Rehoboam was officially appointed the new king when his father, Solomon, died. When Rehoboam became king, Jeroboam gathered the people together and asked Rehoboam to be easier on the people and not make them work as hard as Solomon had done. The court elders advised Rehoboam that the people would love and follow him if he did this. Rehoboam ignored this good advice and listened to his young friends’ bad advice instead. They told him to make the people work harder and to treat them more like slaves. Because of this, the people rebelled, and the kingdom was divided into two parts. Rehoboam was king of the smaller part- called Judah. Jeroboam became king of the larger part- called Israel.
Bible verses used in this episode:
Outline:
- Jeroboam, man of the people (1 Kings 11:20-40)
- Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, is an unwise king (1 Kings 11:41-12:15)
- God’s nation divides (1 Kings 12:16-19)
- Israel chooses Jeroboam as their leader (1 Kings 12:20-24)
Tips for teaching children:
- Use a pizza as a way to tell the story. Spread tomato sauce and cheese on the pizza as you talk about Saul, David and Solomon. Cut the pizza into 12 pieces (12 tribes) but keep the pizza together.
Then, show a jar of hot peppers. Describe Rehoboam’s cruel treatment of the people. The people rejected Rehoboam. Then divide the pizza into two parts (2 kingdoms). One part should have 2 parts to represent 2 kingdoms. One part should have 10 pieces to represent Israel.
Tips for teaching adults:
- This story can be read in class. Use the outline provided in the show-notes for how to divide the reading up.
- There are several questions that this text can generate. Here are a few to think about and possibly use in the classroom. What principles of leadership can we learn from this story? In what ways does Rehoboam reveal his pride? What are the consequences of pride and poor leadership? What can leaders of God’s people today learn from this story about keeping God’s people united?
- In a more general way, encourage the class to brainstorm important 10 pieces of wisdom you believe the young people of your congregation should hear and follow? Follow up by brainstorming ways you can share your wisdom with the youth in a healthy way.
Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson: God’s Nation Divides
Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.
Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.
Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com
For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.