Weekly Lesson

Older Primary Lesson Plan

Week 27 · June 29–July 5 · 1 Kings 12–13; 17–22

1 Kings 12–13;17–22

Week 27

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Before You Teach

Teacher Quick Brief

A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.

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Teacher Quick Brief

What This Week Is About

This week’s scriptures show people making important choices about whether they will follow the Lord or follow fear, pride, and false ideas. Elijah teaches that the Lord is real, powerful, and loving, and that He often speaks in quiet ways. We also see that faith sometimes means obeying first and trusting the Lord to help.

Main Points To Teach

I can choose to follow the Lord with my whole heart, just as Elijah taught on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:21).
When I obey the Lord in faith, He blesses and helps me, like He did for the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:13–16).
The Holy Ghost often speaks in quiet, peaceful ways, like the “still small voice” Elijah heard (1 Kings 19:12).

What Is Happening In The Scripture Story

First, Rehoboam does not listen with kindness, and the kingdom divides (1 Kings 12). Later, Elijah is sent during a time of wicked kings and false worship. He helps a faithful widow whose food does not run out, then calls Israel to choose the Lord on Mount Carmel, where fire comes from heaven and later rain returns after drought (1 Kings 17–18). After that great miracle, Elijah feels alone and afraid, and the Lord comforts him through a “still small voice” and gives him more work to do (1 Kings 19).

Why It Matters For Older Primary

Children ages 8–10 are making real choices every day, whether to be honest, kind, brave, reverent, and faithful when others may choose differently. This lesson helps them see that following Jesus is a real choice, and the Lord can guide them quietly at home, at school, and in their friendships.

Full Lesson Flow

Teaching Outline

Work through the lesson in order, with each section building on the last.

Opening Connection

Hold up a flashlight and ask, “If the room were dark, would this little light help you know where to go?” Then ask, “What helps us know the right way when life feels confusing?”

Explain that in this week’s scriptures, many people were confused about whom they should follow. Elijah asked a powerful question:

“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

Tell the children that today they will discover three things: how faith leads to blessings, how to choose the Lord, and how to notice His quiet guidance.

Scripture Discovery

Begin with two scripture moments.

First, read 1 Kings 17:13–16 together. Invite half the class to listen for what Elijah asked the widow to do, and the other half to listen for what the Lord promised.

“Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first” (1 Kings 17:13).

“The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail” (1 Kings 17:14).

Ask: “Was that easy or hard for the widow? What did her choice show about her faith?”

Next, read 1 Kings 19:12 and have everyone whisper the last phrase together:

“And after the fire a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).

Ask: “Why do you think the Lord sometimes speaks quietly instead of loudly?” Help the children notice that big miracles matter, but quiet guidance matters too.

Core Gospel Principles

First, faith means trusting the Lord enough to obey Him. The widow did not have much, but she acted in faith, and the Lord cared for her day by day (1 Kings 17:15–16).

Second, following Jesus is a choice. Elijah invited the people to stop wavering and choose the Lord (1 Kings 18:21). We make that same choice when we tell the truth, pray, keep commandments, and stand for what is right.

Third, the Holy Ghost often speaks gently. Elijah saw wind, earthquake, and fire, but the Lord spoke through “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). Children can learn to feel that voice through peace, goodness, and quiet reminders to do right.

Interactive Learning Activities

Faith First Bowl, Object Lesson

Type: Object Lesson

Materials: Small bowl, spoon, a little flour or dry cereal, small cup with a little oil or water, paper strip labeled “Faith”

Steps:

Show the small amount of food and remind the class that the widow thought she only had enough for one last meal.
Place the paper strip labeled “Faith” beside the bowl.
Ask a volunteer to pretend to “give first,” like the widow did.
Explain that the widow trusted the Lord before she saw the miracle.
Testify simply that the Lord blesses faith-filled obedience.

Connection to scripture: This helps children picture 1 Kings 17:13–16 and understand sacrifice and trust.

Discussion questions:

What did the widow do first?
When is it hard for us to obey first?
What blessings can come when we trust Jesus?

Choose the Lord Corners, Game

Type: Physical Activity

Materials: Four signs for room corners: “Be Kind,” “Tell the Truth,” “Join In Wrong Things,” “Pray for Help”

Steps:

Put one sign in each corner.
Read short situations like: “A friend wants you to laugh at someone,” or “You forgot to do something and feel tempted to hide it.”
Invite children to walk to the corner that shows a choice to follow Jesus.
Let a few children explain why they chose that corner.
Repeat with several scenarios.

Connection to scripture: This builds on Elijah’s invitation, “if the Lord be God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

Discussion questions:

What does it mean to choose the Lord at school?
Why is it sometimes hard to stand alone?
How can Jesus help us be brave?

Still Small Voice Freeze, Music & Movement

Type: Music & Movement

Materials: No materials needed, or optional soft background humming of “The Still Small Voice”

Steps:

Invite children to make motions for wind, earthquake, and fire.
Call out each one dramatically, and let them move.
Then say, very softly, “still small voice.”
Everyone freezes, folds arms, and listens quietly for a few seconds.
Repeat 2–3 times, ending in stillness.

Connection to scripture: This helps children feel the contrast in 1 Kings 19:11–12.

Discussion questions:

What made it easier to notice the quiet part?
What noises or distractions make it hard to feel peace?
What can we do to listen to the Holy Ghost?

Life Application Bridge

Help the children connect the lesson to real life. At school, following Jesus may mean including someone lonely, being honest on an assignment, or walking away from unkind talk. At home, it may mean obeying cheerfully, helping without being asked, or choosing prayer when they feel worried.

Remind them that they do not need to wait for a huge miracle to know the Lord loves them. He can help them one choice at a time, and He can guide them through quiet feelings and peaceful thoughts, just as He did with Elijah (1 Kings 19:12).

Testimony Time

Invite the children to think quietly for a moment and finish this sentence: “I can follow Jesus this week by ______.”

Then ask, “When have you felt peaceful after making a right choice?” Let a few children share. You might briefly bear testimony that the Lord blesses faith, helps us choose the right, and speaks in quiet ways we can learn to recognize.

Take-Home Challenge

Give each child a small paper card that says: “If the Lord be God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). Invite them to place it where they will see it this week. Their challenge is to notice one moment when they choose Jesus, at home, at school, or with a friend, and tell someone in their family about it.

Teacher Tips

If the class is energetic, do the movement activity before the scripture whisper from 1 Kings 19:12 so they can feel the contrast between noise and reverence. If some children are shy about sharing, let them draw their “follow Jesus” choice on paper instead of speaking aloud.