Sunday Spotlight is where we share our Calvary Kids Bible lesson topic each week for kids of all ages. Use this lesson for a Family Night devotion or a preview/review time to talk about what your children are learning at Calvary on Sundays. These lessons correspond to the take-home cards your child receives each week. We post a new lesson here every Wednesday.

And check out our playlist on Spotify — these songs are featured in our Kid Zone and Zone 345 worship time on Sundays. Sing along at home or on the road!

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Sunday, September 21

Lesson Title: Solomon Built the Temple

Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6–8

Key Passage: Proverbs 3:7

Big Picture Question: What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future.

Lesson Summary

In 1 Kings 6–8, Solomon embarked on the project his father, David, had first envisioned: building a temple for God. It was no small task, yet Solomon set out to create a place for God to dwell with His people. Though the fullness of our omnipresent God cannot be contained by man-made structures, the temple represents a greater fulfillment: God would send His Son to live, die, and rise again so that God’s people would dwell in His presence forever.

What was the temple’s purpose? Why do we no longer need the temple today?

Solomon built the temple as a place for God’s people to worship and experience His presence, similar to the role the tabernacle had previously held for Israel. The temple was a reminder of God’s promise never to leave or forsake Israel and to remain faithful to His covenant promises. Because Solomon sought to honor the Lord as holy, he spent seven years thoughtfully and intricately designing the temple’s every detail.

Solomon dedicated the temple to the Lord and blessed Israel as they stood before it. He recalled God’s faithfulness in rescuing their ancestors from Egypt and then in establishing the throne of his father David. Solomon prayed to the Lord, esteeming Him as the gracious God who keeps His promises. Solomon recognized God’s glory and might, stating that He could not be contained by a man-made temple. Solomon asked the Lord to hear their prayers, forgive them, righteously judge them, and uphold their cause for His glory. Lastly, Solomon urged Israel to be devoted to God’s ways.

In Jesus, we see the fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell among His people. Jesus came to earth to provide the way for God’s people to worship Him in Spirit and in truth wherever they are. Before Jesus’ ascension, He promised His followers that the Holy Spirit would come, giving them power to share the gospel and follow Jesus’ commands. Now, believers become living temples of God, indwelled by the Holy Spirit and being built up together into one house of worship (1 Peter 2:5).

Lead the children in your care to see that Jesus has made the way for believers to dwell with God forever. Remind your kids that Christians can worship God anywhere through His Spirit living in them and that one day, God's people will worship Him face to face.

 
Christ Connection

This is the big idea of how this week's Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: God met with His people in the temple, but God wants to be with us now wherever we are. God loves us, and He sent Jesus to be with people and save them from their sin.
   
• Preschool: The temple was where God met with His people. God wants to be with us. As part of His plan to save people from sin, God sent Jesus to earth to be with people.
   
• Kids: Solomon built the temple, but he knew that the fullness of God did not live there. Jesus is the fullness of God, and He came to dwell on earth (John 1:14). Only those who trust in Him will be forgiven of their sin and live with God forever.

Big Picture Question & Answer

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Preschool: What does God know? God knows everything.
   
• Kids: What does God know? God knows everything about the past, present, and future.

Key Passage

Proverbs 3:7  This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: Obey the LORD and do what is right. Proverbs 3:7
   
• Preschool: Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:7
   
• Kids: Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:7

Next week: Solomon Thought about Life (Ecclesiastes 1)

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