Solomon Built the Temple

Unit 12 • Session 3

Use Week of: Unit 12 • Session 3 Solomon Built the Temple

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Kings 6–8

STORY POINT: God led His people to build a temple where He would dwell with them.

KEY PASSAGE: James 1:5

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future.

INTRODUCE THE STORY TEACH THE STORY APPLY THE STORY 1015 MINUTES 2530 MINUTES 2530 MINUTES PAGE 190 PAGE 192 PAGE 198

Additional resources are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by- session help, visit MinistryGrid.com/gospelproject.

Younger Kids Leader Guide 186 Unit 12 • Session 3

Book 1.indb 186 11/27/18 9:07 AM LEADER 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 … and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam. 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 3 to be completed. Inside the temple was furniture and accessories. (See 1 Kings 7:48-50.)

The time came 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 and praised God for keeping His covenant with David. He 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 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 people could go there to make sacrifices and worship God. 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. Today, when we trust in Jesus, He is with us wherever we go. We can look to Him for forgiveness and help.

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Book 1.indb 187 11/27/18 9:07 AM Story is char.style The BIBLE Story

Solomon Built the Temple 1 Kings 6–8

Solomon was the king of Israel after his father, David, died. God made Solomon very wise. Solomon began to build a temple for the Lord. Solomon ordered thousands of workers to help build the temple. They cut cedar logs and stone blocks. They laid a foundation and built the outside of the temple. God blessed the temple and promised Solomon, “If you obey My commands, I will keep the promise I made to David. I will live among the Israelites, and I will not abandon My people.” The temple was built in seven years. It was beautiful! The cedar paneling inside the temple was carved with ornamental gourds and flower blossoms. Solomon overlaid everything inside the temple with pure gold. He hired men to make bronze furnishings for the temple, such as bronze bowls for holding water. When the temple was complete, Solomon moved 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 moved the ark to the most holy place in the temple, King Solomon and the leaders sacrificed sheep and cattle to the Lord.

Younger Kids Leader Guide 188 Unit 12 • Session 3

Book 1.indb 188 11/27/18 9:07 AM When the priests came out of the temple, a cloud Bible filled the temple. God’s glory was in the cloud. Solomon Storytelling Tips turned to speak to the Israelites. “Praise God!” he said. • Use sound “God promised David that his son would build a temple. effects: Play God kept His promise!” sounds representing construction and Solomon stood and prayed with his hands spread out carpentry while toward heaven. “There is no God like You!” he said. Then telling of the temple’s Solomon thought about the future. He knew Israel construction. Play triumphant music would sin and make God angry again; so Solomon asked when you reach the for forgiveness, and he asked God to hear their prayers. temple’s completion. When Solomon had finished praying, he encouraged Play a cheering crowd the Israelites to love and obey God. The people returned after Solomon’s dedication speech. to their homes, joyful because God was good to them. • Use practical effects: Build a Christ Connection: The temple was a place where God was model of the temple to explain the parts. with His people. The people could go there to make sacrifices Use dry ice in water or and worship God. Today, when we trust in Jesus, He is with us a smoke machine to wherever we go. We can look to Him for forgiveness and help. represent the cloud in which God’s glory rested.

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Book 1.indb 189 11/27/18 9:07 AM head1 (“Opening” is INTRODUCE the Story

SESSION TITLE: Solomon Built the Temple BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Kings 6–8 STORY POINT: God led His people to build a temple where He would dwell with them. KEY PASSAGE: James 1:5 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future.

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. Prompt kids to describe where they live. Ask who lives with them. SAY • All over the world, different people live in very different ways. Some houses are very big, while others are very small. Some homes have carpet, and others have dirt floors. Houses can be made from bricks, wood, and even mud and grass! Today we will learn about the temple, which was sort of like a house for God.

Activity page (5 minutes) • “Welcome Home” Invite kids to complete the “Welcome Home” activity page. activity page, Challenge kids to match each object or creature with the The low prep icon is 1 per kid place that object or creature might live. There may be some anchored. Just select • pencils or markers that don’t have a match! with type tool and paste SAY • One of the homes pictured on your activity sheet was in another location if the temple. We didn’t have an object or creature to match with the temple. Why do you think that is? Who might have lived at the temple?

