Lesson 38 Judges through Esther Ages Unit 8: The King Who Knows Our Hearts Samuel and Saul. Who God is: The King Who Knows Our Hearts

Transcription

1 Lesson 38 Judges through Esther Ages 8-11 KINGS AND KINGDOMS PART 2 Unit 8: The King Who Knows Our Hearts Samuel and Saul THE WORSHIP Who God is: The King Who Knows Our Hearts THE WORSHIP, THE WORD, & THE WAY THE WORD Bible Story: 1 Samuel 8-10 (Readers Theatre) What He has done: God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. Key Verses: 1 Samuel 10:6, 7 THE WAY Aim: God has chosen you to do His good work. Christ Connection: Ephesians 2:10 (Grades 3-5) BIBLE MEMORY VERSE The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 To The Teachers For your own encouragement this week, read Psalm 139. Please join us in praying this week s Teacher s Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for loving us. Fill us with Your Spirit and change our hearts so that we may teach and lead Your children in building Your Kingdom. Amen PREPARE (Before arrival) [] Highlight 1 Samuel 10:6, 7 and Ephesians 2:10 in your Bible. [] Read this Teacher s Guide. [] Each week, be sure to reserve adequate time to cover THE WORD, THE WAY, and The Golden Bowl. Then, as time allows, choose a Got Time? activity or create your own activity to illustrate the Bible Story, the Aim, or the Bible Memory Verse Song. PRESET [] Chairs in a semi-circle or rows, preset pencils, note cards, Bibles, Daily Way Lesson 38, highlighters [] Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 24:7 [] Bible Memory Verse Song: The Lord is My Shepherd [] Scripture references 1 & 2 hidden behind curtain, secret door, etc. [] Map showing Ramah, Israel (northwest of the Dead Sea) [] Bible Timeline: Saul (Circa 1050 B.C.) [] THE WAY: Oil, flasks, certificates [] THE WORD: Readers Theatre scripts (provide least four to share) [] Treasure Treat: Certificate of Anointment [] Got Time?: One crown, frosted cookies, colorful candy, juice, napkins, plates, cups, clear plastic re-closable bags, oil, food coloring, clear plastic packing tape, large labels, markers, Unit 8 Bible Memory Verse song, Bible Memory Verse poster [] Worship Leader Elements: King City Chronicles Sketch or Storybook Lesson 38, Music Resources: The additional resources referred to in this lesson and supplemental materials are available at Contents include the drama Sketches and Storybook chapters, Bible Memory Verse Songs, seasonal materials and so much more. To be a resource yourself, click on the Teacher s Blog tab to share your ideas with teachers worldwide. 1

2 1. THE WORSHIP (15 minutes) Worship Theme: The King Who Knows Our Hearts Use arrival time to connect with the children, creating an environment where they feel welcome. Use the Meet & Greet question to spark anticipation for today s focus. Meet & Greet Question: What is the best thing you ve ever been chosen to do? We worship the King who knows our hearts. He made our hearts to want to be close to Him. He loves us and has chosen a plan for each of us. (Sing: With All Your Heart and Open The Eyes Of My Heart. ) In Psalm 23, King David tells us what it was like when he was anointed. Anointing is putting special oil on someone as a sign that God has chosen them for something special. When he was anointed with oil, David s heart was like a cup that the Lord filled with so many blessings, it just overflowed. Let s thank God for our blessings by giving our offering. As we give our offering, let s listen to David s Psalm. (Sing: The Lord Is My Shepherd. ) Today we ll learn how the Lord chose Saul to be king. He chooses each of us to be a part of His family. He chooses us for a reason: so we will declare His praises to everyone. (Sing: Chosen People and He Who Began A Good Work In You. ) Worship Elements: Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 24:7 Collect and lead prayer for an offering. Read Storybook or perform Sketch: King City Chronicles, Lesson 38. Song Suggestions: Unit 8 Bible Memory Verse Song: The Lord Is My Shepherd Select songs that focus on being chosen or our hearts. Chosen People With All My Heart He Who Began A Good Work In You Change My Heart O God Open The Eyes Of My Heart Bible Memory Verse Song The Lord Is My Shepherd Psalm 23 (NIV) Verse 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He restores my soul. Verse 2 He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You, You are with me. Verse 3 Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. My cup overflows. Verse 4 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever more. Forever more. Sheet music and recordings available at This is the children s opportunity to worship God with you. Designate a special corner or area for worship. As their role model for worship, lead by example, fully participating with the children as they worship. 2

