said, 'Behold, I am about to die. What good is a birthright to me?' Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.”

— Genesis 25:32-34 (WEB)

Demonstrates how focusing only on immediate desires can lead to poor long-term decisions

📦 Materials Needed

  • World English Bible
  • Red and brown paper
  • Toy bowl
  • Stickers or small rewards
  • BibleMouse Printables worksheet
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

In today's BibleMouse lesson, we'll learn about thinking ahead instead of just thinking about right now!

💭 Review Question: What did we learn about Esau yesterday?
2Teaching (8 min)

Sometimes we want something so much right now that we forget about what's important later. Esau was super hungry and wanted food more than his special birthright!

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Esau was thinking only about his hunger
  • He didn't think about how important his birthright was
  • Making good choices means thinking about tomorrow, not just right now
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What would you do if you were very hungry?
  • Why is it important to think about more than just right now?
3Activity: Choices Game (10 min)
discussion

Play a simple game where children choose between a small treat now or a bigger reward later

📝 Instructions:
  1. Offer child a small sticker now
  2. Or wait 5 minutes and get 3 stickers
  3. Discuss their choice and why
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Immediate vs. delayed sticker choice

Challenge: More complex choices with longer wait times

4Closing (3 min)

Review what we learned about making wise choices

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did Esau choose?
  • What should we think about when making choices?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to make wise choices that honor You

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn more about what really matters to God

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

— Proverbs 3:5-6 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Memory Verse Hop: Create a path with paper squares, each with a word of the verse. Child hops from word to word while reciting

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Esau's story teaches the importance of valuing spiritual blessings over temporary satisfaction

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple language
  • Make abstract concepts concrete
  • Encourage reflection
🤔 Common Struggles:

Young children often struggle with delayed gratification

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to pause and consider consequences

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • BibleMouse Printables worksheet on choices
  • Draw a picture of making a wise choice
  • Act out the story with dolls or puppets

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 35 →Back to Bible