Younger Kids Leader Guide 190 Unit 12 • Session 3

Book 1.indb 190 11/27/18 9:07 AM Session starter (10 minutes) OPTION 1: Elimination Invite the kids to stand in a circle. Make statements and instruct kids to sit down if a statement applies to them. Start with broad statements, but make the statements more specific as the number of kids remaining shrinks. Do not end until all kids are seated. Example statements: • I ate breakfast this morning. • I am not wearing socks. • I know how to write in cursive. • My name starts with the letter S. SAY • At first, it may have seemed that there would be one kid left standing to win the game, but in the end, no one remained. In a way, that’s like us and sin. It may seem to us that some people are doing better than others, but only Jesus can stand before God. No one can work his way to God, so God came down to live with us! Soon we’ll learn more about how God lives with us.

OPTION 2: House of pillows • pillows Help the kids work together to make a house out of pillows, • cushions cushions, and bedsheets. You may provide chairs or a table • bedsheets for structure. Allow the kids to play in the pillow house. • chairs (optional) • table (optional) SAY • It’s a lot of fun to make houses or forts out of pillows. But even though it is fun, a pillow house would not Note: Do not be a very good place to live for the long term. Today let any kid play unsupervised or we will learn about a place God’s people built for one-on-one with Him to dwell with them. another person in the pillow house. Transition to teach the story

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Book 1.indb 191 11/27/18 9:07 AM head1 (“Opening” is TEACH the Story

SESSION TITLE: Solomon Built the Templee BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Kings 6–8 STORY POINT: God led His people to build a temple where He would dwell with them. KEY PASSAGE: James 1:5 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future.

Countdown • countdown video Show the countdown video as you transition to teach the story. Set it to end as the session begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes) • leader attire [Leader enters wearing a white lab coat with feathers stuck to it.] LEADER • Hello, friends! Welcome back. My name is Tip: If you prefer Professor Peregrine. I’m an ornithologist, which not to use means I’m a bird scientist. I study birds to learn themed content about their behaviors. For me specifically, I try to or characters, adapt or omit this measure how intelligent different kinds of birds are. introduction. Tis week, I’ve been focusing my studies on American cliﬀ swallows. Tey build large and sometimes complex nests out of mud pellets. In a way, a cliﬀ swallow nest can be kind of like apartment complexes for birds! As more birds crowd into popular nesting areas, sometimes their nests can get close enough to touch or overlap. Soon it looks like rows and rows of swallows all living together. It really is amazing how these birds learned to build. Obviously, their homes are not as sturdy as

Younger Kids Leader Guide 192 Unit 12 • Session 3

Book 1.indb 192 11/27/18 9:07 AM buildings made by humans, but the mud and clay mixture that swallows use is similar in some ways to the substances people use to make bricks! How neat is that? But you know, it makes me think of our Bible story. Tis week it’s about a very important construction project Solomon started as king. It wasn’t a nest for birds; it was a temple for God!

Big picture question (1 minute) LEADER • As we get to our story, don’t lose sight of the big picture question and answer: What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future. That means God will never forget anything, no matter how long ago it happened. He will never miss anything happening right now, and the future will never catch Him off guard. God knows all there is to know about everything that can be known! That’s why we can always trust Him. His plans are perfect because they account for every detail.

Giant timeline (1 minute) Show the giant timeline. Point to individual Bible stories as • Giant Timeline you review. LEADER • Two weeks ago, we learned that God gave Solomon wisdom to lead His people. Last week we studied some of what Solomon wrote, learning that wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word. This week we will learn that another thing Solomon did, besides writing songs and poems, was build a temple for God. Let’s get into it!

