| Linda Carroll |
| June 2007 - Children's Sermon |
| 1 Kings 19 |
Preparation: Take pictures around the church. Take 4-5 in the sanctuary. Make 1 5x8 print for each of the sanctuary pictures. Makes copies of other pictures for each child. I did about 6 per 8 ½ x 11 paper. Get one prize for each child (e.g., candy bar)
Today’s first lesson was about one of my favorite people in the bible, Elijah. Elijah was a prophet who listened to God and spoke to the people for God. The stories about Elijah showed him to be passionate about his work. Elijah also was frustrated when his work didn’t change the ways of the people.
In the chapter before today’s lesson, Elijah helps God show the people that He is the one true God by conducting a contest between God and a false god that the Queen convinced the King and the people to worship. It is one of my favorite chapters in the bible. It’s exciting, funny, horrifying, and powerful. When you read it, by the end of the chapter, you will be certain that the people will only worship God and will follow his commandments. But that is not the case. The people of Israel looked to the king for guidance on religious matters. King Ahab in this story is basically a wimp. Queen Jezebel is the one with power. She tells Elijah that she will have him killed within one day, and he knows she means it. Elijah runs away believing that his work has been a waste of time. He even asks God to allow him to die!
Elijah ends up on Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. God tells Elijah that He will pass by. First there is a windstorm, but that’s not God. Then there is an earthquake, but that’s not God. Then there is a fire, but that’s not God. Finally, Elijah hears silence that is God. I’ve heard many difference explanations of what this means. I like to think about how Elijah has been upset by the actions of three people—the queen, the king and the people of Israel. God sends by the mountain three loud, busy, and violent things—wind, earthquake and fire. God shows Elijah not to concentrate on the queen, king or people. He wants Elijah to ignore the commotion all around him and to focus on what God wants Elijah to do. That’s a great lesson for us. We need to focus on God wants us to do.
Elijah learned to focus on God by listening to the silence. I have an activity for you to help you focus on God by looking. I know sometimes that you get bored in church especially in the summer when we don’t have chapel. Have you ever noticed the beautiful details in this church? The people who built and decorated it probably spent a lot of time thinking about each element that went into this building and what it would mean to the people here. I wonder if they thought about restless children who might need something to look at.
I have pictures of things in the church that I want you to find. One rule—do not go on the other side of the communion rail. The altar guild has that area set up just right for Miss Cathy to prepare the bread and wine, and we don’t want to get anything out of place. You can look over the rail but do not go beyond the rail.
[Show each photo from the sanctuary. Have children find it. Discuss possible meanings.]
I have 21 pictures for you to find. After church, look for these, check them off when you find them. If you can find 15 or more, come back to me and I’ll give you prize. Keep in mind that you are doing this to remember to focus on God.