The Biggest Story Curriculum
The Kingdom Cracks
BEFORE THE LESSON
Read 1 Kings 12.
Pray for God’s help. Ask for the Spirit’s help in understanding the passage and for the Lord to open the children’s eyes to see who he is, what he has done, and how they should respond to him.
Study the lesson plan below. Use these sections as suggestions. Think of ways to teach it in your own voice.
Pray for God’s help. Ask for the Spirit’s help in understanding the passage and for the Lord to open the children’s eyes to see who he is, what he has done, and how they should respond to him.
Study the lesson plan below. Use these sections as suggestions. Think of ways to teach it in your own voice.
The Big Picture
Help children see how this story connects with the other lessons. Build anticipation by introducing the setting and the significance of what is about to happen in this week’s story. {5 minutes}
King Saul was tall. King David was victorious. King Solomon was wise. Each king reigned for about forty years, and each king did some good things and some bad things. Some really bad things! Saul directly disobeyed God’s order. David committed adultery and had Bathsheba’s husband killed. Solomon married many pagan wives and started worshiping their gods. Bad. Very bad. As bad as bad gets. And every sin of theirs, like every sin of ours, had consequences. Saul died. David lost a baby. And Solomon lost his peaceful, rich, and unified
kingdom. Today we learn about Solomon’s son Rehoboam, the next king and the one who cracked the kingdom.
King Saul was tall. King David was victorious. King Solomon was wise. Each king reigned for about forty years, and each king did some good things and some bad things. Some really bad things! Saul directly disobeyed God’s order. David committed adultery and had Bathsheba’s husband killed. Solomon married many pagan wives and started worshiping their gods. Bad. Very bad. As bad as bad gets. And every sin of theirs, like every sin of ours, had consequences. Saul died. David lost a baby. And Solomon lost his peaceful, rich, and unified
kingdom. Today we learn about Solomon’s son Rehoboam, the next king and the one who cracked the kingdom.
Teach The Story
Video: The Kingdom Cracks: The Story of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPmChZw0e4
King Solomon did amazing things. He built a big house for himself and a great house for God—the temple! But in doing so, he sometimes treated his builders harshly and collected too much tax from the people. After Solomon died, his young son Rehoboam became king. Like Solomon, Rehoboam faced a test of wisdom. People said to him, “Your father was harsh. He taxed us a lot, made us do hard labor, and treated us almost like slaves. If you will be nicer, we will serve you faithfully.” “Hmm,” Rehoboam thought. He thought and thought and thought. He asked for three days to think about their request. What a wise move! We shouldn’t rush to make big decisions. He asked the old wise men of his kingdom what they thought. Smart move! We should ask our parents and teachers what they think. These old wise men told the young king to listen to his people: “Serve your people and they will serve you; speak good words to them and they will listen to what you ask them to do” (see 1 Kings 12:7). Rehoboam didn’t like what he heard. So he asked his young friends for their advice. They told him, “Don’t listen to those
old men. You’re in charge! Show the people that you are stronger and meaner and greater than Solomon. Say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s fat thighs’” (see 12:10). But this was not how God wanted his kings to treat the people (see Deut. 17:14–20). Quite the opposite. Nonetheless, Rehoboam liked his young friends’ answer even though it wasn’t the wise answer. On the third day, when the people returned for an answer, Rehoboam told them, “My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions” (1 Kings 12:14). Ouch! The people did not like that answer, and they stirred up trouble. None of this took God by surprise. In fact, Jeroboam, a rival king, had been told this would happen through the prophet Ahijah. Ahijah showed Jeroboam how the kingdom would crack by tearing his new robe into twelve pieces. Then God said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces. This symbolizes what I’m about to do—tear the kingdom from the hand of Rehoboam and give you ten of the tribes to rule. I am doing this because they have worshiped false gods and not walked in my ways” (see 1 Kings 11:30–35). So God’s people were split in two. Ten tribes rebelled against Rehoboam and followed Jeroboam instead. He ended up being even worse than Rehoboam. He made not just one but two golden calves! The ten tribes that followed Jeroboam were called Israel, and the two tribes that followed Rehoboam were called Judah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPmChZw0e4
