Intermediate Level, Block 7—Kingdom Degrading
Week 65
Elijah the Prophet—Loving and Worshiping the One True and Living God
Point to Emphasize: We should be those who love and follow God.
Reference Reading: 1 Kings 18-19
Memory Verse: …And I will be your God; and you shall know that I am Jehovah your God… (Exodus 6:7b)
Story Sample
God’s intention for the children of Israel was for them to be in the good land, enjoying the produce of the land and worshipping God. They were already in the land. However, they stopped worshipping God and started worshipping idols. The children of Israel had many kings. Some kings were good and some were bad. Most were bad because they did not love God or His Word, rather their heart loved other things. If they worshipped God, they were good kings and did good things. If they worshipped idols, which was a horrible thing to do, they were bad kings.
One of the worst kings was named Ahab. Ahab did what was evil in the eyes of God more than all those who came before him. Ahab was against anyone who loved and worshipped God. Let me tell you what he did. He built an altar and worshipped an idol named Baal. He was supposed to worship God! But, instead he was worshipping an idol. How terrible!
God was very unhappy with Ahab. He used the prophet named Elijah to show how foolish Ahab was for not worshipping the only true and living God. The things that happened between Elijah, the prophet and King Ahab were so incredible! Once, Elijah challenged Ahab to have a test to see who the real God was—Baal of the heathens or Jehovah of Israel. The challenge consisted of taking a bull, cutting in into pieces and putting it on some wood WITHOUT applying fire. After this, they needed to call on the name of their “god” and the “god” who would answer by fire, would be the one true God. Who do you think won? Let’s see! Ahab called everyone up and gathered 450 prophets of Baal. They got their bull, cut it up and placed on the wood. They begged Baal, calling on the name of Baal from morning until noon to burn their offering. Was their offering burnt by their “god”? Of course not! There was no voice and no one answered their call.
Then Elijah came! And, all by himself, he repaired the altar of Jehovah which was broken down with twelve stones (one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel). Next, he dug a trench around the altar. He cut the bull and laid it on the wood. He said, ”Fill four jars of water and pour them on the offering and on the wood.” They did this three times until the water went around the altar. He also filled the trench with water. Then Elijah prayed to God and said, “O Jehovah, God of a Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and that I have done all these things by Your word. Answer me, O Jehovah; answer me, that this people may know that You, O Jehovah, are God and that You have turned their heart back again” (1 Kings 18:36-37). Do you want to know what happened? Jehovah sent fire that not only consumed the bull, but also the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Amazing, isn’t it?! When all the people saw what had happened, they fell on their faces and said, “Jehovah—He is God! Jehovah—He is God!” Elijah won the challenge! Ahab and all his prophets lost! Since Jehovah is the One and True God, He will not tolerate it when His people worship other things besides Him.
I remember one day in my school they were going to have a celebration that was not according to the Bible. I should have known from the very beginning that in that celebration, they were not loving and following God. I should have from the beginning said I was not going. But, part of me really wanted to go. I talked to my mom and she helped me see that we were God’s chosen people who enjoy being with the people of God above any other celebration. So I decided not to go. My mom invited another family over and we had a good meal and a good time together singing children songs and doing some crafts. My heart was so happy! I am glad I didn’t join that celebration. There are many things that we see others doing that are not what God wants us to do who love Him. It is so good that we are in families who like Elijah love God, keep His Word, and take God’s way. [Storyteller, insert your example of not doing what others are doing but being with the people of God, loving and following God.]
God had used the prophet Elijah to deal with a bad king who did evil things against those who loved and worshipped the true God. I hope that we will all love and follow God like Elijah, ALL the days of our lives! We know that our God is the true God. We are God’s chosen people and we want to love and follow God all the time!