Leader BIBLE STUDY The prophet Elijah had just witnessed God s great display of power over the false god Baal. God had sent fire from heaven and then ended a long drought with a great rain. Elijah must have felt a sense of victory; the evil King Ahab could not deny the one true God. But trouble awaited Elijah in the form of Ahab s wife Jezebel. When Jezebel heard what Elijah had done at Mount Carmel, she threatened to kill him. Elijah ran away and hid in the wilderness. What a change Elijah experienced! He went from a man faithfully and confidently praying for God s glory to be displayed at Mount Carmel to a man begging the Lord to take away his life. (See 1 Kings 19:4.) God was merciful to Elijah. An angel of the Lord brought Elijah food and drink while he rested. Then Elijah traveled to Horeb for a personal encounter with God. Horeb another name for Mount Sinai was a familiar place in the history of Israel. It was the place where God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites and where Moses met with God. After the events in 1 Kings 18, Elijah might have expected a grand display of God s presence, but what he experienced was just the opposite. The Lord was not in the wind. The Lord was not in the earthquake. The Lord was not in the fire. God revealed Himself to Elijah in a voice, a soft whisper. Elijah s circumstances were difficult, but God didn t leave him. God gave him Elisha, a friend and successor. God assured Elijah that he was not alone; there were 7,000 people in Israel who had not turned to worship Baal. God s prophets suffered, but their lives and messages pointed forward to the ultimate prophet, priest, and king Jesus Christ who suffered for the sins of the world. Jesus was hated and killed, but His death and resurrection brought victory for God s people. 1 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 3
Older Kids Bible study OVERVIEW Session Title: Elijah Ran from Jezebel Bible Passage: 1 Kings 19 Big Picture Question: How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God s people to repentance as Christ calls people to repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ s perfect kingdom is forever. Small Group Opening Welcome time Activity page (5 minutes) Session starter (10 minutes) Large Group Leader Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline map (3 minutes) Big picture question (1 minute)5 Tell the Bible story (9 minutes) The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Discussion starter video (5 minutes) Key passage (5 minutes) Sing (4 minutes) Prayer (2 minutes) Small Group Leader Key passage activity (5 minutes) Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Journal and prayer (5 minutes) 2
The BIBLE STORY Elijah Ran from Jezebel 1 Kings 19 The prophet Elijah knew God s power. When God sent fire from heaven, He displayed His power to King Ahab, the Israelites, and the worshipers of the false god Baal. Elijah must have felt very glad that God showed that He is the one true God. But more trouble was coming for Elijah. King Ahab told his wife, Jezebel, about what happened at Mount Carmel and that Elijah had defeated the prophets of Baal. Jezebel was angry. She sent a messenger to Elijah. The messenger told Elijah that Jezebel planned to kill him like she killed the other prophets of God. Elijah was afraid! He ran far away into the wilderness where Jezebel couldn t find him. Elijah prayed to God, I can t handle this. Lord, take my life. Then Elijah lay down and slept under a broom tree. God did not take Elijah s life. Instead, He sent an angel to help Elijah. The angel touched Elijah and said, Get up and eat. A loaf of baked bread and a jar of water was nearby, and Elijah ate and drank and lay down again. A second time, the angel came and touched Elijah. Get up and eat, the angel said. This journey is too hard for you. Elijah ate and drank. The food gave him strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Horeb (HOH reb), the mountain of God. When Elijah got to the mountain, he went into a cave and spent the night there. The word of the Lord came to Elijah. God said, What are you doing here, Elijah? Lord, I ve done my best to obey You, Elijah replied. But Your people have not obeyed You! They have killed Your prophets, and now they are trying to kill me! Go out and stand on the mountain, God said. Then the Lord passed by. A strong wind rushed by the mountain, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was a voice a soft whisper. When Elijah heard the whisper, he hid his face and stood at the opening of 3 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 3
the cave. What are you doing here, Elijah? a voice asked. Lord, I ve done my best to obey You, Elijah replied. But your people have not obeyed you! They have killed Your prophets, and now they are trying to kill me! Then the Lord said to Elijah, Go back to the Wilderness of Damascus. God gave Elijah instructions to anoint certain men as leaders: Hazael (HAZ ay el) as king of Aram (A ruhm), Jehu (JEE hyoo) as king of Israel, and Elisha as prophet in his place. Elijah obeyed God. When he found Elisha, Elisha was plowing a field. Elisha left his work to follow Elijah and serve him. Christ Connection: Elijah was God s prophet, but Jezebel wanted to kill him. God was in control, and He protected Elijah. Jesus is the true and final Prophet. People hated Jesus and wanted to kill Him. God was in control. He used Jesus enemies to fulfill His plan to save people from sin. 4