King Solomon did amazing things. He built a big house for himself and a great house for God—the temple! But in doing so, he sometimes treated his builders harshly and collected too much tax from the people. After Solomon died, his young son Rehoboam became king. Like Solomon, Rehoboam faced a test of wisdom. People said to him, “Your father was harsh. He taxed us a lot, made us do hard labor, and treated us almost like slaves. If you will be nicer, we will serve you faithfully.” “Hmm,” Rehoboam thought. He thought and thought and thought. He asked for three days to think about their request. What a wise move! We shouldn’t rush to make big decisions. He asked the old wise men of his kingdom what they thought. Smart move! We should ask our parents and teachers what they think. These old wise men told the young king to listen to his people: “Serve your people and they will serve you; speak good words to them and they will listen to what you ask them to do” (see 1 Kings 12:7). Rehoboam didn’t like what he heard. So he asked his young friends for their advice. They told him, “Don’t listen to those
old men. You’re in charge! Show the people that you are stronger and meaner and greater than Solomon. Say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s fat thighs’” (see 12:10). But this was not how God wanted his kings to treat the people (see Deut. 17:14–20). Quite the opposite. Nonetheless, Rehoboam liked his young friends’ answer even though it wasn’t the wise answer. On the third day, when the people returned for an answer, Rehoboam told them, “My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions” (1 Kings 12:14). Ouch! The people did not like that answer, and they stirred up trouble. None of this took God by surprise. In fact, Jeroboam, a rival king, had been told this would happen through the prophet Ahijah. Ahijah showed Jeroboam how the kingdom would crack by tearing his new robe into twelve pieces. Then God said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces. This symbolizes what I’m about to do—tear the kingdom from the hand of Rehoboam and give you ten of the tribes to rule. I am doing this because they have worshiped false gods and not walked in my ways” (see 1 Kings 11:30–35). So God’s people were split in two. Ten tribes rebelled against Rehoboam and followed Jeroboam instead. He ended up being even worse than Rehoboam. He made not just one but two golden calves! The ten tribes that followed Jeroboam were called Israel, and the two tribes that followed Rehoboam were called Judah.
Gospel Connection
Show how the story points to Jesus and his rescue mission as the Snake Crusher. {5 minutes}
God told Jeroboam that he would divide God’s people in two. He also promised him that if he led wisely and walked in God’s ways, then God would bless his kingdom. But did Jeroboam do this? No. He worshiped false gods. How about Rehoboam? No. He listened to the bad advice of his young friends. And now God’s people were divided. Would Israel and Judah ever come back together again? Would God’s people ever find a good and wise king to lead them? They would. Jesus is the wise and good King for all God’s people. Unlike Rehoboam, he would not take evil advice. When Satan told him that he would give him power over all the world if he just worshiped him, Jesus refused to give in to that temptation. When Peter told him to forget the cross and just rule as king without dying, Jesus refused. “Not my will,” he prayed to his heavenly Father, “but your will be done.” He listened to God’s voice. He walked where the Holy Spirit led him, even to death on a cross. But through his death, he showed God’s mercy to God’s people and brought God’s divided people back into one body, his church. A good king is hard to find. In Jesus, we have the best King ever!
God told Jeroboam that he would divide God’s people in two. He also promised him that if he led wisely and walked in God’s ways, then God would bless his kingdom. But did Jeroboam do this? No. He worshiped false gods. How about Rehoboam? No. He listened to the bad advice of his young friends. And now God’s people were divided. Would Israel and Judah ever come back together again? Would God’s people ever find a good and wise king to lead them? They would. Jesus is the wise and good King for all God’s people. Unlike Rehoboam, he would not take evil advice. When Satan told him that he would give him power over all the world if he just worshiped him, Jesus refused to give in to that temptation. When Peter told him to forget the cross and just rule as king without dying, Jesus refused. “Not my will,” he prayed to his heavenly Father, “but your will be done.” He listened to God’s voice. He walked where the Holy Spirit led him, even to death on a cross. But through his death, he showed God’s mercy to God’s people and brought God’s divided people back into one body, his church. A good king is hard to find. In Jesus, we have the best King ever!
Discuss The Story
1. Question: What did Rehoboam need advice on? What two groups of people did he go to for advice, and whom did he listen to? What would have been the wise thing to do? Why?
Takeaway: When making big decisions, it is wise to listen to older people and take your time.
2. Question: What was the consequence of Rehoboam’s bad decision? What about Jeroboam—did he make good and wise decisions? What happened to God’s kingdom as a result of their disobedience? What can we learn from this?
Takeaway: When the leaders of God’s people don’t obey God’s rules, things go badly for everyone.
3. Question: Was God surprised by their bad decisions and the consequences? How do we know he wasn’t? What does this show us about God?
