Teacher Bible Study Lesson Overview

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

TEACHER BIBLE STUDY When David was king, he wanted to build a temple for God, but God did not allow him to. “When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-13). God said King David’s son would build the temple.

King Solomon began to gather materials to build the temple. He ordered cedar and cypress timbers from Lebanon. He gathered 30,000 men from all of Israel as laborers to excavate stone and prepare the timbers for the temple’s construction.

The temple was impressive. The entire interior was cedar. King Solomon had everything covered with gold. In all, it took seven years for the temple to be completed. Inside the temple was furniture and accessories. (See 1 Kings 7:48-50.)

It came time to dedicate the temple. All of the Israelites gathered in Jerusalem. The priests brought the ark of the Lord to the most holy place, and a cloud filled the house of the Lord. God’s glory filled the temple.

Solomon prayed to God. He praised God for keeping His covenant with David. Solomon recognized that God is not confined to a temple. “Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built” (1 Kings 8:27). Solomon’s prayer and speech to the Israelites was followed by a great offering to God.

The temple was where God met with His people, and it gave God’s people a more permanent place to worship Him. The priests followed specific instructions to approach God on behalf of His people. Jesus changed everything when He died for our sins on the cross. By taking our sin upon Himself, Jesus made the way for sinners to come to God.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Solomon Built the Temple Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6:1–8:66 Big Picture Question: What did God promise Solomon? God said, “I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people.” Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61 Unit Christ Connection: Solomon’s grand earthly reign is a picture of the eternal reign of Christ. Solomon’s sin divided his kingdom, but Christ’s perfect Kingdom is forever.

Transition Time Welcome time Activity Sheet/Table Centers Session starter (10 minutes)

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (3 minutes) Timeline map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Sing (5 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Key passage (5 minutes) Prayer (2 minutes)

Table Time Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW

Solomon Built the Temple 1 Kings 6:1–8:66

Solomon became king of Israel after his father David died. God was with Solomon, and He made Solomon very wise. During the fourth year Solomon was king, he began to build a temple for the Lord. The temple was to replace the tent where God had met with His people for 480 years—ever since God led the Israelites out of Egypt. Solomon ordered thousands of workers to help build the temple. The workers cut cedar logs and stone blocks. They laid a foundation and built the outside of the temple. God blessed the temple and made a promise to Solomon. “If you obey My command and do what I say, I will keep the promise I made to David. I will live among the Israelites, and I will not abandon My people.” The construction of the temple took seven more years. The craftsmanship was remarkable! The cedar paneling inside the temple was carved with ornamental gourds and flower blossoms. Solomon overlaid everything on the inside of the temple with pure gold. Solomon also hired men to make bronze furnishings for the temple, such as bronze basins for holding water. With God’s temple complete, it was time for Solomon to move the ark of God from its place on Mount Zion to the new temple in Jerusalem. Solomon gathered the leaders of Israel. As the priests

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

moved the ark, its holy utensils, and the tent of meeting, King Solomon and everyone who had gathered sacrificed sheep and cattle to the Lord. The priests positioned the ark of the covenant in the most holy place in the temple. When the priests came out of the temple, the temple was filled by a cloud. God’s glory was in the cloud. Solomon turned to speak to the Israelites. “Praise God!” he said. “God promised David that his son would build a temple. We did it! God kept His promise!” Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord. He prayed with his hands spread out toward heaven. Solomon recognized God for who He is: “There is no God like You!” Solomon thought about the future. He knew Israel would sin one day and make God angry again. Solomon asked for forgiveness, and he asked God to hear their prayers. When Solomon had finished praying, he turned toward the Israelites and encouraged them to love and obey God. The people offered sacrifices to God. When they returned to their homes, they were joyful because God was good to them.

Christ Connection: Because God is holy, only the priests could approach God—and only if they followed specific instructions. Ordinary people had no direct access to the holy presence of God. Jesus changed all that. By His death on the cross, Jesus took away our sin. We can approach God intimately and individually when we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Solomon Built the Temple Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6:1–8:66 Big Picture Question: What did God promise Solomon? God said, “I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people.” Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61 Unit Christ Connection: Solomon’s grand earthly reign is a picture of the eternal reign of Christ. Solomon’s sin divided his kingdom, but Christ’s perfect Kingdom is forever.

Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Ask kids to share if they made or broke any promises in the past week or past month. Invite kids to elaborate on their responses.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

Activity page Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Promise Match” / “Solomon’s Temple” activity page, 1 per kid Bibles pencils markers Assist kids in locating the Scripture passages on the activity page “Promise Match.” Lead kids to match the promise to the person who received the promise to the Scripture. Say • Who made all of the promises on your activity page? (God) Has He kept all of those promises? (Yes) Does God always keep His promises? (YES!) God made another promise in today’s Bible story.

