Communion Meditation for Young People

1 Kings 19:8-18       Elisha Runs Away


Elisha ran away to Mount Herob, crawled into a cave, and slept there. (move across the room, get down and crawl, as if into a cave, lay down and take a nap)

God:
Elisha, what are you doing here?

Elisha:
(Jumps up a little smacking head against imaginary cave roof, then backs out hurriedly, then stands at the mouth of the cave)
"I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too."

God:
"Go out and stand before me on the mountain,"

Elisha:
(Start to go back into the cave, then stand back up muttering you already are... )

A mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose.
(If the kids aren't a convincing windstorm, then provoke them a little bit. When they get a good gale going, find yourself blown away, then lean forward and walk into the rain, holding your imaginary hat.)

Was God in the windstorm?

No.

Who was in the Windstorm?

Junior Church!

After the wind there was an earthquake.
(Encourage/provoke the kids if they aren't a convincing earthquake. If they are convincing, then stumble, looking for your footing. End up with your hand in the sack of marshmallows - discretely.)

Was God in the earthquake?

No.

Who was in the earthquake?

Junior Church!

After the earthquake there was a fire.
(Be impressed. In fact, whip out a stick with a marshmallow on it and start roasting it. Offer it to someone. Warn them NOT to touch with their hand or their lips. They need to use their teeth because it is real HOT! Go back to the sack and put another marshmallow on your stick and hand off the sack of marshmallows to a co-worker to pass around. Roast another marshmallow and give that to someone else, with the same warnings. Somewhere along the line you can back too close to the "fire" and get your tail singed. It's HOT!)

"Okay, wind, blow out the fire."

Was God in the fire?

No.

Who was in the fire?

Junior Church!

(Now, let's get everyone calmed down again.)

After the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

God:
"What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elisha:
"I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too."

God:
"Go back the way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. 17Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! 18Yet I will preserve seven thousand others in Israel who have never bowed to Baal or kissed him!"

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Notice God spoke in a whisper to Elisha. Elisha had to be still in order to hear the word from God.

Now, you are all very busy, always going here or there, with a CD player in one ear and TV before you. Even if you really wanted to do God's will, when would you hear it?

When you take communion today, sit very still and listen to God. Resolve to set aside 5 minutes every day to be quiet and to talk to God so you can listen. A conversation is not just one person doing all the talking. You need to be still and listen sometimes too.

Materials:
Assign some children to be the "wind", some to be an "earthquake", some to be a "fire", and some to be a " whisper". Those who are "fire" should be close by.




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