A FAITHFUL GOD AND A FAITHFUL SERVANT

 

memory verse for this unit

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b, NIV*).

objectives of this unit

This unit will help the children:• Discover that in every situation, God is faithful.• Recognize that faithful people help in the work of God.• Grow in their trust in God.• Want to be faithful servants of God.• Discover how God provides for our needs.• Rely on God in times of need.

the reason we teach this unit

At this age, children look for heroes to imitate and to admire. The Bible is full of valuable heroes; Elijah is one of them. God demonstrated through the life of Elijah that God is in control of everything that exists.

Elijah was a hero, but he was also a human being like us. Many times he felt exhausted; he had become a fearful man, discouraged and full of dismay. At other times he felt alone; he even said to God, “Enough is enough, Lord” (1 Kings 19:4). James 5:17 says that he was a man like us. This balance between heroism and humanity can make Elijah someone real for children to learn from.

The true hero in the story of Elijah is God. Help the children recognize that he is always acting, no matter how bad the situation. Your children will sometimes feel discouraged, so they need to learn to rely on a God who is in control.

God showed his power over evil on Mount Carmel. When Elijah was tired of fleeing from Jezebel, the Lord gave him rest, sustenance, and encouragement. He also showed Elijah that God is in control, even when circumstances change.

Help your children grow in the confidence that in every situation, God can do his will. He is the author of life; he made the world and everything in it.

* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™