WELCOME TO WEEK 2

Sometimes we do what we see others around us doing. Sometimes we follow after the things we see on TV or the friends at school. God wants us to follow Him because He knows what is best for each of us. This week we will see how the Israelites began following the wrong way and had to learn that God =’s way was best. It’s amazing how God knows us so well!

1 Kings 18 Philippians 4:19

BIBLE STORY

God knows what we need and he knows what is best for us. When we use something other than God as a way to make us feel better or loved, we are replacing God with an idol. Idols can be made of stone but they can also be other objects, people, or places. An idol is anything we use to replace God. Listen to the following scenarios and determine if God is being worshiped or an idol.

-You are feeling down so you open your bible to hear an uplifting scripture.

-You are feeling lonely so you call as many friends as you can until someone answers.

-You are not really hungry but you are bored so you get an unhealthy snack from the fridge.

-You want to play video games but you choose to help a neighbor who is asking for help.

-Your friend is feeling down so you tell them of a great new show they should watch.

-Your friend is feeling down so you go visit them to talk and listen to them.

-Your friend is going on a really cool trip, so you begin looking for great places you can visit.

-You had a really hard week at school so you decide to spend Friday night in worship with God.

Let’s read the Bible story for the week 1 Kings 18 

How many years passed before the Lord told Elijah to go to King Ahab? (3 years)

What was Obediah afraid to tell the king? (that he found Elijah, because if Elijah disappeared again, King Ahab would have killed him)

What did Elijah say was the reason for the trouble in Israel? (Ahab’s disobedience and following Baals)

What did Elijah say they needed to do?(Decide who is God and then follow him, but not go between the two.)

What did the prophets of Baal do to call get their god to answer? (danced around the altar, shout, cut themselves)

What did Elijah do to call upon God? (set up the altar and prayed for God to answer so they would know who was the true God)

Why did Elijah use 12 stones? (They represented the twelve tribes of Israels)

 How did God answer Elijah? (He sent fire from heaven that consumed the altar, water, wood, and stones)

What did God send, after the prophets of Baal were gone? (Rain)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

In our story for this week we see that God answered Elijah’s prayer to send fire down to consume the altar and all the water surrounding it. God answered Elijah’s prayer because He knew what the people of Israel needed. They needed rain, but they also need to be reminded that He was the one true God. He was the only God worthy of their worship and praise.

Activity

Create 2 areas making a circle from string or use 2 medium size bowls, these will represent the 2 altars that were built, and make a Start line (a few feet back). Think about the activities you engage in every day or on some days. Some of the things we do glorify God and show that He is sovereign in our lives. Then there are other activities that may be against what God wants for us, or take our attention away from His voice. Read the daily activity on the attached cards, if the activity glorifies God, then throw a bean on the altar of God. If the activity belongs to a false god, then toss a bean on the altar of the false god. When you have completed all the cards, read back over the cards for worshiping the God of Heaven and add additional activities you do each day to glorify Him.

Materials: 2 medium bowls or string, beans, printed cards

Alternate

God knows what is best for our lives. He is our creator and He knows what we need now and in the future. He wants us to realize that He is all we need. He has a perfect plan for us and He is able to give us everything we need. The people of Israel needed rain, but they first needed to realize they needed the Provider of the rain above everything else. Listen to the list of items and decide what the best use is for each item. 

Materials: printed list of items and uses

Independent activity:

watch this video about No God but God.

Create a picture of 2 altars, one to the God of heaven and one to a false god. Think of something you use or have that takes up a lot of your time and energy. On the top of your false god altar write words that describe what you give to that idol and what you think you get from it. For example if you named your false god altar “cell phone” you might write the following words on top of the idol: time, attention, money, security, acceptance, protection, safety. Continue with your altar to God. You might write the following words on your altar to God: time, money, love, etc. Write as much or as little as you would like. Look at your completed activity and decide if your false god is being used to replace the One true Godin your life.

Materials: device to watch video, sheet of construction paper, pencil, markers or crayons

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Create an altar by cutting out 12 rocks, craft sticks, blue, red and orange tissue paper. Place pieces of blue tissue paper on the bottom, place the 12 rocks stacked on top of each other. Then place the craft sticks on top of the rocks and then the red and orange tissue paper on the top to show fire coming down from heaven. On the top of the page write “Lord God of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God”

Materials: construction paper, craft sticks, tissue paper (blue, red and orange), writing utensil

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

Craft 3

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

Have you ever heard someone say when something worked out in their favor that it was a ‘good coincidence’? As Christians we believe that things do not happen in our favor just by coincidence but by God’s plan. God knows what is best for us, even when it seems like everything is going wrong, God is still in control. He knows exactly what we need and he provides for all our needs.

Read Philippians 4:19. It says that our God is able to supply all our needs according to the riches of his glory in Jesus Christ.

How much of our needs does God say He will provide?

In what manner does he supply our needs?

How does knowing God will take care of our needs help us be bold and trust Him?

What is a need you think is most important?

Have you ever seen God provide for that need?

God knows what is best for each one of us. He knows each one of us by name and He can supply all of your needs. God provided for all of Elijah’s needs. God provided a shelter and protection from King Ahab and Queen Jezebel; He provided food from the ravens and water from the brook; God provided fellowship with the widow and her son; and God provided an answer to Elijahs prayer to show the people of Israel who was God. 

Practical Application at Home

We can remember to be filled with God’s goodness each day in the activities that we do. When we are filled with the thoughts and actions of God, we have allowed ourselves to be filled with his goodness. Think about some of the things you think about or do every day that take up most of your time. Write several things on each rock. Now, we will fill this pitcher of water using the small cup filled with water. For each cup you pour into the large pitcher, name something about God’s character. For example: “God deserves priority in my life because he is…” Now that we have filled the pitcher to the rim with the goodness of God, let’s put your rock in the pitcher. What happened? The water overflowed out of the pitcher. When we filled our lives with other things we lost some of the goodness that filled us. We should be careful about the things we allow to take priority in our lives so we have not filled ourselves with more of the time consuming things, rather than with God’s goodness.

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Go to a park and spend time in worship and prayer. Ask God to show you ways to trust him and listen to his voice.