This post was originally created to ask for ideas for art and cooking for the story of Elijah’s passing his mantle on to Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-15).

Post your ideas for this story -- on whatever workshops -- by using REPLY.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CreativeCarol,

Cooking Idea (Food for thought)

I got this idea from a book I just discovered for the cooking workshop and I have just today put it’s information in the Cooking Section “More Than Cookies & Punch”.

On page 28-29 is “Chariot Wheels” – Crossing the Red Sea and the idea is also noted as working with Elijah and The Chariot of Fire (2 Kings 2).

So using just the ingredients suggested I’ve come up with this draft idea that might be useful to you.

Ingredients:
Round Rice Cakes (one for each child)
Cheese Slices (2 for each child)
Candy Corn (1 for each child)
Plates & plastic knives

As you tell the story you and the children will put together Elijah’s chariot wheel. The action of doing so will help them retain the information of the story that you want them to remember.

Today we are going to learn the story of Elijah passing his mantle to Elisha.

Hand out paper plates and knives.

Lesson Plan

(have ready one cheese slice for each child)
Doe anyone know what a mantle is? Explain mantle to the children. Have each child take their plastic knife and cut out the shape of the mantle they think Elijah may have worn and leave in center of their plate.

Does anyone have any idea where we can find the story about Elijah’s mantle in the bible?

(have rice cakes ready)
Yes, it’s found in the Old Testament, I’m going to give you each a round rice cake and I want you to place it on top of your mantle.

What shape is the rice cake in? A circle. What letter does the circle represent? An “O”. Which reminds us the story can be found in the Old Testament.

(Have 2nd cheese slice ready)
Now to continue our story I’m going to give you each a slice of cheese which I want you to cut into 5 equal slices (about ¼” wide). Once everyone has sliced his or her cheese continue.

Elijah and Elisha had been traveling together and they stopped at the city of Bethel, have children place one cheese slice down center of rice cake.

Wherein Elijah said, “Tarry here, I pray you; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.”

And Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
(Have children repeat after you)

Next they traveled to Jericho, have children place another cheese slice sideways across rice cake, making a cross.

Upon reaching Jericho, Elijah said, “Tarry here, I pray you; for the Lord has sent me as far as Jericho.”

And Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
(Have children repeat after you.)

Next they traveled to Jordan, have children place another cheese slice across rice cake, between pieces already placed, intersecting at the center.

Wherein Elijah said, “Tarry here, I pray you; for the Lord has sent me as far as Jordan.”

Have children take remaining cheese slices and place around the outside top edge of the rice cake to represent the Jordan River.

Upon reaching the Jordan River, Elijah removed his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water of the Jordan River, and much to Elisha’s surprise and wonder the waters parted. And he thought to himself with wonder how God’s spirit and power was unleashed through that mantle.

So for a moment let’s think of our rice cake as the Jordan River and take one cheese slice, we’ll roll it up, place it on the edge of our rice cake (around 3-4 o’clock) and unroll it across the Jordan River, look we’ve now parted the Jordan River.

Upon crossing the Jordan River, Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted from him before he left him as his time to be with God was near. Well, Elisha thought for a moment and then asked, “I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”

(have candy corn ready)
Here explain to the children what Elisha was asking for, once that is done add the candy corn to represent the spirit to the center of your rice cake.

Well, Elijah pondered Elisha’s request and told him he had asked a hard thing. But, that should Elisha see him leave to join God, his request would be granted.

Suddenly, a chariot of fire, pulled by horses of fire, swept down from the sky, carrying off Elijah before Elisha’s very eyes!

Now, if we look at what we’ve created we see Elijah’s chariot wheel with flames leaping from the hub of the wheel.

Now, who normally wears a crown? Yes, a king. Our chariot wheel could also represent a royal crown. Our story today can be found in the bible book of Kings and because our wheel spokes are in pairs of twos. We know our story can be found in 2 Kings: Chapter 2. So to find the story in the bible just picture the wheel in your head anytime you want.

Going back to our story, Elisha watched as Elijah was carried off in a whirlwind by a speeding chariot of fire and he yelled after him, “My Father, my Father. The chariot of Israel and its horseman!” And Elijah disappeared from view.

But, what’s that…, something drifted from the sky falling gently at Elisha’s feet.

Can anyone tell me what would have fallen from the sky?

Yes, Elijah mantle and if you all pick up your Chariot wheel, there it is!

Review Questions:

Do prior to children eating their creation. (could use extra candy corn for correct answers).

• What was the name of today’s story?
• Was it found in the Old or New Testament?
• In which book of the Old Testament is our story found in?
• Is it Kings 1 or Kings 2?
• What is a mantle?
• What does “inherit double share of your spirit mean”?

Etc.

Hmmm, you could read the story directly from the bible but, do the inserts I’ve written above. I’ve not included the whole text or meanings, this is just ideas as they came off the top of my head as I write this. Details such as mantle, inherit double share…, etc. I imagine will be explained in the bible background being done by the writing team.

Gosh Luanne! Thanks very much for writing our cooking workshop!

By the way, the Writing Team's lesson set has been posted. Visit it here

Now, anyone for an idea of what we should do in art?
--Carol

Hi Carol! I keep thinking of something that an older age group can create and then pass on to a younger age group, each group adding to it .... from your oldest group down to the nursery. Something that could then hang in the nursery? Or be given to parents of little ones? Or ... ???

Carol -

If you want to mix up the media (no textiles this time) but liked the art idea from the WT lesson, then adapt it! Have the kids make squiggle paintings they can take home. You could have them use standard size art paper -- maybe watercolor -- and multi-media materials. I'm a fan of the crayon-type pastels that can also become watercolors if some water is brushed over them ... they offer 3 different media effects from one product. That could also add to the message of "passing on". You could also provide frames if you want, so all the kids have to do is hang up their masterpieces when they get home.

(BTW ... for those that don't know, I know about this WT lesson because I'm also on the team ... and I wrote it!)

Blessings -
Ruth

what about talking about "hand me downs" Ask, what is something in your family that has special meaning to you because of it being handed down"? (maybe an antique baseball card or doll or a wedding gown) what is something you would rather not have handed down (your older brother's outdated clothing, negitive personality traits, an old beaten up car)

maybe not an art project, but for fun you could have the children come to class that day in some borrowed clothes of their parents, their parent's minnie-me.

sorry, you were asking for art or cooking ideas . . . how about art: making a recipe book or recipe box . . . and cook a "family recipe" that has been handed down generations.

Two craft ideas:

1. Prophet Mantles: Children might associate Elijah's mantle with the cape of a superhero/heroine. It might be helpful to explain how prophets were and were not like superheroes.

Use plastic or vinyl tablecloths or shower curtains from the dollar store. One sheet makes about four mantles. Use acrylic paints and glitter to decorate. Allow to dry. Alternatively, use fabric and fabric paint. Secure at neck with stick-on velcro
Warning: Keep the mantles short to avoid tripping and supervise their use.

In the Revised Common Lectionary, this story appears in early summer, close to both Canadian and American national holidays. We decorated the capes with flames of fire and fireworks, to reflect both the Biblical theme and the national holiday. Prophets were spokespeople for the nation of Israel. They had a clear vision of how Israel could be more faithful to God. They often spoke out against the monarchy in order to bring Israel closer to God.

2. Chariot Kites: Make simple kites by using this foolproof method:
http://www.aloha.net/~bigwind/20kidskites.html
Decorate with flames, horses, chariot wheels, or other elements of the story. Combine with a parish picnic and have a kite-flying contest!