What You Need

Two sheets of paper and something to write with

What You Do

On one sheet of paper, write Elijah in large letters. On the other, write Elisha. (If you have more than one child playing the game, make a set of signs for each child. Enlist their help if they have neat enough handwriting!)
Tell your child that you’re going to play a game. You’ll read a fact from the story today. If it’s a fact about Elijah, they hold up the Elijah sign. If it’s a fact about Elisha, they hold up the Elisha sign.
As you read the facts below, let your child(ren) guess before telling them the correct answer.

• He did amazing things through God’s power, and God sent him to choose was sent to anoint the other. (Elijah)
• He was plowing a field when the other came to find him. (Elisha)
• He kissed his father and mother goodbye and followed the other. (Elisha)
• He told the other to “stay here” because God had called him to Bethel. (Elijah)
• He said, “I won’t leave you.” (This happened several times.) (Elisha)
• He took his coat, rolled it up, and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. (Elijah)
• He said the other was like a father to him. (Elisha)
• God took him up to heaven in a chariot of fire. (Elijah)
• After his friend had been taken to heaven, he rolled up his friend’s coat and struck the water with it again, and the water divided and he walked on dry ground again—but this time he was alone.(Elisha)

Talk about the Bible Story

When has someone encouraged you? What did they do?
Tell me about a time when you encouraged someone else. What did you do?
How could you benefit from having friends who are older than you?
What about younger friends? Who’s someone younger that you could encourage?
Why does it sometimes feel awkward to use our words to encourage our friends?
What would make it easier to encourage our friends?

Use this prayer as a guide, either after your discussion or right before bed tonight:

“God, thank You for always being the kind of Friend to us that Elijah was to Elisha. You love us and encourage us through the words in the Bible, and You also encourage us through the people You’ve placed in our lives. Please help us to be the kind of friends who encourage others. We love You! Amen.”

God Time Cards:
are devotionals kids can do that will reinforce the content in the weekly video presentations.