Rotation.org Writing Team

ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH

MISSION WORKSHOP

PASSAGE

Bible Story:1 Kings 17:1-24
Key/Memory Verse: 1 Kings 17:24

PURPOSE

See Bible Background.

Objectives for Mission Workshop

Find this story in the Bible

Learn how God provides for our needs

As a congregation, learn about local and global hunger issues

Respond to hunger issues

PREPARATION

Read Bible background.

Materials List

• Bibles
  
• Calendar with hunger theme located at the end of the lesson
  
• Chalk
  
• Chalkboard/newsprint
  
• Construction paper
  
• Containers with plastic lids (Pringles, margarine, or other food containers with lids)
  
• Glue or tape
  
• Markers
  
• Plastic food storage bag
  
• Rolls of pennies (Optional)
  
• Spoiled food item (Be sure it's in a plastic zip bag when showing it to the class)
  
• Stickers, other decorative items (Optional)
  

Advance Preparation

Ask the congregation to save clean containers with plastic lids. Collect the containers; cut a slot in the top.

Allow a food item like an orange, apple, or banana to spoil. Place it in a clear plastic zip bag.

Make a large sheet of paper with 28 calendar squares printed on it. Be sure the squares are blank and large enough to write in. Or, prepare calendars in advance to distribute to the students.

Look up hunger programs on the internet.

Obtain information about hunger programs in your community and denomination.

Arrange with the Mission Committee and/or pastor to have a day to dedicate the funds collected.

PRESENTATION

Open - Introduction

Open with prayer.

Bring a spoiled food item; show it to the children.

Ask: What is this? (Allow responses).

Say: I think this used to be an ______. What happened to it? I have a drawer in the refrigerator for fruit and vegetables, but somehow this was put in the wrong place, and it spoiled. I could have had two meals out of this, but now it has to go in the trash. That's pretty wastful. People waste a lot of food, unfortunately. Have you ever done that? There are alot of hungry people around us. What can we do to help them? (Brainstorm ideas, write them on the newsprint. For older children, use these ideas on their giving calendar.)

Let's read our Bible story. Distribute Bibles or ask the children to use their own. Turn to 1 Kings, chapter 17. Take turns reading; paraphrase for younger children.

Ask:

How much food did the widow have?
When Elijah asked for her last bit of food, I wonder what she was thinking.
How did God take care of her? (The oil and flour didn't run out)
Did Elijah know she was out of food?
What do you think it would be like having ravens bring food to you?

We are going to make a reminder for us to think about the food we eat. First, we are going to make a container for money.

Distribute the containers, paper, markers, and other items. Have the children draw food items on their paper. When finished, attach them to the container with glue or tape. Be sure the paper doesn't interfere with the lid.

Show the hunger calendar. Say: This calendar has information about hungry people and how we can help them. Read and discuss a few of the items.

Give each child a roll of pennies to get them started on their giving calendars.

Close in prayer.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Adaptations -- Younger children

Have the calendar preprinted.

Adaptations -- Older children

Have them brainstorm other ways to address hunger. Discuss the difference between feeling hunger pangs and real hunger.

SOURCES

Children's Mission Yearbook. Louisville, KY: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

One Great Hour of Sharing Giving Calendar, from the 2006 packet (adapted). Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Schrock, Jennifer Haltreman. Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table - Readings for Reflection and Action, pages 17, 19, 21, 23.

www.pcusa.org/hunger

CONTRIBUTOR: Julie Burton

* * *

Giving Calendar

On a large sheet of paper (8 ½” x 14” or newsprint or poster board), draw 28 squares, or use a blank calendar as a template.

1. Moringa tree seeds make a water-purifying powder. One Great Hour of Sharing helps get this tree where it can save lives. Give 10 cents for each tree in your yard. $______

2. About two/thirds of the Earth, like the human body, consists of water. Give one unit for each "body" that resides in your home. $______

3. Put in 2 cents for every meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) that you ate today. $______

4. If you are medically able, fast today. (You may drink water). Put in 1 cent for every hour you go without food. $______

5. Huge debt payments have made poorer countries around the world desperate to earn cash through agricultural exports. If you receive an allowance, give a portion of it. $______

6. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate and there isn't enough rain to grow the crops. Put in 25 cents for every day you had rain in the past month. $______

7. Shallow wells in developing countries provide clean water. Give 5 cents for every time you get fresh water at the turn of an indoor tap. $______

8. When people visit in our homes we often offer them some refreshment in the form of a beverage or snack. Give 10 cents for every option (water, soda, cookies, etc) you can offer your guests. $______

9. "Don't spoil your supper!" If you have snacks between meals, give 5 cents every time you eat one. $______

10. Growing your own food can be lots of fun. If you have a vegetable garden or fruit tree, give 10 cents for each type of food. $______

11. ACTION ITEM (see below)

12. Fast food can be really convenient if you are in a hurry. Give 25 cents every time you get fast food this week. $______

13. Sewage systems provide sanitary disposal of human waste. Yet one of every three people in the world lack access. Give 10 cents for each toilet you use today. $______

14. If you are medically able, skip one meal today. Give 2 cents. $______

15. Increasing populations test the limits of fragile environments and further tax impoverished nations' abilities to meet their people's needs. Give 5 cents for every family member in your home. $______

16. AIDS has killed around 7 million agricultural workers since 1985 in the 25 worst-affected African countries. Give 25 cents for every healthy person in your family.$______

17. ACTION ITEM (see below)

18. Read the Children's Mission Yearbook for this week. Give 1 cent for every activity you do. $______

19. As a family, read Matthew 13:31-33. Give 5 cents. $______

20. Do you know someone who works with hungry people in some way? Give 5 cents for each person. $______

21. ACTION ITEM (see below)

22. When homes are destroyed by floods and mudslides, One Great Hour of Sharing can help rebuild them. Give 1 cent for every year your home has remained standing. $______

23. As a family, read Acts 2:43-46. How can you share your things with others? Give 25 cents. $______

24. Stewardship of the earth is very important. Give 10 cents for every item you recycle. $______

25. The land in the mountains of Bolivia is too poor to farm, so people use the lakes to farm fish that they can eat or sell. Give 50 cents to help someone learn new ways to grow food. $______

26. ACTION ITEM (see below)

27. Read this week's item in the Children's Mission Yearbook. Give 1 cent for every activity you do. $______

28. Instead of complaining about the vegetables on your plate, give thanks for the food you have and for those who prepared it. Give 25 cents for people who won't have food on this day. $______

Suggested Action Items

Organize a CROP WALK. For information see www.churchworldservice.org or call 1-888-297-2767.

Write letters to your legislators. For information, see www.bread.org for the "Offering of Letters" packet.

Support farmers in developing countries by offering Fair Trade products for sale. www.pcusa.org/hunger

Ask your church to host a "Celebrating Local Foods Potluck." Ask people to bring locally grown food (from home gardens) and recipes for their dish.

Ask an older member of your congregation to tell about "Victory Gardens." (If no one is available, look up the information in your library or online).

Host a farmers market on the church's parking lot.

Start a church, community, or school garden involving youth and elders.

Give the collected money to a local food pantry, buy animals from Heifer Project International, or another hunger project.