This lesson teaches children that God takes care of His people in hard times, even when they cannot see how. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God always takes care of the people who trust Him, even when things feel scary or empty. He can provide food, bring back life, and keep His promises.
Memory Verse
1 Kings 17:14
For the LORD, the God of Israel says, ‘The jar of meal will not run out, and the jar of oil will not fail, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth.’”
(WEB)
Hold both hands out flat, palms up, like you are receiving something from God. Then slowly lift them above your head as you say “The jar will not run out!” Let children copy you and repeat the motion three times together.
The Story: 1 Kings 17 for Kids
Once there was a prophet named Elijah. He told the wicked King Ahab that God would hold back the rain for a long time. Then God told Elijah to go hide by a little brook called Cherith. Every morning and evening, ravens flew down and brought him bread and meat, and he drank water from the brook.
After a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. God said, “Go to Zarephath. A widow there will take care of you.” When Elijah arrived, he found a poor widow gathering sticks at the city gate. He asked her for a little water and a little bread.
The widow told Elijah she had only a handful of flour and a little oil. She was gathering sticks to bake one last small meal for herself and her son, and then they would die. Elijah said, “Don’t be afraid. Make me a small cake first, and then make food for you and your son. God says your jar of flour and jar of oil will not run out.” So she did what Elijah asked, and every day there was enough food for all of them.
Later, the widow’s son became very sick and stopped breathing. The widow was upset and said to Elijah, “Did you come here to remind me of my sins and to kill my son?” Elijah took the boy upstairs to his own bed. He prayed to God and asked Him to bring the child’s life back.
God heard Elijah’s prayer, and the boy began to breathe again. Elijah carried him down and gave him back to his mother, and said, “Look, your son is alive!” The woman smiled and said, “Now I know you are a man of God, and that what the LORD says is true.”
Read It Together
1 Kings 17:4
You shall drink from the brook. I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”
(WEB)
Point out that God told Elijah exactly where to go and promised to provide food through the ravens. Ask children to notice that God used unlikely helpers, since birds are not usually food deliverers. Remind them that God can meet our needs in surprising ways.
1 Kings 17:13-15
13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go and do as you have said; but make me a little cake from it first, and bring it out to me, and afterward make some for you and for your son. 14 For the LORD, the God of Israel says, ‘The jar of meal will not run out, and the jar of oil will not fail, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth.’” 15 She went and did according to the saying of Elijah; and she, and he, and her house, ate many days.
(WEB)
Show children how the widow chose to trust Elijah’s word even though she had very little. Point out that she shared her last food first, and God kept her supply going. Explain that obeying God’s words can lead to blessing, even when the step feels risky.
1 Kings 17:22-23
22 The LORD listened to the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the room into the house, and delivered him to his mother; and Elijah said, “Behold, your son lives.”
(WEB)
Describe how God answered Elijah’s prayer and gave the boy his life back. Help children see that only God has the power to give life, and that Elijah trusted Him to act. Let children know that God hears our prayers and cares about families who are hurting.
Talk About It
- What do you think the widow felt when she saw her last bit of flour and oil?
- How did God take care of Elijah when the brook dried up?
- Why do you think God asked the widow to share her food with Elijah first?
- What did the widow say about Elijah after her son came back to life?
- When have you seen God take care of you or someone in your family?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Jar Craft
You will need paper plates, markers, glue, and small scraps of yellow and brown paper. Have each child draw a clay jar on a paper plate and glue small paper pieces inside to look like flour and oil. Write “God’s jar will not run out” across the top. Let them take the plate home to remind them that God provides.
Raven Feeding Game
Give each child a pretend raven by having them flap their arms and make a bird call. Place pretend bread in a bowl across the room. Children fly to the bowl, pick up one piece, and bring it to a friend playing Elijah. Talk about how God used ravens to care for Elijah.
Take-Home Promise Card
Cut index cards and write “God takes care of me” on one side and “1 Kings 17:14” on the other. Give each child a card and a paper clip. Encourage families to read the card at dinner or bedtime and ask children what God has provided for them recently.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s provision and His power over life and death are both real, and He works through ordinary people and surprising means. Elijah’s ministry reminds us that God’s word is trustworthy even in times of drought, famine, and grief. The widow’s faith points to the value of trusting God with our last resources.
Avoid suggesting that every hardship or illness is caused by sin or that prayer guarantees a specific outcome. The widow’s fear and her question to Elijah were honest, and God met her with mercy. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and care rather than on promises of what He will always do.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for taking care of us every day. Help us trust You when we feel afraid or when we do not have enough. Thank You for hearing our prayers and for giving life and hope. Amen.
