Free Bible lesson for kids · Elijah and Elisha
A Still Small Voice
After the fire fell on Mount Carmel, Queen Jezebel threatened Elijah, and he ran into the wilderness, tired and afraid. God sent an angel with bread and water, then met him at Horeb, the mount of God, not in the wind, the earthquake or the fire, but in a still small voice, and told him that seven thousand in Israel had not bowed to Baal.
- Bible passage
- 1 Kings 19:1–18
- Big idea
- God cares for us when we are tired and afraid, and we are never alone.
- Memory verse
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
1 Kings 19:12 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
After the fire fell on Mount Carmel, Queen Jezebel threatened to take Elijah’s life (1 Kings 19:1–2). Elijah ran for his life into the wilderness, sat under a juniper tree, and told God, “It is enough” (1 Kings 19:3–4). But as he slept, an angel touched him and said, “Arise and eat.” Beside him were a cake baked on the coals and a jar of water (1 Kings 19:5–6).
Strengthened by that food, Elijah walked forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God (1 Kings 19:8). There a great wind broke the rocks, then came an earthquake and a fire, but the LORD was not in them. After the fire came “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11–12). Elijah said he was the only one left, but God said seven thousand in Israel had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:14, 18).
Read it in the Bible: 1 Kings 19:1–18 (KJV)
1And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 5And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 6And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. 7And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 8And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. 9And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 14And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 15And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 17And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
Questions to ask
What did the angel bring Elijah under the juniper tree?
A cake baken on the coals and a cruse of water (1 Kings 19:6).
Was the LORD in the wind, the earthquake or the fire?
No. After the fire came a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11–12).
Was Elijah really the only one left who served God?
No. God had seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed unto Baal (1 Kings 19:18).
What this story teaches
- God cares for us when we are tired and afraid (1 Kings 19:5–7).
- God knows when we need food and rest (1 Kings 19:5–8).
- God does not always come in loud and mighty ways (1 Kings 19:11–12).
- We are never as alone as we feel (1 Kings 19:10, 18).
- God still has work for His people to do (1 Kings 19:15–16).
Jesus Gives Us Rest
God gave tired Elijah food, rest and His gentle word. Jesus invites everyone who is weary and burdened to come to Him for rest.
Matthew 11:28
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask God to help us listen for His voice in His Word, and thank Him that we are never alone. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “God cares for us when we are tired and afraid, and we are never alone.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say 1 Kings 19:12 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors · about 10 minutes
Listen for the Whisper
You need: A fan, red streamers
- The kids sit and listen. First the “wind” (the fan blows), then the “earthquake” (everyone stomps), then the “fire” (red streamers wave).
- Then it gets very quiet, and a leader whispers a message.
- Who heard it? Play again with a new whisper.
God wasn’t in the wind, the earthquake or the fire. He spoke to Elijah in a still small voice.
For youth group · activity · indoors · about 45 minutes
Rest Night
You need: Snacks, blankets, soft music, Bibles
- Elijah was worn out, and God gave him food and sleep first.
- Make a calm night: good food, blankets, quiet music, no pressure.
- End with 1 Kings 19:11–12 and time to listen.
When Elijah was exhausted, God fed him, let him rest, and then spoke gently. God cares for tired people.
Pray
Ask God to help us listen for His voice in His Word, and thank Him that we are never alone.