Scripture: I Kings 6-8 and 2 Chronicles 2-7
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God keeps His promises.
- Students will learn God often has very specific commands and He expects us to obey them exactly as given.
- Students will learn God expects us to praise and worship Him.
- Students will learn how to create limestone.
Guiding Question: How does gratefulness led to praise?
Materials: Cardboard mold, plaster of paris, broken shells
Procedure: Read the story of Building the Temple from the scriptures above. Explain that the temple was built as a place to worship and praise God for His goodness and kept promises. Solomon was so grateful to God for keeping his promise to become king and for keeping past promises to David. The temple was symbol of gratitude. Explain to students that just like this command that Solomon was asked to obey, God also asks and wants us to obey His commands which are found throughout the Bible. He does so because He wants us to have the best life possible.
Introduce the activity. Explain that when building the temple, much of the stone used is thought to have been limestone. Tell the students that are going to get to “make” limestone. Use a cardboard mold, add plaster of paris, and broken shells. Then stir together and let harden. Remove the mold to show limestone. Explain that limestone is a sedimentary rock that is mostly calcium carbonate with pieces of shells all of which hardened over time.
Additional Questions: Where is limestone found around the world?
Supplemental Activity: Have students research about limestone caves and how the limestone develops within the caves.