WELCOME TO WEEK 2

Welcome to week 2! This week we are learning that God can be trusted. God told King David that his son Solomon would build a temple of worship, and although it seemed to take a long time, God kept his word. We can trust that God will do what He says He will do!

1 Kings 8:1-2

BIBLE STORY

Trusting others can be difficult. Trusting God can be hard too, especially when it seems like it is taking forever to happen. We can trust that God has not forgotten and will keep His promises. Listen to these scenarios and determine why it was hard to trust the parent, teacher, or God in each situation.

—Your mom tells you not to go home with any friends after school but to come straight home. You disobey and go with your friend Jody instead. Turns out, your mom planned a special surprise for you after school that you missed. Why was it hard to trust and obey your mom?

—Your teacher says to be sure and read this weeks chapter at home to review. You decide to watch a movie instead because you think you already know the material. The next day the teacher gives a pop-test and you fail! Why was it hard to trust and obey your teacher?

—God asks you to have no other God’s before Him. You chose to follow some friends that were making bad choices but looked like they were always having fun. You had a good time with your friends but after it was over you felt really lonely, sad, and guilty. Why was it hard to trust and follow God?

Why was it hard to trust and follow God’s plan? God asks us to trust Him. We may not always know his plan, we may not be able to predict the future, but we can trust that God’s plans are good. He will keep His promises because He is trustworthy. This week we are learning about Solomon and how he trusted God to keep the covenant He made with his father, David.

Read or listen to the scripture  1 Kings 8:1-2 

Who wanted to build a temple for God? (David)

Who did God say would build the temple? (Solomon, David’s son)

Where did they place the Ark of the Covenant? (In the inner sanctuary, the most holy place)

What was kept in the Ark of the Covenant? (The 2 stone tablets given to Moses from God)

What was the cloud that filled the Holy Place? (the glory of the Lord)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Activity

Solomon’s temple was said to be magnificent. He used the very best materials to build the temple and he made sure it was done well. Solomon wanted the temple to be beautiful and honor God. The 7 Wonders of the World describes 7 magnificent structures that amaze people. Look at this website of the 7 Wonders of the World, and see if you can guess what they are.

Materials: 7 Wonders of the world attachment

Alternate

Solomon was able to build a temple for God. He used the best building materials and created a beautiful place to worship God. Using graph paper, create a temple drawing. Include the layout of the temple inside and out. Use colored pencils to color in the background and other items like gold candlesticks.

Materials: Graph paper, colored pencils, pencil

Independent activity:

When we have a teacher or a coach, we listen to what they tell us to do because we trust them and believe they can make us better at whatever we are trying to learn. Can you imagine telling your basketball coach you are not going to follow their instructions on how to shoot a basket? Can you imagine telling God you don’t need his help because you can figure it out on your own? Think about something you are good at and can teach someone else. It can be anything including how to tie your shoe. Create a how-to video or write out the how-to instructions you would give someone to advise them on how to do your special skill or activity. Share your video or instructions with your family. Think about how you can trust God to instruct you in His ways so you can live your life the best way possible

Materials: Video camera/device, or paper, a special skill

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Using popsicle sticks or craft sticks, create a temple replica. Include the different parts of the temple

Materials: craft sticks, art supplies such as: glue, crayons, scissors

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

Craft 3

Coloring page

Materials: Printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

In Proverbs 3:1-7 it says to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Create a simple obstacle course for a small ball or marble. Use small building blocks or bricks to create the path. Have a starting point and an ending point. Create lots of directions for your ball to go before it can make it to the end. Now, starting at the start point, give your ball one big push and see if it can make it to the end of the course. Did it make it? Of course not! There are too many turns and curves. Now try again, but this time make an alley way of one straight path. Give your ball one big push and see if it can make it to the end. When we lean on our own knowledge and intelligence, we may think we are moving ahead, but we hit lots of walls. God knows the beginning from the end and He knows exactly what path we need to take. So even though the road may twist and turn, God will move us forward as if we are going in a straight line, heading straight to the finish line. God will direct us and tell us exactly where to go.

How can we lean on God’s wisdom?

What do we need to use to help us know what direction we should go?

Do we only lean on God when things are hard?

Who do you know who leans on God’s wisdom?

What does that person say or do?

What should your life look like if you are leaning on God’s wisdom?

If you lean on God’s wisdom, does that mean no bad things will ever happen to you?

Practical Application at Home

Solomon was a successful king because he asked for God’s wisdom and God gave it to him. There are successful people in our world today and some lean on God’s wisdom and some do not. Leaning on God’s wisdom is the true measure of success regardless to what the world thinks.

Look at newspaper or magazine articles highlighting successful people. While you read the articles, determine if you think this person uses God’s wisdom as they make decisions. We should not look at people around us to determine the measure of success we should have. God gives wisdom and we can trust that He will direct our paths and show us the right things to do. Keep trusting and following Jesus!

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.