Teacher Bible Study Lesson Overview/Schedule

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

TEACHER BIBLE STUDY David’s sin with Bathsheba yielded difficult consequences, but God showed David and Bathsheba that He still loved them. After the death of their first son, Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon. Nathan, the prophet whom God had used to confront David concerning Uriah, gave Solomon a special name: Jedidiah, which means “Beloved of the Lord.” God chose Solomon to be king. (See 2 Samuel 12:24-25; 1 Chronicles 22:9-13.)

Early in Solomon’s life, God appeared to him in a dream. “What should I give you?” God asked. Solomon’s response set him apart from many other kings. His God-honoring qualities were apparent.

First, Solomon humbly acknowledged his lack of experience in leading God’s people. Then he said, “Give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:9).

If you were a king or queen and God offered to give you anything you asked for, what request would you make? Ask the kids you teach what they would ask for if they could receive anything their hearts desired.

One might assume that a king would ask for power, to be victorious over his enemies. Perhaps he would ask for riches or to live a long life. Solomon asked for none of these. Instead, he asked God to make him wise. God was pleased with Solomon’s request, and He agreed to give Solomon a wise and understanding heart.

Solomon’s heart was surrendered to God. When we know and love Jesus, God gives us the same promise He gave to Solomon: “Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Solomon Asked for Wisdom Bible Passage: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15 Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s 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 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (3 minutes) Timeline map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Sing (5 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 Asked for Wisdom 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15

David was old. He had been king over Israel for a long time, and now his son, Solomon, had become king. God had promised David that Israel’s king would always be someone from his family. Because David was at the end of his life, he gave Solomon some instructions. “Be strong and brave, Solomon,” David said. “Obey God, and you will be successful. God will keep His promise that every king of Israel will come from our family.” David died, and Solomon took control of his father’s kingdom. Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. With the princess as his wife, Solomon didn’t have to worry about being attacked by the Egyptians. The two countries were at peace. One night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream. God said, “Solomon, ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you.” Anything? A king might have asked to live a long life or to have lots of riches. Solomon could have asked God to give him victory over all his enemies. Solomon didn’t ask to be rich or to live a long time. Solomon wanted to be a good king. He asked for something even better. “God, you made me king after my father,” Solomon said. “I am young, and I don’t know very much about being a king. Please make me wise and obedient to You. Help me know the difference

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

between right and wrong. Help me lead Your people well.” God answered Solomon, “I am pleased you have asked for this. I will give you wisdom. In fact, I will make you more wise and understanding than anyone who has ever lived. No one in the future will ever be as wise as Solomon.” But God wasn’t finished. “Because you asked for wisdom, I will also give you what you did not ask for: long life, riches, and honor. You’ll be greater than any other king during your lifetime.” Solomon woke up and realized God had spoken to him in a dream. Solomon praised God and offered sacrifices to worship Him.

Christ Connection: King Solomon could have asked for earthly treasures, but he asked for wisdom to lead God’s people. God created people to do His will. Jesus provided the ultimate example by completely trusting God with His life. Jesus gave up His own life to die on the cross for our sins so that God could bring us back to Himself.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Solomon Asked for Wisdom Bible Passage: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15 Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s 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 name one thing they would ask their parents for if they knew their parents would say yes.

Activity page Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Books of the Bible” / “Who Demonstrated Wisdom?” activity page, 1 per kid Bibles pencils markers Help boys and girls solve the puzzle on the activity page “Books of the Bible.” Once kids determine where the books belong on the shelf, help them fill in the message about today’s Bible story.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

Say • King David was Israel’s king for 40 years. When King David was dying, he selected one of his sons to be the next king. Listen to our Bible story during large group to discover what happened next to the new king.

As time allows, lead kids to use the Bible to complete the activity page “Who Demonstrated Wisdom?”

Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: If It Pleases You Kids will take turns being the leader. The leader will say, “It pleases me if you … [name an action for everyone to perform].” The kids will respond with “If it pleases you” and complete the action. If someone does not say the phrase before performing the action or if she refuses to perform an action, she is out. (Sample actions: Hop on one foot 10 times. Dance for 20 seconds. Try to lick your elbow.) Say • Name an action you do at home that pleases your parents. (Clean your room. Wash the dishes. Walk the dog. Be kind to a sibling.) Name an action you do that pleases God. (Worship Him. Praise Him. Glorify Him.) In today’s Bible story, God was pleased with a leader of Israel and gave him a special gift.

Option 2: Shoelace Passage flat shoelaces, 1 or 2 per kid permanent markers Bibles Key Passage Poster Help kids locate 1 Kings 8:61 in their Bibles. Explain that this passage is the key passage for the unit. Invite each kid to write the key passage on shoelaces. Encourage boys and girls to practice the key passage each time they see their shoelaces. Say • Our key passage talks about walking in or living by God’s commands. Today we are going to learn about the person who said this key passage. Next week we will hear who they were talking to when they said this important Scripture passage.

