Jacob's Ladder
Instructions, ladder discussion and Bible story
And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven;
and the angels of God were ascending (going up) and descending (coming down) on it. Genesis 28:12
The story of Jacob's dream is found in Genesis 28:10-22. and is also included in this lesson.
Teacher instructions for discussion:
Teach about a ladder:
ASK: Has everyone seen a ladder?
ASK: What is a ladder used for? (for getting up higher than you can reach from the floor or ground!)
ASK: Do you know what the "rungs" are on a ladder? They are the pieces you put your feet on the
stand and climb a ladder!) Point them out.
ASK: Do you know what the pieces that go up and down are called?
(They are known by 2 names: stringers or stiles)
ASK: Do you know how to climb a ladder? (Face towards the ladder)
ASK: IF someone was watching you climb a ladder, what part of you would they see? (Your back)
ASK: In the story, what was Jacob's ladder for? (refer to the Bible passages)
Ladder, Angels and Stone.
Do not use lightweight paper....at least medium weight paper - standard US 20 lb printer paper
Childrens Instructions
PART 1 the ladder
1. Cut on the solid line around the rectangle
2. Fold ON all dashed lines starting at the plain end of the paper where shown.
Fold under each piece as you go. The will all fit inside each other.
(Do not fan-fold or accordian fold)
(Note start at the end WITHOUT the inset box)
3. Cut through ALL THE LAYERS on the line around the inset box.
4. Open and flatten the ladder. Write your name on a "rung".
Write Genesis 28:12 on a rung. Write "Jacob's Ladder" on a rung.
5. Turn the paper FACE DOWN on the table. Turn up a long side of the paper
until you see the first dotted line.
Fold on the dot dotted line.
6.Turn up the fold until you see the second dotted line. Fold on the line.
Make sure you have "Sharp" creases by gently rolling a pencil over these side folds.
Re-open the folds to make a squarish side support- see image.
7. Do the same on the other side of the paper.
- If treated gently, Jacob’s ladder can stand against a wall or object!
PART 2 the angels
Continuation if desired:
8. Cut out the squares with angels. Or older kids can cut out the angel shape.
Lay down your ladder. You may open the side folds, or if you are very gentle you
can glue on the ladder without unfolding it.
9. Glue them along the stringers, stiles or on the rungs - but do not cover your words.
PART 3 the stone
10. Take the scrap paper from the ladder and gather it up so the long pieces are together.
Roll up the long pieces and then crumple them hard. This will make a nice "Stone"
for Jacob's pillow!
DONE
Make a "Tableau" - lean Jacob’s ladder – with an angel on it- up against something and put the "stone" near it.
End view of final ladder folds
The whole Bible story: Genesis chapter 28
10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed
there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place,
he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed that there
was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of
God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the LORD stood beside him and
said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the
land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14 and your offspring
shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the
east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed
in you and in your offspring. 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever
you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done
what I have promised you." 16 Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "Surely the
LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!" 17 And he was afraid, and
said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this
is the gate of heaven." 18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that
he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it.
19 He called that place Bethel; but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Then Jacob
made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will
give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father's house in peace,
then the LORD shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be
God's house; and of all that you give me I will surely give one tenth to you."