WELCOME TO WEEK 3

Have you ever been given a new chore that you did not know how to do? How did you figure it out? Did you have to ask someone for help? We all have to ask for help sometimes because we might not be able to do it alone. We can always ask God for help!

I Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

BIBLE STORY

David’s family is filled with characters who were well known because they were a part of the royal family. Listen to the following clues and figure out which family member it is referencing.

I killed a lion and bear with my own hands (David)

I became the next king after my father David (Solomon)

I was a friend to the family and spoke God’s words to the king (Nathan)

I became David’s wife after my husband was killed in battle (Bathsheba)

I asked God for wisdom (Solomon)

I was anointed king as a young boy but waited years until God said it was time to be king (David)

I served King Saul as a musician (David)

I wanted to take the throne after my father David even though God had not appointed me as king (Adonijah)

I was a great warrior and king in Judah (David)

I bore a son named Solomon who became king after David (Bathsheba)

Being in the royal family can make you very famous, even when you do not want to be! Solomon became king after David, but he felt he had very large shoes to fill. His father was a well known king who followed God and lead his people into many victories. Solomon wanted to be a good king as his father had been, but wasn’t sure he could do it alone. God came to Solomon while he was sleeping and asked him to ask for whatever he wanted. Let’s read or listen to the scriptures to find out what Solomon asked for.

Read or listen to the scripture Ruth 4

Who did Boaz go to find? (The guardian redeemer)

What did the guardian redeemer have to gain by marrying Ruth? ( a piece of land that belonged to Elimelek)

Did the other guardians redeemer want to buy the land from Naomi? (Yes)

When Boaz mentioned the land also came with Ruth, what did the relative give as a reason why he couldn’t purchase the land? (He could not endanger his own estate)

What did the relative tell Boaz to do? (For Boaz to redeem the land.

What did the people who witnessed the transaction bless Boaz with?  (Many Ruth be like Rachel and Leah; may they have good standing in Ephrathah, and bear offspring like that of Perez)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Activity

If God told you to ask for whatever you wanted, what would you ask for? Would you ask for riches? For the finest foods? For the best clothes? For the largest house with the biggest swimming pool and bowling alley inside? Solomon asked for wisdom. Listen to the following scenarios and decide what you would ask God for in those situations. Would you ask for wisdom, peace, patience, understanding or self-control? (Scenarios: your friend asks you to help him cheat on his test; your friend offers you drugs after school; you mom gives you a list of chores to complete before the end of the week; your team is playing their final game on Sabbath; your brother keeps taking your things without asking; a friend’s parents are getting a divorce and they are very upset; your teacher’s husband just died and she is very sad;) We are faced with difficult challenges every day, some big and some small. It is sometimes hard to know how to handle these situations, but we can trust that God is with us. We can call on God to help us when we are faced with difficult challenges or situations. God gave Solomon wisdom to know how to rule his kingdom and God can give us wisdom as we navigate life as well.

Materials:

Alternate

Let’s have a bible race! I will tell you a scripture and the first person to get to the verse will read it aloud and get a point. The person with the most points wins! If you only have 1 child, play the race with them. This is a good time to practice looking up and finding bible verses quickly. What did all of these verses have in common? They were all scriptures about wisdom. Why is wisdom so important? It can help us make wise decisions so that we do not suffer harsh consequences for bad choices. It also helps others see that God is leading inn our lives and directing our choices. We can be a witness to others when we allow God to help guide us throughout our lives.

Materials: bible

Independent activity:

Draw a picture of what you would ask for if you were Solomon. If God came to you in a dream and said you could ask for anything, what would it be? Draw a picture of what you would ask for.

Materials: printed activity sheet, crayons or markers

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Make a paper plate 3-D craft of King Solomon. Watch the following instructional video to see how to make King Solomon from household materials.

Materials: paper plate, glue, scissors, orange, yellow, blue construction paper, small gems, white paper plate, pen/pencil

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

Read or listen to Ephesians 5:8-17

When we do something wrong we often try to hide it, or do it in a way that no one else can see. We can hide a lot of things in the dark because it is hard to for others to see what we are doing. This verse tells us that we are to live in the light of the Lord. When we choose to follow God, we do not need to live in darkness but in God’s light. We are to be careful in how we live, not as the unwise but as the wise. We can receive wisdom from God, He can help us live in goodness, righteousness and truth. Solomon asked for God’s wisdom and became a wise ruler who was fair and just to his people. When we live in God’s wisdom we can find out what pleases God and then live accordingly.

What did Solomon ask for?

What other benefits did Solomon receive along with wisdom?

What problems may Solomon have had if he’d asked for wealth?

How can we know God is guiding us?

What is something you can ask God to help you with?

When can we trust our own wisdom?

What are some things we might try to hide in the darkness?

What are some things we might want to do in the light?

Why do you think people might do bad things in the darkness?

Practical Application at Home

Cover a picture with black paper squares. Ask your child to guess the picture under the black squares, then take off one square at a time as your child continues to guess what the image might be. It is hard for us to know what we are looking at in the darkness, but when we see things in the light it is clear. We can live our lives in the light and not in the darkness. When we do this, we can see the truth, we can see our sins and we can live in the way God wants us to live. God has called us to follow his leading and not hide in the darkness.

This week, pray that God helps you live in the light of the Lord; in goodness, righteousness and truth.

Materials: picture, black construction paper cut into squares,

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?