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Kids - God Hears Me

ELEMENTARY - God Hears Me - Week 2

November 17-18, 2018 |

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In this three-week video series, kids will learn how God heard the prayers of Hannah, Solomon, and Jonah. They will understand that God listens and hears our prayers, too.

ASK YOUR KID

Why did Solomon ask God for wisdom?

BIBLE VERSE

"God has listened. He has heard my prayer," Psalm 66:19.

 

GROUP Q&A 
  1. Why do you think Solomon asked for wisdom? (Discuss.)
  2. What would you ask God for if he said you could have anything? Why? (Discuss.)
  3. Do you find yourself praying more for things you really need, or things you really want? (Discuss.)
PARENT BIBLE STUDY

TEACHER DEVOTIONAL

Read: 1 Kings 3
Solomon humbly prayed for an understanding mind. The Bible tells us that God was pleased with Solomon’s desire for wisdom and gave him what he asked for. Solomon had an immediate opportunity to apply his godly wisdom, and the people of Israel “perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice,” 1 Kings 3:28. Solomon’s godly wisdom mirrored the nature of God himself – just, discerning, and good.

Solomon’s prayer for wisdom reveals truth for us. First, it pleases God to give us wisdom. James echoes this truth in James 1:5 when he says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” God wants to give us his wisdom and make us more like him in our discernment and justice. This is a good thing, and it pleases God.

Secondly, the common Christian phrase of “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle” just isn’t true, and this story of Solomon proves that. Solomon first had to come to terms with the fact that he was inadequate for the task of ruling God’s people. He wasn’t enough and didn’t have what it took to govern God’s people in a godly way. God certainly gave Solomon more than he could handle, but it was this inadequacy that drove Solomon exactly where he needed to be – asking God for help. God is also pleased with a humble heart that acknowledges its own inadequacy in light of God’s fullness. This is exactly what Solomon’s own father, David, meant when he wrote “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding,” Psalm 111:10.

Our shortcoming drives us to God’s sufficiency, and we can confidently ask God – a good father – for the wisdom we need.

Do you believe God will give you wisdom when you pray and ask him for it?

What are some ways your feelings of being not enough have driven you to prayer and given you a chance to see God’s enough-ness for you?

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