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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

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Rehoboam was officially appointed the new king when his father, Solomon, died. When Rehoboam became king, Jeroboam gathered the people together and asked Rehoboam to be easier on the people and not make them work as hard as Solomon had done. The court elders advised Rehoboam that the people would love and follow him if he did this. Rehoboam ignored this good advice and listened to his young friends’ bad advice instead. They told him to make the people work harder and to treat them more like slaves. Because of this, the people rebelled, and the kingdom was divided into two parts. Rehoboam was king of the smaller part- called Judah. Jeroboam became king of the larger part- called Israel.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• 1 Kings 11:26-43
• 1 Kings 11:41-12:24

Outline:

1. Jeroboam, man of the people (1 Kings 11:20-40)
2. Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, is an unwise king (1 Kings 11:41-12:15)
3. God’s nation divides (1 Kings 12:16-19)
4. Israel chooses Jeroboam as their leader (1 Kings 12:20-24)

Tips for teaching children:

• Use a pizza as a way to tell the story. Spread tomato sauce and cheese on the pizza as you talk about Saul, David and Solomon. Cut the pizza into 12 pieces (12 tribes) but keep the pizza together.
  Then, show a jar of hot peppers. Describe Rehoboam’s cruel treatment of the people. The people rejected Rehoboam. Then divide the pizza into two parts (2 kingdoms). One part should have 2 parts to represent 2 kingdoms. One part should have 10 pieces to represent Israel.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This story can be read in class. Use the outline provided in the show-notes for how to divide the reading up.
• There are several questions that this text can generate. Here are a few to think about and possibly use in the classroom. What principles of leadership can we learn from this story? In what ways does Rehoboam reveal his pride? What are the consequences of pride and poor leadership? What can leaders of God’s people today learn from this story about keeping God’s people united?
• In a more general way, encourage the class to brainstorm important 10 pieces of wisdom you believe the young people of your congregation should hear and follow? Follow up by brainstorming ways you can share your wisdom with the youth in a healthy way.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: God’s Nation Divides

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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Solomon built a fantastic temple for the Lord. This temple replaced the Tabernacle tent that had been used since Moses’ time. After the temple was completed, the Lord reminded Solomon that this huge, beautiful temple would mean nothing if the people ever turned away from Him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Kings 6:1-9:9

Outline:

1. Construction of the Temple and palace (1 Kings chapters 6-7)
2. Dedication of the Temple (1 Kings chapter 8)
3. God speaks to Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-9)

Tips for teaching children:

• If teaching small children provide blocks so that they can build their own version of the temple.
• Guide the children in finding Egypt and Jerusalem on a map. Talk about how God led them out of Egypt and slavery. Then, talk about the lavish temple in Jerusalem.
• God was not limited to living in the temple only. Older children can discuss I Corinthians 3:16 and talk about how our bodies are a temple for God to live in.
• Older children can discuss the temple versus the palace. Solomon’s palace was twice as big as the temple. Why do you think he had the temple build first?

Tips for teaching adults:

• Below are three links to animations to Solomon’s Temple.
  • Solomon’s Temple (this one is a cut-away drawing of the Temple. This would be good to use as a PowerPoint slide while you are studying these chapters in class as a visual.
  • An animation description of the Solomon’s Temple: (5 minutes)
  • An animation description with commentary and interpretation of Solomon’s Temple (10 minutes)
• God is not contained in a building even though he may be in the building 1 Kings 8:27). Ask participants to write down two places where they especially feel the presence of God and worship him more freely or genuinely.
• At the end pray to God summarizing the words of Solomon.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Solomon Builds the Temple

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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After David’s death, his son, Solomon, became king. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask for anything he wanted. Solomon did not ask for selfish things; instead, he asked for wisdom to be a good king for the people. God granted Solomon his request. He judged many cases, such as the time two women claimed that they were the mother of a baby. Solomon said he would cut the baby in two so each woman would have an equal share. To save the baby, the real mother said that the other woman could have the baby. By this, Solomon knew who the real mother was. These types of judgment and Solomon’s great Proverbs made him famous for his wisdom.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• 1 Kings 3:3-28
• 1 Kings 4:29-34
• James 1:5

Outline:

1. God gives King Solomon wisdom to rule. (1 Kings 3:3-15)
2. Solomon applies wisdom to a dispute between two mothers. (1 King 3:16-28)

Tips for teaching children:

