Week One--Solomon Asks for Wisdom

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:3-14, 4:29-34

Memory Verse for this rotation: “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9

Materials:
• Doughnuts, Water, Glasses, & Napkins (found in the kitchen)
• Journals (with Shepherd)
• Pencils (with Shepherd)
• Vanilla Pudding—1 per student
• Graham Crackers—1 per student
• Spoons—1 per student, plus one for sand
• Sand
• Piece of paper to place sand on—1 per student
• Memory Verse Prompts

Objectives:
* Students will consider what they would ask of God if they could have anything.
* Students will consider that Solomon’s wisdom was as vast as the grains of sand on the shore.
* Students will participate in a reflection/closing prayer time.

Presenter Preparation:
Prior to Sunday Morning:
1. Read the scripture passages and do the Leader’s Bible Study
2. Read through the lesson plan provided and ask Stacy about any questions you have.
3. Plan your opening and closing prayers, if you decide not to use those provided.
4. Consider the age group you’ll be working with each week and any adjustments you’d like to make to the lesson.

Sunday Morning:
1. Get cups, doughnuts, and pitcher(s) of water from the kitchen.
2. Be sure the room is set up as you desire.
3. Look through supply box to familiarize yourself with its contents
4. Do any other preparations you feel necessary.
5. Know that we are thankful you are teaching!

Procedure:
A. Welcome & Introductions at approximately 9:50 a.m.
1. Have the appropriate number of snacks available for each of the participants prepared before they arrive.
2. Greet the children and introduce yourself, wear a name tag if possible. Shepherds have name tags for the children in their bags. If necessary, ask the shepherd to supply children without tags with a temporary badge.
3. Open with a brief prayer. An example might be: God, we want to follow you, and listen closely to what you teach. Please help us to learn. Amen.
4. Give the students their snack
5. While we’re eating our snack let’s go around and say one thing we would ask for if we could have ANYTHING in the world. Allow the students to share what they would ask for if they could have anything. Be sure to encourage them to keep eating while listening to their peers.

B. Bible Reading at approximately 9:55 a.m.
1. Today we’re going to learn about a king named Solomon. God actually said to Solomon in a dream, “Ask for anything you want. I will give it to you.” Let’s find out what Solomon asked for…

Older kids (Readers)—Have them look up the story in the Bible and read it aloud to them while they follow along, or allow the confident readers to read it aloud. Be sure to go through the steps of finding scripture. Find the book (1 Kings), then the Chapter (3), and the Verse (3-14).

Younger Kids (Non-readers)—Read the story to the children. You can also use the story listed below, if you like.

STORY SUMMARY
David was a wonderful king. When he died, one of his sons, Solomon, became king. Now, Solomon was a young man and he didn’t feel very confident about being the king. One day he went to sacrifice some of his animals to God. This was a way that he could tell God how much he loved Him. That night something happened….while Solomon was asleep, he had a dream. In his dream God asked him a question. God said, “Ask for anything you want. I will give it to you.” Wow! Can you believe it? Solomon could ask for ANYTHING he wanted.
Solomon answered, “God I am like a child. I do not have the wisdom I need to run the kingdom. I ask that you give me wisdom to rule Your kingdom.” God was so pleased with Solomon’s answer. God was proud of Solomon because he didn’t choose a long life or riches. Because of this God gave Solomon wisdom—and riches and honor.

C. Application at approximately 10 a.m.
1. What does it mean to be wise? Allow answers. Is it the same thing as being smart? This is a difficult concept for kids to grasp. You may need to use examples. Smart means that a person knows lots of information/facts. Wisdom means that a person knows what to say and how to act in different situations. Usually a wise person is older and has been through lots of experiences. He knows what to do. Solomon loved God and thanked Him for the gifts. He went to church and worshipped God and told Him that he loved Him.

2. Pour a spoonful of sand in front of each student. Have them try to count the grains of sands in front of them. Then read 1 Kings 4:29… “God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding that was as vast as the sand on the seashore”…imagine each grain of sand being each piece of wisdom Solomon had…it was difficult to count the pieces in front of you; imagine the number of grains of sand on a beach! Today we’re going to make sandy treats to remind us of the incredible wisdom Solomon had.

3. Give each student vanilla pudding and graham crackers. Have them crush their graham crackers “sand” and pour into their pudding. They may eat their snack when they are ready.

D. Reflection at approximately 10:10 a.m.
1. Pass out the journals and ask shepherds to pass out pencils.
i. Younger Students: Have the students draw Solomon asking God for wisdom.
ii. Older Students: After learning about what Solomon asked for, and reading the story, would you change your answer of what you’d like to ask for from the beginning? If yes, what would you change to and why?

D. Closing at approximately 10:19 a.m.
1. Ask the students to close their journals and sit quietly. Recite the Bible memory verse using the prompts provided.: “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9
2. Close with a prayer. Encourage children to offer petitions. An example might be: God, we are thankful for the many stories your Bible holds that help us to learn the right way to live. Please help us to be obedient children. Amen.

E. Tidy and Dismissal at 10:20 a.m.:
Ask children to help clean up before they go. Be sure that they find a responsible person and that everyone has found one such person before you depart. Please take all supplies and put them in the cardboard box and return the box to the white cart.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR FAITH WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE!