Story 29 • 1 Kings 3; 11

The Wise and Foolish King



Activities

Use the following coloring and activity sheets, or choose from the additional activity suggestions below. {10–15 minutes}

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More Activity Suggestions

K–2nd

Option 1: Choose Wisely Relay

assortment of kitchen utensils (large forks, spatulas, different shaped/sized spoons, ladles, etc.), medium-sized balls (one per team)

Gather supplies. Set up the game play area by placing a chair for each team on the opposite side of the room from the starting line.

Divide the children into three teams. Tell children they will be competing against the other teams in a relay race and will have to carry a ball on the utensil that they choose. Show them the ball and give each team one minute to choose the utensil that they want to use. Say “Go!” The first child on each team should place the ball on her chosen utensil and walk to the opposite side of the room, walk around a chair, and carry it back to the next person in line. If the ball falls off the utensil, she needs to stop and put it back on before continuing to walk. Play continues until all children have had a turn to race. The first team to finish wins. Remind children there is wisdom in thinking through choices and not making quick decisions.

Option 2: Divided Hearts Puzzle Hunt

various colors of cardstock, scissors

Draw three different sizes of hearts on cardstock. Copy and cut out the hearts on different colors of cardstock so that each child would have one unique heart. Cut each heart into four pieces like a puzzle. Hide three of the four pieces of each heart around the room.

Give the children each a remaining puzzle piece and direct them to find the three other pieces that complete their heart puzzle. The first child to complete the puzzle wins. Allow everyone time to find his or her pieces. Remind children that Solomon’s disobedience showed he had a divided heart. God wants our hearts to be wholly committed to him.

K-2nd option 2 activity download
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3rd–5th

Option 1: Wise or Foolish Relay

whiteboard, two colors of sticky notes

Write scenarios that describe both wise and foolish choices on sticky notes (write each scenario twice, one on each color). Divide the whiteboard into two sections: wise and foolish. Place sticky notes on the opposite side of the room as the whiteboard.

Divide the children into two teams. One child from each team at a time runs down, chooses a sticky note, reads it, decides if the scenario is describing a foolish or wise choice, runs to the whiteboard, and sticks it on the corresponding side. Then he returns to the start and tag the next person on his team. Play continues until all players have had an opportunity to go and all sticky notes have been placed. The first team to complete the race and have the correct responses is the winner. Take time to read the choices and discuss why the choices would be wise or foolish.

Option 2: Divided Heart Puzzle Hunt

various colors of cardstock, scissors

Make copies of hearts on cardstock with Bible verses about wisdom printed on them. Verses can be printed on different colored paper to allow multiple children to find the same verse in their specific color. Cut out each heart and then cut each heart into four puzzle pieces (one heart per child). Hide three of the four pieces of each heart around the room.

Give each child a remaining puzzle piece and direct them to find the three other pieces that complete his heart puzzle. The first child to find all his pieces, put them together, and read his verse aloud is the winner. Allow everyone time to find his or her pieces. Remind children that Solomon’s disobedience showed he had a divided heart. God wants our hearts to be wholly committed to him.

3rd-5th option 2 activity download
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Welcome!

Try out the Biggest Story Curriculum. A new lesson will be available here each week.

To learn how to use the lesson components be sure to check out the How to Use section at the end of the lesson plan.

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