Unit 12: Elijah and Elisha OT12.6 Naboth’s Vineyard · 2019. 7. 16. · 2 OT12.6 Naboth’s Vineyard Lesson ©Beverly Wilson 2019 God demonstrated his great power by sending a fire

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OT12.6 Naboth’s Vineyard Lesson ©Beverly Wilson 2019

Unit 12: Elijah and Elisha OT12.6 Naboth’s Vineyard

Scripture: 1 Kings 21

Lesson Goal: Elijah was the first and most famous of Israel’s prophets. Elijah was a man whom God used to warn the nation of Israel against their sins. In this lesson we will learn how Elijah had to tell King Ahab about his sin of coveting.

Introduction: This lesson is found in the book of 1 Kings. This book tells the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. It is in the second group of Old Testament books called the historical books. These books begin with Joshua and go through Esther. Let's say these books--Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther

Attention Getter: “Coveting” Have you ever wanted something that belonged to someone else? Perhaps it was a bike, a toy, or some designer clothes? Have you ever begged your parents for it? “Please, please, can’t I have it? Some children throw temper tantrums or cause a big fight to get what they want. Throwing fits is not the way to get what we want. Did you know when you desire something that someone else has, that’s called “coveting” and God told us in the Ten Commandments that we are not to covet anything that belongs to someone else? Today in our lesson we’re going to learn about King Ahab who coveted a vineyard that belonged to his neighbor Naboth.

Opening Prayer: “Father, we have learned that discontentment is a sin. It’s like saying that what You have given us isn’t good enough. Forgive us for coveting things that other people have and help us to be content. Thank You for all the wonderful things that you have given us especially the gift of salvation in Jesus. Help us to always have a thankful and contented heart. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. “

Memory Verse: The memory verse is Hebrews 13: 5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have."

Lesson Video: https://youtu.be/49-l0RMt2iA Elijah was a prophet that God had sent to the people of Israel to speak His Word to them. Elijah was also well known for the great miracles that God did through him. During the time of Elijah the King of Israel was Ahab and his wicked wife Queen Jezebel. They had led the nation of Israel to worship the idol of Baal instead of God. God did not want His people worshipping idols! God sent Elijah to King Ahab to tell him that a great famine was coming on the land because of their sin. Elijah said, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Just as Elijah had said no rain fell in the land. Many people starved and died because of the lack of food and water. Many people were angry at Elijah and wanted to kill him for bringing about this terrible famine. . Finally after three and one half years of drought, God spoke to Elijah and told him to go again to King Ahab with a message. Elijah was told to prove to the evil King Ahab and the wandering children of Israel that only the Lord is God. A contest was held on Mt. Carmel between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal.