• Define wisdom as “applying knowledge in practical ways in various situations.”
• Read 1 Kings 4:29-34 to the children. Ask the children what kinds of things they think Solomon knew about animals and plants.
• Print the words of James 1:5 on a paper and provide children with paint, markers, glitter or other items so they can decorate a border around the verse.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin by asking the class members to share what they believe was some of the best wisdom their parents passed on to them? Follow up by asking what they believe has been the best wisdom they have given to their children?
• Read the story from 1 Kings.3:3-15. Choose two-three readers to divide up the reading.
• To encourage participants to engage the Scripture, ask the following questions:
  • What experiences might Solomon have had growing up that would motivate him to ask God for wisdom in ruling God’s people?
  • What qualities or character traits do you see the young Solomon has from this story?
  • What piece of wisdom would you give Solomon in order for him to grow in these qualities & character traits?
• Read James 1:5 and 3:13-18. Draw two columns on a white board. Write “earthly wisdom” as head of one column and “heavenly wisdom” as head of another column. List the traits of each in their respective columns. Participants can discuss ways we can encourage each other to act in ways that are wise.
• End the class time by praying for wisdom, particularly the things mentioned in James 3:17-18.
  
  
  
  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Wise King Solomon

https://wp.me/P1wnPX-10q

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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Although David was a good king, there was a time when he did not choose to follow the Lord. Once, when he looked across from the roof of his palace, he saw a beautiful woman, Bathsheba, bathing. This led David to commit adultery with Bathsheba. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David arranged to have her husband murdered so that he could marry her. The prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin. David’s heart was such that he repented of his sin and asked the Lord to forgive him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Samuel 11:1-12:25

Outline:

1. David gets Uriah’s wife pregnant. (2 Samuel 11:1-5)
2. David arranges a coverup and has Uriah killed before marrying Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11:6-27)
3. The prophet, Nathan, confronts David and the child dies. (2 Samuel 12:1-23)
4. Solomon is born. (2 Samuel 12:24)

Tips for teaching children:

• Show wedding photos and talk about promises husbands and wives make to one another.
• Talk about the importance of confessing sin. Provide a shallow dish of sand. You or any of the children can use your finger to write a sin in the sand. Pray and ask God’s forgiveness. After the prayer, wipe away the word (the sin) you wrote in the sand. This represents God’s forgiveness.

Tips for teaching adults:

• The story is likely too long to read in its entirety during the class time so it can be summarized. Be prepared to read certain parts when summarizing such as the story of the one little female lamb.
• David saw and took what didn’t belong to him. This set him into a downward spiral leading him to commit adultery and murder. But these are only symptoms of something deeper in David.
  • What, do you think, is behind David’s actions?
  • Where did David go wrong?
  • Why would he send for Bathsheba knowing that she is a married woman and married to one of his most trusted and capable soldiers?
  • Besides the obvious sins of adultery and murder (two of the ten commandments), what other sins was David guilty of?
• Challenge the class in their interactions with people to ask themselves the question, “am I treating this person as one made in God’s image or am I using them for my purposes?”
• There is forgiveness in this story, too. Have everyone pray to God and confess their sin. Following this have someone pray on behalf of the people in the class using the words of Psalm 51:1-12 (but change singular to plural). After the prayer ask someone to read Psalm 32:1-5.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: David’s Sin with Bathsheba

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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King David remembered his good friend Jonathan. He found out that before Jonathan died, he had had a son named Mephibosheth. David had Mephibosheth brought before him. He gave Mephibosheth all of the land that had belonged to Saul. He also gave him servants and told him he would always care for him. He treated him like a son. David did not wait until Mephibosheth asked for help. He gave kindness freely.

Bible verses used in this episode:
2 Samuel 9

Outline:

1. King David seeks out Jonathan’s descendants. (2 Samuel 9:1-4)
2. King David blesses Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. (2 Samuel 9:5-13)

Tips for teaching children:

• Learn to say and spell M-E-P-H-I-B-O-S-H-E-T-H
• Discuss “kindness” and plan something kind the group can do.
• Make coupons or gift vouchers to give parents or others. An example coupon for a mother might contain the words, “This coupon can be used for washing the dishes. I will smile and wash the dishes for free today.”

Tips for teaching adults:

• Have someone read the story aloud. Ask the group to reflect on the following questions:
  • Why would David want to show kindness to the house of Saul?
  • And what does David get out of this?
• This is a story about David's kindness, a kindness motivated by his promise and loyalty to Jonathan. David’s act of kindness was not expected. Challenge the class to plan an act of kindness to someone in their congregation or family that is not expecting it. It could be a nice gift, an invite to a meal, cleaning a house.
• Challenge the class to plan how to create space for others not normally in your circle of friendship — invite someone who’s “outside your circle” to eat with you or go visit someone who you would not normally visit.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson: David Helps Mephibosheth

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