As time allows, lead kids to use the Bible to complete the activity page “Solomon’s Temple.”

Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Melt or Freeze Guide kids to stand up and spread out a little. Explain that you will name something that is either temporary or permanent. If it is temporary, kids should melt (slide down to their knees). If it is permanent, kids should freeze in a pose like a statue. Guide kids to shout “temporary” or “permanent” as they begin the appropriate action. (Suggestions: ice cream, a car, a rock, books, God’s Word, happiness, money, God’s forgiveness, rain, friendship, God’s promises, Jesus) Kids may provide different answers. Ask kids to briefly share why they answered the way they did. Say • Our Bible story today involves a building that was temporary. But God, who has always existed and will always exist, is permanent. He will never end.

Option 2: Box Building large, medium, small boxes; 1 set per team tape Using tape, make arrows to designate a path for teams to walk around the room instead of a straight line. TIP: If the boxes are heavy, lead kids to carry them on both open palms. Create two teams. The first team member must carry the large box on the open palm of his hand as he walks the path. If he drops the box, he may pick it up and continue from his location. The first team member will hand the box to the second player, and the second player will walk the path. The cycle continues until each player has carried the large box around the path. The team will begin the process again, this time stacking the medium-sized box on the large box. In the final round, players will carry all three boxes. Say • In today’s Bible story, Solomon built a building. Solomon is known for building many buildings during his time as king, but this building was very special. The builders carefully cut the stone for

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

the building and brought the stone to the building site. The builders took great care to build everything exactly right and very detailed.

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: Solomon Built the Temple Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6:1–8:66 Big Picture Question: What did God promise Solomon? God said, “I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people.” Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61 Unit Christ Connection: Solomon’s grand earthly reign is a picture of the eternal reign of Christ. Solomon’s sin divided his kingdom, but Christ’s perfect Kingdom is forever.

Countdown countdown video (insert provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes) kid’s magazine comic book kid’s book Bible other reading materials [Large Group Leader enters and begins speaking in a whisper. Enter carrying a stack of reading materials including at least a comic book, a kid magazine, a kid’s book, and a Bible. Place the pile down where you can easily access it in a few minutes.] Leader • Welcome to the library. Wait a minute … I forgot this is a super-fun, kids-only library and I don’t have to whisper. I can use my regular voice. You have no idea how exhausting it is to whisper all day in a regular library. Do you know why people whisper in a library? People go to a library to read or study or write, and we whisper so we won’t interrupt them. It’s a way to be polite to our neighbors and friends. But since this library is kind of different, we don’t have to be quite so quiet. So who read a book or a magazine or a newspaper this week? Oh, I like to see so many hands raised. Reading is an important part of our lives, isn’t it? We can learn a lot when we read. Like last week’s Bible story. Raise your hand if you remember what our Bible story was.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

Timeline map (1 minute) Timeline Map – small group visual pack (Additional copies provided for Table Time Review) Walk to the timeline map and call on a kid to answer. Leader • Excellent! We heard the story of Solomon and how he asked God for wisdom. Solomon was very, very wise. He was the wisest person ever. Much of his wisdom has been written down and we can read it, but I’ll tell you more about that another week. Let me find today’s Bible story on our timeline and read you the title, “Solomon Built the Temple.” Do you remember when King David wanted to build God a temple? What did God tell him? Right! God told David that David’s son would build the temple. Then God made a covenant with David. It looks like we are going to hear today about when David’s son Solomon built the temple.

Big picture question (1 minute) 11x17 poster provided reading materials [As you talk about each item, hold it up for kids to see.] Leader • Are you all ready to discover our big picture question? You know, I think I read about our big picture question in one of these resources. OK, it wasn’t in my comic book. Although I really liked the story I read. And it wasn’t in this magazine. And it wasn’t in this book. Let me tell you, this book was so interesting. I think you would really like … oops. Sorry, I got a little carried away. Here it is! I know I read about our big picture question in this book. Yeah, it was in this Bible. Now I remember, I read the answer in the Bible. The big picture question is, What did God promise Solomon? I can’t wait until you hear what God promised Solomon. It is so amazing. So cool. So great. Are you ready to discover the answer to our big picture question? Open your Bible to 1 Kings 6 and let’s explore this Bible story!

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) “Solomon Built the Temple” video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture – 11x17 poster provided Big Picture Question: “What did God promise Solomon?” – 11x17 poster provided Tip: A Bible story script is provided at the beginning of every session. You may use it to guide you as you prepare to teach the Bible story in your own words. For a shorter version of the Bible story, read only the bolded text.