https://youtu.be/49-l0RMt2iA

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God demonstrated his great power by sending a fire from heaven to burn not only the sacrifice, but the stones and soil and it even licked up the water in the trench around the altar! The people gathered on Mt. Carmel saw the Lord’s victory over idols and began to worship Him. They cried, “The Lord he is God! The Lord he is God!” Then the prophets of Baal were killed. After God’s victory on Mt. Carmel, Elijah began to pray that God would send rain again to Israel. In answer to his prayer, a small cloud appeared in the sky and soon a huge rainstorm came upon Israel. The drought and famine were over! But King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were still not convinced to repent of their evil ways and stop worshipping Baal. Jezebel was so angry that her prophets had been killed that she issued a death threat against Elijah. Elijah escaped from Israel and ran into the wilderness where God encouraged him with food and water and made His presence known to Elijah when he was hiding in a cave on Mt. Horeb. Elijah returned to Israel where he anointed Elisha as God’s new prophet. Elijah found Elisha plowing in a field with oxen. God had told him to ask Elisha to be his new partner. After saying good bye to his family Elisha left his home behind and began following Elijah. Elijah and Elisha traveled throughout the land of Israel prophesying to the nation and calling them to return to the worship of God. Despite King Ahab’s wickedness, God lovingly gave him many opportunities to return to Him. When Samaria was surrounded by Aramean forces, God miraculously delivered the city. But King Ahab refused to give God the credit. A year later the Arameans attacked near the city of Aphek. Again God gave King Ahab victory but still the king refused to acknowledge God’s help. He even disobeyed God by refusing to kill the enemy king. All this time King Ahab was urged on by Jezebel his wife to behave in a very wicked way by worshipping idols. In fact the Bible calls Jezebel is the most wicked woman that ever lived. Scripture uses her as an example of people who completely reject God! One day King Ahab was visiting his summer palace in Jezreel. He was one of the richest kings of his time and he was admiring all the lovely things he possessed. He especially loved the many beautiful gardens around his home. But then he noticed something! Close to King Ahab’s palace was a vineyard that belonged to Naboth and his family. It had beautiful lush fruit growing on the vines. Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden. In exchange, I will give you a better vineyard, or pay you whatever it is worth.” But Naboth replied, “No, I cannot give you land that God has given to my family. It has been in our family for many generations.” According to the law, Naboth’s inheritance was his very own. Not even the king could take it away. Naboth loved God and wanted to obey him. And that made Ahab very angry. How dare Naboth refuse to give the king what he wanted! So King Ahab went home, sullen and angry. He lay on his bed pouting and refused to eat! He was acting very childish and was screaming and crying because he could not get his own way! Ahab thought he could get away with acting any way he wanted. But God says it is wrong to covet! His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat? King Ahab explained how Naboth had refused to part with his vineyard. Ahab said, “I told him sell me your vineyard or trade it for another, but he would not give me his vineyard!”

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Jezebel replied, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up! I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth.” Now Jezebel was a very powerful queen and she not only managed her idol priests but she also controlled her husband! So Jezebel wrote letters in the King’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city. In those letters she wrote about a very wicked plan. She said, “Proclaim a day of fasting and give Naboth a prominent seat among the people. Put two scoundrels opposite him to bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” So the elders and nobles did as Queen Jezebel asked and proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place. Two scoundrels sat opposite him and made false accusations that Naboth had cursed God and the king. Naboth was taken out of the city and stoned to death! Everything happened as Queen Jezebel had planned! As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth was dead, she was delighted that her plan had worked. She said to King Ahab, “Go and take over the vineyard of Naboth. He is no longer alive.” King Ahab went to Naboth’s vineyard and took possession of it. But God was not going to let Ahab get away with this evil deed. So God said to Elijah, "Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it. Go tell him that he has done evil in the sight of the Lord. He and his family will be judged for their sin of coveting and murder. They will die. So Elijah went to the palace. When King Ahab saw Elijah, he said, “So you have found me, my enemy!” But Elijah knew what God had told him to tell King Ahab.” He asked, “Haven’t you murdered a man and seized his property? “In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood!” Elijah declared. God is going to bring disaster on you and wipe out your descendants.” Then Elijah told King Ahab about God's judgment against his family."Because of your sin, King Ahab, you and your wife and your whole family will die! You will not even have a proper burial. Dogs will eat Jezebel's dead body, and the other members of the family would suffer a similar fate.” When Ahab heard how God was going to punish him and his family for their sin, he became frightened. He took off his kingly robes and wore sackcloth to show God he was sorry for his sins. He went without food to show God he was sorry. God told Elijah the prophet, “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? As he has humbled himself, I will not bring the disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his family in the days of his son.” But King Ahab did not really repent because soon he went back to his old ways of worshipping idols with his wife Jezebel. And God's judgment would eventually come on his family. Three years later King Ahab was killed in a battle. His son Ahaziah inherited the throne but died in an accident and was succeeded by his brother Jehoram. King Ahab’s son, Jehoram was shot with an arrow by Jehu, the commander of his army who ordered his body to be dumped on the land belonging to Naboth. Queen Jezebel was thrown from a window to her death by her own servants. Her body was eaten by dogs as Elijah had foretold. Ahab and Jezebel thought they gotten away with coveting, lying, theft, and murder but they didn’t! What lessons can we learn from this story? First we learn from King Ahab that we should not covet. We should not want what belongs to others. We should be happy and content with what we have. The wages of sin is death and King Ahab and his wife Jezebel died because of their evil deeds. Have you ever spent time day dreaming about the things you don’t have, imagining in your mind what it would be like to have it? Then, watch out! You are coveting in your heart. Here’s how coveting starts:

