Elijah had a message for King Ahab from the Lord God. A drought was coming to the land. blessings 4.3. God Takes Cares of Me LESSON OVERVIEW

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1 date: LESSON OVERVIEW Elijah Fed by Ravens 1 Kings 17:1 6 Explore:: min. Discover:: min. Respond:: 5 minutes Bless:: 5 minutes Connect:: minutes Ponder Point: God Takes Cares of Me Elijah had a message for King Ahab from the Lord God. A drought was coming to the land of Israel. There would be no rain or dew for a few years. Then the Lord told Elijah to leave and hide himself. God told Elijah to drink water from the brook and that the ravens would bring his food. Elijah obeyed God s words. Everything happened just as God had said. The ravens brought him bread and meat to eat and he drank from the brook. God took care of Elijah.. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children s ministry leaders.

2 Inspire When I was in college, I was asked to lead a core group of junior high girls at my church. While flattered that the youth pastor had thought of me, I felt very inadequate. As I prayed about whether or not this was a ministry I should jump into, doubts began to creep up on me. I was working and going to school. Would I have time to invest in the students they were asking me to lead? Did I have the energy the position would take? I was still a fairly new Christian. Would I be able to answer their questions? The more I thought about it, the more reluctant I became. I was unsure about my qualifications, and yet, I continued to feel God leading me to take the position. Though I wasn t sure how it would go, I reluctantly agreed to give it a try, trusting that He would provide for me as I led the students. That week, the youth pastor introduced me to his wife, Nancy, and invited me for dinner at their home. Nancy was warm and friendly, and I immediately felt at home as she opened her doors to me. She must have sensed how nervous I was to begin this journey, because she assured me that she would walk alongside me as I grew more confident in my ability to lead. Over the next few weeks and months, my meetings with her became more regular until I was connecting with her in some way on almost a daily basis. As I poured into the group of girls I had been assigned to, Nancy poured into me. Through Nancy, God cared for me, and as God cared for me, I was able to care for others. Alyson Crockett TruBlessings Team 2

3 Equip It was a pivotal time in the history of Israel and Judah. The kingdom was splitting and the true worship of Yahweh was under attack. The prophets of God were the only restraint against the people s total abandonment of faith. Little by little, Yahweh worship was being replaced by the worship of false gods such as Baal and Asherah. In the northern kingdom, King Jeroboam I had set up his own temples at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:25 33). He had hoped to prevent the people from venturing south to Jerusalem to worship and thus be tempted to reunite with Rehoboam and the southern kingdom. These two false temples were just the first step in the attempt to draw Israel away from the true God. Just 25 years later, Omri, king of Israel, took the next step by creating a marriage alliance with the king of Sidon in Phoenicia and marrying his son Ahab with princess Jezebel, a priestess of Baal and daughter of the Sidonian king. This ushered in one of the darkest times in the history of Israel. When Ahab became king, he allowed Jezebel to convince him to build a temple for Baal, and she personally funded out of the treasury of Israel 450 priests of Baal and 400 priests of Asherah (1 Kings 18:19). Jezebel arranged for the deaths of the prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4) and even introduced Baal worship into the southern kingdom of Judah through marrying her daughter Athaliah to Jehoram (2 Kings 8:18). It was at this time God brought Elijah onto the scene. Elijah immediately confronted the worship of false gods by declaring a drought because of this evil. It was during this drought that Elijah ministered to the widow. When this drought was over, he confronted these false prophets and killed them on Mount Carmel. By the time Elijah had finished his work, Jezebel and her children were dead and Baal worship was eradicated from the land. 3

4 Support Elijah was in a place where he was unable to provide for himself. In a time of drought, God called him to a place where there was no food, and his only source of water was a small brook. As Elijah relied solely on God to sustain him, God s care was evident. He provided bread and meat, sent by ravens. Later, when the brook dried up and God called him out of the valley, Elijah remained faithful to God. He sought out a widow with little to offer. As the woman ministered to Elijah, God gave her a daily miracle. Despite the fact that she had little flour and oil, her jars did not run empty. Through times of celebration and times of darkness, God takes care of us. Read Psalm 23. What are some of the ways the psalmist states that God has provided and cared for him? Has God cared for you in a similar way? How? Take a few minutes and make a list of the ways God has taken care of you over the last week, month, year, or years. Consider using this list to write a personal psalm of praise to the Lord. 4