Transition to large group

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

LESSON Session Title: Solomon Asked for Wisdom Bible Passage: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15 Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s 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.

Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Place a colorful rug in the middle of the teaching area. Scatter fun kids’ furniture around the area: beanbags, little couches, small side tables, and so forth. A small kid-size classroom table and chairs are also OK. Stack mini piles of books near the furniture. Place a small bookcase on one side of the stage and place some colorful kids’ books on it.

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) reading glasses on a chain large book [Large Group Leader enters wearing reading glasses on a chain and carrying a very thick book such as an encyclopedia or dictionary. Begin speaking in a whisper.] Leader • Sssshhhh! Quiet! Ssshhhh! We are in a library. You’re supposed to whisper in the library. We don’t want to disturb the other people. That is, if there were other people here, we wouldn’t want to disturb them. Wait a minute. This isn’t like my library back home. This library looks … well … it looks fun! Look here at this book. And look at this book. Oh, I could sit here and read for hours! I love a good book. Do any of you love a good book? Do you have a favorite book? You do! What’s your favorite book? Call on a few kids to share the title of their favorite book. Leader • Reading is so great. But you know what? I haven’t always loved to read. I used to think it was borrrrring. And well, I wasn’t a very good reader. My teacher would call on me to read something out loud for the whole class, and I was so nervous I would stumble over the words. But I’ve been reading for a long time now and you know what happened? The more I read, the more I liked reading. Even

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

though I still stumble over the words sometimes. My favorite book starts off with … wait, you didn’t come here to hear about my favorite book. Are you that group that is learning about God’s plan by traveling to different places to discover exciting Bible stories? I heard about you! Is it OK if I join you today on your journey? Yes! What Bible story are you learning? You don’t know? We need to look at the timeline map.

Timeline map (1 minute) Timeline Map – small group visual pack (Additional copies provided for Table Time Review) Point to the different elements of the timeline map as you speak to help kids understand where on the timeline they currently are. Call on a kid to come forward and point out where you are on the timeline map. Leader • Awesome map! I see our library pictured here. The picture for our story is a man sleeping. I wonder what that means. The timeline says the Bible story is about Solomon. The guy in our picture must be Solomon. Who’s Solomon? Do you know? Well, it is time to find out! First, we need to locate our big picture question.

Big picture question (1 minute) 11x17 poster provided Leader • Let me look in my big book here. Books are full of wisdom and answers to questions we have. Open the book and flip through several pages. You may wish to fold a copy of the big picture question inside the book or pretend to read the question from the book. Leader • Here is our big picture question. What did King Solomon ask from God? Oh, our first clue. Solomon is a king. And Solomon asked God for something. Interesting. I think I am going to really like this Bible story.

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 12, Session 1 discussion starter video (on provided DVD) Leader • If you could ask God for anything, what would you ask for? Call on a few kids to answer. Leader • Check out this video and see what some other people said. Show the “Unit 12 Session 1” discussion starter video. Leader • Interesting answers. Open your Bibles to 1 Kings and let’s find the answer to our big picture question, What did King Solomon ask from God? Remember, you can always turn to the table of contents in the front of your Bible to find out where a book of the Bible is located. First Kings is after 2 Samuel and before 2 Kings.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) “Solomon Asked for Wisdom” video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture – 11x17 poster provided Big Picture Question: “What did King Solomon ask from God?” – 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 2 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Solomon Asked for Wisdom.” Leader • Our big picture question was, What did King Solomon ask from God? I’m going to raise my hands and when I do, I want you to shout out the answer. When I lower my hands, everyone should stop shouting or speaking. OK? Ready. Raise your hands, allow kids to give the answer, and then lower your hands. Leader • You were listening very well during our Bible story. What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people. Wisdom is learning how to live each day in a way that is pleasing to God. Solomon’s answer actually demonstrated that Solomon was wise. Solomon knew he needed wisdom to lead God’s people well. Solomon’s choice shows that Solomon wanted to follow God’s plan and not his own plan. Solomon could have asked for power or money or lots of things that he would enjoy, but he didn’t. What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people.

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.

Leader • Jesus could have had money, power, and lots of other things, but He wanted to follow God’s plan—God’s will. Jesus sacrificed His life to follow God’s plan to rescue us from sin. Review the gospel plan provided to help kids understand how they can become a Christian. Guide kids to read some of the Scriptures in their own Bibles.

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “Me Without You” (on provided DVD) Leader • Solomon recognized that he needed wisdom to lead the Israelites. He knew he needed God’s help and guidance. Our theme song reminds us that we all need God. Lead boys and girls to sing “Me Without You.”

