Introduction for: Year 1, Lesson 29
Solomon Builds Temple
The Big Idea (Textual Principle):
God was with them.
1 Kings 6–8
Biblical Virtue (Timeless Principle)
Worship – God deserves our very best.
Memory Verse
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
1 Kings 8:27
Solomon Builds Temple
Bible Text: 1 Kings 6–8
Answer the following questions:
After asking these for yourself, you will be ready to ask these questions of the students after you tell the story.| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What did you like in the story? | |
| What did you not like in the story? | |
| What does the story teach you about God? | |
| What does the story teach you about mankind? | |
| What might the Lord be calling you to do after hearing this story? |
Teacher Soft Skills Development
Create 5 Questions and answers to thoughtfully review the text.| Question | Answer | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | ||
| What | ||
| When | ||
| Where | ||
| Why | ||
| How |
Classroom Sequence for Solomon Builds Temple (1 Kings 6–8)
#1 Welcome the Students
AHello students, please sit down and stay quiet for prayer.”
BPray and praise God for a beautiful day, and
ask God to bless the teacher and students.
#2 Rules Review
Use the rules chart to remind everyone to sit, listen, watch, put away their toys/personal items, and have fun.
#3 Music
Sing two or more joyful songs.
#4 Five-Finger Prayer Time
Thumb
Praise God for His
worthy character
Index Finger
Confess sins
Middle Finger
Thank God for
His great care
Ring Finger
Pray for those
who are weak
or in need
Pinky
Pray for my own
needs
#5 Bible Time
Use the rules chart to remind everyone to sit, listen, watch, avoid toys, and have fun.
#6 Story Time
Engage: Have the kids look in a box that is empty. Close the box and slip in items. Open it again and remind the kids that God made the world.
Expound: Tell the Story (5-10 minutes)
1. Mention the historical situation.
2. Begin: “This is a true story from God’s
Word.”
3. Tell accurately with gestures/pictures.
(Accurate/Transferable/Contextual/Short)
Explain (Before or after the story – not during):
1. Share insights and biblical principles.
2. Compare with Jesus or NT when appropriate.
3. Identify Christian virtue(s): Worship – God deserves our very best.
4. Apply an example to real life.
Note: Learning to read the full passage and accurately retell a short version is part of the personal development of the teacher.
#7 Expand
Do 2 or 3 of the following as time permits. The teacher does not have to do everything listed – just choose according to the time permitted.
A. Retell the Story so the students can memorize it.
If possible, tell the story again so the students can memorize it.
B. Craft
Materials Needed
1 piece of white or grey paper or cereal cardboard (for the temple base)
1 piece of yellow or gold paper (to represent the golden inside)
Markers or crayons
Safety scissors
Glue stick
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Place your white or grey piece of construction paper flat on the table.
Step 2: Fold both the left side and the right side of the paper inward so they meet exactly in the middle to create a double door that opens from the center.
Step 3: Use a black marker to draw tall columns and stone line patterns on the front of the closed doors to make them look like a majestic temple wall.
Step 4: Write the Bible verse reference clearly on the bottom corner of the front doors: "1 Kings 8:27".
Step 5: Take your yellow or gold piece of paper, draw a large triangle shape for the temple roof, and carefully cut it out with your safety scissors.
Step 6: Use your glue stick to attach only the top edges of the triangle roof above the doors so it sits nicely on top without sealing the doors shut.
Step 7: Open the two doors flat and glue a bright yellow or gold paper rectangle down into the exact center of the inside space.
Step 8: Choose your favorite marker and write the virtue word "WORSHIP" in large, bold letters directly inside the center of the gold paper.
Step 9: Around the gold area, use different colors to write or draw small things you can give to God, such as a heart for "Love", a musical note for "Praise", or a smiley face for "Joy".
Step 10: Open and close your finished temple craft to remind you that we bring our absolute best to God when we worship Him!
C. Total Physical Response
| Story Moment | Teacher TPR Commands | Expected Student Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Solomon builds a temple for God | “Hammer, build… give your best!” | Students pretend to build carefully and strongly. |
| The people gather to worship God | “Come together… raise your hands!” | Students step closer together and lift hands. |
| Solomon prays to God | “Fold your hands… look up… pray!” | Students fold hands and look upward. |
| God is great—bigger than any building | “Stretch wide… God is BIG!” | Students stretch arms out wide. |
| We give God our very best | “Hands on heart… then lift up!” | Students place hands on heart, then lift them upward. |