3 2. THE WORD (5 minutes) God Chose Saul To Be King Transition: As you move from worship to instruction, change rooms or locations within a room to help children mentally and physically prepare for the lesson. For additional transition ideas and games see Got Time? at the end of this lesson or go to and click on Lesson 38, >Write your name on your card and place it in the Golden Bowl. Before we read God s Word, let s go over our Class Covenant. A covenant is an agreement. Just as God made a covenant with His people, I ask each of you to make this covenant promise with me today. Listen as I read our Class Covenant. (Read Class Covenant.) Class Covenant I will keep my on my teacher, my in control, my s on God s Word; knowing God is my goal. (If a Bible Timeline is available, point out Ruth, Samuel (Circa 1100 B.C.), and Saul (Circa 1050 B.C.). For Bible Timeline Review information, see Got Time?) Last time we learned God chose Samuel as judge and prophet over Israel. While Samuel was judge, what did the Philistines steal from the Israelites? (The golden ark of God.) Why did they return it? (God destroyed their false god statue named Dagon. Then God made the Philistines very sick until they returned the ark.) What did God send to frighten the Philistines away? (Loud thunder.) What did was the name of the stone Samuel used to help everyone remember how God had helped them? (The Ebenezer stone.) Today we ll learn that God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. Samuel anointed Saul. He was king for 42 years. To anoint is to put oil on a person to show that God has chosen him or her to do a special job for God. Let s play Find It First! Bring out your Bible; keep it right in front of you. (Hand out spare Bibles.) Today s Scripture verse is behind the curtain. (Or secret door, secret window, etc. Child unveils Scripture #1: 1 Samuel 8-10.) Let s see who can Find It First! Ready? Set? Go! (Children race through the pages to find it first. The winner helps others find it.) Let s highlight our Key Verses: 1 Samuel 10:6, 7. Before we begin the story, let s stand and ask God to open our eyes, ears, hearts and minds to His Word today. Who d like to pray that for us? (Child prays aloud.) Be seated. READER S THEATRE: Instead of reading our Bible passage, let s act it out! (Readers Theatre replaces the reading of the above Bible passages. Readers' Theatre directly quotes those same passages. Distribute Reader s Theatre scripts available at sministrywarehouse.net, assign roles, distribute props. Read and act out 1 Samuel 8-10.) Lift up God s Word: To create anticipation, conceal Scripture references for Bible Story and Christ Connection in a place of honor. Then unveil references for Find It First and Scripture reading. For more information, click on the Resources tab at 3

4 3. THE WAY (13 minutes) God Has Chosen You To Do Something Special What does it mean to anoint someone? (To anoint someone means to put oil on a person to show that God has chosen him or her to do a special job for God.) What special job did Samuel anoint Saul for? (King of Israel.) Just as God chose Saul, God has chosen each of you. He will give you a special job to do for Him. Now, just as Samuel anointed Saul, I will anoint each one of you with a drop of oil as a sign that God has chosen you to do a special job for Him. After I anoint and bless you, return quietly to your seat and listen to the words of Psalm 23. Think about how the Lord, Your Shepherd, will guide you as you do the special job God gives you. ANOINTMENT CEREMONY PURPOSE: To anoint children with oil as a sign that God has chosen them for a special job. SUPPLIES: One Certificate of Anointment per child, ink pens, one flask or small bottle of olive oil. PREPARATION: Sign, date, and write group or class name on all certificates. *Teacher Tip: For demonstration purposes, begin by anointing your helper. Encourage children who do not wish to be anointed to enjoy the music and think about the story of Samuel and Saul. A Certificate of Anointment is available at or you may create your own following the sample below. DIRECTIONS: 1. Play Unit 8 Bible Memory Verse Song continuously as background music during ceremony. 2. Distribute pen and certificate to each child. 3. Instruct children to print their own names on the first blank of the certificate. 4. Call each child by name to come forward to you to be anointed. 5. Place one small drop of oil from flask on your index finger. 6. As you gently touch child s forehead with your index finger, say this blessing: May the Lord bless you in the special job that He will give to you. 7. After being anointed, children return to their seat to think about the special job God has for them. 8. Continue until all children who desire anointment have been anointed. Certificate of Anointment On this day, child s name was anointed with oil by teacher s name in the presence of the grade class. This symbolizes the anointing of the kings of Israel during Bible times for the special jobs that God gave them as recorded in 1 Samuel 10:1. May the Lord bless you in the special job that He will give to you. Teacher s Signature Print today s date Name of your church. CHRIST CONNECTION Connecting the Old Testament, the New Testament and Us We may not know what God has chosen for each of us to do right now, but we do know that it will be good. We know that God will help us be ready. We know that God has already planned everything for us. The Bible promises that to us. Let s check it out. FIND IT FIRST> Everyone place your Bibles closed on your laps. (Choose a child to unveil Scripture #2: Ephesians 2:10.) Let s see who can Find It First! Ready? Set? Go! Find it and highlight it. (Read Ephesians 2:10.) 4

