Lesson kit: Elijah on Mount Carmel

Lesson aim

There is only one true God, who hears and answers prayer.

Key verse

“When all the people saw this, they fell down on their faces. They cried out, 'The Lord is God! The Lord is God!'” 1 Kings 18:39

Lesson plan

1. 1

   Welcome · 5 minutes

   Greet the children, sing a song they know and say a short prayer.

2. 2

   The story · 10 minutes

   Tell the story with the illustrations on the big screen or by reading it aloud, page by page.

   Open on the big screen →
3. 3

   Talk · 10 minutes

   Ask the questions below and let the children answer in their own words.

4. 4

   Activity · 10 minutes

   Hand out the printed sheet: each child draws their favourite scene and practises the verse.

5. 5

   Closing prayer · 2 minutes

   Close by thanking God for what you learned today. There is only one true God, who hears and answers prayer.

Discussion questions

1. Why did Elijah have the altar soaked with water?
2. What happened when Elijah prayed?
3. How was Elijah’s prayer different from the prayers of the prophets of Baal?

Summary for the teacher

On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal: the God who answered with fire would be the true God. The prophets of Baal shouted all day with no answer. Elijah soaked the altar with water three times and prayed a simple prayer. Fire fell from heaven and burned up everything, and the people declared: "The Lord is God!". Then the rain came back.