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First, you start to believe that you deserve that thing you desire so much. Then, you start to think that it’s not fair that you don’t have it. Next you think you’ll never be happy until you get it. Before you know it, you want it so badly that you would do whatever it takes to get it. You might even steal to get it! People have different ways of trying to get what they want. Some kids whine – “My sister always gets what she wants. I never get what I want.” Some kids throw temper tantrums. If King Ahab had been content with what God had given him, he wouldn’t have pouted when he couldn’t get Naboth’s vineyard. Our memory verse is Hebrews 13: 5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have." This verse means that we should be satisfied with what God has given us and not want the things others have. Let's say our verse again. (Hebrews 13:5) "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have." Coveting is like a little match. We start out just wanting what others have and ...Soon it grows and grows into a big fire of coveting. If we let it, that fire of coveting will destroy us like it did King Ahab and Jezebel. How can we NOT covet? First, when your mind begins to imagine what it would be like to have whatever you are desiring, think about all the things you already have and thank God for them (Ephesians 5:20). Second, when your heart begins to believe Satan’s lies (that is, you start to say to yourself, “I deserve it; it’s not fair I don’t have it; I can’t be happy until I get it; I can’t live without it), then remember our Memory Verse for this week and say it to yourself. Be content with what you have! Third, show kindness to those who have what you want: Say, for instance, “I think you have a really cute kitten.” Where does contentment come from? From inside you – from knowing God is with you and from believing His promise to give you all you need. This will keep you from coveting and wanting things that displease God like King Ahab did. When those feelings of coveting come over us, we need to stop and thank God for what we already have. Instead of envying other people for what they have show kindness to them; be happy for them! Let's pray. Father, we have learned that discontentment is a sin. It’s like saying that what You have given us isn’t good enough. Forgive us for coveting things that other people have and help us to be content. Thank You for all the wonderful things that you have given us especially the gift of salvation in Jesus. Help us to always have a thankful and contented heart. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Remember be content with what you have!

Review Questions/ Game: “Question Marks” Preparation: Make a large question mark pattern using the sketch provided. Cut out a question mark shape for each question. On the back of the question mark, write one of the following words: “Zonk,” “Sorry,” “Try again,” “Winner,” or “Bull’s Eye.” Procedure: Have students take turns answering the following review question. For a correctly answered review question, the child may choose a question mark. Turn the question mark shape over to award a small prize or candy for “Winner” and a larger one for “Bull’s Eye.” Or, you could have point values on the backs of the question marks and then tabulate the value to determine the student who got the most points at the end of the game.

1. Who was Elijah? (Elijah was one of God’s prophets. A prophet is a messenger from God who is sent to preach God’s Word to save the people from their sins. Elijah warned the people to turn away from Baal worship and obey God.)

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2. What message did God send Elijah to tell King Ahab? (“As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be any dew or rain in the next few years, except at my word.”)

3. After three and one half years of famine, what was the message that Elijah had for King Ahab from God? (Elijah said, “We're going to have a contest! Gather all you prophets of Baal and we will meet on Mount Carmel. This contest will prove who the real God is!”)

4. What happened when Elijah finished his prayer for the sacrifice? (Suddenly the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil. It also licked up the water in the trench.)

5. What response did the people have to this great fire from God? (The people fell face down and cried, “The Lord he is God! The Lord he is God!”)

6. After the contest on Mount Carmel what did Elijah do? (He went up on the mountain and prayed for rain.)

7. Where did Elijah stay while on Mt. Horeb? (He stayed in a cave.) 8. Who was the person that Elijah was to anoint? (Elijah was to anoint Elisha, the prophet who

would succeed him. Elisha’s job was to work in Israel, the northern kingdom to point people back to God. Elisha would also become a friend of Elijah’s for the next ten years.)

