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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

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King David remembered his good friend Jonathan. He found out that before Jonathan died, he had had a son named Mephibosheth. David had Mephibosheth brought before him. He gave Mephibosheth all of the land that had belonged to Saul. He also gave him servants and told him he would always care for him. He treated him like a son. David did not wait until Mephibosheth asked for help. He gave kindness freely.

Bible verses used in this episode:
2 Samuel 9

Outline:

1. King David seeks out Jonathan’s descendants. (2 Samuel 9:1-4)
2. King David blesses Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. (2 Samuel 9:5-13)

Tips for teaching children:

• Learn to say and spell M-E-P-H-I-B-O-S-H-E-T-H
• Discuss “kindness” and plan something kind the group can do.
• Make coupons or gift vouchers to give parents or others. An example coupon for a mother might contain the words, “This coupon can be used for washing the dishes. I will smile and wash the dishes for free today.”

Tips for teaching adults:

• Have someone read the story aloud. Ask the group to reflect on the following questions:
  • Why would David want to show kindness to the house of Saul?
  • And what does David get out of this?
• This is a story about David's kindness, a kindness motivated by his promise and loyalty to Jonathan. David’s act of kindness was not expected. Challenge the class to plan an act of kindness to someone in their congregation or family that is not expecting it. It could be a nice gift, an invite to a meal, cleaning a house.
• Challenge the class to plan how to create space for others not normally in your circle of friendship — invite someone who’s “outside your circle” to eat with you or go visit someone who you would not normally visit.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson: David Helps Mephibosheth

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 Saul and Jonathan died in battle, David became the king of Israel. The people loved David. He made Jerusalem the capital and the main place of worship for Israel. He made two attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. On the first attempt, he did not follow all of God’s instructions, but the people were still celebrating, and David was very popular. When a man named Uzzah touched the ark, he immediately died. On the second attempt, David followed God’s instructions and the ark was safely moved to Jerusalem. David learned that being popular does not mean that one can forget the Lord.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 31:1-6; 2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-19

Outline:

1. The Death of King Saul (1 Samuel 31:1-6)
2. David is recognised at the king of all Israel. (2 Samuel 5:1-5)
3. God’s presence is established in the new capital, Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 6:1-19)

Tips for teaching children:

• Show illustrations of the ark of the covenant. There is a good one in the tabernacle set at www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/moses-tabernacle/
• Find Jerusalem on a map.
• Make a paper crown and decorate it.

Tips for teaching adults:

• I would suggest summarizing 1 Samuel 31 – Saul’s death and 2 Samuel 5 – David becoming king but read 2 Samuel 6:1-19. Choose some readers to read the different sections.
• Discuss and list some ways that our worship can demonstrate that we regard God as holy and worthy of all our honour and respect. Think in terms of the kind of language we should use in worship and what actions we should do or not do. In other words, how would you put together a worship that demonstrated to everyone present that God is a holy God?
• God was offended by Uzzah’s action. David was offended by God’s action. Which offends you more: God’s action or Uzzah’s action? Why?
• What is one thing you can do to show that you believe that God is a holy God and should be given the kind of respect he deserves?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: David Becomes King

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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Saul continued to be jealous of David. He hunted him and tried to kill him. David had raised his own armies and could have fought Saul, but he did not. He respected Saul as king. David trusted the Lord to know when it was time for him to become king. Once, David came to Saul’s camp and found Saul sleeping. He quietly took Saul’s spear and water jug to prove to Saul how close he had been. After walking a long distance away, David called to Saul and told him that he could have killed him but chose to show mercy. Mercy means to show kindness even though we have the power or opportunity to hurt someone.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 26

Outline:

1. David quietly takes a spear and water jug from a sleeping King Saul. (1 Samuel 26:1-12)
2. Paul offers momentary peace to David. (1 Samuel 26:13-25)

Tips for teaching children:

