God Provides-Week 2

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Pray.
Practice memorizing Philippians 4:19. Go around the table and take turns saying only one word of the verse. Example: 1st person, “And.” 2nd person, “my.” Third person, “God,” etc.
Ask, “What is the one thing you have wanted or still want more than anything?”
Today we are going to read about Hannah, and what she wanted more than anything was a son.
Read 1 Samuel 1:1-8. After reading, briefly describe in your own words what was going on.
Read 1 Samuel 1:9-1-18. Help your children understand that Hannah wanted a son very badly. She promised God that if gave her a son that she would raise him faithfully and give her son back to God so he could serve God.
Read 1 Samuel 1:20.
Hannah had a son! Ask, “What did she name him? Why that name?”
Read or tell in your own words 1 Samuel 1:21-28.
Read 1 Samuel 2:18-21.
Discuss
- What are some words you can think of to describe Hannah?
- How do we see God working in this story?
Tell them that Samuel went on serving God all the days of his life. He was a prophet of God and was a great leader.

Pray.
Practice the memory verse (Philippians 4:19).
Have your kids tell you about their friends. Why are they friends? What do they like too do with their friends? What makes that person a good friend?
God gave David a friend, Jonathan. Read about David’s friendship with Jonathan:
- 1 Samuel 18:1-4
  - Explain that Jonathan’s robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt were all royal things that belong to the prince, the one who should be heir to the throne. He gave these things to David showing his loyalty and understanding that God had chosen David to be the next king.
- 1 Samuel 19:1-7
Ask:
- How does Jonathan show that he was a good friend?
- Whom does Jonathan put his trust in (God)? How can you tell?
If you are short on time, stop here and pick up the rest of the story tomorrow.
Read or summarize how God used Jonathan to protect David.
- 1 Samuel 20
Ask:
- How do you see God at work in this story?
- What need did David have?
- How did God provide for that need?
- What kind of friend should you look for?
- Tell me some qualities that make a great friend, one like Jonathan was to David.

Pray.
Practice the memory verse. Have them practice by repeating you, saying it in the same voice/rhythm that you do.
For older kids, play a quick game of hangman. Use the word WISDOM.
Ask, “What does it mean to have wisdom? Can you think of someone who is very wise? How can you tell that he/she is wise?”
Explain that wisdom means to have knowledge, insight, good sense, and good judgement. That’s the dictionary definition. I usually tell my kids that wisdom is knowing how to decide what is right and what is best.
Ask, “When do you need wisdom? How do you get wisdom?”
Read James 1:5.
- Our need: wisdom
- God provides: when we ask
Explain that Solomon, David’s son who became king the next king, had a big job to do in ruling the nation of Israel. He wanted to do his job well, but he knew he needed help.
Read 1 Kings 3:5-9.
- What did Solomon ask God for; what did he need? Why?
Read 1 Kings 3:10-14.
- How did God provide?
- How does God feel when we ask for wisdom?
Asking for wisdom shows that we know we need God. He wants us to depend on Him. He wants us to know that He will give us what we need, and He will show us what is right and best when we ask Him.
Pray out loud for your kids, that God will give them wisdom as they go into their day. Pray that they will know their need for Him and ask for wisdom. Thank Him that He gives wisdom when we ask for it.
Activity
- Have your kids act out this story.

Pray.
Review Philippians 4:19.
Ask, “What is a famine?”
God had warned His people many years before what we will read today that if they turned from Him to serve other gods (idols), He would withhold rain and the land would not produce food. (Deuteronomy 11:16-17)
That is what had happened. After Solomon died, Israel was divided and most of the kings who followed Solomon led the people in serving other gods, in worshipping idols.
God sent Elijah, a prophet, (someone to whom God gives a message that they are to give to the people) to tell the wicked king Ahab about a famine that was coming.
Read 1 Kings 17:1-7.
- What need did Elijah have?
- How did God provide?
- What do you think about the way God provided for Elijah?
Read 1 Kings 17:8-16.
- What need did Elijah have?
- How did God provide?
- Who else did God provide for? How?
- Were you surprised how God provided for what Elijah and the widow needed?
- Does this story help you trust God more? Why or why not?
Activity
- Make some bread. Here’s a great, easy recipe: https://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/bread-bag/.
- Feed Elijah Game (Super easy if you already have a cornhole game) https://www.kidfrugal.com/2017/01/feeding-elijah.html

Pray.
Practice the memory verse. Take turns saying it in silly voices.
Read 1 Kings 18:1-2, 17-24.
Discuss, Five W’s style:
- Who is in this story?
- What is happening?
- When did this happen; how many years had this famine lasted?
- Where were they going to gather?
- Why were they doing this?
Read 1 Kings 18:25-40.
The nation of Israel needed to decide whom they were going to serve: Baal or the LORD. They could no longer go about worshipping both. They needed a sign that the LORD was God (they thought Baal controlled the thunder, lightening, and storms, so they thought it was a fair contest to see who was God).
The LORD provided a huge sign for the people to show them that He was God by sending a fire that consumed all of the soaking wet stuff: the offering, the wood, the stones, the dust, and even the water.
If you have time, read 1 Samuel 18:41-46 to see how God brought the rain they needed.
Ask, “What did you learn today? What do you think about this story? What was your favorite part?”

When You Rise