9. Although King Ahab did not worship Him, how was God good to King Ahab during his reign? (When Samaria was surrounded by Aramean forces, God miraculously delivered the city. But King Ahab refused to give God the credit. A year later the Arameans attacked near the city of Aphek. Again God gave King Ahab victory but still the king refused to acknowledge God’s help. He even disobeyed God by refusing to kill the enemy king.)

10. Which of the Ten Commandments did King Ahab commit when he wanted Naboth’s vineyard? (He broke the last commandment—do not covet.)

11. Why did Naboth not sell or give his vineyard to King Ahab? ( Naboth said, “I cannot give you land that God has given to my family. It has been in our family for many generations.” According to the law, Naboth’s inheritance was his very own. Not even the king could take it away. Naboth loved God and wanted to obey him.)

12. How did King Ahab respond when Naboth would not give him his vineyard? (He pouted and went to his bed and would not eat.)

13. When Jezebel saw King Ahab pouting, what did she promise him? (Jezebel replied, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up! I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth.”)

14. What did Jezebel do to get Naboth to give King Ahab his vineyard? (She wrote letters to the elders of the city asking them to proclaim a day of fasting and give Naboth a prominent seat among the people. She instructed them to put two scoundrels opposite him to bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.)

15. What happened as soon as Naboth had been murdered? (Queen Jezebel said to King Ahab, “Go and take over the vineyard of Naboth. He is no longer alive.” King Ahab went to Naboth’s vineyard and took possession of it.)

16. Who did God send to warn King Ahab of the consequences of taking Naboth’s vineyard? (God sent Elijah. Elijah told him that he and his family would die. All would suffer the consequences of their bribery, murder, and robbery.)

17. At first what did King Ahab do when he heard the judgment from God? (He took off his kingly robe and crown and put on sackcloth. He pleaded with God to show mercy.)

18. How did God respond to King Ahab’s plea? (God said that the punishment would be delayed. His sons would lose the throne and King Ahab and Jezebel would die.)

19. What happened eventually to King Ahab and Jezebel and their sons? (Three years later King Ahab was killed in a battle. His son Ahaziah inherited the throne but died in an accident and was succeeded by his brother Jehoram. King Ahab’s son, Jehoram was shot with an arrow by Jehu, the commander of his army who ordered his body to be dumped on the land belonging to Naboth. Queen Jezebel was thrown from a window to her death by her own servants. Her body was eaten by dogs as Elijah had foretold.)

20. What lesson should we learn from this account of King Ahab? (We learn from King Ahab that we should not covet. We should not want what belongs to others. We should be happy and content

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with what we have. The wages of sin is death and King Ahab and his wife Jezebel died because of their evil deeds.)

21. How does coveting begin and how does it develop into a sin? (First, you start to believe that you deserve that thing you desire so much. Then, you start to think that it’s not fair that you don’t have it. Next you think you’ll never be happy until you get it. Before you know it, you want it so badly that you would do whatever it takes to get it.)

22. Where does contentment come from? (From inside you – from knowing God is with you and from believing His promise to give you all you need. This will keep you from coveting and wanting things that displease God like King Ahab did. When those feelings of coveting come over us, we need to stop and thank God for what we already have. Instead of envying other people for what they have show kindness to them; be happy for them!)

23. What is the memory verse? (Our memory verse is Hebrews 13: 5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.")

Memory Verse Activity: “Hot Potato” Our memory verses are Hebrews 13: 5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have." Have students locate the verse in scripture and read it together several times.