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Book 1.indb 193 11/27/18 9:07 AM head1 (“Opening” is

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) • Bibles Open your Bible to 1 Kings 6–8. Use the Bible storytelling • “Solomon Built the tips on the Bible story page to help you tell the story, or Temple” video • Big Picture Question show the Bible story video “Solomon Built the Temple.” Poster LEADER • Do you remember when we learned about • Bible Story Picture God’s covenant with David? David wanted to build Poster a temple for God. God told David that he would • Story Point Poster not build a temple, but that his son would. Now we learned about God keeping that promise! God knew exactly when the temple would be constructed because God knows everything. What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future. God led His people to build a temple where He would dwell with them. Do you think God needs a temple to live in? No, of course not. He reminded David that He didn’t need a temple, but He helped His people build it to show them His desire to be with them. Te temple was a place they could gather to worship God and learn about Him. It was a place where they could offer sacrifices to cover their sin. So why don’t we have a temple today? Well, the truth is, we kind of do! Te Bible teaches us that Christians’ bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit! Jesus came to fulfill the law. He is the perfect sacrifice for sin. He died so that we do not have to offer rams, goats, or other sacrifices to cover sin. When we put faith in Jesus—trusting that His sacrifice was enough to cover our sin—the Holy Spirit lives in us, filling us with God’s power. In a way, that means that every believer is a temple! We don’t need a physical building to be our temple because Jesus is

Younger Kids Leader Guide 194 Unit 12 • Session 3

Book 1.indb 194 11/27/18 9:07 AM with us wherever we go, day and night. If you are a Christian, nothing can separate you from God.

Christ connection Note: You may use this opportunity to LEADER • The temple was a place where God was with His use Scripture and people. The people could go there to make sacrifices the guide provided and worship God. Today, when we trust in Jesus, He to explain how to become a Christian. is with us wherever we go. We can look to Him for Make sure kids forgiveness and help. We no longer need a place to know when and offer sacrifices, because Jesus’ death was enough to where they can ask cover our sin forever. questions.

Questions from kids video (3 minutes) Show the “Unit 12, Session 3” questions from kids video. • “Unit 12, Session 3” Prompt kids to think about why Christians do not have a Questions from Kids video temple. Guide them to discuss how they can be part of their church in a meaningful way.

Missions moment (3 minutes) Play the “Going West (Part 2)” missions video. • “Going West (Part 2)” LEADER • The Mandrell family asked God for wisdom missions video about where to start a church, and God led this Tennessee family to Denver, Colorado. God also revealed something else important: they shouldn’t do it alone! God had a surprise in store for the Mandrell family, which included an unplanned stop along the way to Colorado. God directed the Mandrells to a group of Christians who would play a very important part in planting a new church in Denver! Can you think of any ways God might use you to spread the gospel where we live?

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Book 1.indb 195 11/27/18 9:07 AM head1 (“Opening” is

Key passage (5 minutes) • Key Passage Poster Show the key passage poster. Lead the boys and girls to read • “If Any of You” song together James 1:5. Then sing “If Any of You.” LEADER • As we study what it means to be wise, it may feel discouraging to realize we lack wisdom. Thankfully, God gave us this key passage! We can always ask God to give us wisdom, and we know that He will!

Sing (4 minutes) • “King of Kings” song LEADER • God loves us and knows all things. He is perfectly wise, which means He is the best King we could ever ask for or need. Let’s praise God because He is the King of kings. Sing together “King of Kings.”

Pray (2 minutes) Invite kids to pray before dismissing to apply the story. LEADER • Lord, We praise You for Your knowledge, wisdom, and power. We praise You because You love us despite our sinfulness. Help us to have wisdom and see that we need Jesus. Give us faith to trust Him. Use us in Your plan to reach the whole world with the gospel. Amen.

Dismiss to apply the story

Younger Kids Leader Guide 196 Unit 12 • Session 3

Book 1.indb 196 11/27/18 9:07 AM 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.

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. Provide I’m a Christian Now! for new Christians to take home and complete with their families.

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Book 1.indb 197 11/27/18 9:07 AM head1 (“Opening” is APPLY the Story

Key passage activity (5 minutes) • Key Passage Poster Print multiple copies of the “Key Passage Puzzles” printable. • “Key Passage Cut apart each puzzle. Form groups of three or four kids, Puzzles” printable • scissors and provide each kid with a puzzle set. Challenge the kids to work together in their groups to assemble the puzzles. Then take volunteers to say the key passage from memory. Praise each kid for her efforts and encourage all the kids to keep working to memorize James 1:5. SAY • James knew that people are not naturally wise. That’s why he wrote to remind people that we can ask God for wisdom. The best part is, God likes to give us wisdom! James explained that God will generously give wisdom to those who ask Him for it.

