05 - Alice and the Shunamite woman

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen

Lesson No. ( 5 )

References 

2 Kings 4. 

Notes for Servants 

These things I have spoken to you that in Me you have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) 

You can ask yourself, am I at peace with God, with myself, with others? Do I feel peace in grief and sadness? Do I thank God in everything? 

The Shunammite's ONLY son had died, and she left him in his bed and went to Alice the prophet he asked her a question which affected her feelings: Is it well with the child? with you? with your husband? She answered it was well. This is the peace,faith which no one can remove from the hearts of it's owners whatever the circumstances. 

Objectives 

General: God's power and his care for us. 

Specific: 

The children will be able to... 

1. See God's power in His saints. 
2. Learn that can give us the same power if we believe in him. 

Bible Verse 

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, 

though he may die, he shall live." 

( John 11:25 ) 

Teaching Aids 

Servant to prepare his own. 

Instruction 

(1) Review last week's lesson. 

(2) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week. 

Story Time 

God in the past before Jesus was born was dealing with nations through His saintly prophets. He was showing His power through them so that the people might see what they do and glorify Him. As we saw Alice's power in healing Jericho's water we will see also that God let him do another great miracle. 

From the country which Alice (Elisha) was serving a city named Shunem. There was a great notable and rich woman, her husband had wide land and many harvests, and whenever Alice used to go to the city this woman insisted on having him as her guest: Please come to our house, bless us and honour us eating something and he always used to respond to her invitation because of her simplicity and caring. As

an ideal servant, Alice had to repeat his visit in the countries to outreach and visit the sick and consoles those who are in grief and pray for them, preach them and solve their problems. He had no place to pass the night either in Shunem nor in any other city. 

One day the woman talked to her husband saying: what do you think if we made for the man of God a small upper room, so it will be for him whenever he comes to us he can pass his time in there? Her husband agreed. She prepared the upper room, put a bed, a table, a chair and a lamp (the teacher asks about the use of everything) When the prophet Alice came to Shunem this generous family showed him the upper room, he was pleased and thanked them. God blessed the Shunemite's house. Alice wanted to reward the woman, and he knew that she needed to have a son. Alice asked the woman “Do you need anything?” she said “Thank God we are satisfied and content but we have no children.” He told her After a year you will get a son. 

After one year God gave her a son. He grew up and he used to go with his father to the field. In the harvest season he went out with his father. The weather was hot and the boy did not bear it. He caught a sunstroke. He was tired, dizzy, got fever and suffered from his head. The boy was taken home to mom. His mom kissed him, hugged him, took him on her lap. The boy was crying suffering from fever and the mother was praying: Lord have mercy and heal my child. The boy deteriorated and died. She prayed, “As Your willGod,” and carried him and put himonAlice's bed in the upper room. She knelt in front of the bed and the dead boy and prayed (O God I didn't have a son and through the prayers of Your prophet Alice you gave me this son who is dead now but I believe he would be alive again. If this is Your willI thank You for everything). 

She looked at the man of God. She knew that he was at mount Carmel. The prophet saw her coming. When he saw the Shunemite, he asked he ris it well with you? She answered it is well ... Is it well with your husband ... Yes it is well. Is it well with your son? ... It is well. Her faith was great. Then she came near him, bowed in front of him to the ground as a sign of respect and honour.  

With few and quiet words she told him about what happened. He ordered Gehazi to take my garment and go ahead of him. He said; “Don't greet anybody in the way, put the garment on the face of the child.” Gehazi returned and informed that he did what his master asked him to do but the boy didn't rise. 

The Shunammite insisted that he go with her. In the way Alice was praying deeply "O God make Your name great". When he reached the house, he prayed while he was going to the upper room. When he saw the dead boy he prayed "O God nothing is impossible for you, glorify your name so that this family would believe in you". He went up on the bed, laid on the child, put his mouth on the lad's mouth, his eyes on his eyes, his hands on his hands and he stretched himself on the child. The problem is difficult and he looked as if he were giving the child from his own spirit. The prophet rose, and walked back and forth in the house, praying again to God. Once more he went up and stretched himself out on the lad and the child sneezed seven times opened his eyes. Amazing the miracle happened, the boy rose up. God hears the prayers of faith. 

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.