Small Group Opening Session Title: Elijah Ran from Jezebel Bible Passage: 1 Kings 19 Big Picture Question: How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God s people to repentance as Christ calls people to repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ s perfect kingdom is forever. 5 timer or watch Big Picture Time Code activity page, 1 per kid pencils LOW PREP paper markers tape Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Challenge kids to see who can run in place the longest: 60 seconds, 90 seconds, or 120 seconds. Say In today s Bible story, someone ran a long time. Activity page (5 minutes) Help boys and girls complete the time code on the activity page Big Picture Time Code. Kids should find the answer is today s big picture question, How does God help in times of trouble? Say Name a time God might help someone in trouble. Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Afraid or not afraid scale Tape signs for the numbers 1 10 on the wall. Explain that you will name something. If kids are very afraid of that item, they should stand by the number 10. If they are a little bit afraid, they might stand by the number 3. If they are not afraid at all, they should stand by the number 1. Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 3
Suggestions: spiders, jelly beans, storms, pizza, public speaking, snakes, lions, tigers, bears, earthquakes, heights, ice cream, insects, another person, cars, barking dogs, french fries Say Everybody is afraid of something at sometime during her life. Usually, we are afraid of a lot of things. In today s Bible story, Elijah became very afraid. Listen to the Bible story to discover what caused Elijah to be afraid and the message God gave Elijah. Allergy Alert sandwich bread paper plates butter jam butter knives paper towels Option 2: Bread pinwheels Give each kid a slice of bread and a paper plate. Help kids make butter and jam bread pinwheels. Invite kids to butter their bread and spread jam on it. When ready, kids should roll their bread slice and cut 1/2-inch pieces. Additional topping options: cinnamon sugar, cream cheese, sliced cheese. Say In our story today, God provided Elijah with hot bread to eat. Listen during the Bible story to find out why Elijah needed something to eat. When you are really, really, really hungry, what do you want to eat the most? Why? Transition to large group 6
Large Group LEADER Session Title: Elijah Ran from Jezebel Bible Passage: 1 Kings 19 Big Picture Question: How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God s people to repentance as Christ calls people to repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ s perfect kingdom is forever. countdown video Countdown Show the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins. life vest Timeline Map Introduce the session (1 minute) [Large group leader enters adjusting the straps and buckles of the life vest.] Leader Hello, rafters! Have you worn a life vest before? Why do we need to wear a life vest while we river raft? Yes. If we fall overboard, the life vest will help us float. It could save our lives. I have been checking and rechecking the straps and buckles on my vest. I want to make sure if I accidentally fall overboard that my vest is on correctly. I m a little afraid that I will fall overboard. Are any of you afraid of falling overboard? I see some of you are. Well, it is time to check out our timeline map and see what story we will be exploring today. Timeline map (3 minutes) As you review, indicate each Bible story picture and its 7 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 3
location on the timeline. Leader When I count to three, I want everyone to shout out the name of the prophet we learned about last week. Ready? One. Two. Three! Elijah is the prophet we studied. Elijah challenged Ahab and the false prophets of Baal to a showdown. God wanted to show that He is the one true God, the all-powerful one true God. The prophets of Baal built an altar. They cried out to Baal for hours. But no fire came for their altar. Finally, Elijah built his altar. He even dug a trench around the altar. Then he poured 12 jars of water over the altar. The water made the wood wet and it filled the trench around the altar. Elijah prayed one prayer and God sent fire. The fire completely burned Elijah s altar and all the water in the trench. Every bit of the altar was gone, even the dust! Yahweh showed Ahab and the false prophets that He is the one true God. If you were Elijah, how would you feel after that? Select several kids to answer. Leader Do you know what the Bible says happened to Elijah next? We will talk about that today. Something happened that caused Elijah to be afraid. 8 Bibles, 1 per kid Elijah Ran from Jezebel video Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Big Picture Question Slide or Poster Big picture question (1 minute) Leader Elijah found himself in a troublesome situation. And he needed to learn the answer to our big picture question. Today our big picture question is, How does God help in times of trouble? That is a question that we need to know the answer to as well. Open your Bibles to 1 Kings 19 and we will learn what happened to Elijah. Tell the Bible story (9 minutes) Open your Bible to 1 Kings 19 and tell the Bible story in