Discussion & Bible skills (10 minutes) • Bibles, 1 per kid Distribute a Bible to each kid. Help them find 1 Kings 6–8. The low prep icon is • Story Point Poster If you have new kids in your group, be sure to explain how anchored. Just select to find passages in the Bible using the table of contents, with type tool and paste large chapter numbers, and small verse numbers. Review in another location if which division 1 Kings is in. (Old Testament History) Challenge a kid to name the other books in this division. (Joshua–Esther)

Younger Kids Leader Guide 198 Unit 12 • Session 3

Book 1.indb 198 11/27/18 9:07 AM Ask the following questions. Lead the group to discuss: Option: Retell or 1. What did God promise to do if Solomon obeyed review the Bible Him? (dwell among the Israelites, not abandon them; story using the bolded text of the 1 Kings 6:13) Bible story script. 2. How long did it take Solomon and the workers to finish the temple? (seven years, 1 Kings 6:38) 3. What did Solomon ask God to do when Israel sinned? (hear their prayers, forgive them, and restore them when they repent; 1 Kings 8:33-34) 4. Does God need a house or a place to live? Guide the kids to see that God did not need a temple. Help kids understand that the temple was a symbol of God’s choice to dwell with Israel. Remind them that God does not need anything from people. (See Acts 17:24-25.) God is everywhere, but He showed His presence in a special way to the Israelites through the temple. 5. How does God dwell with Christians today? Discuss the role of the Holy Spirit. Remind kids that all who trust in Jesus have the Holy Spirit living inside them. He guides Christians to love and obey Jesus. Christians gather together to worship God and learn about Him, but Jesus is with us everywhere. 6. If Jesus is already with us, why is His return important? Discuss the difference between Jesus’ presence with us now and His physical return to rule as King of kings. When Jesus returns, He will fix everything sin has broken. Jesus’ return will signal the full coming of God’s kingdom. SAY • God led His people to build a temple where He would dwell with them. Because of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, Christians have God with us all the time through the Holy Spirit.

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Book 1.indb 199 11/27/18 9:07 AM head1 (“Opening” is

Activity choice (10 minutes) OPTION 1: Work together Invite kids to form a circle. Place a hula hoop over one kid’s arm and instruct everyone to join hands. • hula hoops, 1 per Kids must work together to pass the hula hoop around team • stopwatch (optional) the circle without letting go of one another’s hands. You may choose to track the time takes to pass the hula hoop around the circle. If time allows, challenge kids to beat their previous time. If you have a big group, form teams to race Tip: Use this against each other. Discuss how working together made activity option to reinforce the accomplishing this task easier. missions moment SAY • Working together was helpful to accomplish this task. found in Teach the The Mandrell family knew it would be important Story. for others to join them in starting a church in Denver, Colorado. Partnering together in God’s global mission is very wise. We can partner with the Mandrell family by praying for them. We can partner with other missionaries by praying or giving money to help them follow God’s call. We can also be part of God’s plan by showing God’s love to others and telling them about Jesus.

OPTION 2: Found in Christ • large sheet of paper Select a kid to lay on a large sheet of paper. Trace carefully • markers around the kid. Then distribute Bibles to each kid. Help the • Bibles kids find a few of the following Scripture passages: • John 1:12 • 1 Peter 2:9 • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 • 2 Corinthians 5:17 • Romans 6:8 • Philippians 3:8-9

Younger Kids Leader Guide 200 Unit 12 • Session 3

Book 1.indb 200 11/27/18 9:07 AM Read the passages aloud and instruct the kids to write attributes that describe a Christian in the outline on the large sheet of paper. SAY • Wow! Those are some incredible things the Bible says about people who have faith in Jesus. Christians are described as children of God, a royal priesthood, temples of the Holy Spirit, new creations, and more! God led His people to build a temple where He would dwell with them. Now, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God dwells with Christians personally. God fills us with the Holy Spirit, giving us His power to love and obey Him.

Reflection and prayer (5 minutes) Distribute a sheet of paper to each child. Ask the kids • pencils and crayons • paper to write about or draw a picture to answer the following • Bible Story Coloring questions: Page, 1 per kid • What does this story teach me about God or about the gospel? • What does this story teach me about myself? • Whom can I tell about this story? Make sure to send the sheets home with kids alongside the Tip: Give parents activity page so that parents can see what their kids have this week’s Big been learning. Picture Cards for If time remains, take prayer requests or allow kids to Families to allow families to interact complete the Bible story coloring page provided with this with the biblical session. Pray for your group. content at home.

