Lesson No. ( 8 ) God sends a Raven with Food to Elijah
References
1 Kings 17-19, 21, 2 Kings 1-2.
Notes for Servants
★ Elijah was a man like us with the same nature. He prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain.
★ Does our prayer have great power in its effects?
Objectives
General: God's care for Elijah.
Specific: The children will be able to...
A. Explain how God cared and protected Elijah.
B. Express how God protects His children.
C. Learn not to be afraid of anything.
Bible Verse
" Bless the Lord O my soul. "
Psalm 103:2
Teaching Aids
1. A picture of a raven... a load of bread.
2. Felt figures and flannel board.
Introduction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
Story Time
Elijah spent all his time in prayer, fasting and reading the Scriptures. So, he became a great saint and prophet.
One day, the Lord said to him, "Elijah, go to Ahab, the wicked king, and say to him, "Repent and refrain from the worship of idols, or else I will hold back the rain." Elijah said, "All right, I'll go". Then, he began to think of the matter. "The King is wicked, he may kill me, I am afraid. But, the Lord ordered me to go and He is with me, I'll go now." He arrived at the palace, he made an attempt to enter but the guards prevented him from doing so. He said to them, "I have a message from the Lord and I have to deliver it to the king." They asked him, "Who is the Lord?", and he answered, "He is the Lord of heaven and earth." His words filled the guards' hearts with fear.
A guard entered the King's room. He bowed to the ground. "Your majesty, there is a man outside he wants to meet you," the guard said. "Let him in," the King said. Elijah was brought to the King. He said, "O King, repent and refrain from your sins. Stop worshipping idols, or else there will be no rain until I say so." The King was surprised. "Who are you?" He asked. "I am the prophet of God," Elijah said. "Who is God?" Asked the king. Elijah said, "God the Creator of heaven and earth." But the king said, "There are no gods other than these idols." Elijah went out of the palace. He prayed to the Lord. "O Lord, let there be no rain." And no rain came. Plants faded and dried. The leaves and trees fell down. Men and animals became hungry, because there was no food. The King realized that what happened was the desire of the Lord.
1. What is the name of the King? Was he a good King?
2. What was his sin? What were the words of God by the mouth of Elijah?
But the Lord cares about his children. He cared about Elijah. He said to him, "Go and hide yourself near the Brook of Cherith. I have commanded ravens to bring you food there." "The Brook of Cherith? This is a small brook and it is often dry. Ravens? Can ravens support man or will they snatch what they see in man's hands?" he thought. Very strange still, Elijah obeyed the words of God. He went to the brook and there he sat at the edge. While he was praying, he saw a big black bird coming towards him. "Oh! What is that?" he asked himself. The raven threw bread and meat into Elijah's lap. In the early morning Elijah would shout, "Bless the Lord, O my soul."
In the evening, the raven came back with food to Elijah. Elijah ate, drank and was satisfied, while severe hunger spread in all the cities. That was the state till rain came again and the natural way of living returned.
1. What is the name of the brook near which Elijah stayed?
2. How did the Lord care about Elijah during the famine?
Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while the do the activity.
Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.
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