Scripture: 1 Kings 18:16-46
Memory Verse: “You were shown
these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is
no other.” Deuteronomy 4:35 NIV
Concepts:
1.
The Lord is the
One true God.
2.
God has ultimate
power over the world.
3.
We are called to
trust in only God for everything.
4. God asks us to
choose only him and then helps us make that choice.
Objectives:
1. The class will listen to
and act out the story of the false prophets of Baal.
2. Children will play a fun
game involving trust.
Procedure:
Welcome and Introductions:
1.
Greet the
children and introduce yourself. Wear your
nametag. Make sure the children are wearing nametags. If not, ask the shepherd
to supply a temporary badge. Remember you are interacting with a different
group of students each week that may not know you.
2.
Explain the
purpose of this workshop. Today we will
learn about Elijah a brave man who had complete faith in God, he never doubted
God. Elijah has been trying to teach King Ahab and the citizens of Baal about
God but the people of Baal want to worship many little gods instead of the one
true God. One day Elijah proposes a contest to see whose god wins! Who do you
think wins? Let’s find out.
Scripture/Bible Story:
Read the scripture
to the class or review the Bible story if the class is very familiar with it
(later in the rotation). Encourage the
children to use their bibles in looking up verses. Extra Bibles are located on
the stage for children who don’t have one. When reading try to add
interest and excitement to your interpretation. You may choose to pre record
the scripture using different voices, dress in character or have a helper
(spouse, older child) read part the part of Ahab.
Application:
The class will act out the scene of the great
contest using props: costumes (in box on stage), crown for King Ahab, boxes or
large blocks to make “altar”, stuffed animal for offering, pitcher for water,
pom-poms, noise makers, streamers etc for prophets of Baal.
Warm up
exercises: Elijah was very
confident in God. He knew that he would show the people who worshipped Baal and
other false gods who the real God was. How do you look when you are confident?
Practice as a class looking and acting confident. The Baal worshipers had 850 prophets
(teachers) so they were sure they were going to win. How do you cheer for your
favorite team? Practice cheering and yelling may use pom-poms or streamers.
Now that we’ve warmed up
we’re ready to go!
Getting started: Ask for volunteer, one child to be Elijah. The
workshop leader or a child can be the narrator. The rest of the class will be
the prophets of Baal. Workshop leader helps guide actions. Practice a little
then put it all together. See script following lesson plan. Make sure to
have enough copies for the class. It is helpful to highlight lines. Words in
italics are not spoken but indicate actions the character does. Clap after the
performance and have children put props in bin.
Balloon Belly
Bonanza from Friend Makers
and Crowd Breakers for Children’s Ministry edited by Jan Kershner 1997 Group
Publishing
This is a game of
trust. We trust God to lead us in the right direction. We also trust our
parents, ministers, and Faith Quest teachers to teach us about God.
Supplies: Blindfolds & balloons (one for each
group of 2 or 3 children), small treats or prizes placed in several places
around the room.
The game: Group
children in twos or threes. Let children decide who will be blindfolded first,
assist as necessary. Place an inflated balloon between the partners bellies and
holding the balloon up they walk to each treat bag to retrieve a treat. If the
balloon falls out replace it. The sighted partner will need to guide the
blindfolded one. After retrieving treats switch roles and play again.
Reflection Time:
At 10:35 a.m.
gather for reflection and pass out journals, markers.
When you were playing this game blindfolded
what helped you get your treat? Children had to trust their partner to guide
them in the right direction.
What are some times we trust
God? To keep us safe, to help us learn, in every day and every way we trust God.
Many possible answers.
The reward we got for
trusting our partners was a sweet treat. The reward we get for trusting God is
the good news of His love forever!
Prompts for
journal writing: Write or draw about a
time when you trusted God.
At 10:45 ask the students to
close their journals and sit quietly for prayer.
Prayer: Dear God,
thank you for this beautiful day. Thank you for showing us how to be strong and
trusting like a Elijah. When we trust in you the rewards are sweet. Amen
Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy up. Place props in bin on the stage.
Teacher preparation in advance:
1.
Read the
scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.
2.
Prepare
a closing prayer.
3.
Check
out the room before your first Sunday workshop so that you know where
everything is located. The bin with supplies is located on the stage.
Supply List
·
costumes (in box on
stage), crown for King Ahab, boxes or large blocks to make “altar”, stuffed
animal for offering, pitcher for water, pom-poms, noise makers, streamers etc
for prophets of Baal.
·
Blindfolds & balloons (one for each group of 2
or 3 children), small treats or prizes
·
Copies of scripts with line highlighted
References
·
Curriculum writing notes prepared by Lori Houck Feb.
8, 2004
·
Friend Makers and Crowd Breakers for Children’s
Ministry, edited by Jan Kershner, Group Publishing Inc. 1997.
King
Ahab: (shouting
at Ahab) There you are! You are the biggest trouble maker in
Elijah: No I’m not, you’re the
biggest troublemaker. You and your family have disobeyed God by worshipping
that phony god Baal. Tell you what, let’s have a contest. Bring 850 of your
best prophets and meet me on
King
Ahab: Okay,
it’s a deal! (King Ahab goes and gathers his people-the rest of the class)
King
Ahab: (talking
to his people) Okay people bring your pom-poms, noise makers and streamers.
We’re having a contest with that crazy Elijah and we’re going to win!
(Everyone
gets in a team huddle and cheers then everyone runs to Mount Carmel-stage)
Narrator: Okay, I am the referee,
here are the rules. Elijah gets that pile of rocks, some wood, and one bull to
make a sacrifice. Elijah will pray to God.
The
prophets of Baal get the other pile of rocks, the same amount of wood and a
bull but they will pray to the gods of Baal. The group that gets their god to
light the fire to roast the bull wins. Ready, set, GO!
Elijah: (sits and rests)
King
and prophets: (Busily make altar. Everyone dances, cheers, calls to Baal to light
fire.)
Narrator: The prophets of Baal have
made a nice altar but still no fire. Meanwhile Elijah is just sitting!
King
Ahab:
Come on everyone, dance and pray harder! (Everyone dances and prays more)
Elijah: (finally gets up and
make altar, puts bull on top) Ha, Ha, you guys can’t get your gods to
answer can you? That’s because they aren’t real. Watch this!
(Elijah
pretends to pour water on the wood, folds his hands in prayer and says) Please God show these
people your mighty power, Amen.
Narrator: Look at this Elijah’s fire
is blazing even after being soaked with water and still nothing from the
prophets of Baal! Praise the Lord! The Lord is God! Praise the Lord!