1st-3rd 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 1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline Map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (5 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (5 minutes) Table Time Timeline map (1 minute) Bible story review (10 minutes) Large Group Review / Activities 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 2 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom the difference 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 surrendered 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 Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Arriving Activity: Your Choice 3 large sheets of paper markers tape Tape three large pieces of paper to the wall. Write the following words at the top of separate pieces of paper: wealth, wisdom, honor. Explain that wealth is lots of money; wisdom is making the right decisions; and honor is others considering you very special or famous. Invite each kid to think about which one of those things he would like the most and put his name on the corresponding poster. Kids may only put their names on one poster. Say • Today, we will meet a king who had to make the same choice you did. 3 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 12, Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Hidden Word” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid markers, colored pencils, crayons Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say • What did Solomon choose? He chose wisdom. We will see why he chose wisdom in today’s Bible story. If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session. Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Maze Leader tape Tape two simple mazes that go straight for a few feet, left for a few feet, and straight again for a few feet. Add a second piece of tape to each maze about two feet from the original. This will form a path. The two mazes should look the same. (Please note: the mazes have already been created in your classroom) Form two groups of kids. Invite them to line up single file, each group behind one of the mazes. The first kid in the line will follow the path, only she may not look down. She may only look at the ceiling. The second kid in the line must tell her when to go straight and when to turn. If she leaves the path, she must start again. When the first kid completes the maze, the second kid goes with the third kid giving directions. The final kid must be led by the first kid. The group that finishes the maze first is the winner. Say • Was it difficult letting someone else lead you? Was it hard to lead someone else? In today’s Bible story, King Solomon had to lead and follow. Option 2: Sand Snack vanilla or sugar cookies, 2 per kid ziploc bags, 1 per kid small plates, 1 per kid blue yogurt, gelatin, or frosting “Allergy Alert” printable Provide each kid with a ziploc bag and two vanilla or sugar cookies. Distribute a serving of blue yogurt, gelatin, or frosting on a small plate. Invite the kids to place their cookies inside the bag and seal the bag. Demonstrate how to use your hand to crush the cookies until they look like sand in the bag. Encourage the kids to sprinkle the “sand” over the blue yogurt, gelatin, or frosting to create a seashore. Say • The Bible says King Solomon’s wisdom was more vast than the sand on the seashore. (1 Kings 4:29) Today, we will find out how he became so wise. Transition to large group 4 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 1st-3rd 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.