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Book 1.indb 201 11/27/18 9:07 AM LEADER Bible Study King Solomon loved God. He received wisdom from the Lord and was dedicated to building His temple. But early on, we see hints that Solomon’s heart was not completely devoted to God. He married foreign wives who turned Solomon’s heart away from God. (1 Kings 11:4)

Solomon gradually abandoned what he had believed. Israel had a history of turning away from God, and Solomon was no exception.

God was angry with Solomon. He had warned him twice not to turn to false gods. God planned to discipline Solomon by taking the kingdom away from his family. God was going to take the kingdom from Solomon’s son Rehoboam—every tribe except for one. God graciously left one tribe for Rehoboam, keeping the promise He made to David. (See 2 Sam. 7:16.)

God set apart Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s servants, to become leader over 10 tribes of Israel. Parts of the tribe of Benjamin followed Jeroboam, and some followed Rehoboam. When Solomon died, all of Israel gathered to make Rehoboam their new king. They asked Rehoboam to lighten the 4 burden of service Solomon had given them, but Rehoboam refused. In fact, he promised to make their work even harder.

Israel rebelled against Rehoboam and made Jeroboam king. Only the tribe of Judah stayed with Rehoboam. So the kingdom was divided into two kingdoms—the Northern Kingdom was called Israel (ruled by Jeroboam) and the Southern Kingdom was called Judah (ruled by Rehoboam).

Every king failed to lead God’s people perfectly. God had a plan to send them a better king, a perfect king. God would use the house of David— the single tribe He reserved for Rehoboam—to bring into the world His Son, Jesus, to become King over all of God’s people forever and lead them back to God.

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Book 1.indb 203 11/27/18 9:07 AM Story is char.style The BIBLE Story

The Kingdom Divided 1 Kings 11–12

King Solomon loved God, but he did not love God with his whole heart. Solomon had hundreds of wives, and many of them were from other nations. Solomon’s wives turned him away from God, and he began to worship the false gods that his wives worshiped. God was angry. God said to Solomon, “Since you have done this, I will take the kingdom away from you. You will be king the rest of your life, but when your son becomes king, he will lose everything except for one tribe.” When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam (REE huh BOH uhm) became king. The people told Rehoboam, “Your father, Solomon, made us work too hard. We will gladly serve you if you make our work easier.” Rehoboam thought about it and asked his father’s friends for advice. “Be kind to the workers and they will work for you forever,” they said. But Rehoboam ignored that advice. He asked his own friends what he should do. Rehoboam listened to his friends and told the workers, “My father did not make you work hard enough! I’ll make you work even harder!” The people did not want to serve a king like Rehoboam, so they

Younger Kids Leader Guide 204 Unit 12 • Session 4

Book 1.indb 204 11/27/18 9:07 AM made Jeroboam (JER uh BOH uhm) king. Jeroboam had Bible been one of Solomon’s officials. Now he was king of the Storytelling Tips Northern Kingdom of Israel. Only one tribe remained • Display a map: under Rehoboam’s rule, and that was the Southern Show a map of Kingdom of Judah. the tribes of Israel or show the Old Rehoboam did not like being king of only one tribe. Testament Kingdoms He planned to attack the northern kingdom of Israel, but Map from the Giant God sent a prophet to stop him. The prophet had a message Timeline and Map Set (005802970). Point from God: “Do not fight them; the people of Israel are part out the split of the of your family. I am the Lord, and I am in control of what kingdom into the is happening.” So Rehoboam went home. Southern Kingdom Now Jeroboam was the king of Israel, but he wasn’t a of Judah and the Northern Kingdom good king. When the people of Israel traveled to Jerusalem of Israel. to worship God at the temple, Jeroboam worried that • Vary your they would start thinking of Rehoboam as their leader. voice: Use a stern, commanding voice So Jeroboam made two golden calves and told the people, for God’s words. Use “Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Here are your a pleading voice for gods who brought you up from the land of Egypt. You can the people and an arrogant, cruel voice worship them!” for Rehoboam. What Jeroboam did was a sin! Those calves did not lead God’s people out of Egypt; God led His people out of Egypt. Jeroboam led all the people to worship the false gods instead of the one true God.

