lesson45:lkt 4/14/10 9:56 am page 385 god cares for...

God Cares fora WidowBible Story1 Kings 17:7-16

Teacher ChallengeMost of us have probably never felt as desperate asthe widow who lived in Zarephath. When her bit ofoil and meal were gone, she and her son would slowlystarve to death.

Sometimes God does wait until a situation is desperate before He supplies ourneed—perhaps because we are so prone to be independent and self-sufficient! When we’re desperate,we start paying attention. We see our priorities more clearly—and we’re more eager to listen to God!

� How has God provided for your needs in the past?

� What desperate need do you have right now?

In your situation, the same God who provided the oil and flour is not only completely able to help you,He’s waiting to meet your need. Whether your need is a job, recovery from illness, patience with a childor just a good night’s sleep, talk to God about your need. He will see you through and work with youevery step of the way.

Teacher’s Planning1. Choose which centers you

will provide and the order in which children will par-ticipate in them. For tips on schedule planning, see page 9.

2. Plan who will lead each cen-ter, making sure to have oneadult for approximately everysix children. For staffing tipsand ideas, see page 12.

© 2010 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Growing with God Leader’s Guide • 385

Lesson 45

God’s Word“God said, ‘Do not be afraid, for I am with you.’” (See Genesis 26:24.)

God’s Word and MeGod is with me, even when I am afraid.

Lesson45:LKT 4/14/10 9:56 AM Page 385

Play to LearnActive Game Center: Face Toss

CollectBible, paper plates, marker, beanbag.

PreparePrepare paper plates as shown in sketch. Place onfloor in a grid pattern.

Do1. Children stand several feet away from plates. First child in line tosses beanbag towards plates.

2. Ask child to describe the emotion shown by the face on the plate his or her beanbag landed on ornear. All children imitate the face. Talk about God being with children when they are feeling thatemotion. Continue until each child has had a turn.

Talk About� The Bible says, “God says, ‘Do not be

afraid, for I am with you.’” Sometimeswe may feel afraid. God loves us andwill be with us to help us. Sometimeswe may feel happy or sad. God is withus then, too. Let’s play a game withfaces that show different feelings.

� Chloe, your beanbag landed on thehappy face. What is a reason someonemight feel happy? Let’s all smile andlook happy, too. When are some timesyou feel happy? God is with us when weplay outside.

For Younger ChildrenHold up plates one at a time. Children imitate each expression as you hold up plates. Provide severalmirrors so that children can look at themselves making the faces.

For Older ChildrenChildren toss beanbag in a different way each round (over the head, between the legs, standing on onefoot, etc.).

386 • © 2010 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Growing with God Leader’s Guide

Lesson 45




Play to LearnArt Center: Play Dough

CollectBible, measuring cup, large mixing bowl, flour,cornstarch, salt, warm water, large spoon; op-tional—food coloring.

PreparePour 1½ cups flour, 1 cup cornstarch and 1 cup saltinto large mixing bowl.

Do1. Pour 1 cup water into mixing bowl. Children take turns stirring mixture to make play dough. If

dough is sticky, dust with additional flour. If dough is stiff, add a little water. (Optional: Add a few drops of food coloring to create colored dough.)

2. Children use play dough to make loaves of bread or other objects of their own choice.

Talk About� In today’s Bible story, a woman was afraid she

would not have enough food. God cared for her andprovided flour and oil for her to make dough. Sheused the dough to make bread. Let’s make someplay dough and use it to make bread shapes.

� Nathan, when might someone your age feel afraid?God is with you then, too! God is with us when wehave bad dreams. God is with us all the time. Godcares for us. God cares for everyone!

� The Bible says, “God said, ‘Do not be afraid, for Iam with you.’” God is with us, even when we areafraid. Pray briefly, Thank You, God, for being withus all the time.

For Younger ChildrenInstead of making play dough, children use ready-made play dough. Demonstrate kneading bread forchildren to imitate. Children make loaves of bread or other objects of their own choice.

For Older ChildrenChildren measure the ingredients as well as mix the play dough.


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Lesson 45Play to LearnConstruction Center: Travel by Road

CollectBible; yellow, brown, green and grey constructionpaper; marker; blocks; toy cars.

PreparePrint the following locations on different sheets of construction paper: “Beach” on yellow paper,“Desert” or “Mountain” on brown paper, “Forest” ongreen paper, “City” on grey paper. Place papers on floor around the playing area.

Do1. Tell children the location printed on each paper. Children use blocks to build rocks connecting the

different locations.

2. Children use toy cars to pretend to travel to each location.

Talk About� The Bible says, “God said, ‘Do not be

afraid, for I am with you.’” Since God iswith us, we don’t have to be afraid! Let’sbuild roads to different places we mightgo. God is with us wherever we go!

� Anna, when is a time someone your agemight feel afraid? People sometimes feelafraid when they move to a new house.But God is with us, everywhere we go!

� Sometimes people are afraid when theygo on a long trip. But God is always withus, even when we are afraid.

� Pray briefly, Dear God, thank You that Youare always with us.

For Younger ChildrenChildren pack blocks in boxes or baskets and talk about places they go.

For Older ChildrenProvide additional papers. Children suggest other locations. Print locations on papers and place onfloor. Children build roads to new locations.




Play to LearnDramatic Play Center: Little Bakery

CollectBible, mixing bowls, wooden spoons, loaf pans,muffin tins and/or muffin cups, oven mitts,kitchen timer, child-sized aprons; optional—pretend oven or large box and marker.

Prepare(Optional: Draw dials and knobs on a box for chil-dren to use as an oven.)

