In church, we learn about what is right and wrong, and how God wants us to act and treat others. But sometimes we see other people doing something different than what God wants. Maybe you see a friend at school teasing another person or being dishonest and you know it is wrong. Maybe others say it’s silly to believe in God or pray. It can be hard to do the right thing when you’re the only one.
There’s a story in the Bible about Elijah, a follower of God who had the courage to stand up to others and show them what was right. He didn’t need a crowd of people on his side. He just needed faith in God. Read this issue of Just for Kids to find out what happened.
Your friend, Abby
Connectthedots.
God Answers Elijah’s Prayer
1 Kings 18:16-39
Elijah was a prophet who loved and obeyed God. But unlike Elijah, many people in Israel were following a false god named Baal.
God told Elijah to go remind people about the real God. So, Elijah gathered the people of Israel on a mountain called Mount Carmel and said, “You have turned away from the Lord’s commands…. If the Lord is the one and only God, worship Him. But if Baal is, then worship him.”
Climb the mountain.
To prove his point, Elijah challenged the people to a contest. Two altars were built, one for the Lord and one for Baal. On each altar, they placed meat but did not light a fire to cook it. Instead, Elijah told the people to pray to their God to send fire from heaven. Whichever god answered with fire would be the real God!
The people that worshipped Baal went first. They prayed from morning until evening. They danced and shouted, trying to get Baal to answer. But nothing happened.
Then Elijah stepped up. He rebuilt the Lord’s altar using stones and poured water over it so that everything was soaking wet. He even filled a trench around it with water. He prayed, “Lord, show everyone that You are the one true God, and that I am Your servant. Answer me, Lord.”
Right away, fire came down from heaven and struck the altar. It burned up everything, even the stones and water.
All the people fell to the ground and cried, “The Lord is the one and only God!”
After that, the people turned back to God.
44-11/01/25
Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368- 626X
Hi kids!
Jonah was one of God’s messengers, but he didn’t want to be. God gave him a special job. He wanted Jonah to go to the city of Ninevah, where people were known for doing bad things. God wanted Jonah to tell them to turn away from their bad actions and follow God instead. But Jonah didn’t like this. He didn’t think they deserved God’s forgiveness.
Whale Words
Can you find all these types of whales?
The story of Jonah shows us that God wants everyone to be saved— even people who have done wrong. Jonah did not do what God said right away. He learned that God knew what was best all along, and he had to ask for forgiveness. Read this issue of Just for Kids to find out what happened to Jonah.
Your friend, Abby
Help the whale catch the fish.
Find the correct shadow.
Cup of Fish
Make an aquarium in a cup.
INGREDIENTS
• blue Jell-O
• gummy fish
• clear plastic cups
DIRECTIONS
1. Make blue Jell-O according to the directions on the box.
2. Pour into clear plastic cups.
3. Let them cool in the refrigerator about one hour.
4. When the Jell-O is partially set, place a few gummy fish in each cup.
5. Put the cup back in the refrigerator until the Jell-O is completely set.
6. Eat and enjoy!
Did You Know?
The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet, weighing up to 180 tons (about the weight of 36 elephants). Its heart is the size of a car and its blood vessels are so wide you could swim right through them.
Even though they’re huge, blue whales eat tiny crustaceans krill and can consume up to 40 million of them each day!
Blue whales talk to each other through local vocal sounds, the loudest sound of any creature on the planet. It can be heard underwater for hundreds of kilometres.
Source: National Geographic Kids
Jonah Runs Away From God
One day God asked Jonah to go to a city called Nineveh. God wanted Jonah to tell the people living there to stop doing bad things. But Jonah didn’t want to help them. He wanted them to be punished for their mistakes. Jonah ignored God and ran away. He found a boat that was going to a city called Tarshish and bought a ticket. Shortly after the boat left, a terrible storm came up. Everyone was afraid. Some of the sailors thought the storm was Jonah’s fault, and asked him, “What have you done?”
Jonah said, “I am running away from something God asked me to do. It is my fault this is happening. If you throw me into the sea, the storm will stop.” The sailors picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea. The storm immediately calmed and the sea became still.
Then a huge fish came and swallowed up Jonah. God actually sent the fish to keep Jonah from drowning. Jonah stayed in the fish for three days and nights.
While Jonah was trapped inside the fish, he prayed. He asked God to forgive him for running away. He also thanked God for keeping him alive.
After the third day, the fish spat Jonah out onto dry land. God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh and, this time, he went right away.
Jonah and the Whale
Hi kids!
Doing the right thing is hard sometimes. In this week’s Bible story, you’ll read about Daniel, who was given the choice between obeying God or being fed to lions. Yikes!
It was a difficult decision, but Daniel did what was right and God protected him. When you’re facing a tough situation, and you don’t know what to do, ask God to help you make the right choice.
