Skip to main content

Reply to "Computer and Video/A-V Workshop Lessons and Ideas for Elijah, Widow of Zarephath, Fed by Ravens"

Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath

Computer Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Students will complete the Elijah and the Widow story found in Sunday Software's Elijah and Jonah software.

Sunday Software's Elijah and Jonah software is now available FOR FREE to Rotation.org's supporting members for use in their church and church member homes. Learn more and download the program.


Scripture:

1 Kings 17 (presented in the software)

Preparation:


LESSON PLAN

Opening

Welcome students and explain what you hope they'll learn today and how they will be learning it!
Elijah-Widow-why-punish
Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath story asks and answers the following questions. You can put them to your students as introductory questions:

  • Does God care about outsiders? and people who don't worship him?
  • Does God punish people for their sins?
  • What is a prophet and what do they do?
  • How does God try to get our attention?
  • How does God send messages of hope to us?
  • What is the purpose of miracles? (signs)

(Feel free to put your own emphasis on one or more of these questions.)

Explore to the story as found in the software:

Page 1: Introducing the story

Page 2: Elijah flees to be fed by ravens. (stop and play the feeding game)

Page 3: Elijah goes to Zarephath “a town just outside the Promised Land” and finds/tests the Widow’s faith. Study notes you’ll encounter will help describe the Widow as one who represents Israel, and her son –the future of Israel.

Page 4: When the son dies, the widow asks if she is being punished for her sins. But Elijah immediately attempts to revive the son.

Page 5: Elijah questions God in his prayer wondering if God had taken the widow’s son, and asks for his life back, which God grants. The widow replies, “Now I know you are a man of God and the word of the Lord in your mouth is to be trusted.” We don’t get a direct answer as to whether God caused this situation, or used it to his advantage to teach Israel and Elijah an important lesson. It’s important to remember that Elijah also was learning what God had in store for his people.

Options at the End of Page 5:

a) Listen to story again (listen to it as a story about Israel, not the widow).

b) Zaresphlatt game. Answer questions in between levels to continue playing.

c) Rewrite the story using images and issues from today's world.

d) “Questions to Ponder” ...for deeper study.



Student Worksheet:

The teacher should print a copy of the attachment, and check-off the items that you want your students to complete. Then make copies of your customized worksheets and give to the students.

Notes from Neil

Key Concepts:

The Widow and her dying son were not Israelites. Metaphorically, a widow in the Bible can represent the dependent, those who have lost their future, or fallen out of disfavor. Her son can represent her hopes and dreams. By performing the miracle of their sustaining (through the flour and oil which didn't run out), and the raising back to life of the son, Elijah is sending a powerful message of hope to a society that believe God had abandoned them, ...when in reality, it was THEY who had abandoned God. By the miracle of faith, ...becoming a believer, the widow announces at the end of the story what God hopes to hear from us all.

Key Verses:

"Am I being punished for my sins?"

“Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”

There are several miracles in this story:

  • That Elijah would be called outside Israel to Sidon, to a lowly widow.
  • That Elijah would be fed by ravens.
  • The flour and oil that didn't run out.
  • The boy being raised from the dead.
  • The woman becoming a believer.

Miracles in the Bible are almost always SIGNS and MESSAGES that REVEAL WHO God is and WHAT God wants. What do each of these miracles say about God and his message to us and our situation today?

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Elijah-Widow-why-punish
Files (1)
Last edited by Luanne Payne
Rotation.org Inc. is a volunteer-run, 100% member supported, 501(c)3 non-profit Sunday School lesson ministry. You are welcome to borrow and adapt content for non-commercial teaching purposes --as long as both the site and author are referenced. Rotation.org Inc reserves the right to manage, move, condense, delete, and otherwise improve all content posted to the site. Read our Terms of Service. Get a free Registered Membership or become a Supporting Member for full access to all site resources.
Rotation.org is rated 5 stars on Google based on 51 reviews. Serving a global community including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, S. Africa, and more!
×
×
×
×
×