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Bible story camera
Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath Camera Craft
A printable paper Bible story camera based on Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. Children colour, cut and assemble the camera and film strip, then slide the strip through to retell the story. Story focus: A widow has only a little flour and oil left. She trusts God and shares what she has. They never run out during the famine.
- Suggested ages
- 7–12 years
- Activity time
- 25–40 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
English
Age, time and difficulty are planning guides. Check the preparation notes for adult help.
$4.95 USD
One-time purchase
Digital download · No physical item shipped
What’s included
- Camera page
- Film strip
Your download files
- ElijahandtheWidowofZarephath.pdf: 3 pages
File inventory and page counts checked against the originals. Page counts include any instruction pages. Please check the preparation notes before printing for a group.
Getting ready
Age & adult help
Cutting camera slots, fitting a long film strip and keeping the story in order add assembly demands.
An adult may need to cut the camera slots and help thread the strip. Younger children can colour and retell using an adult-assembled camera.
What you’ll need
Printer, paper or light card, colouring pencils or crayons, scissors. Glue or tape may be useful. An adult may need to cut camera slots.
Time & preparation
One camera and film strip, including colouring and assembly. Teaching time is additional.
Age is an editorial estimate for the motor and reading demands of this format. Difficulty, completion time and suggested tools are planning estimates, not build-tested.
Check the file before you print for a group, and allow for any extra help the kids might need.
Printing tipsThe story behind the craft
Bible passage: 1 Kings 17:8–24
During a famine Elijah asks a widow in Zarephath for food when she has very little left. The flour and oil continue to supply her household; later Elijah prays after her son dies, and the boy is restored to life.
Main takeaway: The account portrays God’s provision and care for a struggling household.
As you slide the story through
Slide the film strip slowly and pause at each frame to connect the picture with the reading.
Keep the meal’s flour and oil distinct from the later account about the boy. Use the part represented in the printable rather than assuming every design shows both.
An adult can read the captions for a younger child. Older learners can retell a frame without its caption, then check which details the Bible account supplies.
Questions to explore
- What food did the widow have left?
- How was her household provided for?
- How can a community support a family with too little food?
Common questions
What files are included in this download?
The download is a 3-page PDF: ElijahandtheWidowofZarephath.pdf. This is the English edition. You print the files yourself; physical supplies are not included.
Does the paper camera actually show a story?
Yes. Colour and cut out the camera body and illustrated film strip. Prepare the two marked camera slots, feed the strip through the lower slot from the back and out through the upper slot, then slide it to reveal the frames. It is a paper storytelling model, not a working photographic camera. Printed captions include “Elijah walked to Zarephath, trusting God to lead him” and “Elijah asked a widow for water and a small piece of bread”.
Which pages should I print, and at what size?
The original PDF pages are A4 portrait. ElijahandtheWidowofZarephath.pdf: print pages 2, 3 for each learner or group. Page 1 is the assembly guide, which can be shared. Print single-sided. On US Letter paper, select Letter and Fit or shrink to the printable area; the originals are not separate Letter-sized files. Keep matching construction pages at the same scale.
What supplies and preparation does this need?
Paper or printer-compatible light card, colouring pencils and scissors. An adult should cut the slots and help thread the strip so the pictures move without tearing.
What help might children need with this activity?
Suggested ages: 7–12 years. An adult may need to cut the camera slots and help thread the strip. Younger children can colour and retell using an adult-assembled camera. Adjust this guide for the child’s reading and making skills.
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