Say: “This verse means that we should be satisfied with what God has given us and not want the things others have.” Preparation: You will need enough balls for each team of three. Procedure: Form groups of three and have each group choose one person to be “It.” Say: We’re going to play a game of Hot Potato. The person you chose as It will try to get the ball while the other two toss it back and forth to each other and try to keep it away from It. Imagine that the ball represents an all-expense paid trip to an exotic place and each of the tossers will be able to take the trip unless It takes the ball away. Have kids play Hot Potato for three minutes, changing players who are It if It gets the ball. Then stop the game and bring all the groups together. Say: “What was it like to be It? Did knowing what the ball represented make you want the ball more? How did the passers feel, knowing they already had the ball and trip? What did it feel like when—and if—you lost the ball and the prize to It? Say: “When we want something desperately, we often act differently and can go to extreme measures to get it. Sometimes that’s a good way to reach a goal, but when it’s out of envy for what someone else has, our motivation is wrong.” Our memory verse helps us to understand what God says about being content. Repeat the verse again together.

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Group Learning Activity: “Being Happy with What You Have” (Grades 2-5) Preparation: You will need variety of candy bars (one for each child), paper lunch bags, and small pieces of paper numbered from one to the total number of kids in your class. Procedure: Place one candy bar in each bag and set them on a table (make sure you have a variety). Let each child draw a number. The child who draws #1 chooses a bag, opens it, and pulls out a candy bar. The child who draws #2 may either select a new bag or take the first child’s candy bar. If he or she chooses #1’s candy, then the child who drew #1 can pick a new bag. The child who draws #3 gets the same choices, and so on. Each child must give up his or her candy if someone asks for it. When every child has a candy bar, the game is over. Say: “How did you feel when you saw a candy bar you wanted? What do you wish you could do to get it? (Allow time for discussion.) “Sometimes all of us want something that belongs to someone else. This is called coveting. But that greedy feeling we get when we want something someone else has breaks one of the Ten Commandments, “You shall not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor,” or anyone else for that matter. The Bible teaches us to be happy with what we have.” “In this lesson we learned that Ahab was very greedy. He wanted Naboth’s vineyard and he was willing to do anything in order to get it. The sin of coveting was judged by God. God wants us to love Him first in our life. He loves us and will provide for our needs. He deserves our total commitment. Then we will enjoy contentment as we doing what God wills for us.”

Group Learning Activity: Object Lesson: “Sunglasses” Purpose: Object lesson of how sin blinds our heart. Preparation: You will need a pair of sun glasses, post it notes, and a marking pen. (Another option is to use light-colored scarves that can be seen through. Each time a sin is mentioned add another scarf causing it to be harder to see clearly.) Procedure: Choose volunteer to wear sunglasses. Ask students for examples of sinful choices (lying, stealing, etc.) Write the sin on a post-it note and place each example of sin on the lenses of the sunglasses. Discuss how when a person chooses to sin and not turn from that sin it becomes easier to sin. If a person lies then it becomes easier to steal. Add more post-it notes of the effects of going deeper into darkness by continuing to disobey God’s truth. Say: “These sunglasses are a little like King Ahab. He was guilty of worshipping the idol Baal. He did not repent of that sin. That sin led him to think that he could do whatever he pleased. That he did not need to obey God and follow His commandments. That is how he began to commit the sin of coveting. He thought that he deserved whatever he wanted and that he had a right to take from others.” “God’s enemy Satan has blinded the eyes of those who have not been saved. (2 Corinthians 4:4) When a person repents and turns from their sins and puts their faith in Jesus God removes the blindness from their eyes. (2 Corinthians 3:15-16) Remove the post-it covered sunglasses and replace with regular glasses. Now the person can see clearly and walk in the Light of God’s truth.” Say: “When people become believers they still sin. If he/she doesn’t repent and turn from that sin his/her heart becomes calloused to the Holy Spirit’s conviction. By continuing in sin it’s like exchanging the clear glasses to put on sunglasses. At first you don’t really notice that you are not walking in God’s pure light.

