Elijah & the Flaming Chariot

https://www.biblefunforkids.com/2014/03/elijah-flaming-chariot-to-heaven.html

This is the final lesson about Elijah, and we continue with Elisha for three lessons. The title is confusing, and I am sorry about that! The horses and chariot of fire separated Elijah and Elisha, but the whirlwind took Elijah to heaven. 2 Kings 2:11

Review: This is our last lesson on Elijah! We learned that Elijah was fed by ravens sent by God. Elijah proved God's power by pouring water all over an altar and the trench around the altar was filled with water. When Elijah called to God to start the fire, the fire burned up the sacrifice along with the wood, the stones and even the water in the trench!

Last week, we talked about Naboth who owned a vineyard. King Ahab really wanted that vineyard and when Naboth refused to sell it to him, King Ahab's wife, Jezebel, had a feast and some men accused Naboth of blaspheming God. They lied, and Naboth was stoned to death so King Ahab could have the vineyard. God sent Elijah to King Ahab and told him God was not happy with the way King Ahab was acting and King Ahab asked God to forgive him.

Lesson found in 1 Kings 19 & 2 Kings 2: Elijah was running also from Jezebel because she was really angry at him and wanted to kill him! Elijah went into the wilderness and sat under a broom tree. He prayed to God, and he laid down under the tree and fell asleep. An angel touched Elijah and told him to wake up and eat. There was a cake that had been baked on coals and a jar of water. So, Elijah ate and laid down again. An angel came to him again and told Elijah to get up and eat, because he had a long journey in front of him. That food and water was his strength for 40 days and nights as he traveled!

As Elijah was traveling, he headed toward Mount Horeb, which is the mountain of God. It is the mountain where God gave Moses the 10 commandments. Elijah came to a cave and slept there for the night. God came to Elijah and asked him what he was doing there. Elijah told God that he was by himself because he had torn down altars and had been very zealous for God. Some people were looking to kill him.

God told Elijah to go and stand out on the mountain. The Lord passed by, and a strong wind ripped into the mountain. It broke the rocks into pieces! After the wind, was an earthquake. After the earthquake was a fire. After the fire was a small voice, a whisper. When Elijah heard the voice, he put his face into his mantle (coat) and went to the entrance of the cave. God asked Elijah again why he was there, and Elijah replied that some people wanted to kill him. God told Elijah to appoint Jehu king over Israel, and Hazael king over Syria.

God told Elijah to anoint Elisha as the next prophet after Elijah.

Elijah left the cave and saw Elisha plowing with oxen in the fields with 12 oxen. Elijah threw his mantle (coat) onto Elisha. Elisha said, “Let me go kiss my mother and father goodbye and I will go with you.” After that, Elisha traveled with Elijah.

The Bible tells us that Elisha worked with Elijah for a time between the time that Elisha left his family to work with Elijah. Time has passed, King Ahab has died. Several new kings have taken over the kingdoms. Elijah has proven the power of God to people. We do not know how many years it has been, but we are going to talk about Elisha taking over for Elijah now.

Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal and Elijah told Elisha to please stay there because he had to go to Bethel. Elisha told him, "No, as long as you live, I won't leave you." They traveled and Elijah told Elisha to please stay there because he had to go to Jericho. Elisha again told him "No, as long as you live, I won't leave you." There was a prophet that told Elisha that God was going to take Elijah that day. Elisha told him "I know, Be quiet!" (2 Kings 2:5)

Elijah told Elisha to stay here because he was going over the Jordan River. Elisha again told him he wouldn't leave him. They came to the Jordan River.

Elijah rolled up his mantle, which is a coat, that prophets wore, and he used it to hit the Jordan River. The water divided and they walked across on dry ground! (2 Kings 2:8-13)

Elijah and Elisha were talking and suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire came between them and a whirlwind carried Elijah up to heaven! (2 Kings 2:1 & 2:11)

When Elisha saw the chariot of fire, he cried out and tore his clothes into two pieces.

Elijah had dropped his mantle and Elisha picked it up, went back to the bank of the Jordan River, and hit the water. The water divided again, and Elisha walked back over on dry land.

When Elisha had crossed over, the sons of the prophets in Jericho saw him. They bowed down and wanted to send 50 men to find Elijah. Elisha finally told them to search, and after three days, they couldn't find Elijah. Elisha had stayed in Jericho and when they returned, and Elisha told them "Didn't I tell you not to go?"

This worksheet can be used as a discussion cut & glue worksheet about 'The Power of God'. While Elijah is at the cave, God show Elijah some of His power, but shows even a whisper has its own power. That alone is worth thinking about.

I also used this worksheet to discuss The Power of God and some of the things He is in control of. This is a cut & glue worksheet. You can print it here.