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Solomon built a fantastic temple for the Lord. This temple replaced the Tabernacle tent that had been used since Moses’ time. After the temple was completed, the Lord reminded Solomon that this huge, beautiful temple would mean nothing if the people ever turned away from Him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Kings 6:1-9:9

Outline:

1. Construction of the Temple and palace (1 Kings chapters 6-7)
2. Dedication of the Temple (1 Kings chapter 8)
3. God speaks to Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-9)

Tips for teaching children:

• If teaching small children provide blocks so that they can build their own version of the temple.
• Guide the children in finding Egypt and Jerusalem on a map. Talk about how God led them out of Egypt and slavery. Then, talk about the lavish temple in Jerusalem.
• God was not limited to living in the temple only. Older children can discuss I Corinthians 3:16 and talk about how our bodies are a temple for God to live in.
• Older children can discuss the temple versus the palace. Solomon’s palace was twice as big as the temple. Why do you think he had the temple build first?

Tips for teaching adults:

• Below are three links to animations to Solomon’s Temple.
  • Solomon’s Temple (this one is a cut-away drawing of the Temple. This would be good to use as a PowerPoint slide while you are studying these chapters in class as a visual.
  • An animation description of the Solomon’s Temple: (5 minutes)
  • An animation description with commentary and interpretation of Solomon’s Temple (10 minutes)
• God is not contained in a building even though he may be in the building 1 Kings 8:27). Ask participants to write down two places where they especially feel the presence of God and worship him more freely or genuinely.
• At the end pray to God summarizing the words of Solomon.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Solomon Builds the Temple

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy 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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After David’s death, his son, Solomon, became king. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask for anything he wanted. Solomon did not ask for selfish things; instead, he asked for wisdom to be a good king for the people. God granted Solomon his request. He judged many cases, such as the time two women claimed that they were the mother of a baby. Solomon said he would cut the baby in two so each woman would have an equal share. To save the baby, the real mother said that the other woman could have the baby. By this, Solomon knew who the real mother was. These types of judgment and Solomon’s great Proverbs made him famous for his wisdom.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• 1 Kings 3:3-28
• 1 Kings 4:29-34
• James 1:5

Outline:

1. God gives King Solomon wisdom to rule. (1 Kings 3:3-15)
2. Solomon applies wisdom to a dispute between two mothers. (1 King 3:16-28)

Tips for teaching children:

• Define wisdom as “applying knowledge in practical ways in various situations.”
• Read 1 Kings 4:29-34 to the children. Ask the children what kinds of things they think Solomon knew about animals and plants.
• Print the words of James 1:5 on a paper and provide children with paint, markers, glitter or other items so they can decorate a border around the verse.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin by asking the class members to share what they believe was some of the best wisdom their parents passed on to them? Follow up by asking what they believe has been the best wisdom they have given to their children?
• Read the story from 1 Kings.3:3-15. Choose two-three readers to divide up the reading.
• To encourage participants to engage the Scripture, ask the following questions:
  • What experiences might Solomon have had growing up that would motivate him to ask God for wisdom in ruling God’s people?
  • What qualities or character traits do you see the young Solomon has from this story?
  • What piece of wisdom would you give Solomon in order for him to grow in these qualities & character traits?
• Read James 1:5 and 3:13-18. Draw two columns on a white board. Write “earthly wisdom” as head of one column and “heavenly wisdom” as head of another column. List the traits of each in their respective columns. Participants can discuss ways we can encourage each other to act in ways that are wise.
• End the class time by praying for wisdom, particularly the things mentioned in James 3:17-18.
  
  
  
  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Wise King Solomon

https://wp.me/P1wnPX-10q

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy 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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Although David was a good king, there was a time when he did not choose to follow the Lord. Once, when he looked across from the roof of his palace, he saw a beautiful woman, Bathsheba, bathing. This led David to commit adultery with Bathsheba. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David arranged to have her husband murdered so that he could marry her. The prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin. David’s heart was such that he repented of his sin and asked the Lord to forgive him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

2 Samuel 11:1-12:25

Outline:

1. David gets Uriah’s wife pregnant. (2 Samuel 11:1-5)
2. David arranges a coverup and has Uriah killed before marrying Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11:6-27)
3. The prophet, Nathan, confronts David and the child dies. (2 Samuel 12:1-23)
4. Solomon is born. (2 Samuel 12:24)

Tips for teaching children:

• Show wedding photos and talk about promises husbands and wives make to one another.
• Talk about the importance of confessing sin. Provide a shallow dish of sand. You or any of the children can use your finger to write a sin in the sand. Pray and ask God’s forgiveness. After the prayer, wipe away the word (the sin) you wrote in the sand. This represents God’s forgiveness.

Tips for teaching adults:

• The story is likely too long to read in its entirety during the class time so it can be summarized. Be prepared to read certain parts when summarizing such as the story of the one little female lamb.
• David saw and took what didn’t belong to him. This set him into a downward spiral leading him to commit adultery and murder. But these are only symptoms of something deeper in David.
  • What, do you think, is behind David’s actions?
  • Where did David go wrong?
  • Why would he send for Bathsheba knowing that she is a married woman and married to one of his most trusted and capable soldiers?
  • Besides the obvious sins of adultery and murder (two of the ten commandments), what other sins was David guilty of?
• Challenge the class in their interactions with people to ask themselves the question, “am I treating this person as one made in God’s image or am I using them for my purposes?”
• There is forgiveness in this story, too. Have everyone pray to God and confess their sin. Following this have someone pray on behalf of the people in the class using the words of Psalm 51:1-12 (but change singular to plural). After the prayer ask someone to read Psalm 32:1-5.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: David’s Sin with Bathsheba

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy 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