Teacher Bible Study Lesson Overview/Schedule
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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) 1 © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 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 2 © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 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. 3 © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 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 4 © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 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.