Kings & Prophets
Solomon’s Temple
Our journey together this year is exploring God’s Big Story in the Old Testament! In our first unit, we looked at the Beginning stories of God’s Creation in the first part of Genesis. In our second unit, we then explored the second part of Genesis where we learned about some of the first leaders and families in the Bible. Last unit, we were in the book of Exodus and learned about Moses and the Israelites. Now, we are headed into the Kings & Prophets section of the Bible and will learn about the Israelites after they entered the promised land.
It is encouraged that families watch the videos, read the texts, reflect on the summaries, respond to the questions and pray together. However, Club 56 participants can also do this on their own- you might need a journal for journaling some thoughts!
Invocation
Find your Club 56 Candle (or a Candle) that you can light.
Invocation: the act of inviting or welcoming or acknowledging that God is present in our space.
As you light your candle, say this invocation out loud: “I light this candle in the name of God, our Creator; Jesus, our Savior; and the Holy Spirit, our Inspirer. The three in one!”
Connect Video
Get a taste of this week’s theme by watching ONE of these videos!
Solomon’s Temple Video
Reflection Questions:
- What part of the video stood out to you the most?
- Who’s picture of the ark looked the most like the ark in the video? The least?
- Why was it so ridiculous that Todd stole the replica of the ark?
- How would you explain the temple, the Ark of the Covenant, or a church building to a friend asking about God’s presence?
Connect is a curriculum from SPARK that is specifically designed for 5th and 6th graders.
Read, Reflect & Respond
Take some time to dig in deep to the Bible!
Need a Bible? Contact Leah M!
Read the Text: 1 Kings 9:1-9
Draw a heart each time you see the words heart and home.
Reflect on the Summary:
“God commissioned King Solomon to build a mighty temple in which God could live. And God gave very specific instructions. When it was finally completed, God praised Solomon and agreed to dwell in the temple. But God also gave Solomon a warning that Solomon must follow God’s ways. Eventually, Solomon did almost everything God instructed him not to do. He took many foreign wives for himself and slowly allowed their worship to infiltrate Israel’s. In the end, Solomon’s temple would be destroyed.
The temple was important, but the building didn’t determine God’s presence. God’s presence is something God’s followers continually seek. Throughout God’s story, God’s people have wanted the assurance of God’s presence in the face of life’s uncertainty. There are many churches and temples throughout the world, but being close to God is not about any particular building; it’s about letting God into ourselves.”
Respond to the Questions:
- What do you think the temple looked like?
- Where does God live now?
- Do you think God lives in a particular place? Why or why not?
- How have you felt God’s presence in your life?
Remember (Club 56 Binder)
Our Club 56 Binders are for taking notes and helping us remember details in God’s Big Story!
Need a binder? Contact Leah M.
Get out your Club 56 Binder and find the green page with the Ark of the Covenant (labeled Solomon’s Temple). Find the paragraph about why we are using a crown to remember this story and read about it!
In the box, write important key words, people, events or notes that you want to remember about the first text you read.
Need help? Revisit the texts we explored today or read the paragraph at the bottom of the paper.
Activity
Get out your Ark of the Covenant Activity instructions and supplies- try and make the ark of the covenant yourself!
Prayer
“God who leads us,
Thank You for always being with us and guiding our lives. Thank you for choosing us each for special tasks to serve You and Your people. We love you!
In your name,
Amen”
Benediction
It’s time to blow out or turn off your candle and go on with your day with a blessing.
Benediction: a blessing that sends you out on your day!
As you turn off your candle, bless the people in your home by saying,” May God bless you and keep you, may God’s face shine upon you and may God always go with you and give you peace!”
Quoted texts are revised from:
Connect Leader Guide. Unit 4—Kings & Prophets: Solomon’s Temple. wearesparkhouse.org © 2013 sparkhouse. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for local use only provided each copy carries this notice.