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 is a special promise that God made. Next week we will learn more about

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

when God made this promise. The key passage is a good reminder to us that we should walk or live God’s plan for our lives instead of our own plans. Read the passage with me. Read the key passage, 1 Kings 8:61, together. Guide the older half of the kids to read the passage. Instruct the younger half of the kids to read the passage. Lead boys and girls to sing “Devoted to the Lord our God.”

Prayer (2 minutes) Leader • What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people. We aren’t kings and queens of a nation, so why do we need wisdom? What do we need to ask God to give us wisdom for? Call on some kids and small group leaders to answer. Leader • Great answers! We need God’s wisdom. We need to follow His will instead of our own plans. In your small group, you will continue to talk about Solomon’s request for wisdom. After I pray, watch your small group leader for your turn to walk to your small group. Close in prayer.

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. 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.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: Solomon Asked for Wisdom Bible Passage: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15 Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s 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 paper pens or markers tape OPTION: Review the Bible story using the bolded text in the Bible story script. Guide kids to read Solomon’s words about wisdom in Proverbs 3:13-15 and review 1 Kings 3:3-15. Ask kids to work in pairs or groups to write a blog post about these verses. Encourage creativity. Kids may want to write the post as Solomon or a news reporter or as themselves. For a short post, encourage kids to write 300 words or less. Allow kids to “post” their blogs on the wall in your room. What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people. How did Jesus trust God? (Jesus provided the ultimate example by completely trusting God with His life. Jesus gave up His own life to die on the cross for our sins.) 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) 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) Review the timeline map in the small group visual pack. Ask kids to name a couple of examples of an Israelite leader showing wisdom and an example of an Israelite who did not practice wisdom.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Say It Louder (or Faster)” Instructions Key Passage Poster: 1 Kings 8:61 (provided) dry erase board and markers Make sure the key passage, 1 Kings 8:61, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together. Say • Solomon said these words. He asked God for wisdom—not because he wanted to be the smartest king, but because he wanted to lead the Israelites to follow and obey God. What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people. Read the verse together several times. Divide the room so half of the kids are on one side and half are on the other. Invite the two sides to challenge each other by who can say the verse louder. Allow them to shout back and forth a few times. If you are worried about being too loud, invite them to see who can say it the fastest.

Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Bible Trivia “Bible Trivia” cards Form teams. Each team will take turns answering a Bible trivia question. Allow each team one “ask an adult for a hint” during the game. If a team misses a question, allow the other team the opportunity to steal with these guidelines: the first answer given by anyone will be the one answer, and the team has 10 seconds to give their one steal answer. Say • All of these questions tested your Bible knowledge. What wisdom can you learn from some of these people and Bible stories? God has complete wisdom. Wisdom is a gift to us from God. Using wisdom to obey God’s will is God’s plan for His followers. God said that no one would be wiser than Solomon. In a few weeks, we will study more of the wisdom God gave Solomon. What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people.

Option 2: Chronology Review “Chronology Review Pictures” timer, scissors Option: Play one round allowing kids to select 15 pictures for the leaders to place in chronological order. Place 15 of the pictures into a pile. Challenge kids to arrange the Bible story pictures in the correct order. Record the time it took to arrange the correct order. Remove five pictures from the original pile and replace with five new pictures. Mix up the pictures and challenge kids to arrange them in order again. Continue playing by adding and taking away different pictures each time to help kids build the chronology of God’s story. Say • Look at all of the different leaders Israel had. The Israelites had grown and grown. Solomon told God that the people were too numerous to count. He needed wisdom to lead the people.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom

What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people.

Prayer (5 minutes) Say • Take a minute and think about what you would ask God for if you were in Solomon’s shoes. Now think about all the things you have asked God for in the past. Think about the number of times He has granted your request. Ask kids to share any prayer requests they have. Invite two volunteers to close the group in prayer, thanking God for being a giving God. Kids may also pray asking God to grant them wisdom to make decisions that are in His plan for their lives.

Clean-up room.

Instructions: Match the fallen books to their proper location on the library shelf. Fill in the secret message using the extra letter next to each book of the Bible. LifeWay

UNIT 12 • Session 1 • Older Kids Activity Pages © 2013 LifeWay Christian Resources. A Kingdom in Trouble Instructions: Locate each Scripture and determine if wisdom was demonstrated. Color in the letters of the right answer.

Abraham and Sarah Joshua Genesis 16:1-6 Numbers 14:6-9 Yes No Yes No

LifeWay Joseph Ruth Genesis 50:18-21 Ruth 1:16-17; 2:2 Yes No Yes No

The Israelites Samson 1 Samuel 4:4-5,10-11 Judges 16:16-17 Yes No Yes No

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