Elijah Idea

I always feel a little guilty that I take ideas but rarely post our solutions. Well, here's what we did with Elijah a few years ago: 

We did 5 workshops on Elijah in 1 Kings 19:1-15 (with some editing to hit the major points without too much gore). We focused on the ways God sustained Elijah when he was really scared and wanted to give up. Sometimes doing God's work can be unpopular and even dangerous!

Memory Verse: Psalm 69:18
Answer me, O LORD, for your love is kind; in your great compassion, turn to me.

Food: Trail mix, easy sustenance when you're in the wilderness! They made their own granola too, with oats, honey, etc. Easy to find recipes for granola. Added dried fruit, nuts, M&Ms, etc. Each kid got a ziploc full.

Drama: Acted out Queen Jezebel’s rage and Elijah’s running away for his life. Using a tent for the cave (darkened with extra blankets) “Elijah” hides as the others recreated the “earthquake, wind and fire” and the “sheer silence” and quiet voice. (Discussion: Is there too much noise in your life to hear the quiet voice of God?)

Music and Movement: Older group listened to some tracks from Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio "Elijah" (Part II covers this chapter of 1 Kings). More fun: Sing and dance to Hymn 536 (Episcopal hymnal) “God has spoken to His people; ask Elijah (Hallelujah)” (Hebrew melody). Good song for tambourines and shakers, too!

Games: Hide and Seek (Elijah / Jezebel). A scary mask for "Jezebel" helped them get into the mood! Bean-bag toss, aiming for holes into a cave that was painted on the target.

Art: We made messages from God with invisible ink. How do we figure out what they say? How do we know what God is saying to us?

God bless your efforts with Elijah -- it was a fun story to work with.