Open your Bible to 1 Kings 6 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Solomon Built the Temple.” Leader • The Israelites had offered their sacrifices in the tabernacle for over 400 years. But David had wanted God to have a more permanent building than a tent for the Israelites to come worship God. After Solomon became king, God fulfilled His promise to David by allowing Solomon to build the temple.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

The temple was very detailed. Everything was built carefully and with precision. Everything inside the temple was overlaid, or covered, with gold. Once the ark of the covenant was moved into the temple, God’s glory filled the temple. The temple was built for the Israelites to offer sacrifices and worship God. Do you remember our big picture question? Our big picture question and answer is, What did God promise Solomon? God said, “I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people.” The temple was the place for God to live among the Israelites. But not all of the Israelites could enter the temple or the most holy place inside the temple. Only the priests were allowed to go inside. Only the high priest was allowed to go inside the most holy place once a year. And the priests were only allowed in the temple and most holy place after they followed strict instructions. God is holy, so a sinful people could not approach the presence of God in the temple. The priest was the mediator for the people. He could approach God’s presence and obtain forgiveness for people’s sin. But just like in the tabernacle, the people had to atone for their sin every year. Over and over and over again sacrifices had to be made. Each sacrifice was only temporary as the people waited for the ultimate sacrifice to be made for their sin. That all changed when Jesus died on the cross. Jesus paid the price for our sin. When we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior and seek God’s forgiveness for our sin, we can approach God. We can know God and love God. We can be in the presence of a holy God.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Bible Tip: Anytime you share how to become a Christian in a large group environment, try to have teachers available to meet one- on-one with kids. Make sure kids know who they can talk to and when they can talk.

Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “Me Without You” (on provided DVD) Leader • Let’s stand and sing our theme song. As Christians, we can know God. We don’t ever have to be without Him. We will spend eternity in His presence. Lead boys and girls to sing “Me Without You.”

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 12, Session 2 discussion starter video (on provided DVD) Leader • Have you ever wanted to be someone’s friend or be a part of a club, but you weren’t invited? Check out our video and we’ll talk about it afterward. Show the “Unit 12 Session 2” discussion starter video.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

Leader • The Israelites had to be represented by the priests in the temple. They could not just go inside because their sin separated them from God. We don’t have to follow those rules now because of Jesus’ sacrifice. We don’t need a password like the kid in the video. We only need to trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Key passage (5 minutes) Key Passage Poster: 1 Kings 8:61 (11x17 poster, provided) Worship Song: “Devoted to the Lord our God” (on provided DVD) Leader • Our key passage was in the Scripture for our Bible story today. It was part of Solomon’s encouragement or blessing to the Israelites. He reminded them to be completely committed to God and only God. Lead boys and girls to sing “Devoted to the Lord our God.” Read the key passage together.

Prayer (2 minutes) Leader • What did God promise Solomon? God said, “I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people.” Wow. We heard a very interesting Bible story here at our kids’ library today. The Bible is full of interesting stories. I love to read my Bible each day and see what happened in God’s plan to send Jesus. You can do the same thing. You can always read your Bible at home to discover more about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It’s that time again. It is time for you to go to your small groups, and for me to finishing putting away these books that people returned to the library. After I pray, watch your small group leader for the signal to leave the library and walk to your small group. Close in prayer. Thank God for sending His Son so that we could know and love God.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: Solomon Built the Temple Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6:1–8:66 Big Picture Question: What did God promise Solomon? God said, “I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people.” Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61 Unit Christ Connection: Solomon’s grand earthly reign is a picture of the eternal reign of Christ. Solomon’s sin divided his kingdom, but Christ’s perfect Kingdom is forever.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline – small group visual pack Bible dictionaries, atlases, study Bibles, and other resources with information about the temple. Help boys and girls learn how to navigate a Bible dictionary, atlas, study Bibles, and other resources to research Solomon’s temple. Lead kids to read the promise God made to Solomon in 1 Kings 6:11-13. What did God promise Solomon? God said, “I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people.” What did Jesus do to give ordinary people access to God? (By His death on the cross, Jesus took away our sin. We can approach God intimately and individually when we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.) If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions. God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God’s family. (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18) We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10,13)

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “File the Books in Order” Instructions Key Passage Poster: 1 Kings 8:61 (provided) “book” cards with key verse segments on them (three sets are provided per classroom) “bookshelf” Divide kids into two or three groups. Challenge each group to line the books up in the correct key passage order. The group who can complete the challenge first is the “winner.” Say • Solomon’s encouragement to the Israelites is also something we need to follow. We know that God is the one true God, and only He is worthy of praise and worship.

Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Only One table tennis balls (7 balls per set/2 sets per classroom) buckets, 2 per classroom masking tape A part of the big picture question and answer have been written on each table tennis ball. Two sets of table tennis balls, seven (7) balls in each set, are provided for each team. Scatter the table tennis balls around the room. Tape a large square on the floor and place the two buckets inside the square. Tell each team to appoint a representative. Only the representative is allowed to walk inside the tape square, and only the representative can place a table tennis ball into the bucket. Challenge teams to find one complete set of the big picture question and answer and get their representative to place the ball inside the bucket. If a team places both sets of a phrase in their bucket, the bucket must be emptied and the table tennis balls scattered for the team to start again. To prevent confusion, instruct each team to find and place each table tennis ball in the bucket one at a time and in order. Say • In the temple, who could enter the most holy place and atone for the sins of Israel? Only the high priest. Only one person could come into the presence of God—after he followed very specific instructions. In our game, only one person could place the ball in the bucket and you also had to follow some specific instructions. What did God promise Solomon? God said, “I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people.” Who created the way for us to be able to know and love God personally? Jesus did. When Jesus died, the veil at the most holy place tore. It was a symbol that the priests no longer needed to atone for the sins of the people. Jesus paid the price and atoned for the sins of people. He invites us to repent of our sin and trust in Him as our Savior and Lord.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

Option 2: Walker Nail Aprons “Gospel Plan Poster” heavyweight paper plain nail aprons permanent markers

TIP: If you would prefer to supply fewer aprons, pair kids together to complete the project and arrange for the walker aprons to be given to a senior care center or hospital.

OPTION: Include tissues or hand wipes, lotion, and so forth.

Say • A nail apron is something that people who work in construction wear sometimes. They can put nails in the pockets and it is easy to grab them. Today we are going to make something different with our nail aprons. We are going to decorate our aprons to give to someone who uses a walker or a wheelchair. They can put tissues, hand wipes, small bottles of lotion, and other items inside it. Wherever they go, they will have the items they need with them. We are also going to share the gospel message on our walker aprons. Provide each kid with a nail apron and permanent markers. Help kids slide the heavyweight paper inside the apron pockets to prevent the markers from bleeding through both sides of the pocket fabric. Guide kids to decorate their aprons. Encourage kids to include the key phrases and Scripture references from the gospel plan in their designs.

Prayer (5 minutes) Say • Because of Jesus, we can approach God. What do you want to say to God right now? Spend some time closing in prayer, thanking God for sending Jesus so that we can know and love God individually and intimately.

Instructions: Match each person to the promise and the Scripture reference for that promise.

Abraham Your baby will be a Nazarite. Judges 13:2,5

Noah You will enter the promised land. Genesis 17:5

David You will be the father of many nations. Numbers 14:30

Manoah’s wife I will bring you back to this land. Genesis 9:8-11

LifeWay Joshua Your kingdom will be everlasting. Genesis 28:10-15

Jacob I will never flood the earth again. 2 Samuel 7:16-17

Instructions: Use the Scripture reference to discover the name of each item.

______1 Kings 7:49 1 Kings 8:22 LifeWay

______1 Kings 8:6 1 Kings 7:21

______& ______1 Kings 7:38 How long did it take to build the temple?

______1 Kings 6:38 ______1 Kings 7:23

Session Title: 4PMPNPO#VJMUUIF5FNQMF Many details of the temple in Jerusalem reminded God’s people of His Bible Passage: ,JOHTm awesome power, beauty, and desire to be among them. In the ark of the Preschool covenant were items showing God’s care for His people. Think together Key Passage: ,JOHT Big Picture Question: 8IBUEJE,JOH4PMPNPOCVJME of ways God cares for your family, through both basic necessities and ,JOH4PMPNPOCVJMUBUFNQMFGPS(PE blessings. List them in the space below. Or take pictures, make photocopies Christ Connection: God is holy. Only the priests could of significant documents, and place souvenirs of special family go into God’s special place in the temple, and they had events in a special family box (like the ark) to help you recall to follow special rules because they were sinful. Jesus took away our sin when He died on the cross. When we God’s goodness. know and love Jesus, we talk to God on our own. Kids Key Passage: ,JOHT Big Picture Question: 8IBUEJE(PEQSPNJTF 4PMPNPO (PETBJE i*XJMMMJWFBNPOHUIF*TSBFMJUFT BOEOPUBCBOEPO.ZQFPQMFu Christ Connection: Because God is holy, only the priests could approach God—and only if they followed speci c instructions. Ordinary people had no direct access to the holy presence of God. Jesus changed all that. By His death on the cross, Jesus took away our sin. We can approach God intimately and individually when we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.

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