Solomon’s Puzzle
By Madeline Mead
PURPOSE — In this lesson, we will discover how the wisdom of God leads to the peace we all
want in our lives.
MUSIC — (“Advent Christian Hymnal” 1967) #419 “O God of Love, O King of Peace”
SCRIPTURE — 1 Kings 3:1–14
PREPARATION NEEDED — Assign Scripture pieces at the start, to make reading through
them smoother. Have a picture of the quilt block for demonstration (or make an actual block
— can be material blocks or paper blocks). Acquire enough hymnals or copies of the music for
each person to have one. Optional: have a recording or an instrumentalist play the accompaniment.
TEMPLATE
Show the template to the members of your group, explaining that it is one of many blocks with a biblical name. “Solomon’s Puzzle” is a variation on the quilt pattern “Drunkard’s Path,” that was made for
the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, usually in blue and white. There are many other names
for this pattern, including: “Wonder of the World,” “I Will and I Won’t,” “Double Wrench,” “Wanderer’s Path in the Wilderness,” “Oregon Trail” and “Endless Trail.”
ASK: Can anyone guess whether we will be studying Old or New Testament in this discussion?
ASK: What book of the Bible would you guess we will be looking into?
ASK: Before we turn to the Word, what causes you the most stress and confusion in your life?
FABRICS
READ: 1 Kings 3:1–14
ASK: What would you have asked for if you had been the one talking to God?
ASK: What did Solomon seek from God? (a discerning heart to govern the people and the ability to
distinguish right from wrong)
ASK: How would these abilities help us today in our lives?
Following are more possible group questions. Choose the ones that you think would most benefit
your group.
ASK: How did Solomon not obey God in his sacrificial offerings to God?
ASK: Why is who we marry so important?
“P ece”ful Living WHFMS Program Kit 2016
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).
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Solomon’s Puzzle
By Madeline Mead
ASK: What do you imagine it would be like to be influenced away from God on a daily basis, as
Solomon was with his many wives?
ASK: What influence can non‐Christians have on Christians?
ASK: How can we witness but not be led astray?
ASK: How and why did Solomon’s requests please God?
ASK: How do our requests today please or displease God?
ASK: According to verse 6, why was God pleased with David?
ASK: What time do you remember when you needed a discerning heart? What did you learn from
this experience?
ASK: How would a discerning heart help our leaders?
ASK: How do we learn to know the difference between right and wrong?
ASK: In what way do you need wisdom in your life right now?
QUILTING an d BINDI NG
ASK: How can we use what we have learned to reach out to others?
ASK: Who do you know who also needs peace, discernment and wisdom? When will you share this
with them?
ASK: How do the pieces of this lesson lead to the peace of God?
Close your time in prayer, thanking God for directing your way through today’s often confusing life.
QUILTER
— Madeline Mead attends the Aurora Advent Christian Church in Illinois. She
graduated from Aurora University and received her master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. She taught 12 years at Mooseheart High School in Aurora, Illinois, and 22 years as an eighth grade
English teacher in Yorkville, Illinois.
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Published by: Advent Christian General Conference
Department of Nurture, Office of Women’s Ministries
PO Box 690848, Charlotte, NC 28227
(704) 545-6161 • www.acgc.us