PLANNED FOR
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!
BIBLE STORY
Let’s play a game called “I’m going on a trip”. I am going to tell you a few items I am going to take on a trip. Listen to what I will bring and then tell me what else I need to take with me that I might be missing. Ready?
-I am going on a trip, I will need a swimsuit, a beach towel and sunscreen. What else will I need? (Anything you take to the beach)
-I am going on a trip. I will need hiking boots, a walking stick, and drinking water. What else will I need? (Going on a hike)
-I am going on a trip. I will need a suitcase, a neck pillow and a boarding pass. What else will I need? (Going on an airplane)
-I am going on a trip. I will need a canoe, a lifejacket, and an oar. What else will I need? (Canoeing trip)
Now you tell me a trip or 3 things that you need that go together and I will guess one more thing that belongs with the group.
God made us and he knows exactly what we need. He knows what is best for us and for our own good. God never forgets anything or forgets to give us what we need. This week we are learning the next part of our story. We will see how God knew exactly what the people of Israel needed to remember that He is God and He had a better plan for them.
Let’s read or listen to the story in 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
Elijah loved God very much and wanted to obey him, but there were people in the Bible that did not love God. Print the 2 emoji faces and use them to decide if the people I mention loved God or did not love God.
Materials: printed emoji face, list of bible characters
Alternate
After the people of Israel witnessed God consume the altar with the water they turned back toward God. Complete the following science experiment and see how you can turn the hardened shell of an egg into a soft shell. Just as the shell of the egg was turned from hard to soft, God can changed the hearts of the Israelites from hard to soft too.
Materials: egg, small bowl, vinegar
Independent activity:
Sometimes its hard to know the difference between a need and a want. God knows what we need and what is best for us. God helped the people of Israel see that He was better for them than the stone idols they were worshipping. Complete the following activity sheet and sort needs and wants.
Materials: printed activity sheet, scissors, glue
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: paper, craft sticks, tissue paper (blue, red and orange), glue
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
Craft 3
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Did Elijah love and follow God?
Did king Ahab and the people of Israel follow God?
When Elijah prayed, did God answer him?
How was Elijah bold in following God?
Why do you think Elijah was able to be bold?
What verses do you know that help you remember God is always with you.
Elijah was able to be bold because He knew that God was going to be with him. God knew what was going to happen and He had a plan for Elijah and the people of Israel. Elijah trusted that God knew best even if he didn’t know how it would all work out.
Practical Application at Home
God knew what the People of Israel needed. God knew what Elijah needed. And God knows what each of us needs as well. The people of Israel needed God most of all. God knew He needed to remind them that He was the only true God that they should serve. God showed them in a powerful way that He was the only God. God shows us that He is God in many different ways. Maybe you’ve seen him do a miracle for you or your family. Maybe you see God’s great hand in all the creation around us. Maybe you see God in the love that people show to one another.
Complete the following calendar by filling in a way you see God each day. It can be a miracle you have witnessed, nature, God providing for you, or any other way God shows himself to you this week. Draw a picture in the box or write what you saw. Do this calendar entry for 2 weeks. At the end of the 2 weeks, go back and remember what God has shown you and how He is the one and only God.
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.