DoChildren use baking items to act out baking bread and muffins. Children pretend to serve bread andmuffins to other children.

Talk About� Our Bible story today is about a mother

who baked bread. God gave her the flourand oil she needed to make bread to eat.Let’s pretend we’re baking bread andmuffins.

� The mother in our story was afraid shewould not have enough food to eat. Godhelped her have food. God was with her.God is with us, too.

� The Bible says, “God said, ‘Do not be afraid,for I am with you.’” God is with us all thetime. I’m glad God is with us!

For Younger ChildrenProvide toy food for children to incorporate in play.

For Older ChildrenProvide a pad of paper and pencil. Children act out writing down orders for bakery items.


Lesson 45




Listen to Learn1 Kings 17:7-16

CollectBible, Bible Story 22 pictures from God’s Story forMe Poster Pack #2, Preschool Music #2 DVD or CDand player, beach ball.

Greet Each OtherChildren stand or sit in a circle. Clap your hands if you went to the store this week. Continuewith other motions and locations. Put your handson your head if you have been to see the ocean.Reach for the sky if you have walked to the park! Be sure every child has an opportunity to respond.

Tell the StoryOpen your Bible to 1 Kings 17. Tell the story using the pictured motions (keywords in bold) or showBible Story 22 pictures.

What do you do when you are hungry? What do you do when you are thirsty? Let’s listen tofind out what one man did when he was very hungry and thirsty.

There was no rain for a long, LONG time, just as God had said. God told His helperElijah to stay by a little stream, so he would have water to drink every day.

But soon there was not even one drop of water left in the stream. What would Elijahdo now?

God told Elijah, “Go to a town. A woman there will give you food and water.”

Step, step, step—Elijah walked to the town. When Elijah got to the town, he saw a woman picking up sticks to build a fire.

Elijah said, “I’m thirsty. Would you please bring me some water?”

Right away the woman went to get water for Elijah. As she left, Elijah called out,“And please bring me a piece of bread to eat.”

“Oh, I’m sorry!” the woman told him. “I have only enough flour and oil to make alittle bread for my son and me.”

“Don’t worry,” Elijah said kindly. “God has promised that there will be enough foodfor us all.”

The woman baked the bread for Elijah. Then she went to the jar where she kept herflour. There was still flour in the jar!

Then she looked in her oil pitcher. The pitcher still had oil in it! There was enoughflour and oil to make the bread they needed for dinner. And every day after that,there was enough flour and oil so that the woman could bake one more loaf of bread. The jar of flour and the pitcher of oil just NEVER became empty.

How glad the woman and her son were! God helped Elijah, the woman and her sonto have food.


Lesson 45




Talk About the StoryWhat did God give so that Elijah, the woman and her son could eat? (Flour and oil to makebread.) Not knowing where he would get food must have been scary for Elijah. But he knewGod was with him, even when he was afraid. God is with us, too, when we are afraid. God isalways with us. Where is some place you go? God is with you at the library, Irina! God is withyou at the park, Tobin!

Sing to GodLet’s sing a song about some of the ways God cares for us. Lead children in singing “Good to Me”(on DVD or track 13 on CD). God is with us all the time. I’m glad God is always with me, evenwhen I am afraid.

Hear and Say God’s WordHolding your Bible open to Genesis 26:24, sayverse aloud. Sometimes we might feel afraid.Sometimes we might feel sad. Sometimeswe feel happy and glad. God is with us ALLthe time. God loves us. Lead children in re-peating the verse. Children clap their hands oneach word of the verse. Repeat several times.

Pray to GodWe can thank God for being with us, even when we are afraid. Let’s pray these words together:“Thank You, God, for being with us all the time. We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.” Lead chil-dren in praying with you.

Praise to GodChildren sit or stand in a circle and then pass the beach ball to each other as you count to 10. Child hold-ing the ball when you say “10” names an activity his or her family likes to do together or a place his orher family likes to go. I’m glad God gave us families. God is with us wherever we are and what-ever we are doing.


Lesson 45

Option: Vary the manner in which you andthe children speak (loudly, softly, whispering,low, high, etc.).


Talk to LearnBible Story Activity Pages CenterCollectA copy of Activity 22 from The Big Book of Bible StoryActivity Pages #2 for yourself and each child, crayonsor markers; optional—dry oatmeal, glue.

DoLead children to complete pages following the instruc-tions. (Optional: Children glue oatmeal to inside ofbowl in Scene 1.) Use the conversation suggestions as children complete their pages and retell the story.

Preschool Puzzle CenterCollectCopies of Bible Story Puzzle 45, Bible VersePuzzle 45 and/or Challenge Puzzle 45 fromThe Big Book of Preschool Puzzles #2 for eachchild; pencils, crayons or markers.

DoChildren complete the puzzles and color pages. Use the conversation suggestions on the pages.

Read-Aloud Story CenterCollectA copy of Story Picture 45 from The Big Book of Read-Aloud Stories #2 for yourself and each child, crayons or markers.

DoRead the story and distribute pictures. Use the conversation suggestions as children complete their pages.


Lesson 45

fold

fold

“God said, ‘Do not be afraid, forI am with you.’” (See Genesis 26:24.)

• Child colors page.• Child folds page to retell story (see

sketch on back of this page).

Scene 1

Name ____________________________________

Bible Story Activity 22

95

© 2010 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to the original purchaser only. The Big Book of Bible Story Activity Pages #2

“God said, ‘Do not be afraid, for I am with you.’”(See Genesis 26:24.)Connect the dots. Color the picture. Glue white fabric for towel.

© 2010 G

ospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only.The Big Book of R

ead-Aloud Stories #2

Story Pic

ture

45

95


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