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A wealthy woman had an extra room built onto her house and furnished it comfortably for Elisha. Elisha and his servant used the room whenever they passed through the area of Shunem. In thanks for her help in preaching the word of God, Elisha told the woman that she would give birth to a son even though her husband was very old. She did give birth to a son, but after a few years, he died. The woman placed the boy’s body in Elisha’s special room and then went to find Elisha. Elisha came and raised her son from the dead.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Kings 4:8-37

Outline:

1. An important woman shows hospitality to Elisha. (2 Kings 4:8-10)
2. The woman and her husband have a baby boy. (2 Kings 4:11-17)
3. The son becomes sick and dies. (2 Kings 4:18-21)
4. The woman fetches Elisha to save her son. (2 Kings 4:22-37)

Tips for teaching children:

• Discuss how we can bless those we know who preach and teach. Perhaps make cards or prepare cookies for the preacher in your church.
• Craft: Use a box (like a shoe box) to make a bible times house. Create a room on the roof like the woman did for Elisha.
• The boy in the story sneezed. For fun, take turns sneezing and choose who has the funniest sneeze.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Read this story dramatically with different class members reading the parts of the different characters in the story. Choose someone to be the narrator, one to read each of the characters in the story.
• Although hospitality is not the main point of the story, it is an obvious component of it.
  • In what ways did this woman demonstrate hospitality?
  • Why is hospitality so important?
  • How does it demonstrate the character of God?
• One of the primary characters in this story is the woman. Spend some time describing her.
  • What does this story tell us about this woman? Especially note verses 25-30.
  • What are some of the qualities of this woman that are worthy of imitating?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Elisha Raises a Boy from the Dead

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

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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A prophet died, leaving debts his widow and two sons could not pay. The creditor decided to take the two sons as slaves to pay the debt. When the widow begged for Elisha’s help, the Lord miraculously provided them with enough oil to sell and pay off the debt.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Kings 4:1-7

Outline:

1. The desperate widow of a prophet approaches Elisha. (2 Kings 4:1)
2. Elisha directs a miracle that multiplies oil and saves the widow’s sons. (2 Kings 4:2-7)

Tips for teaching children:

• Ask the children to think about how they would have felt if they had been the sons in this story.
• Provide olives and olive oil so the children can touch, smell and even taste them.
• Draw pictures of jars in various shapes and sizes.
• Provide jars and water so younger children can reenact the pouring of oil into jars.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Read the story aloud from three or four different translations.
• Bring a small jar of olive oil to the classroom and bring various kinds of olives for the class to enjoy tasting.
• Divide the class into groups of three or four and challenge them to write down all the different ways the ancient world utilised oil from the olive tree. Asking Google or AI is encouraged. After a short period of time, ask each group to share what they came up with. Compare each group's answers. Did any group come up with a use that no other group did?
• Discuss the following:
  • God uses what we have to bless – even if it's just one jar of olive oil. How has God used you or what you have to bless others?
  • God protects and provides for the vulnerable. Why is God so concerned for those who are vulnerable, such as widows, children and the poor?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Elisha and the Widow’s Oil

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

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

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

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

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