This lesson teaches children that God was with Elijah even when he felt alone and afraid, and that God often speaks quietly. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the reading, discussion, and activity.
Big Idea
God is always with us, even when we feel scared or alone. He can talk to us in quiet ways, not just loud ones.
Memory Verse
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to put one hand on their heart and slowly lower their voice as they say the verse. Then have them stand very still, close their eyes for a moment, and whisper it together.
The Story: 1 Kings 19 for Kids
Elijah was a prophet of God who had just won a big contest on Mount Carmel. Queen Jezebel was very angry, and she sent a message saying she would kill Elijah by the next day. Elijah was so scared that he ran away into the wilderness. He was tired and sad, and he sat down under a small tree and asked God to let him die.
Then an angel came and touched Elijah. The angel said, “Get up and eat!” Elijah saw bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water beside him. He ate and drank, and then he lay down and slept. The angel came back a second time and said, “Get up and eat, because your journey is too long for you.” So Elijah ate again, and that food gave him strength to walk for forty days and forty nights.
When Elijah reached Mount Horeb, God’s mountain, he went into a cave to rest. God asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah told God how lonely he felt and how the people had turned away from God. He said he was the only one left.
God told Elijah to go stand on the mountain. A huge, strong wind came and broke the rocks, but God was not in the wind. Then there was an earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake. Then there was a fire, but God was not in the fire. After all of that, there was a quiet, gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his cloak and went out to listen.
God spoke to Elijah again. He told him that he was not alone, because God had kept seven thousand people faithful. God also gave Elijah a new job. He sent him to find Elisha, a farmer who was plowing a field. Elijah placed his cloak on Elisha, and Elisha left his oxen to follow him.
Read It Together
1 Kings 19:11-12
11 He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” Behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire passed; but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a still small voice.
(WEB)
Point out that God was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Ask the children to notice that God came in a quiet voice. Explain that God can speak to us in quiet ways too, like through a peaceful feeling or a thought that helps us do what is right.
1 Kings 19:5-7
5 He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat!” 6 He looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 The LORD’s angel came again the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
(WEB)
Show how God took care of Elijah when he was tired. The angel brought food and water and told him to rest and eat again. Remind children that God cares about our needs, including when we are tired or sad.
1 Kings 19:18
Yet I reserved seven thousand in Israel, all the knees of which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.”
(WEB)
Help the children see that Elijah was not alone, even though he thought he was. God had many faithful people that Elijah could not see. Explain that when we feel alone, God is still with us and has friends who love Him too.
Talk About It
- How do you think Elijah felt when he ran away into the wilderness?
- What did God do to take care of Elijah when he was tired and hungry?
- Why do you think God did not speak through the wind, the earthquake, or the fire?
- What are some quiet ways that God might talk to us today?
- When you feel scared or alone, what can you remember about God?
Activity Ideas
Quiet Cave Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper and crayons or colored pencils. Ask them to draw a cave with a small opening, and inside the cave draw a picture of Elijah listening. Let them draw a soft, gentle light or a small whisper line coming from outside. Talk together about how God’s voice was quiet but still very powerful.
Still and Listen Game
Play a game where children move around loudly like the wind, shake like an earthquake, and wave their arms like fire. Then call out “Gentle whisper!” and everyone must freeze, sit down, and be completely silent for ten seconds. Afterward, ask what they noticed when it was quiet.
Take-Home Whisper Jar
Use an empty jar and some slips of paper for each family member. Ask families to write or draw one way they heard God speak quietly this week, or one time they felt God near them. Read the notes together at dinner. Keep the jar on the kitchen table as a reminder that God is always near.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God is not limited to dramatic displays of power. Elijah expected God to appear in something grand, but God came in a quiet whisper. It also shows God’s care for a tired, discouraged servant, and God’s provision of companions and a successor for Elijah.
With children, avoid suggesting that God never speaks loudly or that every quiet feeling is certainly God’s voice. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God is with us and cares for us, and encourage children to listen to God through prayer and Scripture.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are with us, even when we feel scared or alone. Help us to be still and listen for Your gentle voice. Thank You for taking care of us every day. Amen.