5 THE WAY continued GOLDEN BOWL Revelation 5:8 The Golden Bowl cont ains names of classmates, a local church leader and a child in another nation. The Bible says that our prayers are like sweet smelling incense in the golden bowls at God s throne. So I m going to lift each one of you up to God s throne out loud as you pray for each person silently. Then we ll pray out loud the Lord s Prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13.) Let s pray. Lord God, we lift up to Your throne the name of each child here. We trust You to watch over us and our needs: the ones we say out loud and the ones hidden in our hearts. First, we lift up to You,, (read names in Golden Bowl). Now, we pray the prayer Your Son taught us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. FINAL FIVE When only 5 minutes remain, begin this segment. TREASURE TREAT Today, your Treasure Treat is your Certificate of Anointment. Keep it as a reminder of this day and of the special jobs God has chosen for you to do. DAILY WAY CHALLENGE Did anyone bring in their completed Daily Way from last time? (Praise or reward those who returned Daily Way; collect in basket.) Take home this week s Daily Way. (Distribute Lesson 38 Daily Way 5-day Bible study.) Complete this at home and let God speak to you through His own words in the Bible. Return it and place it in our class basket. When we fill the basket, we ll celebrate with a class surprise! OFFERING OF ART That s it for today. Thank you all for coming. Until your parent arrives, make an Offering of Art. For your offering, draw a picture of Samuel anointing Saul as king. (The Offering of Art can be finished at home or given as an offering to the teacher for display.) BIBLE MEMORY VERSE SONG Play the Unit 8 Bible Memory Verse Song in the background as children wait for their parents. Encourage them to sing along. PRAYER REQUESTS How can I pray for you this week? (As students work on their Offering of Art, write individual requests in your teacher s prayer notebook.) 5

6 4. GOT TIME? If time remains, choose from the connected activities below. LESSON ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES CHOOSE THE KING GETTING STARTED ACTIVITY PURPOSE: This variation of Duck, Duck, Goose introduces the story of God choosing Saul as king. SUPPLIES: One crown (toy crown, hat, or crown shape cut from sturdy paper.) May substitute a scepter for crown (stick, baton, or unsharpened pencil) DIRECTIONS: 1. Seat children in a circle. Explain that the floor in the center of the circle is called the throne. 2. Choose one child to be Samuel. Give the crown to Samuel. 3. Samuel walks around outside of circle, puts crown on a child s head to be King Saul, and says God chose you! 4. Samuel runs completely around circle to enter the center at King Saul s empty seat and sit on throne in the center of the circle. Saul s empty seat in the circle is the only acceptable entrance to throne. 5. Saul chases Samuel around circle to tag him or her before he or she enters the circle and sits down. 6. If Samuel enters the circle and sits in the center before being tagged, Saul becomes Samuel and repeats steps If Samuel is tagged before entering the circle and sitting in the center, Saul sits on throne. Samuel repeats steps 3-5. Be sure each child has a turn as Samuel. Limit each child to two turns as Samuel. ASK> In our game, did you know you would be chosen to be king before Samuel put the crown on your head? (No.) That s just like what happened in the story we will read in our lesson. Let s see how God sent Samuel to choose Saul to be king. CROWN THE SNACK SNACK PURPOSE: Children will eat a snack while personally connecting to the story of Samuel and King Saul SUPPLIES: Frosted cookies, colorful candy (jelly beans, candy covered chocolates, gumdrops), juice, napkins, plates, cups SAY> God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. God has chosen you to do His good work. As we decorate our cookies with candy jewels to be like crowns, let s talk about what you think those good works might be for each of you. DIRECTIONS: 1. Children use candy as jewels to decorate their cookie crowns. 2. Pass out juice. 3. Child prays to thank God for the snack. 4. Ask the Meet & Greet Question: What is the best thing you ve ever been chosen to do? 6