Christ Connection: King Solomon failed to lead God’s people perfectly. God’s people needed a better king, a perfect king! Through David’s family, God would send His own Son, Jesus Christ, to be a perfect King over God’s people forever. Jesus is greater than Solomon. Jesus brings His people together and leads them back to God.

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Book 1.indb 205 11/27/18 9:07 AM head1 (“Opening” is INTRODUCE the Story

SESSION TITLE: Te Kingdom Divided BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Kings 11–12 STORY POINT: God divided Israel into two kingdoms because Solomon sinned. KEY PASSAGE: James 1:5 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future.

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. Prompt kids to share about a time they broke something. What did they break? Were they able to fix it? SAY • When some things break, we can have them fixed. Other things may be easier to replace than try to fix, and some things might not be fixable at all! Today we will learn about a time Solomon chose to disobey God. As a result, the whole kingdom of Israel split! What do you think could patch that up?

Activity page (5 minutes) • “The Big Split” Invite kids to complete the “The Big Split” activity page. activity page, Instruct the kids to look at the two versions of the Bible The low prep icon is 1 per kid story art to find and circle the seven differences. Some anchored. Just select • pencils or markers might be less obvious! with type tool and paste SAY • That activity had two versions of the picture. Today in another location if we will learn about a time the kingdom of Israel split into two! Why do you think God would split His people’s kingdom in two?

Younger Kids Leader Guide 206 Unit 12 • Session 4

Book 1.indb 206 11/27/18 9:07 AM Session starter (10 minutes) OPTION 1: Would you rather? Read a series of questions, each starting with Would you rather … Ask the kids to move to one side of the room or the other based on their preferences in each statement. After kids form the two groups, choose a volunteer from each group to explain why he chose the side he chose. Example statements: • have no eyebrows, or no ﬁngernails? • only ever eat your favorite food, or never eat it again? • have a pet dog or a pet cat? • have harder work to do or have easier work to do? SAY • Interesting answers, everyone! That was a fun game to see what we all prefer. In our Bible story today, the people of Israel asked their new king to give them less work, and he said he was going to do the opposite. How do you think they felt about that?

OPTION 2: Hidden halves Print the “Hidden Half” printable. Cut out each picture • “Hidden Half” printable and then cut each picture in half. Hide one half of each • tape (optional) picture somewhere around the room. Then provide the kids with the halves you still have, and challenge them to find the missing halves to complete the pictures. You may provide tape to rejoin the pictures. SAY • You found all the halves! In our story today, we will learn about when the kingdom of Israel split. It wasn’t exactly in half though. We’ll learn more soon.

Transition to teach the story

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Book 1.indb 207 11/27/18 9:07 AM head1 (“Opening” is TEACH the Story

Countdown • countdown video Show the countdown video as you transition to teach the story. Set it to end as the session begins.

Introduce the session (3 minutes) • leader attire [Leader enters wearing a white lab coat with feathers stuck to it.] LEADER • My friends! Welcome back to my lab. You may Tip: If you prefer remember, I am Professor Peregrine, and I study not to use birds. Can anyone remember the big word that themed content describes what I do? [Allow responses.] Great memory! or characters, Ornithology adapt or omit this is the study of birds. Are you ready for introduction. your fun bird fact? Many kinds of birds are monogamous. Tat means when one female and one male bird decide to nest together, they stay together for the rest of their lives! A bonded pair of birds won’t split up until one of them dies. And in some cases, even after one of the pair dies, the one that is alive will not pair with another mate. It’s amazing how God created so many diﬀerent creatures that behave in such amazing ways. You know, it kind of makes me think of our story

Younger Kids Leader Guide 208 Unit 12 • Session 4

Book 1.indb 208 11/27/18 9:07 AM this week. However, our story isn’t about something joining together forever, it’s about something that got split in two! I’ll tell you more soon.

Big picture question (1 minute) LEADER • But first, let’s review our big picture question. Can any of you say it from memory? [Allow responses.] Great work! What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future. That means we can totally trust God. He won’t forget things, won’t overlook things, and won’t be surprised by things. Every detail is covered in His perfect plans. That’s why we know wisdom from God is true wisdom!

