Old Testament Bible Lessons for Kids - Prophets, Kings, and a Queen

Bring the Old Testament to life for kids with creative crafts and engaging activities that make Bible stories memorable and fun. From Jonah and the Whale to Queen Esther, Elijah on Mount Carmel, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, Naaman’s Healing, Joshua and the Walls of Jericho, David and Goliath, and Elisha and the Widow’s Oil, these hands-on ideas help children understand God’s power, courage, faith, and love through play and creativity.

The Old Testament Prophets, Kings, and a Queen

God used ordinary people to make a significant impact for the people of Israel. David was a shepherd boy who became king. Esther was a Jewish orphan who became queen. Naaman was healed because a servant girl had the courage to speak up. Daniel was captured as a boy and brought to serve the king in a foreign land, eventually rising in power. Elijah, Jonah, and Elisha were prophets who delivered messages from God. The stories of the Old Testament kings, queens and prophets help teach kids about obedience, courage, and standing up for what is right.

JONAH AND THE WHALE

Jonah and the Whale is a beloved story for kids (and adults) because it teaches about the importance of obedience while also engaging our natural curiosity about what it was like in the belly of a giant sea creature! Jonah was tasked with taking a message to Nineveh. However, this was a group of people that Jonah had no interest in visiting, so he ran away. His disobedience eventually led to him being swallowed by a giant fish, where he stayed for three days and nights. After Jonah repented, God caused the fish to spit Jonah up, and Jonah went to Ninevah to deliver the message.

There are many ways to teach this story. Have kids create an underwater wax-resist scene using crayons and paint. Do directed drawings of whales and fish, or make an ocean in a bottle. For details on these activities, as well as links for the directed drawings, be sure to check out Jonah and the Whale Bible Lessons for Kids.

JOSHUA AND THE WALLS OF JERICHO

Joshua became the leader of the Israelites after Moses, and Joshua led the people into the Promised Land. But before they could get there, they had to get through Jericho, a fortified city. God commanded the people to walk around Jericho for seven days, following God’s specific instructions, and on the seventh day, the walls of Jericho came crashing down. The Israelites had conquered the city.

This story is exciting because young kids get caught up in the excitement of the Israelites walking silently for six days and then shouting on the seventh day. For ideas on how to teach this story, check out Joshua and the Walls of Jericho Bible Lessons for Kids. Along with a marching game and links to YouTube videos, you’ll find ideas like a printable trumpet craft for younger kids and a printable walls of Jericho craft for older kids. 

DAVID AND GOLIATH

David and Goliath is a well-known story of the Israelites being challenged by the Philistine giant, Goliath. No one wanted to fight Goliath! David, a young shepherd boy, volunteered to fight Goliath. Using a slingshot and a stone, David won the fight! This story of bravery resonates well with kids because it reminds them that God can use anyone!

To help kids connect with this story, there are numerous activities and crafts available. Create a tape figure on the wall, measuring 9 feet tall, so kids can visualize how tall Goliath was. Make a popsicle stick slingshot or play a game of bowling (the bowling pins represent Goliath, and the bowling ball represents the stone David flung). For more details on these activities, as well as a printable craft for younger kids, check out David and Goliath Bible Lessons for Kids.

ELISHA AND THE WIDOW’S OIL

God cares for our needs! And the story of Elisha and the widow’s oil is a beautiful example of this. Elisha was a prophet of God. One day, a desperate widow approached him and explained that her sons were about to be taken as slaves because she couldn’t pay her husband’s debt. Elisha told the woman to gather jars and pour oil into the jars. Her oil multiplied, and she sold it to pay off the debt. This story is a remarkable example of how God cares for us!

Help kids engage with this story through activities like making clay jars or participating in relay races. Have kids join in water relays, where they try to fill containers, just like the widow filled jars with oil. Be sure to check out Elisha and the Widow’s Oil Bible Lessons for Kids for more details. You’ll also find printable crafts, including an oil resist art project.

NAAMAN IS HEALED

The Bible has many stories about miraculous healings and each one is exciting! The story of Naaman is one of these stories. Naaman was sick with leprosy and was healed when he followed some peculiar instructions. Elisha, the prophet, gave instructions for Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Once he had washed seven times, the leprosy was gone!

Be sure to check out Naaman is Healed Bible Lessons for Kids for some great activities and crafts. Some ideas include playing a game of “Simon Says”, making the connection that Naaman had to obey the instructions in order to be healed. Decorate soap dispensers to remind kids that God washes us clean from sin. You’ll also find printable templates for a retelling of the story spinner craft and instructions for a fun activity where kids reenact the healing of Naaman with a laminated figure.

DANIEL AND THE LIONS’ DEN

Daniel and the Lions’ Den teaches us the importance of trusting God and standing up for what is right. King Darius was tricked into making a law that required everyone to pray only to him. Daniel refused to obey this law and was thrown into the lions’ den. But God sent an angel to protect Daniel!

There are some fun lion crafts to do that go well with this story. Check out Daniel and the Lions Den Bible Lessons for Kids to find ideas such as Pin the Tail on the Lion, paper plate lions, lion masks, and a printable Daniel and the Lions scene.

ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL ON MOUNT CARMEL

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal is a powerful story that teaches us that God is the One True God. The people of Israel were worshiping the false god, Baal. Elijah called all the prophets of Baal and the people of Israel onto Mount Carmel. He challenged them to have Baal send down fire from heaven, but nothing happened. When Elijah called on God to send down fire from heaven, it was a fabulous display of power. The Israelites learned that God was the One True God!

There are some great ways to help kids connect with this story. For ideas, click HERE! You’ll find ideas like water relays to remind kids of the part in the story where Elijah douses the altar and offering in water before calling on God to send fire. Challenge kids to a Rock, Paper, Scissors championship and make a connection that there was a “duel” between God and Baal. You’ll also find printable crafts for both younger and older kids, where they create an altar with fire consuming it.

ESTHER THE BRAVE QUEEN

Esther was a Jewish girl who became queen. When an evil man plotted to have all the Jews killed, Esther showed bravery and risked her life to talk to the king. Her bravery saved the Jewish people and put an end to the evil plan.

Check out Esther the Brave Queen Bible Lessons for Kids for ideas to teach this story. You’ll find ideas for relay races, YouTube videos, a Bravery Feast snack, and a printable crown craft. 

A WHOLE YEAR OF BIBLE LESSONS FOR KIDS

These lessons are also included in the 52-week Bible curriculum for preschoolers and kindergarteners, as well as for older children in first, second, and third grades. Don’t miss checking out the 52-week curriculum at a deep discount!