Takeaway: God is still in control when bad leaders make bad decisions.
4. Question: Can you think of any king in the Old Testament that was perfect? How about in modern times? Why is Jesus the best King ever?
Takeaway: A good king is hard to find, but in Jesus, we have the best King ever!
Memory Verse:
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Takeaway: When making big decisions, it is wise to listen to older people and take your time.
2. Question: What was the consequence of Rehoboam’s bad decision? What about Jeroboam—did he make good and wise decisions? What happened to God’s kingdom as a result of their disobedience? What can we learn from this?
Takeaway: When the leaders of God’s people don’t obey God’s rules, things go badly for everyone.
3. Question: Was God surprised by their bad decisions and the consequences? How do we know he wasn’t? What does this show us about God?
Takeaway: God is still in control when bad leaders make bad decisions.
4. Question: Can you think of any king in the Old Testament that was perfect? How about in modern times? Why is Jesus the best King ever?
Takeaway: A good king is hard to find, but in Jesus, we have the best King ever!
Memory Verse:
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Activity Or Craft
Option 1 (Activity):
"Whom Should You Listen To"
"Supply List: small object/button
Before Class: Gather supplies.
Seat the children at two tables. Ask for one volunteer to step out of the room while you hide a small object (like a button). When the object is hidden, invite the child back into the room. Give one person at each table the job of giving hints (like telling them they are “warm” if they are close to the hidden object and “cold” if they are far from it) to the seeker. One helper should give right hints on where the object is hidden while the child at the other table should give wrong hints at the same time. The seeker needs to decide whom to listen to and see if they can find the object. Play numerous times, allowing many children the opportunity to be the seeker or to give hints. Remind children we all need to think about those who we listen to when we make choices and sometimes it is difficult to know who to follow.
Option 2 (Activity):
"Divided Class"
Supply List: masking tape
Before Class: Gather supplies. Place masking tape down the center of the play area to
divide it into two sections.
A leader asks the children to make a decision: “Choose a side: cookie dough or gummy bears?” (The teacher indicates which section represents cookie dough and which represents gummy bears.) Children should go to the side of the one that they prefer. Some other ideas of choices they can make are: Cake or ice cream? Tacos or pizza? Pink or blue? Book or video game? Pepperoni or cheese? Soccer or baseball?
Option 1 (Craft):
"Torn Paper Castle"
Supply List: red, yellow, green, and black paper; scissors; gluesticks
Before Class: Gather supplies. Make copies of an outline of a castle. Make a sample craft.
Place castle outlines, construction paper, and glue on each table. Have the children tear pieces of colored construction paper into small pieces. Then have the children glue the pieces of torn paper to fill a castle outline. Remind children that the kingdom was torn apart because of Rehoboam’s bad decision.
"Whom Should You Listen To"
"Supply List: small object/button
Before Class: Gather supplies.
Seat the children at two tables. Ask for one volunteer to step out of the room while you hide a small object (like a button). When the object is hidden, invite the child back into the room. Give one person at each table the job of giving hints (like telling them they are “warm” if they are close to the hidden object and “cold” if they are far from it) to the seeker. One helper should give right hints on where the object is hidden while the child at the other table should give wrong hints at the same time. The seeker needs to decide whom to listen to and see if they can find the object. Play numerous times, allowing many children the opportunity to be the seeker or to give hints. Remind children we all need to think about those who we listen to when we make choices and sometimes it is difficult to know who to follow.
Option 2 (Activity):
"Divided Class"
Supply List: masking tape
Before Class: Gather supplies. Place masking tape down the center of the play area to
divide it into two sections.
A leader asks the children to make a decision: “Choose a side: cookie dough or gummy bears?” (The teacher indicates which section represents cookie dough and which represents gummy bears.) Children should go to the side of the one that they prefer. Some other ideas of choices they can make are: Cake or ice cream? Tacos or pizza? Pink or blue? Book or video game? Pepperoni or cheese? Soccer or baseball?
Option 1 (Craft):
"Torn Paper Castle"
Supply List: red, yellow, green, and black paper; scissors; gluesticks
Before Class: Gather supplies. Make copies of an outline of a castle. Make a sample craft.
Place castle outlines, construction paper, and glue on each table. Have the children tear pieces of colored construction paper into small pieces. Then have the children glue the pieces of torn paper to fill a castle outline. Remind children that the kingdom was torn apart because of Rehoboam’s bad decision.
Contact Hannah Kitchens at hannah@gatherwithus.church for more information.