Your friend, Abby
How many of each shape can you find?
Daniel and the Lions’ Den Daniel 6
Daniel was a captive in Babylon. Even though he missed his home, he worked hard for King Darius. Three times each day, Daniel went to his window, facing Jerusalem, to pray.
King Darius was pleased with Daniel, but his co-workers became jealous. They made a wicked plan. They told the king, “We want everyone in Babylon to know how great you are. This month, everyone must pray to you and no other god. Anyone who disobeys shall be thrown into the lions’ pit.”
Darius was certain everyone would obey, so their plan became law. Daniel still prayed only to God. He opened his window and knelt. Daniel’s enemies were watching and arrested him.
“Daniel, this makes me sad,” said Darius. “But I must uphold the law.” He had Daniel thrown into the pit.
Darius did not sleep that night. As soon as the sun rose, he ran to the pit calling, “Daniel, has your God protected you?”
Daniel replied, “My God has saved me! He closed the lions’ mouths.”
Darius had the guards pull Daniel out. Daniel kept working for the king, depending on God to make him wise.
Did You Know?
Only male lions have manes. The mane shows how healthy and strong the lion is. Lions with darker, fuller manes are older, stronger and usually well-fed!
TRINITY BAY SOUTH, N.L.—Trinity Bay South Corps celebrates the enrolment of 11 junior soldiers! Congratulations Megan White, Kaylee White, Eva Chaulk, Bently George, Cole Jackson, Lyla George, Amelia Canning, Dominic Centurión, Ava Canning, Rachel Jackson and Jayden Centurión. Way to go! What’s
Hi kids!
What would you do if you were queen or king for a day? You might wear nice clothes and jewels, spend the day in a castle and be served your favourite snacks. It sounds like fun, but the position also comes with a lot of responsibility.
In this issue of Just for Kids, you’ll read about a queen from the Bible named Esther. Queen Esther was the wife of King Xerxes, who ruled Persia hundreds of years ago. Queen Esther had the chance to do something really important on behalf of her people, the Jews. But she had to be brave and trust God.
Your friend, Abby
Queen Esther Is Brave
Esther
2-8
Esther was the queen of Persia, wife of King Xerxes. One of the king’s helpers was a man named Haman. Haman had an evil plan. He tricked King Xerxes into making a law to kill all of the Jewish people. The king and Haman didn’t know that Queen Esther was Jewish.
What can I do to save my people? Esther wondered. She wanted to talk to the king about the law, but she was afraid. Anyone who went to see the king without being invited could be killed—even the queen.
Esther asked all of the other Jews to pray, and then she went to see the king. The king was happy to see her.
She invited the king and Haman to dinner and asked the king to save her people. The king was angry. He asked, “Who would want to hurt my queen?”
“It’s Haman,” Esther answered. The king had Haman taken away.
Then the king let Esther write a new law to protect Jewish people. The Jews were saved!
Esther Speaks to Xerxes
It won’t be long now until Christmas—the most wonderful time of the year! Some of you might even be putting up a Christmas tree soon. I will be!
As November comes to an end, we start to think about all the exciting holiday activities and festivities around the corner. Time with family, singing carols, eating gingerbread cookies and brainstorming the very best gifts to give the people we love. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
In this issue of Just for Kids, you’ll read about Gifts of Hope, a way that The Salvation Army is giving life-changing gifts to people across the world.
Your friend, Abby
Spot 5 Differences
Colour Me
Fill in the squares so that each row, column and 2x2 box contains each shape.
To get to the other slide! A goat-ee Why did the chicken cross playground?the What is a goat’s beard called?
“Don’t forget to do good. Don’t forget to share with others. God is pleased with those kinds of offerings.”
—Hebrews 13:16
Sudoku
Solution W hat if a gift could change someone’s life?
does this mean?
As Christians, we are asked by God to do good for others. This means to treat them with kindness and respect, always do the right thing and be truthful, share what you have with others and help people when they need it. God loves us and He is happy when people show that love to one another.
The Salvation Army’s Gifts of Hope are not ordinary presents. Instead of toys or games, they are special gifts, such as goats, chickens, clean water or school supplies, that help families around the world live better lives.
Sometimes even a chicken can make a huge difference. Chickens lay eggs families can eat or sell. Over time, one chicken can become a whole flock, giving a family food and income for many years.
Meet Richard
Richard is a boy from Zambia. His family received two goats through Gifts of Hope. The goats gave milk for his family to drink and extra milk to sell at the market. That money helped them buy food and other things they need. Richard also received a school uniform and supplies so that he could learn.
Even More Hope
This year, The Salvation Army is offering something new called “Hope Bundled.” It includes three important gifts in one package, such as a goat, chickens and farming tools.
When you give a Gift of Hope, you give children and families the chance for a brighter future. Ask your corps officer how you can get involved with Gifts of Hope.