Giant timeline (1 minute) Show the giant timeline. Point to individual Bible stories as • Giant Timeline you review. LEADER • Solomon became king after his father, David. Solomon had the chance to ask God for anything, and asked for wisdom. God gave Solomon wisdom to lead His people. God also gave Solomon wealth and power. Solomon wrote many things to teach God’s people that wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word. Then, God used Solomon to fulfill His promise to David. God led His people to build a temple where He would dwell with them. • Bibles However, as wise as Solomon was, he was not a • “The Kingdom perfect king. Only Jesus is perfect. Divided” video • Big Picture Question Poster Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) • Bible Story Picture Open your Bible to 1 Kings 11–12. Use the Bible Poster

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storytelling tips on the Bible story page to help you tell the story, or show the Bible story video “The Kingdom Divided.” LEADER • Solomon’s story is a sad one, but it helps us see that even a wise person can make foolish, sinful choices. Solomon married more than one woman, and some of his wives were from groups of people that God said not to marry. Those groups of people worshiped false gods and did evil things. Over time, Solomon’s heart turned away from God. Solomon began to worship the evil, false gods that his wives worshiped. God was angry with Solomon, but He also remembered His covenant with David. God warned Solomon that the kingdom would be taken from Solomon’s son, except for one tribe. When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king. He did not show wisdom, and he drove the people away. But though it may have seemed that Rehoboam was to blame, it was really Solomon whose sin caused the mess. God divided Israel into two kingdoms because Solomon sinned. We learned that David was a great king, but not the perfect King that God’s people needed. Solomon was a wise and powerful king, but he was not the Note: You may use perfect King the people needed either. Solomon’s sin this opportunity to divided the kingdom, but Jesus’ righteousness will use Scripture and unite all believers to God. the guide provided to explain how to become a Christian. Christ connection Make sure kids LEADER • King Solomon failed to lead God’s people know when and perfectly. God’s people needed a better king, a perfect where they can ask questions. king! Through David’s family, God would send His

Younger Kids Leader Guide 210 Unit 12 • Session 4

Book 1.indb 210 11/27/18 9:07 AM own Son, Jesus Christ, to be a perfect King over God’s people forever. Jesus is greater than Solomon. Jesus brings His people together and leads them back to God.

(3 minutes) Questions from kids video • “Unit 12, Session 4” Show the “Unit 12, Session 4” questions from kids video. Questions from Kids Prompt kids to think about times they don’t want to go to video church. Guide them to discuss what it means to be devoted to God.

Missions moment (3 minutes) Play the “Going West (Part 3)” missions video. • “Going West (Part 3)” LEADER • For the Mandrell family, being missionaries in missions video Denver, Colorado, means asking God for wisdom in what to do and where to go to share the good news about His Son. Many times, God gives them opportunities to invite people into their home and to their church. Can you think of ways you can share the good news with people you know?

Key passage (5 minutes) Show the key passage poster. Lead the boys and girls to read • Key Passage Poster together James 1:5. Then sing “If Any of You.” • “If Any of You” song LEADER • Our key passage reminds us that God does not withhold wisdom. When we ask God for wisdom, He gives it generously. God is good. He enjoys giving us good things and always does what is best.

Sing (4 minutes) LEADER • It’s so good to know that our King isn’t like an • “King of Kings” song earthly king who may start out strong and end up

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making sinful choices. What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future. That means God always knows the best thing to do and always has the power to do it. Let’s sing praises to our King of kings. Sing together “King of Kings.”

Pray (2 minutes) Invite kids to pray before dismissing to apply the story. LEADER • Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Even when Solomon sinned, You kept Your promise to David. You sent Jesus to save us from sin, and He is King forever. Help us have wisdom to follow You each day, now and in the future. Amen.

Dismiss to apply the story

Younger Kids Leader Guide 212 Unit 12 • Session 4

Book 1.indb 212 11/27/18 9:07 AM 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.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. Provide I’m a Christian Now! for new Christians to take home and complete with their families.

