SPOKEN TO
WELCOME TO WEEK 3
Welcome to week 3! We’ve seen Elijah tell King Ahab about the drought, be fed by ravens and a widow with no food, and build an altar God answered with fire! Elijah saw amazing things happen. Even though he saw all those things with his own eyes, he still became discouraged. This week we will see how God spoke to Elijah to encourage him!
BIBLE STORY
Listening is a skill that we develop and use everyday. Sometimes we listen well and sometimes we do not. We are going to see how well you are able to use your listening skills. We both have the same cut-out shapes that we will use to arrange in different ways. Sit back to back and have one person describe where to arrange the shapes to make a picture or arrangement. Both the speaker and the listener should arrange their shapes at the same time in order to compare later. Once the speaker is finished giving directions, have the listener look at the speakers arrangement to see if it matches with their own. Switch places and have the listener become the speaker.
How well did you do? Were you able to get your pictures to look the same. Being a good listener takes skill but your partner also has to be a good communicator. Today we are reading further into the story of Elijah. God has shown Elijah that He will provide and give the right words to say. Yet after a great victory, Elijah becomes afraid. God speaks to Elijah and Elijah has to listen. Let’s read our story to see what happens with Elijah next.
Read or listen to 1 kings 19
What did Jezebel want to do after she heard about the prophets of Baal’s death? (she told Elijah she would do the same to him before the next day.)
What did Elijah do in response to Jezebel’s threat? (He ran for his life into the wilderness)
What did the angel give Elijah? (food and water)
When Elijah got to mount Horeb, what did God ask Elijah? (What doest though here?)
How did the Lord pass by Elijah on the mount? (in a quiet voice)
What did God tell Elijah?(that he has 7,000 faithful followers in Israel, to anoint kings over Syria and Israel, and to anoint Elisha to be prophet)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
God is compassionate on Elijah and speaks to him in a way that calms and reassures Elijah that God is still with him. God is patient with us as well. He wants us to be assured that He is still there and wants to comfort us when we are afraid or unsure. God did not get upset with Elijah for his weakness but instead comforted him with what he needed most.
Activity
Do the following science activity to show sound. Use a bowl, wrapped tightly in saran wrap, uncooked rice, and a metal pan with a metal spoon. After you wrap the top of the bowl with Saran Wrap, place a handful of grains of rice onto the tight Saran Wrap. Then bang the spoon against the metal pan. Experiment moving the clanging pan near and far from the bowl of rice. What do you observe? The rice moves as you bang the pan closer to is and the rice doesn’t move as much the farther away you go. This is due to sound waves. The amount of banging hasn’t changed but the how far the sound is able to travel determines how well it is heard. Isn’t it that way with God sometimes? The closer we are to God, the easier it seems to hear him. If you are unable to complete the experiment you can watch the demonstration here.
Materials: metal bowl, Saran Wrap, bowl, rice, metal spoon
Alternate
Read the following scriptures. The bible talks about wind, fire, and earthquakes in other times. Sort the following scriptures into groups according to the weather it describes.
Materials: printed scriptures cut into strips, scissors
Independent activity:
Elijah needed encouragement. Even though Elijah had just experienced victory with God at the altar, He became discouraged. He felt as if he was the only believer left! God wants us to be encouraged and to continue to walk in faith. God helped Elijah in his time of need, just as He wants to help us when we feel discouraged. Using index cards, create a set of scripture encouragement cards. Write each of the following scriptures on an index card. Hole punch the corners of the index cards and place a loose binder ring to keep them all together. Use these scripture reminder cards when you are feeling discouraged to remember that God can encourage you. Add more scriptures to the pack as you continue to read and learn your bible.
Materials: index cards, binder ring, pen or pencil.
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Create a spin wheel to show the different ways God showed his power. Using 2 paper plates, cut 1/4 triangular piece out of one paper plate. On the uncut paper plate divide the plate in 1/4 sections. In each section write the power God showed and write yes or no if God was in that power. Put both plates together using a metal brad in the middle of each paper plate. Decorate the top plate and write: “God in a still small voice”
Materials: large craft sticks, glue or hot glue, small pebbles
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
When Elijah was on the mountain, God sent the strong wind, the earthquake, fire and then a whisper. Elijah saw all these things happen in front of him and saw the power of the wind, the strength of the earthquake and fire, yet He knew that God was not in those things. Then when Elijah heard the still small voice, he knew that was God speaking to him.
Read John 10:27. It says “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me”.
How did Elijah know God’s voice was in the still small whisper?
How can we know God’s voice?
How can we be sure we are hearing from God and not from the enemy?
Share a time you felt God speak to you.
If you hear God’s voice, will you follow him?
What does the verse mean when it says “and I know them”?
In what ways does the Bible say God knows you?
Practical Application at Home
Think about what it means to have a shepherd. Shepherds are there to protect and care for the sheep. The sheep know exactly who their shepherd is, and follow after him. The shepherd will call to the sheep, and the sheep will come running to the shepherds voice. Watch this video of a pastor trying to call this young boys sheep, and see what happens.
Jesus says He is our good shepherd. He says his sheep know his voice and they follow him. We can be sheep that follow after Jesus, He to wants to love, care, and protect us. We can know God’s voice by reading and listening to his Word, the Bible. The bible is God speaking to us, giving us His words! When we know the Bible we can hear what God speaking to us. Sometimes we listen to so many other voices from the TV or people around us, that we have a hard time knowing what is from God. Read the following statements below and determine if it is the truth God is speaking to you or if it is a false statement that is not from God.
-Call to me and I will answer you (Jeremiah 33:3)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you (Jeremiah 29:11)
That was a terrible mistake, I can’t forget it.
Abide in me and I in you (15:
Whoever comes to me, I will never drive them away (John6:37)
You are not good enough
We are his workmanship, created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Joshua 1:9
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28
I forgive you this time, but I won’t forgive you next time.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life. (John 8:12)
There is a limit to my love
I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die (John 11:25)
I love you when you obey
I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20)
Notice all the statements without scripture are not God’s word speaking to you. Those are false statements used to deceive us. Cross out those statements and replace them with the following.
I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3
You will again have compassion on us, You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all of our iniquities into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)
While we were still sinners, Christ died. (Romans 5:8)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10
Elijah heard God’s voice and followed him. We can hear Gods voice and follow him as well.
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.