5 Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Explore:: Small Group min. Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship. Option 1: Colorful Feathers plastic tray feathers Option 2: Don t Spill the Seeds plastic tray empty plastic water bottle large bowl or tub funnel small cup birdseed Transition Song Discover:: Large Group min. Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God s Word. Welcome Bible Opening Theme Song Hamilton puppet Hamilton s house The Big God Story Raven Puppet Pattern (see Resource Folder) small brown paper bag piece of bread piece of cooked meat or plastic toy meat bowl water large tray Respond:: Large Group Bless:: Small Group 5 min. Create space for children to celebrate God together in worship through music. 5 min. Bless the children that they may experience God fully. Song of Celebration Suggestion: God of Love from Songs from the Playhouse by TruWorship Bible (for the blessing) snack 5

6 Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Connect:: Small Group min. Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experienced in large group. Option 1: Feather Painting table covering heavy white card stock washable paint small bowls feathers from Explore Option 1 wet wipes Option 2: Hide-and-Seek none Option 3: God Loves Me! marker poster board red modeling dough Hamilton s Box of Fun box or basket to hold objects musical instruments (mini orchestra can be found at small balls (not bouncy balls or other small objects children could choke on; consider Feel & Roll Bumpy Balls from silk scarves or other items for dress-up wooden blocks chunky cars and/or trucks Cleanup Song God Takes Cares of Me coloring page (see Resource Folder) 6

7 EXPLORE DISCOVER RESPOND BLESS CONNECT Explore:: Small Group SECTION min. Host and Small Group Leaders Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship. Option 1: Colorful Feathers 2 s Supplies plastic tray feathers Set up Put feathers on the tray. Engage Invite one child at a time to the table. Do you see the feathers on the tray? Birds have feathers like these. God made birds in all different colors. Can you help me sort the feathers into different piles? We are going to put all of the (name a color) feathers into one pile. Continue this way until all of the colors are sorted. Option 2: Don t Spill the Seeds 3 s Supplies plastic tray empty plastic water bottle large bowl or tub funnel small cup birdseed PREPARE Empty and dry out the water bottle. Peel the label off. Story Spots Story Spot refers to an item used to mark the place where each child sits. Consider using carpet squares, small circle-shaped rugs, or large, sturdy place mats. When children hear the transition song, cue them to choose a Story Spot, place it in the large group gathering space, and sit down. At the close of your time together in The Big God Story, encourage children to return their Story Spots to their original location. Set up Set the funnel inside the top of the water bottle. Fill the large bowl or tub with birdseed and place the cup inside the birdseed container. Place all of the materials on the table. Engage Invite one child at a time to the tray. In The Big God Story today we are going to hear how God took care of a man named Elijah. He sent a bird to bring him food. Birds also need to eat. They eat seeds. We are going to practice pouring the seeds into this water bottle. Let s see if we can do it without spilling. Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences. Transition Song: Choose a fun song to cue children to find their Story Spots. 7

8 EXPLORE DISCOVER RESPOND BLESS CONNECT Discover:: min. Host, Worship Leader, & Storyteller Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences. AS YOU BEGIN STORYTELLING As you begin the storytelling section of Discover, have a volunteer available to be Hamilton the Hedgehog using the puppet you provide. Or, you may choose to act as the storyteller and the puppeteer. Encourage Hamilton to come out of his house. Consider having a facade that is part of your stage/teaching area. This facade can act as a puppet stage to conceal puppeteers. However, if this is not an option, if children see the volunteer with the puppet on his/her hand, encourage the volunteer to interact with Hamilton and the children. Their participation will help kids to see the puppeteer and puppet as separate characters. Welcome Supplies Bible Opening Theme Song Hamilton puppet Hamilton s house Large Group SECTION Hi, kids! Welcome! I am so excited to be here with you today. Let s all celebrate God by singing and dancing together! (Play the Opening Theme Song from TruBlessings worship and lead kids in dance and celebration.) Ponder Point: God Takes Care of Me That was great! Now, let s all sit down on our Story Spots it s time to hear part of The Big God Story! Shall we call Hamilton and ask him to join us? (Children will answer.) On the count of three, let s call him together. Are you ready? One, two, three. Hamilton, where are you? (Encourage kids to call for Hamilton.) Hmmmm Maybe he s hiding. Let s try again. Hamilton, where are you? (Have a volunteer available to be Hamilton the Hedgehog walk the puppet out of his house. It s okay if the children see the volunteer with the puppet on her hand.) Hi, Hamilton! I m so glad you are here with us today. Hamilton, were you hiding? (Hamilton nods up and down.) Well, that is silly. Were you playing hide-and-seek? (Hamilton nods up and down.) Oh, I like to play that game. Did you know that God told a man in the Bible to hide? Do you want to learn about it? Great! Are you ready to hear this part of The Big God Story? (Hamilton nods excitedly.) Me too! But before we get started, do you know where we can find The Big God Story? (Have Hamilton nod his head and gesture to the Bible.) That s right the Bible! God gave us the Bible so we can learn about Him! We read the Bible to learn about God and about His Son, Jesus! And I know that you love to dig, dig, dig right into God s Word to find out what He has to say to us. Let s all stand up and sing our Bible Song together. 8