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Little by little each little sin keeps you from fully enjoying the life that God wants you to have. The person that chooses to continue to allow sin into his/her life doesn’t lose the gift of eternal life. He/she loses the power to effectively point others to Jesus and will miss out on the many blessings of walking in a close relationship with Jesus. A true believer who continues to sin can expect God’s discipline. God will discipline His child for their disobedience. (Hebrews 12:5-11)”

Group Learning Activity: “How Many Faces?” Preparation: Print the picture of the tree of faces below on a large sheet of paper. Procedure: Present the picture to the class and let them discover how many pictures of faces they can find? This picture is an optical illusion so it will take students some time working together to find the pictures. If your class is large you can divide the group into smaller groups of 2- 4 students. Give each group a copy of the picture. The answer copy is at the right. After the groups have worked together for several minutes you can determine which group is the winner. You may wish to give a small prize to that group if desired. After the activity use the following discussion: Say: “In this activity we see that there are many faces in the picture. It reminds of this lesson about King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. King Ahab allowed Queen Jezebel to influence him many times. She was a wicked queen and she was successful in getting King Ahab to do wrong. “We need to be careful of the people in our lives that influence us. Who are some of the people that influence what we think and do? Some examples might be parents, teachers, friends, television stars, movie heroes, pastors, youth workers, etc. (Allow students to discuss the influence of different people they know.) Are they a good positive influence or are they like Queen Jezebel who tried to get others to do wrong with her? We need to be very careful about who we allow to influence us. Sometimes we don’t even realize who they are!”

Group Learning Activity/Game: “Grape Grab” Preparation: You will need to blow up a lot of purple balloons with air and tie them off. (You can use large rubber play balls or plastic grapes if any of your students have latex allergies.) Procedure: Instruct the students to pair up and face their partners. Place a balloon on the floor between each pair of students. Say: “I am going to shout a command to either touch your “head,” your “shoulder,” your “knees,” or the “grape.” When I shout the word, you are to touch your own head, shoulders, or knees. When I shout “grape” you are to try to grab the “grape.” (the purple balloon, ball, toy, or plastic grapes.) before your partner does.” Call out a series of the three body parts such as “head, knees, shoulders, knees, head, shoulders, head, shoulders, head, GRAPE! The students who don’t grab the grapes sit down. The students who grabbed the grape pair up with someone else who is still standing and play again. Continue until one student is left standing. If you have time, start all over again. This game is crazy fun!

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Say: “In this lesson we learned that Ahab tried to take Naboth’s vineyard. He saw his grapes and wanted to grab them! King Ahab was guilty of the sin of coveting. We can learn an important lesson from the life of King Ahab. We need to practice contentment.” Review the memory verse. Hebrews13: 5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have."

Group Learning Activity: Scripture: “Coveting” (Grades 3-5) Preparation: Each student will need a Bible. Procedure: Distribute Bibles to every student. Say: "In this lesson we learned that God judged King Ahab because he coveted Naboth’s Vineyard. For our Bible study lesson we are going to look at what God says about coveting and wanting what others have in His Word.” Have students locate and read aloud the following scriptures associated with the sin of coveting. Discuss the biblical principle being taught in the scripture. Ask students to think of applications of the scripture to their life.

Luke 18:18-23 “18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.” In the example of the rich man and the kingdom of God Jesus is teaching us that to love money more than God will prevent us from receiving salvation. As believers we are to get rid of anything that has become more important to us than God. Money or riches can become a idol to us and God must be worshipped alone! Because money represents power, authority, and success, often it is difficult for wealthy people to realize their need and their powerlessness to save themselves.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” This verse is the key to becoming like Christ. Most people believe that money can bring happiness. Rich people can crave greater and greater riches that is an endless cycle that only ends in ruin and destruction. To keep from loving money and commiting the sin of coveting, we should realize that one day riches will all be gone. We should learn to be content with what we have. We can check our motives by monitoring what we are willing to do to get more money. We should love people more than money and freely share what we have with others.

Proverbs 30:7-9 “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Having too much money can be dangerous but so can having too little. Being poor can in fact be hazardous to spiritual as well as physical health. On the other hand being rich is not the answer. As Jesus pointed out rich people have trouble getting into God’s kingdom. Like Paul we can learn how to live whether we have little or plenty. We need to learn to be content.

