FAITH CHALLENGE

Kings and Prophets

Elijah-Lesson 2

Scripture:          1 Kings 18

 

Memory Verse:         The Father has the power to give life.  John 5:26

Concepts:

·       God is the giver of all life.

·       Being faithful to God means depending only on God for life and worshipping only God. 

·       A prophet is someone who calls people back to faithful obedience to God. 

Objectives:

·       Students will review the story of Elijah and Ahab from 1 Kings 18.

·       Students will re-enact the scripture story of Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab and the contest between Yahweh and Baal.

Gathering Time: (Guide and Coach)

1.     At the beginning of each class, the Coach greets arriving students and supervises snacks. 

2.     The Guide and Coach remind students to write prayer joys and concerns on the Prayer Wall and to place their offering in the offering jars. 

3.     As each student walks in, the guide puts a name card on their back.  These are names from the story of Elijah and Ahab.  You may use the same name more than one.  Students are to ask “yes/no” questions of their classmates to try to figure out who they are.  Examples might be: “Am I a woman?”  “Am I a king?”  etc.  This is just a way to review the characters in this story and does not require completion.

Workshop Lesson Procedure: (Guide takes over from here)

 

Scripture/Bible Story:

1.     After most students have arrived and snacks are ended, call the class to order and ask all to sit down. 

2.     Briefly review the story of Elijah and Ahab with questions similar to those below.

·       Who was Elijah?  A prophet

·       Who was Ahab?  King of Israel

·       Who did Jezebel (Ahab’s wife) worship and why was that a problem? Baal.  She caused Ahab to abandon God and worship the false god, Baal.

·       Baal was the god of ________________?   Thunderstorms and rain

·       What contest was set up in this story?  Ahab and Elijah both built altars and offered a sacrifice to their god.  The god who sent fire to the altar and sacrifice was the true god.

·       Who “won” the contest?  How?  God (of the Bible) sent fire immediately and even wood soaked in water caught on fire.  Baal did not respond to the calls of his worshippers. 

3.     Continue the review as long as necessary for most students to have a good understanding of the story.

 

Application:

1.     Ask students to number 1-2-3, 1-2-3, to form three groups.  Inform the groups they can choose one of four ways to act out the story of Elijah and Ahab.  Allow group 1 to choose first, group 2 to choose second, and group 3 to choose last.  Two groups may not choose the same type of drama.  The four different ways they can act out the story are:  puppets, pantomime/charades (with no speaking), a TV report or interview as if this were an important news story of the day, and a “regular” drama with speaking. Post these different forms of drama on the dry erase board or chart paper for easy viewing.

 

2.     After each group has chosen, allow them to gather Bibles, props, costumes, etc to prepare their enactment of the story.  Allow groups 15-20 minutes to prepare. Guides and coaches should be available to provide help and focus as needed. 

 

3.     Call the class together again and ask each group to present their enactment of the story. 

 

4.     Bring closure to the activity. Put costumes, props and supplies away.

 

Wrap-up:    

 

  1. Ask the class which commandment King Ahab and his people broke.   First commandment because they worshipped other gods.

 

  1. Ask the students to think of another “god” they serve or follow. It might be money, TV, a rock star, good grades, a band member.  Ask them to reflect a moment on that god. 

 

  1. Ask if their “god” could win a contest with God.  Ask if their “god” could bring life and peace to them. 

4.     Direct students’ attention to the memory verse posted in the room.  Remind them to think about how only our one, true God can bring us life. 

Closing (Coach):

1.     The Coach conducts the closing prayer time.  All students and adults gather around the prayer chain.  The Coach begins and ends the prayer.  The Coach asks each student to contribute a joy, thanksgiving or concern in turn. 

2.     Close/lock the door and turn off the lights.

 

Guide preparation in advance:

·       Display the memory verse. 

·       Prepare index cards or small pieces of paper with the names of one character from this story written on each card.

Supply List

References