9 EXPLORE DISCOVER RESPOND BLESS CONNECT The Big God Story is written for a two- to threeyear-old audience and can be told in its entirety for an older audience, but may need to be shortened if the class is on the younger side. Prayer of Release A Prayer of Release is a prayer asking God to remove any distractions that would get in the way of hearing from and responding to Him. As we pray, we dedicate this time to the Lord and ask to be filled with knowledge and understanding from Him, giving God His rightful role as teacher. We can begin to model this posture of prayer with the children in our care. To lead two- to three-yearold children, pray a simple prayer thanking God for His presence and asking Him to teach you as you gather together. For example: Thank You, God, for being with us. We ask that You would teach us today. Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand. Chinese proverb Bible Song (sung to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb ) Now it s time to hear God s Word Hear God s Word Hear God s Word Now it s time to hear God s Word So let s look in the Bible As the song ends, have children return to their Story Spots. Hamilton can model this for children by sitting quietly as he listens to The Big God Story. Volunteer can return him to his house with his little face peeking out, or she may choose to sit quietly with him throughout the storytelling section. The Big God Story Elijah Is Fed by Ravens 1 Kings 17:1 6 SUPPLIES Raven Puppet Pattern (see Resource Folder) small brown paper bag piece of bread piece of cooked meat or plastic toy meat bowl water large tray SET UP Make the raven puppet by gluing the pattern to the brown paper bag. Fill the bowl with water. Place all of the materials on a large serving tray or small table. Set the tray or table in your teaching area. Okay, friends, before we get started, let s all pray together and ask God to teach us. (Lead the kids in a Prayer of Release as you prepare to hear God s Word.) A man named Elijah loved God very much. God talked to Elijah and Elijah listened to Him. God can talk to us, too. He talks to people all of the time, just like He talked to Elijah. God told Elijah that there would be no rain for a long time. We need rain to help our food grow and give us water to drink. Let s make the sound of rain. Boys and girls, can you pat your legs? Good job! Listen. Do you hear the sound of rain? Wow, that sounds wonderful! You can put your hands back in your lap now. Thank you! God said there would be no rain. Did Elijah need to worry? No, he knew God loved him and would take care of him. Can you give yourself a hug and say, God takes care of me? (Demonstrate and say this with the children.) Who would like to help me? I need one friend to help me by pretending to be Elijah. (Choose a child to be Elijah.) God told Elijah to go and hide. Do you think Elijah 9

10 EXPLORE DISCOVER RESPOND BLESS CONNECT listened to God? Yes, he did. Elijah went and hid. (Help Elijah hide in a corner where the children can still see him.) Elijah didn t have a bed to sleep in. He didn t have any food to eat or water to drink. Do you think Elijah was scared? No! Elijah knew God loved him and would take care of him. Give yourself a hug and say, God takes care of me. (Demonstrate and say this with the children.) When Elijah was thirsty, God said, Go down to the river and drink some water. Elijah, can you come over here and pretend to drink water from the river? (Place the bowl on the floor and help Elijah pretend to drink water.) Did God give Elijah water? Yes, because God loved Elijah and took care of him. Let s give ourselves a hug and say, God takes care of me. (Demonstrate and say this with the children.) God gave Elijah water when he was thirsty. What do you think God did when Elijah got hungry? Yes, God gave him food. He sent a raven to bring Elijah some bread and meat. A raven is a big black bird. Oh look, I have a raven right here! (Have the raven puppet bring Elijah bread and meat.) Did Elijah have a hungry tummy? No, he didn t, because God sent the ravens with food for Elijah. God took care of him. Can you give yourself a hug and say, God takes care of me? (Demonstrate and say this with the children.) God tells us in the Bible that we don t have to worry about anything, because He will take care of us. Let s think of some ways that God takes care of you and me. (Brainstorm with the children.) God gives us a family, food, friends, clothes, and more! I am so glad that God loves us. God will always take care of us, just like He cared for Elijah and brought him food and water. Can you give yourself a hug and say, God takes care of me? (Demonstrate and say this with the children.) Have the children say good-bye to Hamilton as he goes back into his home and thank him for coming to be a part of The Big God Story. 10

