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Rehoboam was officially appointed the new king when his father, Solomon, died. When Rehoboam became king, Jeroboam gathered the people together and asked Rehoboam to be easier on the people and not make them work as hard as Solomon had done. The court elders advised Rehoboam that the people would love and follow him if he did this. Rehoboam ignored this good advice and listened to his young friends’ bad advice instead. They told him to make the people work harder and to treat them more like slaves. Because of this, the people rebelled, and the kingdom was divided into two parts. Rehoboam was king of the smaller part- called Judah. Jeroboam became king of the larger part- called Israel.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• 1 Kings 11:26-43
• 1 Kings 11:41-12:24

Outline:

1. Jeroboam, man of the people (1 Kings 11:20-40)
2. Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, is an unwise king (1 Kings 11:41-12:15)
3. God’s nation divides (1 Kings 12:16-19)
4. Israel chooses Jeroboam as their leader (1 Kings 12:20-24)

Tips for teaching children:

• Use a pizza as a way to tell the story. Spread tomato sauce and cheese on the pizza as you talk about Saul, David and Solomon. Cut the pizza into 12 pieces (12 tribes) but keep the pizza together.
  Then, show a jar of hot peppers. Describe Rehoboam’s cruel treatment of the people. The people rejected Rehoboam. Then divide the pizza into two parts (2 kingdoms). One part should have 2 parts to represent 2 kingdoms. One part should have 10 pieces to represent Israel.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This story can be read in class.  Use the outline provided in the show-notes for how to divide the reading up.
• There are several questions that this text can generate.  Here are a few to think about and possibly use in the classroom.  What principles of leadership can we learn from this story?  In what ways does Rehoboam reveal his pride?  What are the consequences of pride and poor leadership?  What can leaders of God’s people today learn from this story about keeping God’s people united?
• In a more general way, encourage the class to brainstorm important 10 pieces of wisdom you believe the young people of your congregation should hear and follow?  Follow up by brainstorming ways you can share your wisdom with the youth in a healthy way.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  God’s Nation Divides

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

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