Overview:

This lesson focuses on Solomon's request for wisdom from God and the concept of communal blessing. The icebreaker involves students discussing and sharing a partner's request for a blessing, fostering a sense of community and shared aspirations. The discussion explores why Solomon chose wisdom over other gifts and how seeking God's blessing can guide daily decisions and interactions. The activity centers on creating a "Blessing Board," where students write and share blessings, they wish for themselves, their peers, and the world, promoting reflection on the power of communal prayer and positive intentions in community life.

Icebreaker: Partner Blessings

Invite students find a partner and take turns answering the question, "If you could ask God for one blessing, what would it be and why?" After students have discussed the question in pairs, they share their partner's answer with the larger group. After each student speaks, say, “I wish… (and then their blessing requests) … for you.”

Read 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14.

Discuss:

Who was Solomon? Especially in relation to David (and Absalom from last week’s reading)?
What did God command Solomon to do in 1 Kings 3:5?
Why do you think Solomon asked for wisdom instead of wealth or a long life?
How can you apply the idea of asking for God's blessing in your daily life?
What are some ways you can be a blessing to others in your community this week?
Talk about the benediction part of a service and write a benediction that asks for blessings that would be meaningful to your community.

Activity: Blessing Board

Before the session, set up a bulletin board or a large poster labeled as the "Blessing Board.” Begin by explaining the concept of communal blessing based on the biblical theme of asking for blessings in community.

Ask each student to write on a sticky note one blessing or good wish for themselves, their peers, and the world. Encourage creativity and positivity in their wishes (e.g., peace, happiness, success in studies).

After writing, invite them to stick their notes/cards on the Blessing Board.

Then, facilitate a discussion based on the following questions:

What did you notice about the blessings people wrote?

How does asking for blessings together impact our community?

What does it mean to say "yes!" to all the good that God wants for us?

Close in a manner appropriate to your group.