1 Kings 19 v 1 – 3 and 10 – 18

Lesson Aim

To understand that God helps us when we feel scared or discouraged.

Hook 1: Pictures

What do you do when you feel scared?

Print off some pictures of children’s faces.  Discuss the different emotions that the faces represent.  When you get to the scared face ask the children what makes them feel scared.  These thoughts could be written onto a large piece paper and prayed over after the story.

Hook 2: Effects

Have you ever been in a scary storm?

The storyteller should dress up as Elijah, wearing a cloak.  For the wind get everyone to howl (if possible use a microphone).  When you come to the earthquake get everyone to shake and fall off their chairs while someone bags a large drum.  At the fire, get the children to make flames by waving their arms like flames.  For the small voice get the children to whisper the words ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?  There are several thousand followers of God in Israel.’

All the children can have a large group hug, or high five to show that they are not alone.

Hook 3: Signs

Have you ever run away? This story is about a man who ran away.

Have the largest possible signs saying ‘wind’, ‘earthquake’, ‘fire’ and a very small sign saying ‘whisper’ to display during the story. If using PowerPoint, use the animation sounds to illustrate the words.

Hook 4: Questions

What was the saddest moment in your life? Perhaps you lost something special. Perhaps you had got into serious trouble. Perhaps someone near to you died? Think about your saddest moment?  Pause and give the children time to reflect.

Today’s story is about a time in Elijah’s life when he was so sad that he ran away.

Application

When Elijah was scared he didn’t want to live anymore.  Sometimes we face scary things in life.  When we are scared we can talk to God.  Have you ever been still and listened for God to speak to you?  We are fortunate, we can read our Bibles to hear God speaking to us.

Language

Instead of ‘depressed and suicidal’ use the phrase ‘really worried and wanted God to end his life.’