11 EXPLORE DISCOVER RESPOND BLESS CONNECT Respond:: 5 min. Worship Leader Children have the opportunity to respond to God as they celebrate Him within the faith community. Large Group SECTION Song of Celebration Friends, we just learned how much God loves us. God loves us so much that He takes care of us all of the time. God loved Elijah and God loves us. Let s stop and sing to God about His love. Lead kids in a celebratory worship song. Suggested song: God of Love from Songs from the Playhouse by TruWorship. Bless:: 5 min. Small Group Leaders This time is set aside for leaders to spend a few moments blessing the children in their small groups. Small Group SECTION A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. A blessing can be offered in order to ask God s Spirit to overflow from the child s life in such a way that blesses others, while it can also be prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God s protection, joy, or wisdom. Gather the children around you to bless them. Pray this prayer of blessing over each child: (name a child), God loves you and cares for you. Open a Bible and read 1 John 4:8b: God is love. Snack: If you want to tie in the snack with the lesson, you can give the kids a piece of bread and some meat like Elijah ate. As the kids eat, sit down with them and engage them in conversation. Make sure to consider any food allergies or check with parents ahead of time. 11

12 EXPLORE DISCOVER RESPOND BLESS CONNECT Connect:: min. Small Group Leaders Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experience in large group. Option 1: Feather Painting SUPPLIES table covering heavy white card stock washable paint small bowls feathers from Explore Option 1 wet wipes PREPARE Collect supplies. Small Group SECTION SET UP Pour paint into the bowls and set them in the center of the table. Place the feathers near the paint. ENGAGE God loves us so much that He takes care of us all of the time. God can even send a bird to bring someone food when they need it. We are going to use these bird feathers to paint a picture. Demonstrate how to dip a feather into the paint and paint on the paper. Have wet wipes available to clean up messy hands. Option 2: Hide-and-Seek SUPPLIES none ENGAGE Invite the children to join you. God sent Elijah to hide. Did God take care of Elijah when he was hiding? Yes, He did. We are going to play a game like hide-and-seek. One of you will hide and the rest of us will try to find you. Have a teacher help one of the children hide while the rest of the class covers their eyes. On your signal, everyone can look for their friend. Let the other children take turns hiding. Option 3: God Loves Me! SUPPLIES marker poster board red modeling dough 12

13 E X P LO R E D I S C OVE R R E S P O N D B LE S S C ONNECT PREPARE Use a marker to draw a heart on the poster board. ENGAGE Encourage the children to join you at the table. Place the poster board in the middle. Boys and girls, do you see this big heart on the paper? What does this heart remind you of? This big heart reminds me of how much God loves you and me. Can you help me fill in this heart with some red dough? Let s see if we can fill this heart up with love. Help tear off pieces of the dough and place them in the heart until it is all filled up. Ongoing Connect Option Hamilton s Box of Fun Invite the kids to your circle time area and sing together: Hamilton s Box (sung to the tune of Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? ) Where, oh where is Hamilton s Box? Oh where, oh where can it be? It s full of fun toys that we sure like a lot Oh where, oh where can it be? Pick one or two kids to help find the box or basket. Once it s found, you can place it in the middle of your circle time area and invite the kids to come and explore what is inside. Ask: Come on over, everyone! What fun things can we explore today? Let s take turns playing with things and even play together. Me at Two and Three: Children 24 to 36 months of age are beginning to develop an interest in pretend play. You can encourage imagination and pretending by prompting children to sing and dance as a means of acting out the various parts of a simple story. When it s time to put the toys away, cue the kids with a Cleanup Song. (Choose a fun song that your children will recognize as the Cleanup Song each week, possibly with a circus theme or other recognizable sound that is different from other music.) Hamilton s Box of Fun This is a fun resource to encourage the kids to interact with each other by sharing toys and using their imagination with different objects. This activity can be utilized at the beginning or end of the service, if time permits. 13

14 EXPLORE DISCOVER RESPOND BLESS CONNECT SUPPLIES box or basket to hold objects musical instruments (mini orchestra can be found at small balls (not bouncy balls or other small objects children could choke on; consider Feel & Roll Bumpy Balls from silk scarves or other items for dress-up wooden blocks chunky cars and/or trucks Cleanup Song God Takes Care of Me coloring page (see Resource Folder) SET UP Put a variety of fun objects/toys in box. Hide box or basket somewhere in the room. Clean objects each week after use. HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God s Word together before children arrive at church. TruBlessings will spend two weeks on the same part of The Big God Story and Ponder Point, and each Weekly covers four weeks worth of lessons. It is designed to trifold with an editable field that allows you to fill in the dates for the weeks that will be covered. HomeFront Monthly: Every four weeks we highlight one of the 10 environments. For each new environment, parents should receive HomeFront Monthly. This resource gives families ideas for how to create fun, spiritually forming times in their homes setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! 14