07 - God Cares For Elijah

References
+ 1Kings 17-21, 2 Kings 1,2.

Notes for Servants
- Note the Elijah's service was limited but it was lively and effective. The secret lies in the life of
perpetual prayer that he led and the lively faith that filled his heart.
- Note also Elijah's courage inannouncing the Divine Truthand notehismeekness whenhe doesthis.
We are often disturbed by the affairs of this life but here we see the Lord support Elijah through
unnatural means such as the raven and the poor widow.

Objectives

General: For the child to have confidence in the care of God about him as it is the Lord that gives us our
food in the suitable time.

Specific:
The children will be able to ...
A. understand that God is everywhere and protect his children.
B. believe in the power of God His control over all things.
C. feel save as long as they believe in God.

Bible Verse
" Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. "
( Psalms 103:2 )

Teaching Aids
1. Felt figure and flannel board.
2. Video.
Instruction
(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 was one of the great prophets of the ancient people....What does the word "prophet"mean?
A holy man....God speaks through him and the people know the words of God. Elijah came eight hundred
years before Christ. He lived in a town named Tishbe, that is why he is called ElijahofTishbe. When he
was old, the Lord chose him to become a prophet....Elijah prayed, fasted and read the Holy Scriptures and
he became a great saint.

One day, the Lord said to Elijah, "Go to king Ahab, the wicked king and say to him: The Lord is
not pleased with you because of your wicked deeds and because you worship idols. So the Lord will shut
up the heavens so that there will be no rain till you and your people repent." Elijah obeyed the Lord. Elijah
began to think.... the king is wicked.... he may kill me...I am afraid...No. The Lord ordered me to go to
the king and He is with me....I will go immediately....He left his house and went to where the king lived...he
went on foot... his clothes became torn and dirty.... How can I appear before the king with my dirty
clothes?....Anyway this is not important. I have to obey the Lord who ordered me to go to the king....
When he arrived at the palace, the guards did not allow him to enter. (Conversation)
- Where to?
- To the king. I have to enter... I have the word of God to the king.
- Who is God? We only know the idol.
- God Almighty the creator of heavens and earth has sent me to the king...do not delay me... (The guards
were afraid of Elijah and his strong words and his mighty personality.)
- Wait a while. We will inform the king...(A guard went to the king...bowed to the ground...saluted
him..."Your majesty... there is a man at the palace gate. His body is covered with hair and his clothes are
very simple. He wants to meet you". The king said, "Let him meet anyone of the officials.
Is it easy for such a man to meet me?
- No your majesty....but he says that he is a prophet and he has a message to deliver to you.... Let him
enter...he may be one of those mad people.
The guard bowed and went out call Elijah. Elijah entered the palace with an upright stature....he did not
bow to the king....He opened his mouth and spoke bravely to the king and said,
- In the name of the Lord, the living God of Israel, whom I serve , I tell you that there will be no dew or
rain....until I say so. The king was amazed.
- Who are you? How can you shut up the heavens?
- I am the prophet of God and my words will come true...Then Elijah went out.
The Lord said to Elijah, "Go and hide yourself near the brook of Cherish... I have commanded
raven to bring you food there," Elijah thought for a while... the brook of Cherish?
This brook is small and dries when there is no rain...ravens? Do ravens support man or do they snatch
what isin the hand of man?...This is strange... but ...I have to obey the Lord...He went and stayed near the
brook and prayed. Wonderful! What is this? A raven came very quickly and threw bread and meat in
Elijah’s lap in the early morning... Elijah said, "Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits."
He drank water from the brook... In the evening the raven came back carrying the same thing and Elijah
said, "Bless the Lord, O my soul..." Days passed by ...Elijah ate and wasfilled... All people suffered from
hunger... as there was no rain and neither was there any cultivation. There was no food in the whole land,
but Elijah ate and drank and was satisfied and everyday he said, "Bless the Lord, O mysoul..." In this way
God cared for Elijah till rain fell again and life became natural once more. Let us always learn to say: "Bless
the Lord, O my soul....

Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.

Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.