7 GOT TIME? continued GOD CHOOSES ME! APPLICATION CRAFT PURPOSE: To remind children that God chooses us, just as He chose Saul. SUPPLIES: Clear plastic re-closable bags, oil, food coloring, clear plastic packing tape, large labels, markers OPTIONAL: Fill baby jars or other sealable containers with oil. PREPARE: Display on board or poster for children to copy: For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 ASK> What did Samuel do to show that God had chosen Saul to be king? (Anointed him with oil.) God chose Saul for a very important job. God has also chosen you to do His works. SAY> Let s make a special treasure of oil to help you always remember how you were anointed today to do God s work. Remember, the Bible says in Ephesians 2:10, For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. DIRECTIONS: 1. Hold your bag open as teacher pours approximately 2 tablespoons of oil into your bag. 2. Squeeze two drops of food coloring into the oil. 3. Seal your bag closed tightly. 4. Use clear tape to cover the opening of your bag so the oil will not come out. 5. Gently squeeze the oil and food coloring together in bag to mix. 6. Copy words to Ephesians 2:10 on label. Decorate the label. 7. Stick label onto bag. *Teacher Tip: Olive oil is recommended for the craft as it was probably the oil used to anoint Saul. Be sure to cover the work area to protect it. For younger children, you may wish to add the food coloring for them and help them seal their bags. For children who chose not to be anointed, assure them they can make the bag to help them always remember that God created us to do His work. THUMBS UP! LESSON 38 REVIEW QUIZ PURPOSE: Review the facts of the Samuel and Saul story. SUPPLIES: None SAY> Let s see how much you can remember about today s story. I m going to read some statements about this story. Some are true and some are false. Raise your thumbs up for true, thumbs down for false. If the answer is false, be ready to make the sentence correct. (Move quickly through these, keeping the pace lively and challenging!) 1. Saul was the first king of the Philistines. (Thumbs down.) Correction: Saul was the first king of which nation? (Israel.) 2. Saul came from the tribe of Benjamin. (Thumbs up.) 3. Ruth anointed Saul s head with oil. (Thumbs down.) Correction: Who anointed Saul s head? (Samuel.) 4. The Spirit of the Lord came in power upon Saul. (Thumbs up.) 5. Saul was king for 42 years. (Thumbs up.) 6. Saul hid in the closet. (Thumbs down.) Correction: Where did Saul hide? (In the supplies.) 7. Saul was tall. (Thumbs up.) 7

8 GOT TIME? continued A CHANGE OF HEART DISCUSSION PURPOSE: To see that God knew Saul s heart and changed it through the power of the Holy Spirit. SUPPLIES: Bible PREPARATION: Highlight the following passages in Bible. *Teacher Tip: Have teacher or experienced readers read aloud from teacher s highlighted Bible. Let s see what we can find in the Bible about the God who knows our hearts. (Read 1 King 8:39b.) What does only God knows our hearts mean to you? (Only God knows our deepest feelings.) (Read 1 Samuel 9:19.) Samuel was called the seer. That meant he gave people messages from God. Who do you think told Samuel all that was in Saul s heart? (God.) To prophesy means to tell others what God has shown you about the future. Listen to Samuel s prophesy about Saul. (Read 1 Samuel 10:6-7.) Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Saul could do good things for God s people. The Holy Spirit changed Saul s heart to want to serve as king. In the same way, the Holy Spirit changes our hearts to want to do the things God has chosen for us to do. (Read 1 Samuel 10:9.) What did God change to fulfill those signs? (God changed Saul s heart.) When we use the word heart, we are talking about our deepest feelings. When we have a change in deep feelings, we think differently and treat others differently. Have you ever had a change in your heart toward God or toward others? (Respond.) How did the change in your heart change the way you treat God or others? (Respond.) 8