your own words, or show the Bible story video Elijah Ran from Jezebel. Leader Elijah had seen the great power of God on Mount Carmel. But when Jezebel threatened his life, he became afraid. Elijah traveled a long way to escape Jezebel. He ran to the wilderness. Elijah was very discouraged, but God provided for him. God sent an angel to bring Elijah hot bread and water. After Elijah traveled to Mount Horeb, God spoke to Elijah. Did God speak to Elijah in the wind? No. Did God speak to Elijah in the earthquake? No. Did God speak to Elijah in the fire? No. Did God speak to Elijah in a whisper? Yes. Elijah had seen God work in a great and powerful way on Mount Carmel. Now, Elijah heard God speak in a quiet moment. God was showing Elijah that He is always in control. In the big moments and the small moments, God is always there. Do you remember our big picture question? How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Elijah needed to know that God had not left him, even though Jezebel had threatened his life. God is with us no matter what the situation is. He is there and He is in control. God can use the bad to create good. Remember the people who hated Jesus? They wanted to kill Him and they did. But God used them to fulfill His plan to save people from sin. Jesus died to rescue us from sin. And God showed He was in control by raising Jesus from the grave. The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to girls and boys how to become a Christian. Tell kids how they can respond, and provide counselors to speak with each kid 9 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 3
individually. Guide counselors to use open-ended questions to allow kids to determine the direction of the conversation. If you cannot provide a response time, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. Unit 13 Session 3 discussion starter video Key Passage Slide or Poster Keep My Commands song 10 Discussion starter video (5 minutes) Leader At the beginning of our Bible story, Elijah became afraid of Jezebel. Fear is something that all people struggle with. Check out this video about fear. Show the Unit 13 Session 3 video. Leader Do the fears in the video seem silly? Yes. What about our fears? Does it seem silly that Elijah would be afraid? What about you? If you were Elijah, would you have been afraid? What would you have done? Think about something you are afraid of. How can remembering our big picture question and answer help you when you experience that fear? Allow some kids to answer. Be encouraging of their willingness to respond. You may wish to also share how the big picture question and answer can help you with something you fear. Key passage (5 minutes) Leader Do I have any volunteers who have memorized our key passage? Select a kid to share. Leader Great job! What part of the passage is the hardest for everyone to remember? Read that part of the key passage with me a few times. Lead boys and girls to focus on the part of the passage they need help remembering.
Leader Let s read our key passage together. I need a volunteer to lead the group to read the entire key passage. Choose a volunteer and allow him to lead the group. Select another kid to lead the group to read the key passage a second time. Choose a third kid to lead the group to sing Keep My Commands. Running song Sing (4 minutes) Leader Elijah ran from Jezebel. Could he have run to God instead? Join me in singing our theme song. Guide boys and girls to sing the theme song Running. Prayer (2 minutes) Leader How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Say the big picture question and answer with me one more time. How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. After I pray, watch your small group leader for the signal to raft your way to your small group. Close in prayer. Dismiss to small groups 11 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 3
The Gospel: God s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means good news. It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. 12
Small Group LEADER Session Title: Elijah Ran from Jezebel Bible Passage: 1 Kings 19 Big Picture Question: How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God s people to repentance as Christ calls people to repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ s perfect kingdom is forever. Key Passage Poster Bibles, 1 per kid Small Group Visual Pack Key passage activity (5 minutes) Lead kids to jog or walk in place while reading the key passage. Cover part of the key passage poster and lead kids to provide the missing words. Say Do you think Ahab and Jezebel listened to Elijah s messages from God? No. The Bible reveals that both Ahab and Jezebel continued in their evil, sinful ways until they died. Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Begin the activity by whispering, or begin in a normal voice and slowly drop your voice to a whisper. Say Elijah was afraid of Jezebel. He was so discouraged that he told God it was OK to just take his life. What was God s response? Invite kids to read 1 Kings 19:5-7. Say How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. God provided what Elijah needed food, water, and protection. 13 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 3
Guide kids to read 1 Kings 19:9-12. Say Why do you think God spoke in a soft whisper? Allow a few kids to share their thoughts. Say How did God use Jesus enemies? (He used Jesus enemies to fulfill His plan to save people from sin.) Who is the true and final prophet? (Jesus in the true and final Prophet.) Using the timeline in the small group visual pack, review other times God did not leave or forsake His people. If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions. God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16-17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Rom. 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9) Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God s family. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18) We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Rom. 10:9-10,13) LOW PREP dry erase board dry erase markers 14 Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Draw it Guide kids to draw a place or situation where they know that God will never leave them or forsake them. Select one kid to draw first. While she draws, the other kids should guess what place she is depicting.
