Teach Them Jesus with Building Bricks
Elijah on Mount Carmel: Courage
1 Kings 18:17-39; Joshua 1:9; 1 Peter 3:18 Old Testament PrincipleCourage
For three years there had been no rain in Israel, because the people had turned to worship a fake god named Baal. Elijah, God's prophet, stood alone on Mount Carmel against 450 prophets of Baal. "The God who answers by fire – He is God," he said. Baal's prophets shouted all day, and nothing happened. Then Elijah built an altar, soaked it with water three times until even the trench was full, and prayed a short prayer. Fire fell from heaven and burned it all up! Courage means doing what's right even when you're afraid, because God is with us.
Courage is doing what's right even when it's scary or you're all alone. We can be brave because the LORD is the one true God, and He is with us wherever we go.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 BSB
Christ Connection · Picture
The people deserved God's judgment for turning to Baal, but the fire fell on the sacrifice instead of on them. Jesus became the sacrifice for us: "Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18).
1 Peter 3:18; Romans 3:25
The Big Story · Redemption
God's people kept turning to idols, but God kept calling them back. On Mount Carmel He showed He is the living God, and later He sent Jesus to turn our hearts back to Him for good.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- A map of where it happened
- Object lesson: One against 450
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Soaked
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Fire from heaven
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Preschool (ages 3–5)
God makes me brave!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Brave stand, Color brave Elijah
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
The people of Israel were worshiping a fake god named Baal. Brave Elijah stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Baal's prophets shouted all day, but nothing happened. Then Elijah built an altar, had it soaked with water three times and prayed. God sent fire from heaven and burned it all up! We can be brave, because the LORD is the real God and He is with us.
Memory verse
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Adapted from Joshua 1:9
Start here
Do "One against 450." Ask, "Would you be scared to stand alone like that?" Say, "Elijah did – and he even made it harder on purpose!"
Bible story 6 min
For three years it had not rained in Israel. The people had turned away from God. They prayed to a fake god named Baal instead.
God's prophet Elijah called everyone to Mount Carmel. Lots of people came. So did 450 prophets of Baal.
Elijah said, "Let's have a test. Baal's prophets will pray to Baal. I will pray to the LORD. The God who answers with fire, He is the real God!" The people said, "Okay!"
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Build the twelve-stone altar 10 min
You’ll need: A tub of building bricks, Baseplates
- Pairs build an altar of twelve gray bricks with a blue "trench" around it, from the build guide.
- Add brown "wood" on top. Count the stones together – twelve, one for each tribe!
- Add an orange "fire" piece on top and shout, "The LORD, He is God!"
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
After three years of drought, Elijah – the LORD's lone prophet – challenged 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. "The God who answers by fire, He is God." Baal's prophets cried out from morning until evening with no answer. Then Elijah rebuilt the LORD's altar with twelve stones, had it soaked three times until the trench overflowed and prayed a short prayer. Fire fell and consumed everything, and the people cried, "The LORD, He is God!" Courage means standing for what's right even when you're alone, because God is with you.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Brave because God is God, Fire from heaven
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with friends, at school, online and on screens
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
After three years of God-sent drought, Elijah – the LORD's lone remaining prophet – confronted Ahab, 450 prophets of Baal and a wavering nation on Mount Carmel. While Baal's prophets raved from morning to evening with no answer, Elijah calmly rebuilt the LORD's altar with twelve stones, deliberately drenched it three times and prayed a short, God-centered prayer. Fire fell and consumed everything. Elijah's courage wasn't self-confidence; it was obedience to God's command and confidence in who God is. The same God is with us wherever we go.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The source of courage, Standing alone
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with friends, online and on screens, at school
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Courage
The same principle in other Bible stories.
Seeing God's WorldWhy Am I Here?Esther 4:1-17; Esther 5:1-3; Ephesians 2:8-10When an evil plan threatened God's people, Mordecai told Queen Esther, "Who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther bravely went to the king, and God used her to save His people. God made each of us on purpose, for good works He prepared ahead of time, and He gives us courage to do them.Old TestamentCourage
To an Unknown God: Paul in AthensActs 17:16-34While Paul waited in Athens, he was upset to see the city full of idols. He talked about Jesus and the resurrection in the synagogue and the marketplace, and the city's thinkers brought him to a council called the Areopagus. Paul bravely stood up and said, "I found an altar that says, 'To an unknown god.' I will tell you who He is." He told them God made the world and gives everyone life and breath, and He raised Jesus from the dead. Some laughed, some wanted to hear more and some believed. God gives us courage to tell others about Him.New TestamentCourage
Baby Moses in the BasketExodus 1:15-2:10; Hebrews 11:23Pharaoh ordered that Israel's baby boys be thrown into the Nile. But Moses' mother bravely hid him, then put him in a waterproof basket by the river. God protected him through his sister Miriam and even Pharaoh's own daughter. God is with us, so we can be brave.Old TestamentCourage
The Church BeginsPeter and John Heal a ManActs 3:1-4:31; Isaiah 35:5-6Peter and John healed a man who couldn't walk, in the name of Jesus. When leaders told them to stop talking about Jesus, they bravely said, "We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."New TestamentCourage
Deborah and BarakJudges 4:1-24; Judges 5:1-31A cruel king with 900 iron chariots ruled over Israel. God told Deborah that Barak should lead an army against him, and God would give them the victory. Barak was afraid to go alone, but he went. God sent a storm, and the chariots got stuck in the mud! We can be brave because God goes before us.Old TestamentCourage
Esther Saves Her PeopleEsther 2:1-9:32; Hebrews 4:16Wicked Haman planned to destroy all of God's people. Queen Esther was afraid, but she asked her people to fast and pray, then bravely went to the king. God was quietly at work all along, and He turned the whole plan upside down to save His people.Old TestamentCourage