Free Bible lesson for kids · Elijah and Elisha
Ravens Feed Elijah
Elijah told wicked King Ahab that there would be no dew nor rain for years, but according to God’s word. Then the LORD sent Elijah to hide by the brook Cherith, and every morning and every evening the ravens brought him bread and flesh, and he drank of the brook. God took care of His servant in a lonely place, just as He had promised.
- Bible passage
- 1 Kings 17:1–7
- Big idea
- God takes care of those who trust and obey Him.
- Memory verse
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (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
Ahab, the king of Israel, did evil in the sight of the LORD (1 Kings 16:30). God’s prophet Elijah told him, “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (1 Kings 17:1). Then God told Elijah to hide by the brook Cherith, near the Jordan River (1 Kings 17:2–3).
God said, “I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there” (1 Kings 17:4). So Elijah did just as the LORD said. Every morning and every evening the ravens brought him bread and meat, and he drank from the brook (1 Kings 17:5–6). After a while the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land (1 Kings 17:7). But God was still caring for Elijah, and He had a new place ready for him (1 Kings 17:8–9).
Read it in the Bible: 1 Kings 17:1–7 (KJV)
1And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 2And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 7And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
Questions to ask
What did Elijah tell King Ahab?
There would be no dew nor rain these years, but according to his word (1 Kings 17:1).
Where did God send Elijah to hide?
By the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan (1 Kings 17:3).
What did the ravens bring Elijah, and when?
Bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening (1 Kings 17:6).
What this story teaches
- What God says will happen always comes true (1 Kings 17:1, 7).
- God takes care of those who trust and obey Him (1 Kings 17:5–6).
- God can use anything, even birds, to help His people (1 Kings 17:4, 6).
- God feeds the ravens, and we matter even more to Him (Luke 12:24).
- God promises to supply all our needs through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Jesus, the Bread of Life
God sent Elijah bread every morning and evening. Jesus is the bread of life, and whoever comes to Him shall never hunger.
John 6:35
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Thank God for our daily food and for taking care of us. |
|---|---|
| 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 takes care of those who trust and obey Him.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Philippians 4:19 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 or out · about 10 minutes
Raven Delivery
You need: Bean bags or bread rolls, a blue blanket for the brook, a chair for Elijah
- One child is Elijah, sitting by the “brook” (a blue blanket) at the far end.
- Everyone else is a raven. Ravens flap their wings and fly one at a time to carry bread to Elijah, morning and evening.
- When Elijah has a full plate, choose a new Elijah.
God sent ravens to bring Elijah bread and meat, morning and evening. God takes care of His people.
For youth group · activity · outdoors · about 25 minutes
Solo by the Brook
You need: Journals, a quiet outdoor space
- Spread out so everyone is alone.
- Spend fifteen minutes with 1 Kings 17:1–7 and a few journal questions: where is God providing for me? What am I waiting for?
- Come back together and share if you like.
God met Elijah in a lonely place and fed him there. God is with us when we feel alone.
Pray
Thank God for our daily food and for taking care of us.