1 Kings 5 & 6

 Lesson Aim

To understand that the Temple was built as a place to worship God.

Hook 1: Pictures

Have pictures of many different types of buildings. Ask the children what is the purpose of each building e.g. a school; a hospital; a shop; a football stadium. Then have a picture of your church building. What is the purpose of your church building?  Either hard copies or PowerPoint can be used.

Hook 2: Building blocks

Using children’s building blocks start to build. As you progress get very frustrated because you cannot find the correct size of block to continue. As you build explain how when the temple was being built, the Israelites never used hammers or chisels on the temple site. Every stone was made to the correct size before it was brought to the temple.

Hook 3: Tools

Have a selection tools used for cooking and building. Get a child to separate them into two piles. Tools used for building a house and tools used for cooking. Explain how the Israelites used no hammers, chisels or metal tools at the site when building the temple.

Hook 4: Questions

Have you ever made a den? Have you built a special room? Who was allowed into your room? What did you do in your room? Our story today is about a very special place built for God.

Application

Children need to understand that the temple was not just beautiful and ornate but it also had a purpose. It was a place to worship God and more importantly it was a place where God chose to reveal his glory.