Luke 12:15 “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Life is more important than material goods. Our relationship with God is far more important. Our attitude toward our wealth and our problems will help us to understand what God is doing in our lives.

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Philippians 4:11-13 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” The secret to living a contented life is learning to lean on Christ’s power and strength. We need to learn to rely on God’s promises and Christ’s power to help us be content. God will supply our needs in a way that is best for us.

Have students write what they have learned in their spiritual journals. Close in prayer asking for God’s help in meeting our needs and using our material blessings wisely.

Craft Learning Activity: “Praise Art” (Grades K-5) Preparation: You will need a sheet of large drawing paper for each child. You will also need crayons or colored markers. Procedure: Distribute the drawing paper and colored markers or crayons. Have students fold the paper into half, quarter, and then eight rectangles. Say: “In this lesson we learned that God wants us to be content. King Ahab suffered the consequences of the sin of coveting. He wanted Naboth’s vineyard and was willing to do anything including robbery, murder, and false accusation to get what he wanted. Our memory verse is Hebrews 13: 5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have." God wants us to be content. “One of the best ways to practice contentment in our life is to be thankful for what we have. In each of the squares of your drawing paper you are to draw something that you are thankful for, such as your parents, your bed, your clothes, your food, etc.” As children are drawing, ask the following questions: Why are you thankful for these things? (Allow time for children to share their thoughts.) How can we be “on our guard” against wanting more and more of something? Can we use the things we drew to help us be content? “Our verse talks about how we must be on the lookout for wanting more and more things. I have found that when I’m focused on all of the amazing things God has given me, it helps my heart to be content. Instead of thinking about what my friend has that I do not, I can praise God for the gifts He is always giving. Wanting what others have can make you miserable, so instead, let’s choose to be content!”

Craft Learning Activity: “Magazine Search” (Grades K-5) Preparation: You will need various magazines or catalogues of interest to children, scissors, poster board, and glue sticks. Say: “You know, it is okay to want things. God wants us to have many things. We must make sure that we are thankful for what we already have. Then we can ask God for other things. (In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6) God wants to give us good things. The problem comes when we want something so badly that we cannot be happy until we get it. It might be all we can think about and all that we can talk about. Then we are coveting. Covet means: wanting something (usually something that belongs to someone else) so badly, that we are not happy until we get it. When we do this, the item can become an idol to us. An idol is anything that becomes more important to us than God.”

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Procedure: Distribute magazines. Say: “Let’s look through these magazines and find pictures of things that people might want to have, such as toys, pets, clothes, houses, money, games, bikes, or cars.” (Distribute scissors.) Please cut out these kinds of things.” As children cut out pictures, help them to stick the pictures on the poster board. Fill the poster board making sure that every child has found at least one item to put on the poster. Say: “These things are not bad things. It is fine to have these things. God even said that it is His good pleasure to give to us. (Luke 12:32) However, these things cannot be more important to us than God is to us. They should not make us totally unhappy just because we don’t have them or because we don’t have them and someone else does! We must be thankful for what God has given us. “Our Bible lesson was about King Ahab who had many, many things but still was sad. He wanted something someone else had and was willing to sin just to get it. It is OK to want things but not at the expense of sinning. When is it wrong to want things? (It is wrong when it becomes more important to us than doing things God’s way.) Did King Ahab covet? (Yes, he was willing to murder, lie, steal, and say evil about another just to get what he wanted.) What is an object called that becomes more important to us than God is to us? (It has become an idol.) Have you ever coveted something? A birthday present? Money? Attention from your mom or dad that your baby brother or sister always gets? A friend’s new toy? Clothes? Did you do something to try to get it? · What should we do when we want things? (Ask God to provide. Be willing to work for those things.)”

