WELCOME TO WEEK 1

When we fly kites they can sometimes go really high in the sky. They might even get lost in a tall tree! Sometimes our dreams for the future can seem as far away as our kite in the sky. They may seem so big we will never be able to reach them, but with God we can. God can help us reach our dreams, even when they are really high. This month we will look at Elisha and see the impossible things God did through him. God can use our big dreams to help others too.

II Kings 2:1- 2, 6-14

BIBLE STORY

Blow up several balloons. Play a game of keeping the balloons up in the air. Use several balloons if you have several children playing.

That was fun keeping all those balloons in the air! We needed to keep looking up to see where all the balloons were and keep them from falling to the ground. This week we are learning about the story of Elisha, but first we will also learn about Elijah. Elijah’s ministry was finished and it was time for Elisha to take over. God had used Elijah to do many great things for his people and Elisha wanted to be a good prophet for God as well. Elisha stayed with Elijah until he was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot. When Elisha looked up he saw Elijah being taken to heaven in an unbelievable way! Elisha had asked for a double portion from God and had received it when it was time. God had big plans for Elisha who was willing to be used by God. We can also be ready for whatever God has planned for our future! Let’s read the story of Elijah and Elisha in the Bible.

Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: II Kings 2:1- 2, 6-14

Where were Elijah and Elisha on their way? (Gilgal)

What did Elijah know was about to happen? (He was going to die)

What did Elijah tell Elisha to do? (Stay there and wait)

What did Elisha refuse to do? (Leave Elijah’s side)

What did Elisha request of Elijah before he died? (To give him a double portion of his spirit)

What did Elijah use to get across the Jordan River? (He rolled his cloak, struck the water with it and the water split for him)

How did Elijah say Elisha would know he received a double portion? (If he sees Elijah being taken)

How did Elijah get taken to heaven? ( in a horse and chariot of fire fire, went up to heaven like a whirlwind

How did Elisha use Elijah’s cloak? (In the same way Elijah used it to part the Jordan River)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Activity

Sometimes we have big dreams, things we would love to do one day that may seem impossible to accomplish today. Let’s pretend we are clouds, spread out your hands and float around the room. When I call out “dream” move around the room and say one dream you have that you would like to do or become. Then when I call “gather” we will clump back together like a cloud and say how God can use all of our dreams to work together for His purpose. Repeat the activity if desired. God can use all of our individual dreams together for His purpose. Just as clouds come together and sometimes drift apart, when our dreams are for God’s glory, He can use all of our dreams together.

Materials:

Alternate

We can think of animals that either fly in the sky, live high up in the trees, or even climb to high heights, but horses may not be one of them. In the story of Elijah being taken to heaven he is taken in a fiery chariot of horses. What a wonderful sight that must have been. Elisha must have been amazed to look into the sky and see horses riding there! Listen to these animals and tell me where you might find them living. A horse, A parrot, giraffe, donkey, anaconda, hippo, snake, alligator. Name a few animals you might see in the sky or high above your head. What animals might you see on the ground? What animals might you see under the ground? Each creature God put in it’s place, but God is able to make animals do more than we could dream possible

Materials:

Independent activity:

Complete this activity sheet. God has plans for us that we can not even imagine. What do you dream of doing one day? Draw a picture of your dreams. God can use our dreams to do big things.

Materials: printed activity sheet, pencil, crayons

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Create a chariot for Elijah using a plastic cup, construction paper and pipe cleaners. Draw and cut out a small horse, an Elijah figure or make Elijah’s face on a plastic spoon, and 2 construction paper wheels for the chariot cup. Glue on the 2 wheels to the plastic cup and attach the pipe cleaner to the cup and to the horse. Place Elijah in the plastic cup. See the instructions on the following webpage to see how to construct your chariot

Materials: construction paper, plastic cup, plastic spoon, pipe cleaner, scissors, glue

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

How was Elisha’s request a big one?

Have you ever asked for something big and questioned if you would ever get it?

Are there any requests we can ask for that are too big?

What are some dreams you have for the future?

Who should we always keep at the center of our big dreams?

How did God show Elisha he would grant his request?

What was the first miracle Elisha did after receiving God’s Spirit?

Practical Application at Home

This week we’ve talked about how our dreams may be as high as the clouds in the sky, but God can help us reach them. Psalm 103:11 says "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him”. We can be sure that God loves us and wants us to trust Him with our big dreams. Complete the following statement or print and complete the following card. Then leave it as a bookmark in your bible to view later.

Lord bless my gift of _______. Help me to use it for you one day. Today help me to use it towards blessing the people in my life by ________________.

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

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?