YEA Lesson Library
The True God
About This Lesson
Using the story of Elijah on Mt. Carmel, the student learns to put God first, to worship and serve only God.
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 6:4
1 Kings 18:20-40
1 Kings 18:39
Jeremiah 10:10
Daniel 6:26
Zechariah 14:9
Acts 14:15
1 Corinthians 8:6
1 John 5:20
Words to Know
FALSE - not real, wrong
PROPHET - a religious leader who claims to tell the future
SACRIFICE - an offering given to God
The Lesson
King Ahab was a very bad king. He did many bad things. He even tried to make people worship the false god, Baal. He built altars for the people to offer sacrifices.
Elijah loved the true God. He didn’t like the way Ahab treated people who worshiped God. One day he went to King Ahab. Elijah said, “Let’s have a test to prove that the God of heaven is the true God.”
It hadn’t rained for a long, long time. Rivers were dry. Plants and animals were dying because there was no water. People were running out of food. People prayed to Baal, but no rain came. Do you know why?
Here was Elijah’s test. He and the false prophets built altars. They put a young bull on both altars. Elijah said, “If Baal sends fire to burn the offering, then he is god. But if the God of heaven sends down fire, then He is the true God.”
The false prophets started praying. They yelled louder and louder, but no fire came. Elijah said, “Maybe he is asleep.” The false prophets cut themselves, but nothing happened.
Elijah stood before his altar. He had men pour water on the altar and the ground. Then Elijah prayed. “Lord, show us today that you are the trueGod.”
All of a sudden there was fire on the sacrifice, on the wood, and all the water dried up. Everyone knew the God in heaven is the true God. They bowed down to worship Him.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Deuteronomy 6:4
Monday - 1 Corinthians 8:6
Tuesday - Jeremiah 10:10
Wednesday - 1 John 5:20
Thursday - Zechariah 14:9
Friday - Daniel 6:26
Saturday - Acts 14:15
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Tell the difference between the god of Ahab and the God of Elijah.
2. Describe Elijah’s test.
3. Explain why Baal didn’t answer the prophets’ prayers.
4. State that the God of heaven is the only true God.
Topics & Themes
Ahab
Altar
Elijah
God, One and Only
Mt. Carmel
Putting God First
Sacrifice and Offerings to God
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, stickers, music player and tape or CD, songbook, bathroom tissue tubes, crepe paper streamers, construction paper, glue, puppet, lunch sized paper bags, newspaper, tape or stapler
Preparation
“In teaching (young) children you need to continually use concrete examples to show what God made or what He can do. . .” (Teaching Preschoolers by Ruth Beechick). In today’s lesson the children will see an example of God’s great power. It is in vivid contrast to the lack of power possessed by the false god, Baal. God’s omnipotent power is an attribute that distinctly sets Him apart from all other gods. He is real, He is true, and He is living!
Before you come to class, cut red, yellow, and orange crepe paper streamers into 18 inch lengths (each child should have one of each color). Cut enough red construction paper into 41⁄2 by 6 inch pieces for each child to have one. Fill ten lunch-sized paper bags with crumpled newspaper and staple or tape the top closed to make “stones.”
Review Questions
1. How did the god of the false prophets (Baal) respond to their request?
2. Why didn’t Baal answer the prophets’ prayers?
3. How did God respond to Elijah?
4. What did the people do when they saw the fire consuming everything?
5. Do you know who the only true God is?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Fire Sticks
Give each child a bathroom tissue tube, a piece of construction paper, and three different streamers. Apply glue to the construction paper, then roll the tissue tube from one end of the paper to the other, covering the tube. Place a bead of glue inside of the tube (about 1⁄2 inch from the end). Poke one end of the streamers inside the tube and press against the glue. Allow the glue to dry while you tell the lesson. The children can wave them at the end of the lesson to show what happened to Elijah’s offering.
REACH Activity
Letter: B
Words: Baal, bad, built, bull, burn, but, bowed
Sentence: THE BAD KING WANTED THE PEOPLE TO WORSHIP BAAL AND BUILD ALTARS TO OFFER SACRIFICES.
Song
“Praise Him, Praise Him” is on page 76 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the children in prayer, thanking God for answering Elijah’s prayer. Praise Him for hearing your prayers, and for being the only true God:
Dear God of heaven,
You are the true and living God. You hear and answer our prayers. Thank You for proving to the false prophets that You are real. Help me to love You and trust in You.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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