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    Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath: Sunday School Lesson

    1 Kings 17

    Ages 5–11 ~40 min Memory: 1 Kings 17:16

    Print this page straight from your browser — the story, memory verse, discussion questions and craft all fit on one sheet.

    Big Idea

    What we give to God first is what He multiplies.

    Story Summary

    In a famine God fed Elijah by ravens at the brook Cherith. When the brook dried up, He sent the prophet to a widow in Zarephath who had only a handful of meal and a little oil left. She made Elijah a small cake first — and the barrel of meal and the cruse of oil did not fail until the rain returned.

    Read the full retelling →

    Memory Verse (KJV)

    “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD.”

    1 Kings 17:16

    Discussion Questions

    1. How did God feed Elijah at the brook?

      Teacher hint: Ravens brought him bread and flesh morning and evening (1 Kgs 17:6).

    2. What was the widow planning to do with her last meal?
    3. Why was it hard for her to bake Elijah's cake first?
    4. What small thing could you share this week, even if you don't have much?

    Craft Idea: Never-Empty Jar

    Supplies

    • Paper cups or small jars
    • Yellow paper strips
    • Stickers
    • Markers

    Steps

    1. Decorate the jar as the widow's cruse of oil.
    2. Fill it with yellow paper strips for the oil.
    3. Write 1 Kings 17:16 on a label and stick it on.
    4. Each child names one thing they can share from their jar.

    Printable Worksheet

    Print the lesson page for the verse card and discussion questions.

    Coloring page This Sunday's lesson

    Lesson flow (45 minutes)

    1. Welcome (5 min): Pray, then read the memory verse aloud three times together.
    2. Story (10 min): Tell the story summary in your own words; open a KJV to 1 Kings 17.
    3. Discussion (10 min): Walk through the questions above. Let every child answer at least once.
    4. Craft (15 min): Make the never-empty jar.
    5. Wrap-up (5 min): Hand out the worksheet to finish at home and recite the memory verse one last time.

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    Where to go next

    Teaching Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath? Here is what to grab next for your class.