9 GOT TIME? continued BIBLE MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITIES Unit 8 Bible Memory Verse: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quie t waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 THE WAVE PURPOSE: To help children memorize the Unit 8 Bible Memory Verse. DIRECTIONS: 1. Assign one phrase from Psalm 23 to each child or group. 2. As helper directs, each child/group quickly stands, says assigned phrase while raising both hands up to the sky and then down to thighs and sits down. 3. Repeat three times, faster each time. THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD PURPOSE: Children learn the meaning of the Unit 8 Bible Memory Verse. SUPPLIES: Unit 8 Bible Memory Verse poster *Teacher Tip: For older children, divide children into seven teams. Assign one of the sentences listed above to each team. Ask teams to brainstorm the meaning of their assigned sentence. Ask all the teams to share the meaning of their passage with the class. ASK> Our Bible Memory Verse is Psalm 23. There are 150 psalms in the Bible. They are songs or poems that were used to worship God. Do you know who wrote many of the psalms? (David.) David was the second King of Israel. He loved to worship God. Let s put each part of Psalm 23 into our own words. (Lead children in discussion of each phrase.) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (God will take care of all of my needs, just like a shepherd takes care of his sheep.) He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. (God makes sure my body and soul get to rest.) He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name s sake. (God shows me how to follow Him and do what is right in His eyes so more people will know who He is.) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Even in hard times, I don t have to be afraid, because You are with me. I don t have to be afraid of evil, of death, or my enemies. Your rules and the way You lead me and keep me calm me when I m worried.) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. (You have a good plan for me even when I m surrounded by those who want to hurt me.) You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (You have chosen a special job for me to do. My heart is like a cup that is filled and overflowing with blessings from You.) Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (God will always be good to me and love me. I will always be a part of God s family.) 9

10 GOT TIME? continued BIBLE TIMELINE REVIEW PURPOSE: To review the recent Bible Stories studied to see the continuing story of God and His people. SUPPLIES: Bible Timeline (Many children s Bible Timelines are available for purchase. To create your own, see the Teacher Tip below.) PREPARE: Hang the Bible Timeline on a wall or other visible location. DIRECTIONS: Point the Bible Timeline. Ask the corresponding questions below. Ruth (No specific date recorded, but Ruth lived during the time when judges ruled over Israel.) Who did Ruth marry? (Boaz.) Boaz was Ruth s kinsman or family redeemer. A redeemer is someone who pays the price to save someone from something bad. Who is the Redeemer of the whole world? (Jesus.) Samuel (Circa 1100 B.C.) God called to Samuel when he was a boy in the temple. God chose him to be a prophet and judge for the Israelites. What did the Philistines steal while Samuel was judge? (The golden ark.) Why did they return it? (Their Dagon statue broke and their people became sick when the ark was in their town.) What did Samuel name the stone used to remember God s help? (Ebenezer stone.) Saul (Circa 1050 B.C.) God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. Samuel anointed Saul. What does anoint mean? (To anoint someone means to put oil on a person to show that God has chosen him or her to do a special job for God.) What happened to Saul s heart when the Holy Spirit came upon Saul in power? (God changed his heart.) *Teacher Tip: How to create Bible Timeline 1. Print Lesson title or person s name with historical date (whenever available) on an index card. Before each lesson, add that new card to the timeline. 2. For a more colorful timeline, substitute index cards with pictures portraying key events, themes, or elements of each story, such as the pictures used in unveiling the weekly scripture in THE WORD segment of the lesson. 3. Dates can be included or omitted. Dates listed are approximations of the year of a major event in that person s life, or year of birth. 4. Attach card to wall or clothesline in the following order: Creation > Adam and Eve > Cain and Abel > Noah (Circa 2350.B.C.) > Babel > Abram and Lot (Circa 2100 B.C.)> Hagar and Ishmael > Abraham and Isaac (Circa 2050 B.C.) > Isaac and Rebekah > Jacob and Esau (Circa 1900 B.C.) > Joseph (Circa 1850 B.C.) > Moses (Circa 1500 B.C.) > Joshua (Circa 1450 B.C.) > Deborah (Circa 1350 B.C.) Deborah (Circa 1350 B.C.) > Gideon (Circa 1250 B.C.) > Samson (Circa 1150 B.C) > Ruth > Samuel (Circa 1100 B.C.) > Saul (Circa 1050 B.C.) 10