Allow kids to take turns drawing until everyone has had a turn. If you have a large group, consider forming teams to allow two kids to draw at the same time. Say How do you know that God will never leave you or forsake you when you are in the place or situation you depicted in your drawing? How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Does God only stay with us in times of trouble? What about the good times? God is always with us during the good times and during times of trouble. dry erase vinyl, 4-by-6-inch pieces dry erase markers permanent markers foam board, cut into 5-by-7-inch pieces scissors Tip: Chalkboard vinyl and chalk may be substituted for dry erase vinyl and dry erase markers. Option 2: Encouragement boards Provide each kid with a piece of foam board and a piece of dry erase vinyl. Kids may wish to trim the edges of the vinyl in a unique design prior to peeling off the backing. Help kids peel off the backing of the dry erase vinyl and adhere the vinyl to the foam board. Allow kids to decorate the foam board around the vinyl with permanent markers. Give kids dry erase markers to write the answer to today s big picture question on the dry erase vinyl. Say How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Elijah needed to remember that God was with him. Have you ever experienced a time when you needed a little encouragement or needed someone to remind you that God never leaves you? Allow a couple of kids to share if they would like. Challenge kids to think about how they can use their boards to encourage others with the message that God never leaves them. 15 Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 3
pencils journals Bibles Journal Page, 1 per kid Elijah Facts activity page, 1 per kid Journal and prayer (5 minutes) Ask kids to think of a difficult time they faced. Was it easy or hard to trust that God was with them during that time? Encourage kids to write or draw in their journals about that difficult time. Kids may also wish to write or draw a prayer asking God to help them remember that He is always with them. Say How could remembering that Jesus died and rose again comfort or help you during a tough time? Allow a couple of kids to share their thoughts. Close the group in prayer, asking God to help everyone trust that He will never leave His people. As time allows, lead kids to complete the activity page Elijah Facts. 16
Journal Page Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Session 1: Israel s History of Evil Kings 1 Kings 16 Session 2: Elijah Confronted Evil Ahab 1 Kings 18 Session 3: Elijah Ran from Jezebel 1 Kings 19 Session 4: Elisha and Naaman 2 Kings 5 Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed 2 Kings 17:1-23 OK to print
The LORD testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets. Nevertheless they would not hear. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (NKJV) OK to print
The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets. But they would not listen. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (NIV) OK to print
The LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (KJV) OK to print
The LORD warned Israel and Judah through every prophet and every seer, saying, Turn from your evil ways and keep My commands and statutes according to all the law I commanded your ancestors and sent to you through My servants the prophets. But they would not listen. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (HCSB) OK to print
The LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets. But they would not listen. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (ESV) OK to print
How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Unit 13 Session 3 Big Picture Question OK to print
Instructions: Solve the time code to reveal the big picture question. Code: B 1:15 D 12:37 E 5:58 F 4:00 G 3:10 H 7:35 I 6:12 J 10:40 L 8:45 M 11:22 N 9:51 0 3:42 P 2:49 R 1:54 S 7:01 T 2:18 U 10:02 W 5:06 7:35 3:42 5:06 12:37 3:42 5:58 7:01 3:10 3:42 12:37 7:35 5:58 8:45 2:49 6:12 9:51 2:18 6:12 11:22 5:58 7:01 3:42 4:00 2:18 1:54 3:42 10:02 1:15 8:45 5:58? Unit 13 Session 3 Older Kids Activity Pages
Instructions: Locate the Scripture references to uncover more of Elijah s story. Draw or write the answers below each question. What did Elijah use to part the water in 2 Kings 2:8? How did Elijah go to heaven? Read 2 Kings 2:11. Elijah prayed that something would not happen. What did he pray and for how long did that event not occur? Read James 5:17. What two miracles did Elijah perform to help the widow at Zarephath? Read 1 Kings 17:10-24. Unit 13 Session 3 Older Kids Activity Pages
Unit 13 Session 3 Elijah Ran from Jezebel OK to print
Today we will be tasting/ touching/sniffing: Please notify the leader if your child should not participate. Instructions: Print this poster. You may laminate it and reuse it throughout the quarter. Use a dry erase marker to fill in the necessary information. Display the poster where parents and kids can see it before class. UNIT 13 Allergy Alert OK to print