God, tell me a story about…a king

Solomon

“For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
Nothing you desire can compare with it.”

Proverbs 8:11

This week in Kidventure we learned about Solomon, no, not Solomon Greidanus, KING Solomon who was King David’s son. King Solomon had a special dream where God came to talk to him. Read 1 Kings 3:3-15 or watch the video below to remember what King Solomon’s dream was about.

1. How did Solomon show that he loved God?
2. Who spoke to Solomon in a dream?
3. What did God ask Solomon?
4. How did Solomon respond to God’s request?
5. What extra things did God give Solomon along with wisdom?

What does 1 Kings 4:29-34 say about how wise Solomon was?

Finally, to see King Solomon’s wisdom in action read 1 Kings 3:16-28.

1. How did Solomon solve the problem between the two women?
2. Do you think Solomon knew that the real mother wouldn’t want her child to be harmed?
3. Did the people think that Solomon was naturally smart or did they know that God made Solomon wise?

If God asked you the same question he asked Solomon what would you answer? Would it be hard not to ask for money or toys or other things that you want? King Solomon wasn’t self centred, he was more concerned about loving God and being a good king for his people than he was about himself. If he had been self centred he would have asked for money and fame and wealth. What is an example of a self centred prayer? And what is an example of a God centred prayer?

As a challenge for this week try focusing more on what God wants and less on what you want (they’re not always different, but sometimes they are!) The more we focus on God the more we become like him, so let’s do like he does!

God, tell me a story about…a king

Hezekiah

“This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”

2 Chronicles 31:20-21

Read 2 Kings 18:1-8

1 – How old was Hezekiah when he became king?

2 – When Hezekiah became king, the people were not worshipping God. What did Hezekiah do to change that? (verse 4)

3 – The bible tells us that Hezekiah was a good king. What made him a good king? (verse 5-6)

Hezekiah has a problem. The king of Assyria, who is a very powerful king with a very large and powerful army, is threatening to come and invade Judah. (Hezekiah is the king of Judah).

Read 2 Kings 19:14-36

4 –  Hezekiah fears that he will not be able to keep his country and its people safe. Who does Hezekiah go to for help? (verse 15)

5 – Does God answer Hezekiah’s prayer? How is Judah kept safe? (verse 35)

Read 2 Kings 20:1-11

6 – Hezekiah is very ill, who does he turn to? (verse 2)

7 – What is God’s answer to Hezekiah’s prayer? (verse 5-6)

Hezekiah is a good example to us of how we should live our lives. Read the verse at the top of this page again. 2 Chronicles 31:20-21. I sure hope someone writes that about me someday. How about you?

This week’s challenge

Sit down with your family and make a list. What can we do to show that we are obedient to God?

God, tell me a story about…a king

Josiah

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example.”

1 Timothy 4:12

We started a new series of stories this week in Kidventure, they’re all about kings in the Bible. The first king we looked at was King Josiah. You can read about Josiah in 2 Kings chapter 22.

He wasn’t quite as young as this, but he was pretty young to be a king. What would be the first thing you did if you were made a king or queen tomorrow? I would probably decree that all taxes had to be paid to me in chocolate. I love chocolate…

Play a game of Simon Says with your family. Let everyone take a turn being “Simon.” Once you’ve played answer these questions.

1. Did you like being the leader telling everyone what to do?
2. Was it easy or hard to think of things to tell people to do? Did you like it when they had to follow your instructions?
3. Do you think it’s easy or hard to be a leader like a king or queen and always having to be in charge of people? If I were queen I’d be happy because I’d have lots of chocolate but life would be hard because my kingdom would have no money, only chocolate! Hmmm… being queen might be harder than it looks…
4. How do you think Josiah may have felt becoming king and knowing that people needed him to lead them as a good king? Do you think he may have felt a little nervous?
5. Josiah had God to help him be a good king and lead people, and he was a good king. A very good king. He reminded people about God and the best way to serve and follow him. Just because he was so young didn’t mean that he couldn’t be a good example to others of how to love and serve God.
6. You can be a good example, too! What are some things that you can do to lead other people to God by example? (ie. Read your Bible, go to Kidventure, etc.)

We have a new memory verse to learn for this series!

“Help me to do your will, for you are my God. Lead me in good paths, for your Spirit is good.”                  Psalm 143:10

and for the youngest group:

“God shows me which way to go,                                                                                                                                    He’ll always help me this I know.”

Also, take a look at the new song we learned this week. I love it and I love that it reminds us that Jesus loves us, no matter what!

