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Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, led his people and wanted them to trust God. Everyone was very afraid when a huge army was about to attack Judah, so King Jehoshaphat called all of the people together to fast and pray. The Lord spoke through a prophet and told the people not to worry because this battle belonged to the Lord. Jehoshaphat sent the army into battle, but, different to other battles, he placed a group of men in front to praise the Lord in song. While the army of Judah was approaching the battlefield praising the Lord, the Lord set the enemy armies against each other. By the time Judah’s army arrived at the battle, it was already over. The enemy armies had killed each other!

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Outline:

1. King Jehoshaphat leads the people in prayer to God. (2 Chronicles 20:1-19)
2. God defeats the enemies and Jehoshaphat leads the people in praise of God. (2 Chronicles 20:20-30)

Tips for teaching children:

• Recreate the scene in verse 28 by making instruments and having a praise parade.
• Ask the children to share anything they might be afraid of. As a group, pray like Jehoshaphat and the people prayed in verse 18 by lying face down on the ground.
• Guide the children in making up a tune for the words of verse 21, “Thank the Lord. His love continues forever.”

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin the class by singing, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” and “Rescue Me.”
• This story can be read during the class time. Use the outline in the show-notes to divide up the reading.
• Here are some discussions questions related to verses 1-4:
  • How did Jehoshaphat emotionally react to the news of a large army coming to attack?
  • How did he respond to this news?
  • What can we learn from him about when we feel overwhelmed by a problem?
• Here are some discussions questions related to verses 5-12:
  • What do you notice about what Jehoshaphat prayed?
  • How can rehearsing God’s character and past actions help us when we pray?
• Hand out pieces of paper to the class members and ask them to write down problems they are facing that feel overwhelming to them. Collect these and designate someone in the class to read these out and then pray about them.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Jehoshaphat and the People Pray

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Elijah had been in hiding for the 3 years of the drought. The Lord now told him to reveal himself to King Ahab. Elijah bravely asked the king to gather all the people at Mount Carmel for a contest to see whose god was real. Priests of the false gods, Baal and Asherah, also attended. The priests prayed and chanted all day, but they could not get their “gods” to send fire down to burn the sacrifices on the altar they had built. Finally, Elijah had his altar doused in water and prayed to the Lord to send fire. Fire immediately consumed the sacrifice, the wood, stones, soil and even the water overflowing into the trenches around the altar. Everyone there now knew God was real. After this time, the rain came, and the long drought ended.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Kings 18

Outline:

1. Elijah summoned King Ahab, the prophets of Baal and the people to Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:1-20)
2. In a contest between prophets, the Lord proves he is the only true God (1 Kings 18:21-40)
3. Eolijah prays and God ends the 3 year drought. (1 Kings 18:41-46)

Tips for teaching children:

• Before telling the story, conduct a number of simple contests. These may include simple contests like arm wrestling, who can stand on one foot for the longest time or who can refrain from smiling the longest as everyone else is being silly. This can lead into the story of the contest between God and Baal.
• Make a thaumatrope (simple animation) with alternating pictures of an altar and of fire. Online instructions such as these can be helpful. https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/thaumatrope/

Tips for teaching adults:

• Bring 12 large rocks into the classroom and ask three or four volunteers to build an altar while someone reads v.20-40.
• Ask the following questions: What do you think is the main point of the story? How would you respond to this story? Why would you respond this way?
• Bring a fire lighter. Hand out pieces of paper and ask the class members to write down their answer to the question: “What “Baals” compete for your devotion today?” Then ask them to take the lighter and light their paper. Then throw it into a bowl of water to put out the fire.
• End class with prayer recommitting the class to serving God and God alone.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Elijah and the Contest at Mt. Carmel

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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God sent the prophet Elijah to tell King Ahab (7th king of Israel) that a terrible drought would come upon Israel because of his disobedience. Ahab’s evil wife, Jezebel, was so angry that she started having prophets of the Lord hunted down and killed. The Lord sent Elijah into hiding by a brook of water. The Lord kept Elijah safe. Twice each day, the Lord had bread and meat delivered to Elijah by unusual means – ravens. When the brook dried up, the Lord sent Elijah to the home of a poor widow. When Elijah stayed at the widow’s home, she miraculously had enough flour and oil to make bread. She never ran out. When the widow’s son died, Elijah raised him from the dead. The Lord took care of Elijah.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Kings 17

Outline:

1. Elijah prophesied a drought and then went into hiding at God’s command. (1 Kings 17:1-6)
2. God provided for Elijah through a widow from Zarephath. (1 Kings 17:7-16)
3. Elijah raised the widow’s dead son. (1 Kings 17:17-24)

Tips for teaching children:

• For small children, hide a picture of Elijah and find him.
• Provide flour, oil and water and make bread together.
• Guide older children in reflection using the “God’s Story” reflection page.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Bring to class bread, oil and a burner and ask a couple of people to make flat bread in the classroom while you are having the class. Or you can bring to class some bread to share that you have made out of flour and oil. Recipe
• Ask the class to share any stories about drought that they might have experienced and how they and their community coped.
• There are three sections in our story today. Challenge the class to think of at least one way we can respond to each section in the story. Here are some ideas you can give the class to get them thinking: What are the issues of trust in the story? What can we learn about God’s provision and God’s power?
• Here are some further questions to ask: How does Elijah reveal his trust in God? How does the widow? How does God demonstrate his power over the weather? What does this say about the god, Baal, and his power?
• End the class with a prayer thanking God for his provision and empowering the class members to deepen their trust in God, especially when things look bleak.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: God Takes Care of Elijah

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org