Younger Primary Lesson Plan

Happy Opening

Welcome the children with a big smile and a quiet surprise. Hold up two items: a noisy shaker and a soft little heart cut from paper. Let them hear the shaker first. Then whisper, “Can you hear my quiet voice too?” Tell them that today they will learn about Elijah, who saw a big miracle and also learned that the Lord can speak in a quiet way.

Sing one verse of “The Still Small Voice” (Children’s Songbook, 106–7) very simply. Invite the children to put one hand by their ear and one hand on their heart.

Say the big idea right away: “I can follow Jesus, and He can help me in quiet ways.”

Simple Scripture Story

Tell the story in three tiny scenes with motions.

First, show a little cup or bowl and a piece of pretend bread. Tell about the widow who had only a little food, but she trusted the Lord and shared with Elijah. The Lord blessed her. Ask, “Was she scared a little? Did she still choose faith?” Let children nod yes.

Next, show a picture of Elijah on Mount Carmel if you have one, or make “fire” with your fingers. Say Elijah asked the people to choose. Read the short line:

“If the Lord be God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

Ask, “Who do we follow?” Let them answer, “Jesus!”

Then have children pretend to blow strong wind, shake like an earthquake, and wiggle fingers like fire. After that, everyone freezes and gets very still. Whisper:

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

Connect back to the opening: loud sounds got attention, but the Lord taught Elijah with a quiet voice too.

Big Idea

I can follow Jesus, and He can help me in quiet ways.

Repeat this before and after every activity. Keep it short and cheerful.

Wiggle and Learn Activities

1. Follow Jesus Footsteps

What to do:

1. Put paper footsteps on the floor around the room.
2. Let children walk, hop, or tiptoe from step to step.
3. At the end, show a picture of Jesus.

Materials: Paper footsteps, tape, picture of Jesus.

What to say: “Elijah said, ‘If the Lord be God, follow him’ (1 Kings 18:21). We follow Jesus!”

Connection: This moves right from the story of choosing whom to follow.

2. Little Bread, Big Faith

What to do:

1. Show a small cup and a small piece of bread or paper bread.
2. Let each child hold or point to the small items.
3. Say that the widow trusted the Lord, and the Lord blessed her.

Materials: Small cup, bread or paper bread.

What to say: “The Lord blesses me as I have faith in Him.” “She had a little, and the Lord helped her.”

Connection: After walking to follow Jesus, children see what faith can look like.

3. Loud, Quiet!

What to do:

1. Let children make wind sounds, stomp softly for an earthquake, and wiggle fingers for fire.
2. Then say, “Freeze.”
3. Whisper together, “still small voice.”

Materials: None.

What to say: “The Lord often speaks in quiet, simple ways.” “I can be still and listen.”

Connection: This builds naturally from faith to listening for the Lord’s help.

4. Heart Ears Craft

What to do:

1. Give each child a paper heart.
2. Help them draw ears or add a sticker.
3. Write for them: “I can follow Jesus.”

Materials: Paper hearts, crayons, stickers.

What to say: “My heart can listen.” “Jesus can help me in quiet ways.”

Connection: After practicing being still, children make something to remember it.

Picture Time

Use Gospel Art Book: Elijah and the Priests of Baal if available.

Ask:

1. “Who is in this picture?”
2. “What did Elijah want the people to choose?”
3. “How can we follow Jesus this week?”

Repeat: “I can follow Jesus, and He can help me in quiet ways.”

Song and Actions

Sing “The Still Small Voice” (Children’s Songbook, 106–7).

Simple actions:

• “Still”, freeze your body
• “Small”, pinch fingers close together
• “Voice”, hand by ear
• “Heart” ideas, hand on heart
• “Follow”, walking fingers on palm

Keep it soft and gentle so the children feel the difference between noisy and peaceful.

Jesus Loves Me Moment

Gather in a circle. Hold the paper heart craft. Remind them: Elijah chose the Lord. The widow trusted the Lord. Elijah also learned that the Lord can speak in a quiet way.

Invite each child to finish one sentence: “I know Jesus loves me because…” or “I can be like Jesus when I…”

Bear simple testimony that Jesus loves His children and helps us when we choose to follow Him (1 Kings 18:21; 19:12).

Take-Home Hug

This week, invite the children to be very still for one moment at home, put a hand on their heart, and say, “I can follow Jesus.” Then give someone in their family a hug.

Teacher Survival Tips

• Keep each activity very short, 2 to 4 minutes is plenty for this age.
• Use whisper cues instead of long explanations. If you whisper, children usually lean in and calm down.
• If attention starts to wiggle away, go back to the motions: walk, freeze, whisper, repeat the big idea.