Craft Learning Activity: “Grape Finger Prints” (Grades K-3) Preparation: You will need white card stock or construction paper, washable purple paint, and a green paint pen or marker. Say: “In this lesson King Ahab wanted to take Naboth’s vineyard for himself. We are going to make a craft that will help us to remember this Bible story.” Procedure: Distribute the paper and paint supplies. You will probably want to cover your table top or work area with a large plastic tablecloth or disposable paper cloth. Start by placing some of the purple paint in a painting tray or on a scrap piece of paper. Then take your green paint pen and make some thick, sharp strokes upward near the top of your paper. These form the base of the grape stem. Then create some thin, curly loops for the grape vines. Finally, add some thick leaf shapes and you have the top of your grapes bunch! Carefully dip your finger in the purple paint, and start making fingerprints for the grapes. You might be able to get 2-3 grapes out of one dip into the paint. Start at the top, and remember that grape bunches are always wide at the stem and taper down into a point. Make sure that each grape is touching another one! Grape bunches are a natural growing thing, so the shape is irregular. Make a few random grapes stick out here and there so it looks natural, and you can even rotate your finger to make bigger and smaller grapes. If desired, you can have the students write the memory verse on the bottom of their picture or on the back. Hebrews13: 5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have."

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Life Application Challenge: “Confessing Sin” Say: “In this lesson we learned that King Ahab deserved punishment for the sin of coveting. He repeatedly was given many opportunities from God to turn from his sin. He listened to his heathen wife, Jezebel, who talked him into worshipping the false god of Baal. As a result Ahab broke the commandments of God.” “When Ahab heard how God was going to punish him and his family for their sin, he became frightened. He took off his kingly robes and wore sackcloth to show God he was sorry for his sins. He went without food to show God he really meant it. Later, God told Elijah that because Ahab had humbled himself before Him, He would not bring His judgment on his family while Ahab was still living, but it would happen in his son's lifetime instead.” “Ahab did not remain repentant, however; he later returned to his old ways, but God honored even the little repentance that Ahab had shown by postponing His judgment on Ahab's family. How merciful God is and how ready God is to forgive our sins!” “All of us are sinners; that's why Christ died for us, but have you asked Him to forgive you for your sins? Maybe you received His Son and forgiveness some time ago, but lately you have begun to do things you know are wrong. You are still a child of God, but you need to tell Him about these sins. They may seem small compared to Ahab's sin of murder so he could take another man's property, but they are sins nonetheless. Perhaps you have been guilty of the sin of covetousness—of wanting something so much that it disturbs your inward peace. Do you ever get angry because you can't have something that you want so badly? Do you even pout about it? This sin needs to be confessed immediately, before it leads to other sins, as it did in Ahab's life. Ask God to forgive you for your sins and to cleanse your heart. He has promised in His Word: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). We don’t have to have a guilty conscience we can be forgiven! Conclude in a prayer asking for forgiveness for sins.

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Naboth’s Vineyard

Hebrews 13: 5

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have."

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Naboth's Vineyard

T E D F Z N K T M B O M M S I

L E B E Z E J V U A I U W W N

E G M W X V Y I R H F R Z N N

C A X P E X G N D A K T K T B

I D N Y E R D E E Q Q N H B Q

T R W H A R I Y R U J A N O P

T N H P S S T A P S N T D Q V

J C E X W I O R B K Y O W K L

R S U T X N C D F S H Q W N D

N W S H N E V U N A T E V O C

E Y P E Q O L L J M K T A F Z

A Q J T I Y C I A Z P A O K N

T X X V O Q L O K E N Y J H H

L P P N U E N A B O T H R K P

K Q G S H U T A J P D S I X S

AHAB

CONTENT

COVET

ELIJAH

GRAPES

JEZEBEL

MURDER

NABOTH

STEAL

TANTRUM

TEMPER

THANKFUL

VINEYARD

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OT12.6 Naboth’s Vineyard ©Beverly Wilson 2019

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How many faces?

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Unit 12: Elijah and Elisha OT12.6 Naboth’s Vineyard · 2019. 7. 16. · 2 OT12.6 Naboth’s Vineyard Lesson ©Beverly Wilson 2019 God demonstrated his great power by sending a fire