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We are taking a couple of weeks off to rest, relax and spend time with family. May God grant you a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.
David and Mary

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Elijah continued to be a prophet in Israel during the times of Kings Ahab, Ahaziah and Joram (7th, 8th, and 9th kings of Israel). Elisha became Elijah’s helper. When Elijah’s work as a prophet came to an end, a chariot and horses of fire appeared, and Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah’s special gifts were passed on to Elisha to continue the work of the prophets. Elijah was one of a handful of people in the bible that went straight to heaven without dying.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Kings 2:1-18

Outline:

1. Elijah’s farewell tour and departure (2 Kings 2:1-12)
2. Elisha takes up Elijah’s ministry (2 Kings 2:1-12)

Tips for teaching children:

• Take the children outside to look at clouds. Find clouds that like things in today’s lesson (horses, chariot, Elijah or Elisha, a coat). Use this opportunity to talk about heaven.
• Teach young children how to draw loops that increase in size to form a whirlwind.
• Use paints or markers to illustrate the story.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This story can be read during the class time. This can be organized as a dramatic reading, assigning different characters in the story to different readers or one person could read the narrative part, another be the voice of Elijah, another Elisha, and another could be the group of prophets.
• Spend several minutes discussing aspects of this text. You could help start conversation by choosing some of the following discussion prompts:
  • Describe the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. What can we learn from this relationship?
  • Why do you think the fiery chariot and horses come between Elijah and Elisha just before Elijah was taken up in a storm?
  • What does the coat of Elijah represent?
  • When Elisha asks for a ‘double-portion’ of Elijah’s spirit, what is he really asking for?
  • What legacy of faith do you want to leave?
  • What legacy of faith do you want to leave your children and others?
  • What can you do to pass your faith to others who come after you? What can you do now to make this happen?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Elijah and the Whirlwind

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

Send us a text

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, led his people and wanted them to trust God. Everyone was very afraid when a huge army was about to attack Judah, so King Jehoshaphat called all of the people together to fast and pray. The Lord spoke through a prophet and told the people not to worry because this battle belonged to the Lord. Jehoshaphat sent the army into battle, but, different to other battles, he placed a group of men in front to praise the Lord in song. While the army of Judah was approaching the battlefield praising the Lord, the Lord set the enemy armies against each other. By the time Judah’s army arrived at the battle, it was already over. The enemy armies had killed each other!

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Outline:

1. King Jehoshaphat leads the people in prayer to God. (2 Chronicles 20:1-19)
2. God defeats the enemies and Jehoshaphat leads the people in praise of God. (2 Chronicles 20:20-30)

Tips for teaching children:

• Recreate the scene in verse 28 by making instruments and having a praise parade.
• Ask the children to share anything they might be afraid of. As a group, pray like Jehoshaphat and the people prayed in verse 18 by lying face down on the ground.
• Guide the children in making up a tune for the words of verse 21, “Thank the Lord. His love continues forever.”

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin the class by singing, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” and “Rescue Me.”
• This story can be read during the class time. Use the outline in the show-notes to divide up the reading.
• Here are some discussions questions related to verses 1-4:
  • How did Jehoshaphat emotionally react to the news of a large army coming to attack?
  • How did he respond to this news?
  • What can we learn from him about when we feel overwhelmed by a problem?
• Here are some discussions questions related to verses 5-12:
  • What do you notice about what Jehoshaphat prayed?
  • How can rehearsing God’s character and past actions help us when we pray?
• Hand out pieces of paper to the class members and ask them to write down problems they are facing that feel overwhelming to them. Collect these and designate someone in the class to read these out and then pray about them.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Jehoshaphat and the People Pray

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org