Rotation.org Writing Team

ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH

CINEMA WORKSHOP II

PASSAGE

Story: 1 Kings 17
Key/Memory Verse: 1 Kings 17:24 (NLT)

PURPOSE

See Bible Background.

At the end of this lesson the children will:

Find the story of Elijah in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Understand that Elijah's time away hiding was a time to strengthen his trust in God, bigger challenges were coming in Elijah's life.

PREPARATION

Read Bible Background.

Materials List

• Bibles
  
• Chalkboard or whiteboard
  
• Cups
  
• Drink
  
• Napkins or popcorn bags
  
• Popcorn
  
• TV/VCR
  
• Video: The Lion King
  

Advance Preparation Requirements

Have video ready at the first clip.

Prepare snacks.

PRESENTATION

Open – Introduction

Greet the children as they enter. Ask the children to describe challenges they had in their lives (Examples: learning to ride a bike, moving to a new school, loss of a loved one).

Tell the children that God was with them through those challenges.

Dig - Main Content

Tell the children that they will be learning about Elijah, and how God strengthened him for upcoming challenges in his life.

Distribute Bibles and have the children look up 1 Kings 17. Tell the children to listen for the challenge Elijah faced, and how God prepared him for it.

Read the passage or have the children take turns reading. List Elijah’s challenge and preparation on the board.

Pass out popcorn and drink.

Tell the children they will be watching two video clips from The Lion King. Have the children listen for the challenge Simba faced (having to leave his home as a child, then return as an adult to challenge his uncle Scar for rightful leadership of the Pridelands) and how he was prepared for it (he remembered what his father had told him, and Nala encouraged him to do the right thing).

Show the first video clip (Approximatley 52 minutues into the video, Simba is in the desert after fleeing his home, where he meets Timone and Pumba, and grows into an adult lion. Nala finds Simba and encourages him to return home. Simba intially refuses, then changes his mind after some soul searching. Stop the video after Simba leaves to return home. Running time for this clip is about 28 minutes.).

List Simba’s challenge and preparation on the board.

Choose three children to act out the two stories – one to be Elijah, one to be Simba, and one to be a reporter.

Introduce the cast by saying: “Here at WXYZ TV we are covering breaking news as Elijah and Simba are returning from life changing challenges. Our on-the-scene reporter is talking to them right now. Let’s listen in …

Have the reporter ask “Elijah” and “Simba” the following questions (the rest of the children may help “Elijah” and “Simba” answer):

How would you describe your time away?

How did you handle the challenge placed before you?

How did you grow?

What event helped you grow?

Who were the people that helped you grow?

Reflect – Closure

Have the children form a circle. Close with a prayer to thank God for the challenges he gives us, because they make us grow and make us stronger for the challenges that lie ahead of us. Ask God for his guidance in facing challenges this week.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Adaptations - Younger Children

Skip the reporter’s questions and instead let the children talk about how they grew after they did something challenging.

Adaptations - Older Children

Invite older children to read ahead in 1 Kings 18:16–40. Discuss how the challenges Elijah faced in 1 Kings 17 prepared him for the meeting with the prophets of Baal.

CONTRIBUTOR: Stephanie Smith

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ken Wezeman,