 

God, tell me a story about…a child

Samuel

“Lord, tell me your ways.
Show me how to live.
Guide me in your truth.
Teach me, my God, my Savior.
I trust you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5

It’s been a while since we heard the story of Samuel. Here’s a short video to refresh your memory.If you would like to read the story of Samuel you can find it in the Bible in 1 Samuel chapter 3.

1. What do you like about the story of Samuel? What part of it is your favourite part?
2. What kinds of jobs do you think Samuel did for Eli? Was Samuel a good worker or a poor worker?
3. In this story, does Samuel wish that he were somewhere else? Does he wish he were more important?
4. Even though he may not have felt special, God had a special plan for Samuel. God called out to him right where he was, doing jobs for Eli and working in the temple.
5. What kinds of things do you do everyday that are ordinary?( you might even think they are boring) The verse at the top talks about trusting God all day long, even while we’re doing ordinary things. Do you think God can teach us and guide us when everything feels so ordinary?
6. Samuel didn’t know that God was going to call him while he was lying in his bed, or that he was going to use him, a little boy, to speak to people. Can God use you, too, to help people, to speak to people, and to share his love with others? Of course he can!
7. Just like Samuel, we need to be ready to hear God speaking to us any time. Samuel did this by working hard, obeying Eli, and trusting in God. What can you do to make sure you’re ready to hear God when he calls your name?

And don’t forget that this Sunday is Mother’s Day! Tell your mom you love her and find something nice to do for her today (or any day!). But whatever you do, just don’t be like these brothers…

God, tell me a story about…a child

The Boy who Shared his Lunch

“And God is able to shower all kinds of blessings on you. So in all things and at all times you will have everything you need. You will do more and more good works.”

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIrV

Read John 6: 1-13 and Mark 6:30-44 

1 – What was Jesus doing at the beginning of this story?

2 – How many people had gathered there to see Jesus? Have you ever seen that many people? If so, where? Try to imagine how much food you need to feed all those people. How many grocery bags full of food would you need?

3 – The disciples realize that the people need to eat. Initially, what would they like to do to solve this problem? (Mark 6:36)

4 – Jesus has a different plan. What did Jesus want the disciples to do? Can the disciples feed 10,000 people on their own? Who can help them?

5 – Remember the little boy in our story? People didn’t think he was important, they didn’t even bother to count him. What did God think of the little boy? Did God think the little boy was important? Does God think that you’re important?

6 – The little boy had some food with him, how much food did he have? Was that enough to feed all the people there? If the little boy doesn’t have enough food for everyone, how is it that everyone was able to eat until they were full?

7 – Have you ever tried to help someone? Who was it? What did you do? Was it easy? Did you do it alone?

8 – Read the verse at the top of this page. 2 Corinthians 9:8. What has God blessed you with? What has He provided for you? Could you take any of those things and share them with someone else? Give an example?

9 – Just like Jesus wanted the disciples to provide food for the crowd, Jesus wants you to help people too. And, just like the little boy who shared his lunch, you don’t need to offer a lot to make a difference. And do you know why that is? (read Luke 1:37) So, who will you help next?

This week’s challenge

Pray together, thanking God for all of the things He has provided for you and your family and ask Him to help you serve and help others.

 

Here’s a song to help you remember that God has provided for you

and then go back and watch Audio Adrenaline’s Hands and Feet video

God, tell me a story about…a child

 Naaman and the Little Maid

“Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.” 

2 Kings 5:15

Read 2 Kings 5:1-19

1 – Who are the important characters in this story? What were their jobs? (Naaman, the little maid, and Elisha) Which of their jobs would you most like to have?

2 – What didn’t Elisha do that made Naaman upset? What did Elisha tell Naaman to do that made him upset? (I guess if you’re sick with leprosy a lot of things upset you…)

3 – Why did Naaman decide to go bathe in the river after all? Was it something that was very difficult to do? How many times did he wash in the river? What happened after he bathed?

4 – All this action takes place because of the words of one little girl. What was her role in the story?  She must have trusted in God a lot if she knew that he could heal Naaman, didn’t she?

5 – Do you ever feel so small you don’t think you’ll be able to make a difference? The little maid was small, too, but she changed Naaman’s life and helped him to know God. Who is someone that you care about and would like them to know God? Pray for that person and if you’re feeling brave, like the little maid, tell that person that you know God loves them. It may be just the thing they need to hear today! Remember, God uses us to be his hands and feet!