• Talk about mercy and what it means. Mercy is compassion or forgiveness that is shown towards someone when we have the power to punish or harm them.
• Play a game where King Saul must identify David from the rest of the group.
  • One child should lie on the floor and pretend to sleep like King Saul did. The child should wear a blindfold. Place a couple of objects near him to represent a spear and water jug.
  • The rest of the children should group behind the sleeping King Saul.
  • Once Saul is “sleeping” the group chooses one child to quietly slip up to Saul. The child should remove the items and bring them back to the group.
  • The child playing David should say “Mercy” to signal King Saul to wake up and identify which child was David.
• Print the word MERCY in the middle of a large paper and then allow the children to decorate it with markers, crayons, glitter or other items.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This story is brief enough to read it during the class so I suggest that you have this text read.
• Ask the class to look over the story and to think about David’s words and actions. What were some right things that David does and says in this story? What can we learn about David?
• Challenge the class with the following: Live in such a way that your conscience is clear—even if others misunderstand you. At the end of each day ask, “If God looked at my actions today, would I be guiltless?” Pray according to how you answer.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: David Shows Mercy to Saul

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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David moved to Saul’s house. Saul often asked him to play the harp for him when he was upset. Saul became jealous when the people began to prefer David over him. In his jealousy, he threw a spear at David and tried to kill him. Saul’s son, Jonathan, was David’s friend, and he helped David escape from Saul.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 18:1-11 and chapter 20

Outline:

1. David and Jonathan become firm friends. (1 Samuel 18:1-4)
2. King Saul becomes jealous of David’s growing popularity. (1 Samuel 18:5-11)
3. Jonathan recognises Saul’s threats and helps David escape. (1 Samuel 20)

Tips for teaching children:

• Talk about jealousy and how it is seen in a child’s life.
• Make friendship bracelets.
• Paint friendship paintings. Two children work together on the same picture.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin the class time by asking the class members to think of their two or three closest friends and follow up with the question, “What makes them your closest friends? What qualities make them your friend?” Get someone to write these qualities or character traits on a white board.
• Have the text of 1 Samuel 18:1-11 read and then talk about the friendship of David and Jonathan. Although the Bible never spells out why they were such good friends, use your imagination, and discuss what qualities might they have that made them good friends and focus on Jonathan’s character.
• Summarise 1 Samuel 20 and follow up with these questions: 1) What did Jonathan sacrifice for his friendship with David? How does Jonathan model the character of God?
• Go back to the white board and ask everyone to choose one of these characteristics of being a friend that they lack and then pray about that silently for a minute or so.
• Close the session with a prayer focusing on asking God to help us be true friends to one another.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Jonathan Helps David Escape

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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David’s older brothers went to fight battles with King Saul while David stayed home and cared for his father’s sheep. When David was sent to take food to his brothers, he was appalled to find that the whole army was afraid of the Philistines. Every day, a huge soldier, Goliath, came forward and mocked the Lord and his army. David trusted in the Lord’s strength and knew that the Lord would help him defeat Goliath. David used his sling and killed Goliath with a stone between his eyes.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 17

Outline:

1. David hears Goliath’s bold challenge. (1 Samuel 17:1-30)
2. David kills Goliath (1 Samuel 17:31-58)

Tips for teaching children:

• If your space is tall enough, measure the height of Goliath and place a sign or tape on the wall at that height. 9 feet and 4 inches or 284.48 centimetres.
• Supply the children with 5 smooth stones each. Using Sharpie markers or paint, invite the children to write 5 words of their choice that describe their faith commitment. Example: “Mary will trust God always.”
• David had perfect aim. The children can throw tennis balls at a stack of overturned cups to practice their aim.
• Show pictures of a sling.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Begin the class by singing “The Battle Belongs to the Lord.”
• Ask the class to have their Bibles open at 1 Samuel 17 and then discuss the following questions from the text:
  • What qualities and characteristics of David does the story bring out?
  • How has David’s role as shepherd prepared him for his battle with the giant?
  • What does this tell us about our past victories and our present “giants” we may be facing?
  • What great acts of faith have you done or that you have seen in others?
• Have each class member to write down two or three times when God has helped them in the past to have a victory over a challenge they were facing. Follow up with asking each class member to pray silently to God thanking them for this victory.

Full teaching instructions, free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: David and Goliath

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