DLTK's Sunday School Lessons
Elijah Prays
by
Sunday School Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Elijah Prays Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this.
Introduction:
This next lesson is about the greatest of all prophets, Elijah. He's the greatest because the Bible talks about him coming to prepare God's people for the Lord's coming (Mal.4:5 and Matt.17:3,10-13). Elijah believed in God and obeyed Him. Because of this God knew that Elijah could deal with Ahab, Jezebel and their god Baal in what was probably considered the most evil time Israel had ever seen. Again, another ordinary man that did extraordinary things with God.
The message:
Preschool thru Grade 1: All you have to do is pray and
God will listen.
Grades 2 and 3: Elijah simply prays and that defeated the prophets of Baal.
I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level. For the younger children, the message is simple: All you have to do is pray and God will listen. Every time Elijah prayed God listened, it doesn't mean he'll always answer the way we want but he always listens to us. For the older children, we expand on this message and say: Elijah simply prays and that defeated the prophets of Baal. Elijah had a short simple prayer, he didn't say anything fancy or special, just talked to God.
Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson. Send the Elijah prays Take Home Sheet home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week. It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator.
Preview of the lesson:
Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around. I like the first option, myself.
Always consider offering the Mini Book or Elijah Coloring Pages for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time). Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile. Also, sending home the mini book or coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons. You can make a nice little booklet each week with the Take Home Sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort!
Description |
Time Allotted |
Supplies |
| Welcome! Receive name tags. Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag. Sing the Learning our Names song |
10 to 15 minutes | Praying hand name tags, scissors (or adults can precut), crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape. |
Craft time! Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Raven Paper Bag Craft. While making the craft talk about how the raven brought Elijah food twice everyday so he could eat. Talk about what a miracle it was that God provided Elijah food this way. Grade 2 and 3: Make the Raven Handprint Craft. While making this craft talk about what ravens are like. Ravens are known as scavengers (they aren't the nicest birds). They eat just about everything (dead or alive) and they're very intelligent. Talk about what a miracle it was the God provided food to Elijah this way. |
15 to 30 minutes depending on your adult/child ratio |
Preschool thru Grade 1: Raven
Paper Bag template. Paper lunch bag, black paint or paper, scissors,
glue, printer, paper, crayons. Grade 2 and 3: Raven Handprint template. Paper (black construction), pencil, scissors, glue, printer, paper, something to color with. |
Bible Story Time: Preschool thru Grade 1: Read The Story of Elijah's Prayer (or read from your own store bought children's bible). Grades 2 and 3: It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. |
10 minutes | The Mini Book or Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story. Print the pages, staple them together in order and let the kids know when to turn the page. The handouts can be taken home to color in. |
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Closing: Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children if they believe God listens when they pray. (Even Jesus prayed and knew that God was listening). Do they say a special prayer when they pray? All they need to do is talk to God like they would talk to a friend. God loves it when we talk to him! Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining ask the children if they believe pray works. How do they know God is listening? (Mk.11:24 says, Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.) Praying doesn't have to be complicated, pray whatever you're thinking because God knows it all anyway. All Grades: Read the poem My God is a Good God. Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together" |
5 to 15 minutes | Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...)
Words to: Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together"
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