Opening

• Find out from the children what they would do if they had all the money in the world? Receive answers- they would buy the latest lego set, maybe travel to new countries, buy junk food…. Today’s story is of a man who was given the opportunity to ask for anything from God.

Bible Story

• We want to become children with a relentless pursuit of excellence. This means we are to be a Christ centered and fruit bearing Church where Character, integrity and accountability thrive at all levels of ministry delivery. Our memory verse today teaches us that we are to think only of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. What we think about a lot is what we will do and become. If we think of good things, we will live and do good. When we think of what is bad that is what we will do. In our Bible Story, we meet King Solomon who has just become King. He had gone to Gibeon to give God a special offering now that his kingship
  had been established. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream. In the dream God
  wanted Solomon to ask for anything. When we began you told me that if you had all the money in the world you would buy all the KFC, all the Legos, a new bike, the latest PS game….. Solomon did not ask for these things. Looking at his new role as the king of Israel. Knowing the responsibility would be very big on him, he asked God for wisdom. Wisdom is good judgment and an understanding of that which is true or good. It goes beyond just knowing something to being able to use that information and knowledge well. That when a situation comes one is able to make the right decision (application of knowledge). God was pleased with Solomon’s choice, that he did not ask for wealth, fame or the death of his enemies. What does God do for Solomon? God gives Solomon even what he did not ask for!
  God promises Solomon that there will never be another man as wise as Solomon. What would happen if Solomon had asked for a long life? Or maybe for more money? Excellence comes from us having a relationship with God. Knowing that
  whatever we do we do for God and because He is excellent He wants us to be excellent. Walking in excellence means that no matter who we are interacting with our teachers, parents, friends, we will love them and serve them well.
  We will do the right and share the love of Jesus with all we interact with.
  For us to bear fruit we need to remain connected to Jesus at all times.

Questions

1. Where did Solomon go? To Gibeon
2. What did Solomon go to do? To give a special offering to God
3. How did God appear to Solomon? In a dream
4. How do we get to walk in excellence? As we live in relationship with God