Elijah Taken Up to Heaven Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
Elijah was God’s prophet. A prophet tells people God’s words. His helper was named Elisha. The LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven. Elijah knew it, and Elisha knew it too.
One day Elijah and Elisha were walking from a town called Gilgal. Elijah said, “Please wait here. For the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, I will not leave you.” So they went on together.
In Bethel some other prophets came out to Elisha. “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master today?” they asked. “Yes, I know it,” said Elisha. “Hold your peace.” That means: please be quiet about it.
Elijah said, “Elisha, please wait here. For the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” Elisha said, “I will not leave you.” Let’s say it with Elisha: “I will not leave you!”
In Jericho other prophets came to Elisha. “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master today?” “Yes, I know it,” said Elisha. “Hold your peace.” Can you put your finger on your lips? Shhh.
Elijah said, “Please wait here. For the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” Again Elisha said, “I will not leave you.” So they both went on. Fifty prophets came along and stood far away to watch.
At the Jordan River, Elijah rolled up his cloak. A cloak is a big coat. He hit the water with it. Splash! The water parted. And the two of them walked across on dry ground!
Elijah turned to Elisha. “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.” Double means two times as much.
Elijah said, “You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken from you, it will be so.”
They walked and talked. Suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire came between them! A chariot is a cart pulled by horses. Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. A whirlwind is a strong, spinning wind. Can you spin around like a whirlwind?
Elisha saw it! “My father, my father!” he cried. Elijah had been like a father to him. He looked up, but he saw Elijah no more. Elisha had seen it – so God would give him what he asked. Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Elisha was very sad. He tore his own clothes in two. That is what people did when they were very sad.
Elijah’s cloak had fallen down. Elisha picked it up. He went back to the Jordan and hit the water with the cloak. “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he said. And the water parted again! Elisha walked across. Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
The other prophets saw it. “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha,” they said. They came to meet him, and they bowed down low.
God took Elijah home, and God was with Elisha now. Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think Elisha did not want to leave Elijah?
- What do you think Elisha thought when he saw the chariot of fire?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” — 2 Kings 2:11 (Elijah went up → point up; by a whirlwind → twirl your finger round and round; into heaven → lift both arms high)
Dear God, thank you for Elijah and Elisha. Thank you that you are with us, wherever we go. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God is always with us
Memory verse: “Behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” — 2 Kings 2:11 · WEB
The Bible story
A whirlwind, horses of fire, and a floating cloak by the river Jordan — watch how God carries brave Elijah home and gives Elisha a wonderful new job.
Talk about it
- What special job did Elijah have? — He was God's prophet
- Who was Elijah's young helper? — Elisha
- What did Elisha say when Elijah told him to stay behind? — "I will never leave you"
- What river did the two friends come to? — The river Jordan
- What did Elijah use to strike the water? — His rolled-up cloak
- What happened when Elijah struck the river? — It split in two
Where is Jesus in this story?
Just as Elijah was lifted up to heaven, one day Jesus was also taken up into heaven while His friends watched. And Jesus made an even bigger promise: He said He would always be with us and never leave us. Elijah gave his cloak to Elisha so he could keep doing God's work, and Jesus sends His own Spirit to help us. God's rescuing love always finds a way to carry us home.
What God wants to tell us
Elijah's story shows us that God never lets go of the people who love Him. He carried Elijah safely home, and He stayed close to Elisha to help him be brave. Even when someone we love goes away, God is still right beside us. He gives us everything we need to do the good things He asks, and He fills our hearts with His love and His helping hand every single day.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving Elijah and Elisha, and for loving me too. Thank You that You are always with me, even when I feel alone. Please help me to be brave and kind like Elisha, and to trust You every day. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