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Key passage activity (5 minutes) • Key Passage Poster Take volunteers to say the key passage from memory. Thank • dry erase board or each kid for her efforts and encourage all kids to continue chalkboard • dry erase markers memorizing the verse. Then write the first letter of each or chalk word in the key passage in the order the words appear. Challenge the kids to fill in the missing letters to complete the key passage. SAY • James reminds us that all we have to do to gain wisdom from God is ask Him for it! God is the source of all wisdom. He gives us wisdom in multiple ways. We can gain wisdom through studying His Word, by spending time with other believers, through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and through prayer.

Discussion & Bible skills (10 minutes) The low prep icon is • Bibles, 1 per kid Distribute a Bible to each kid. Help them find anchored. Just select • Story Point Poster 1 Kings 11–12. Briefly review some of the differences with type tool and paste between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Ask in another location if the kids to identify which Bible division 1 Kings is in (Old Testament History) and see if anyone can name the other books that share that division (Joshua–Esther). Remind the

Younger Kids Leader Guide 214 Unit 12 • Session 4

Book 1.indb 214 11/27/18 9:07 AM kids that we use divisions to help us organize the Bible. Ask the following questions. Lead the group to discuss: Option: Retell or 1. How did Solomon sin? (Solomon married many review the Bible women, and Solomon worshiped their false gods; 1 story using the bolded text of the Kings 11:2-4) Bible story script. 2. What did Rehoboam say that angered the people? (He promised to make their lives harder, not easier; 1 Kings 12:13-14) 3. How did Jeroboam lead the Northern Kingdom into sin? (He made idols to prevent people from worshiping at the temple; 1 Kings 12:27-30) 4. If Solomon had so much wisdom, why did he worship false gods? Guide kids to remember that wisdom cannot save us. Help them see that wisdom is valuable, but if cannot ﬁx the brokenness in our hearts. We need salvation through Jesus to have our hearts ﬁxed to love and obey God. 5. Why did God allow Rehoboam to stay king over Judah? Guide kids to see that God’s covenant to David was not broken by Solomon’s sin. God keeps His promises even though we sin. He promised to send the Messiah through David’s family and that a member of David’s family would be on the throne forever. 6. If God was going to let Rehoboam stay king, why divide the kingdom at all? Guide kids to understand that sin always has consequences. God loves us even when we sin, but He does not always protect us from the consequences of our sin. Tankfully, through Jesus, we can have salvation and freedom from sin. SAY • God divided Israel into two kingdoms because Solomon sinned. Solomon was wise, but not perfect. Jesus is our wise and perfect King.

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Activity choice (10 minutes) • “Gospel Flashcards” OPTION 1: Be ready printable Print multiple sets of the “Gospel Flashcards” and • scissors cut them apart. Punch a hole in each card. Provide each • hole punch • loose-leaf binder kid with a set of the cards. Invite kids to color their cards, rings and then help them insert a metal binder ring through the holes to hold their cards together. Use the cards to practice Tip: Use this sharing the gospel. activity option SAY • Great job sharing the gospel. It is wise to be prepared to reinforce the to tell others about Jesus. In fact, the Bible tells us missions moment found in Teach the to be ready to teach the gospel all the time! [See Story. 2 Tim. 4:2 and 1 Pet. 3:15.] God might not call you to travel far from home, but He has commanded all Christians to live on mission by loving others and telling them about Jesus.

OPTION 2: Whole or half-hearted? Write scenarios on index cards. Invite kid volunteers to draw cards one at a time. Each volunteer must act out the • index cards • pen scenario on the card once with a whole-hearted attitude and once with a half-hearted attitude. The other kids must guess what activity the volunteer is acting out. Suggested scenarios: • You have to clean your room before you can go to your friend’s house. • You have been selected to be the line leader at school. • You score a goal in your soccer game. • You are learning a new dance move that is popular at your school. • You are going to pick up a new pet from the animal shelter. SAY • Some of those scenarios would be very fun and some

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Book 1.indb 216 11/27/18 9:07 AM might not be fun; either way, it’s obvious when someone is doing something whole-heartedly. Solomon obeyed God at ﬁrst, but the Bible tells us that when he got older, his heart was not wholly devoted to God. His obedience was half-hearted, and eventually he didn’t obey at all. God divided Israel into two kingdoms because Solomon sinned. When we trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us. He helps us love God and obey Him whole- heartedly.

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