Passage: 1 Samuel 15
Big Idea: God desires obedience not sacrifice.
King Saul was the first king of Israel. He was everything that you would expect or want out of a king. He was tall and handsome. He was a military mastermind. Saul was, quite literally, “the man.” Yet, Saul had a tragic flaw. He was filled with selfish pride. His tragic flaw ultimately leads to God’s rejection and the stripping of the kingdom from him.
1 Samuel 15 is the moment when everything catches up to King Saul.
Read: 1 Samuel 15:1-9
Discuss: What stands out to you (or what do you like)? What do you not understand (of what do you not like)? What do you learn about God? What do you learn about people? What do you need to do in light of this passage? Who do you need to tell?
Activity: Take a piece of paper and fold it in half. At the top on the left, write, “Things I know God wants me to do.” On the other side write, “Done”. Then fill it out as best you can. Keep the chart as a reminder to what God is calling you to do.
Read: 1 Samuel 15:10-21
Discuss: What stands out to you (or what do you like)? What do you not understand (of what do you not like)? What do you learn about God? What do you learn about people? What do you need to do in light of this passage? Who do you need to tell?
Activity: Kids, create a picture, comic strip, or act out this interaction between Saul and Samuel. Make sure you include the joke in verse 14!
Read: 1 Samuel 15:22-35
Discuss: What stands out to you (or what do you like)? What do you not understand (of what do you not like)? What do you learn about God? What do you learn about people? What do you need to do in light of this passage? Who do you need to tell?
Activity: Parents share a story with your kids about a time where you were caught like Saul. If you’re not a parent, take some time and journal through the experience. What was the situation? What was it like? How did you feel? Did you think you had gotten away with disobedience?
