GOD’S Wisdom
WELCOME TO WEEK 1
Have you ever faced a difficult problem that you didn’t have an answer to? We may learn a lot of knowledge in school but how we use that knowledge is called wisdom. Where can we get wisdom? This week we will see where the wisest man found his wisdom
BIBLE STORY
This week we are learning about wisdom. When we learn something new we say we have gained knowledge, but wisdom is how we use that information. Let’s practice showing wisdom. (Using 5 bags, fill 1 bag with a special treat. Then place tissue paper, tissue, or rice into each of the bags, disguising the hidden treat) I have 5 bags here, and 1 of them has a special treat in it. I want you to try to figure out which bag has the treat. Allow time for your child to dig through each bag. Say, You know, if you had asked me, I would have told you which bag had the treat. Today we are learning about Solomon and how he asked God for something and God gave it to him. Let’s find out what Solomon asked for.
Materials: 5 bags, a special treat, tissue paper, tissue, or rice
Read or listen to the scripture 1 Kings 3:1-13
Who is Solomon’s dad? (King David)
Solomon was king over what nation? (Israel)
How did Solomon show his love for God? (by walking in the instructions his father David gave him)
What did God tell Solomon in a dream? (he could ask for whatever he wanted and God would give it to him)
What did Solomon ask for? (Wisdom to rule over God’s great people)
Why was God pleased with Solomon’s request? (Solomon could have asked for money, long life or death for his enemies but instead asked for wisdom in how to rule out justice)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
We often describe wisdom as having pearls of wisdom. Wisdom is like a small treasure of good advice. We can receive advice from lots of people but the true wisdom is from God. We have to be careful that we take advice from a trusted source. We can trust God wants what is good for us, so His advice will always be true and for our good.
Activity
Listen to these pearls of wisdom. Read the wisdom written on each pearl, and determine if you think these are words of wisdom, or not. Sort the pearls into 2 piles.
Materials: Pearls of wisdom sorting
Alternate
Complete this treasure hunt to find the Pearl of Wisdom. Print and place each object in the correct hidden spot according to the clue. Then give the first clue to your child and have them hunt for the additional clues until they end finding the Pearl of Wisdom.
Materials: scavenger hunt clues
Independent activity:
God gives us wisdom to make good choices in difficult situations. Use God’s wisdom to solve this challenge activity. Build a structure you can balance on 1 finger or on your nose. Use materials you have at home such as small and skinny craft sticks, mini marshmallows, plastic Connecting cubes and spheres. Create a small balancing point and then build your structure to extend from that point. Keep experimenting with different designs until you are successful! God gives us wisdom to solve problems!
Materials: Materials to explore: (may vary) craft sticks, mini marshmallows, connecting rods, cubes and spheres
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Color the container of gold coins. Cut out circles using gold wrapping paper, tissue paper or by coloring in white paper.
Materials: print out, gold paper or gold wrapping paper, scissors, glue
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
Craft 3
Coloring page
Materials: Printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read Proverbs 1:7 It says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and knowledge.
What does it mean to fear the Lord?
Why would anyone despise wisdom and knowledge?
In what ways do you fear or love the Lord?
Do you think God uses our parents to help us gain wisdom and knowledge?
Do you accept discipline from your parents and recognize your errors?
How can we learn to choose wisdom?
Practical Application at Home
God gives us wisdom to handle daily situations. We can pray and ask God for wisdom as we make decisions about school, friends and obeying Him. It is foolish to not learn and then ask God to help us use that information to make wise decision. Think about the wise decision you would make if the following situations happened to you. Read the following choices and then decide which one you think is the wiser choice and then say why you made that choice.
- take a harder math course or take a class you know will give you an A
- get a ride from a stranger or walk home even though it’s far
- tell the truth about a bad thing you did or tell a good lie about the bad thing you did so you don’t get in trouble
- Skip family movie night to study for your test tomorrow or watch the family movie first then try to study quickly before bed
- Befriend the new kid at school or wait until other kids talk to the new kid before you try
- Play video games in your room all day by yourself or make time to spend with your family
- Spend all your savings to buy the latest electronic gadget like your friends or save your money for a future purchase you might need.
- Decide to drink more water each day than soda or drink however much soda you want because it taste good.
Making little choices each day can sometimes have lasting effects in the future. Drinking too much soda when you are young can cause many health issues when you are older including diabetes. Getting bad grades in school now or not taking challenging classes in school can keep you from getting good grades in high school or college. Telling the truth even when it’s hard can create good habits for becoming an honest adult. God can help us make good choices now that we can continue to make into adulthood. Solomon simply asked for wisdom and God blessed him, we can ask too!
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.