1 Kings 17:1-24

Elijah and the Ravens Bible lesson for kids

A complete Elijah and the Ravens lesson plan for Sunday school or homeschool — one version for each age band, from preschool to preteen. Pick the section that matches your kids and teach.

Jump to Ages 4–6Jump to Ages 6–9Jump to Ages 9–12

Preschool & Kindergarten

Ages 4–6

Objective

Children will understand that God cared for Elijah and the widow through surprising helpers and brave obedience.

Opening question

Who helps you when you need food, water, or comfort?

Tell the story

Read 1 Kings 17:1-24 together. God told Elijah to hide beside a brook, where ravens brought him bread and meat every morning and evening. When the brook dried up, Elijah visited a poor widow, and God kept her little jar of flour and jug of oil from becoming empty. Later her son stopped breathing, Elijah prayed, and God made the boy alive again.

Hands-on activities

Color God's Care

Materials: our free printable coloring page, crayons

  1. Show the children the raven, Elijah, and the food.
  2. Color our free printable coloring page together.
  3. Point to each way God provided.
  4. Say together, God cares for us.

Raven Delivery Game

Materials: two bowls, scraps of paper, black crayon

  1. Crumple the paper into pretend pieces of bread.
  2. Color a few pieces black to represent ravens.
  3. Place one bowl across the room as Elijah's camp.
  4. Carry each paper piece to Elijah's bowl while flapping like a raven.
  5. Repeat the trip for morning and evening.
  6. Thank God for people and creatures that help us.

Talk about it

  1. What did the ravens bring Elijah?
  2. How did the widow show trust?
  3. Who might need our care today?

Closing prayer

God, we trust you to care for us and help us share.

Early Elementary

Ages 6–9

Objective

Children will identify how Elijah and the widow trusted God's words and will choose one practical way to share.

Opening question

Would you trust a surprising helper to bring what you needed?

Tell the story

Read 1 Kings 17:1-24 together. After Elijah announced a drought, God told him to hide by the brook Cherith, where ravens delivered food twice each day. When the brook dried up, Elijah went to Zarephath, and a widow shared from her tiny supply; God kept her flour and oil from running out. When her son died, Elijah prayed, God restored the boy to life, and the widow knew that God's word was true.

Hands-on activities

Comic Provision Trail

Materials: our free printable coloring page, crayons or markers, pencil

  1. Color our free printable coloring page.
  2. Circle every sign of God's provision.
  3. Draw arrows connecting Elijah, the ravens, the widow, and her son.
  4. Write trust beside one character who obeyed while afraid.
  5. Retell the scene to a partner.

Act the Story

Materials: two cups, scrap paper, empty jar, kitchen towel

  1. Choose actors for Elijah, the widow, her son, and the ravens.
  2. Use paper as bread and the cups as flour and oil containers.
  3. Act out Elijah hiding, the ravens arriving, and the brook drying.
  4. Act out the widow sharing and finding food again.
  5. Gently act out Elijah praying and returning her living son.
  6. Switch roles and repeat a favorite scene.

Talk about it

  1. Why was hiding by the brook an act of obedience rather than cowardice?
  2. What might the widow have felt when Elijah requested bread?
  3. What can you share even if you do not have much?

Closing prayer

God, we trust your words and ask you to help us share.

Upper Elementary & Preteen

Ages 9–12

Objective

Children will examine courageous trust in hardship and plan a thoughtful response to someone whose needs are overlooked.

Opening question

Is it harder to trust when the help God provides looks small or unexpected?

Tell the story

Read 1 Kings 17:1-24 together. Elijah courageously faced Ahab, then obeyed God's command to hide beside a brook and receive food from ravens. After the brook dried up, God sent him to a foreign widow with almost nothing, and she risked sharing her last flour and oil; the supply lasted through the drought. When her son died, Elijah brought his grief to God in prayer, God restored the child, and the widow affirmed that God's word was true.

Hands-on activities

Evidence of Trust

Materials: our free printable coloring page, colored pencils, pencil

  1. Color our free printable coloring page.
  2. Label one detail unexpected provision.
  3. Label another detail costly trust.
  4. Write what each main character may have feared.
  5. Add a caption explaining why Elijah's hiding was obedient.
  6. Share which detail challenges you most.

Limited Supply Challenge

Materials: twelve dry beans or coins, three cups, scrap paper, pencil

  1. Label the cups self, friend, and overlooked person.
  2. Imagine the beans represent limited time, attention, or supplies.
  3. Distribute the beans among the cups privately.
  4. Explain what guided your choices.
  5. Discuss how trust and wisdom can shape generous decisions.
  6. Write one realistic action you can take this week.
  7. Clarify that generosity does not force God to perform a miracle.

Talk about it

  1. Why might God have chosen ravens and a foreign widow to provide for Elijah?
  2. How can obedience look fearful from the outside yet still be courageous?
  3. What does this story teach without promising that every hardship will end in the same way?

Closing prayer

God, we bring you our doubts and trust you to help us act with courage and compassion.

← Back to all Bible lessons