Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 3
Memory Verse: 1 Kings 3:9
Children will learn God is with them all the time. He helps them show others the right way and how to stand up for what’s right. He will also help them make difficult decisions and give them the strength to follow him when others don’t.
Today, we will read a story about one of King David’s sons, Solomon. He had many sons, but this particular one God chose as the next king of Israel after David died.
Let’s say our memory verse together. Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well. 1 Kings 3:9 TLB
Activity Time:
Use a puzzle or an online game to reinforce the theme there is a right way to do things.
Play “Follow the Leader” to a particular destination that there’s only one way to reach. Emphasize how going the wrong way will never get us to the destination.
Darken the room, and let one of the children or youth lead the others by using a flashlight.
Bible Story Time:
Icebreaker Questions:
What happens if you try to put a square block into a round hole?
If someone wanted to go to Walmart, but you gave them directions to McDonald’s, what would happen?
If your Mom told you the right way to open a door, but you tried to open it a different way, what could happen?
A very long time ago, a man named David lived in the land of Israel. When he was a young boy, he was a shepherd and took care of his father’s sheep. He was very brave. He fought off lions and bears and other animals that tried to kill the sheep. He even fought a giant named Goliath.
While he was still a young boy, God sent the prophet Samuel to tell David’s father that one of his sons would be the next king of Israel. The present king was not listening to God, and God was going to remove him soon. Before long, the king was killed fighting in a battle with his enemies. David was selected as the next king.
Reflection: Are we ever too young to serve God?
David ruled as king for forty years. We’re not sure how many sons David had, but it was a lot. Of all his sons, God told David that his son named Solomon was to be the next king of Israel. Some of David’s other sons were probably mad because they were not chosen as the next king, but David obeyed God and chose Solomon as the next king.
Reflection: Have you ever been sad or angry when someone was picked to do something you wanted to do?
King David knew he would soon die, so he called in Solomon and told him about the right way he was to follow. He told Solomon to be brave and to make sure he followed God’s commands. If he did this, God would make him prosperous and successful.
We’re not sure how old Solomon was when he became king, but he was probably somewhere between 12 and 20 years old.
Reflection: Can you imagine being a king when you were just a young boy or girl? How do you think you would have felt?
Solomon was the wisest person who ever lived. God said no one wiser had ever lived and no one wiser ever would. But Solomon knew he could never be a good king unless he had help from God. One night, God appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask for anything he wanted. Whatever it was, God would give it to him.
Reflection: If God told you he’d give you anything you wanted, what do you think you would ask for? What are some things you should ask for?
Solomon knew God had given him a big job. He wanted to serve God, and he wanted to be a good king. He asked God for wisdom. He asked God to help him know the difference between right and wrong and to help him teach the people this difference. He wanted to show others the right way to live.
Reflection: What do you think are some things Solomon might have taught the people?
Jesus said the two greatest commands were to love him with all our heart and then to love others as we do ourselves. If we obey those two commands, then we will automatically obey all the other commands God gives us.
One way we can show others the right way to live is to obey the Ten Commandments, and then to teach others to obey them as well. Jesus tells us we should be like flashlights to other people. We light the way so they’ll know the right way to him. The Ten Commandments are our flashlight.
Reflection: What are some ways you can teach others the right way? Read the Ten Commandments to the children.
- God is with Us When There Is Conflict (Martin Wiles’ Lessons for Youth and Children) - August 15, 2021
- Grace and God’s Choice (A Study in the Book of Romans) - August 14, 2018
- Grace and Passion for the Lost (A Study in Romans) - August 5, 2018
