Love
WELCOME TO WEEK 5
Who loves you? Who do you love? How do you know when you are loved? Is it from the note they leave you that tells you so? Is it from the hugs you receive? There may not be just one way we know we are loved, but we know love when words match actions. This week we will see that when we know how much we are loved by God, we won’t worry about being liked by everyone else. We can rest in the Love of God!
BIBLE STORY
Who comes to visit you? Do you do anything special to prepare for a special visitor? Think about the following person coming to visit, and pick something you might do to prepare for the visitor.
Grandma….clean thee house or rake the leaves
The King of England…prepare tea and cake OR tie your shoes
Your classmate…….buy new clothes OR Make cookies
Your teacher… Sharpen your pencil OR clean your shoes
A soldier….. place a new flag outside…OR sharpen your pencils
A baby…. A new crib OR wash the car
A neighbor….. a light snack OR new toys
Solomon received a visitor, The Queen of Sheba. She did not come to visit a friend, but to see if what she heard about Solomon was true. Word spread of Solomon’s wisdom and the wealth of his kingdom, but she could hardly believe it was true. Solomon was not worried about that she was there to spy on him, but welcomed her and showed her God’s goodness to his kingdom. The Queen of Sheba was impressed that not only what she heard was true but there was even more to the kingdom that she had not even heard of. What a great witness to others of the goodness of God. We can share who God is by showing others how much we are loved by Him. When we give God glory for the things we have done, it shows others we love God and that He is who we want to please more than anything or anyone else. Let’s read in the Bible what happened with Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.
Read or listen to the scripture I Kings 10:1-9
What did the Queen of Sheba come to Israel to do? (Test Solomon and his wisdom; to see if what she heard about him was true)
How did the Queen of Sheba test Solomon? (With hard questions)
What did the Queen of Sheba bring with her? (Camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones)
After Solomon answered all of her questions, what did the Queen of Sheba notice? (She saw all of the wisdom Solomon possessed and the palace he had built)
What did they Queen of Sheba admit about what she had heard? (She did not believe what she had heard but needed to see if with her own eyes)
What did she finally say about the God of Israel? (praise to the Lord your God, his eternal love for Israel has placed Solomon on the throne to maintain justice and righteousness)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Think of a scripture that speaks truth to the scenario given. When we know we are loved by God it does’t matter what other people think or say to us, we have God’s truth within us to give us strength.
You are told you are not worth anything;
A friend lies to you;
A classmate calls you a bad name in front of others;
Your friend doesn’t play with you because other people are around;
A kid pushes you down;
You are chosen last for the team;
A group of girls laugh at what you are wearing;
No one wants to eat lunch with you all week
Materials:
Alternate
Draw a picture showing how much God loves you. Show what He has done for you or the blessings that help you know He loves you. When we know how much God loves us, we are not as concerned about what others think of us. God Loves us and wants to care for us far more than any other person can.
Materials: construction paper, crayons or coloring pencils
Independent activity:
Not just people in Israel were talking about Solomon, but people in the surrounding nations knew who Solomon was and were talking about all he had accomplished. So much so that the Queen of Sheba couldn’t believe what she had heard. Complete the following activity sheet. Fill in this All about the King sheet to see how much you already know about King Solomon.
Materials: activity sheet
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, scissors
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Song of Solomon 2:8-13
What do you think this poem is about? Its sounds like a poem of love! Perhaps its a love poem written by Solomon to his beloved wife! The poem does show love of a man and woman. Although this love may seem strong by the words that are shared in this poem, we can know and trust that only God’s love is perfect. Only God’s love never changes and loves unconditionally.
How did Solomon show other nations that he loved God?
How did Solomon witness to the nations around him?
What did the Queen of Sheba think of Solomon and his kingdom?
What did she proclaim about God after seeing Solomon?
How did Solomons wisdom help others see God?
Why is God’s love more important than others opinions?
Practical Application at Home
We don’t need to be starstruck over people who are famous. Knowing a lot of people or having a lot of people know you, does not equate to love. Real love comes from God and from our family who love us. Although we do not need to worry about what others think of us, we should still show others God’s love. We can share what true love is by sharing Jesus with others.
This week, instead of just saying thank you and receiving credit for a job well done, give God the glory instead. Think of a response you can give when someone gives you a compliment or congratulates you on a job well done. Use a response you have come up with or use one of the following examples:
To God be the glory
God Bless you
I’m so glad to be used by God
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
It was the power of God within me
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?