SERIES: EXAMPLES LESSON 1 BARZILLAI S EXAMPLE Bible Reference: 2 Samuel 17:27-28; 19:31-39 Key Verse: Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. OVERVIEW -Introduction Video -Opening Activity -Bible Lesson, part 1 -Bible Lesson, part 2 -Small Group Activities -Key Verse -Review -Prayer Part ITEMS NEEDED: -Signs that say: King David; Absalom; Ahithophel; Barzillai; Excuse #1 I m too old!, Excuse #2 Can I?; Excuse #3 It s too far. -Craft Items for the Burnt-Match Cross Project -Extra craft items for appreciate cards for students who finish their crafts early on any week during this series. OPENING ACTIVITY SAY: I am going to say some names and I want you to tell me what kind of example they are. (Use names of popular singers and celebrities as well as others that your students might recognize. End with the ones listed below ) -The President -George Washington -Paul the Apostle -King David ASK: Who was King David in the Bible? ASK: What do you remember about David s life? (i.e., He fought Goliath, was a shepherd boy, became the king of Israel, wrote over half of the Psalms, etc.) ASK: Would you say that King David was a good example? (Sometimes David was an example of what to do and sometimes he was an example of what not to do.) SAY: Today we re going to begin taking a look at Examples and the main character that we are going to look at in this lesson is a little known person who once helped King David. His name is Barzillai.
BIBLE LESSON, part 1 (Based on 2 Samuel 17:27-28; 19:31-39) SAY: Before we read, let me give you the background of this story. Choose four volunteers give them the signs that say: King David, Absalom, Ahithophel, and Barzillai. Introduce each one as you give them the signs: 1. This is King David who once was a shepherd boy but God chose him to become the king. He defeated Goliath and became a great leader. 2. This is Absalom. Absalom was one of King David s sons. The Bible says that he was handsome and flawless from head to toe (2 Sam. 14:25). He shaved his head every year because his hair grew so fast and when he shaved, what he cut off weighed 5 pounds. Absalom s name means My Father is Peace or The Father is Peace. Either way Absalom wasn t a man of peace. He murdered his brother after he disgraced their sister and then he ran away from King David for three years until the king allowed him to return. But even when David allowed him back, he wasn t allowed to see the king. In time he spoke badly about the king and people began to listen to him and to like him. 3. This is Ahithophel. He was an advisor to King David and was known to be a very wise man (2 Sam. 16:23). 4. This is Barzillai. He was 80 years old and today you re going to learn all about him. As you tell the story move around your volunteers as their characters come into and out of the picture - this way your volunteers aren t just standing but involved. SAY: David s son, Absalom, and his chief advisor, Ahithophel, rebelled against the king to overthrow his throne and to make Absalom the king. David and his faithful men left Jerusalem and were now on the run. As they fled, three men met them and supplied them with food and help. One of these men was Barzillai. Listen to all the things they gave the king and his army. Read 2 Samuel 17:28-29 from your Bible ASK: So far what kind of example is Barzillai? ASK: What do you learn about Barzillai from these verses? (He was obviously a very wealthy man. These three men provided for David s entire army. He was also very generous.) ASK your students to think about this question but not to answer it: How generous are you? Are you willing to share or do you like to keep things to yourself? SAY: Honey and curds were the food typically eaten in times like this, a food of last resorts, but these three men provided David and his men with more than just rations. Not only did Barzillai give a lot, he also gave his best to the king.
ASK your students to think about this question but not to answer it: When you consider how you give, do you give your best to others? To God? Or do you give just enough to get by with? SAY: When we re talking about giving, we re not just talking about gifts or money. Think about your whole life and things you can give. ASK: What can you give to God? (Your life, your actions, your time, your gifts and talents, your money, your commitment, your service, and more.) ASK: What can you give to others? (Your kindness, your love, your time, your service, and more.) ASK: Do you feel like you ve held the best back from God in any area of your life? SAY: Let s read some more but to get to Barzillai again, we re going to have to jump ahead. This is what happened: Absalom and his army chased King David and attacked. David s son, Absalom, was defeated and killed. Ahithophel died as well. The rebellion was over and King David was headed back to Jerusalem. On the way he wanted to thank Barzillai. Listen closely to their discussion: Read 2 Samuel 19:33-39 from your Bible ASK: What did King David ask Barzillai to do? (The king gave Barzillai an invitation to stay with him, to eat at his table, and to be at his side. This might have even included being an advisor to him. Remember, David had just lost his chief advisor.) SAY: In a similar way, God gives us an invitation too an invitation to walk with Him, to stay with Him, to be with Him daily, to enjoy His presence. We too have an invitation from the King. ASK: What was Barzillai s response? (He gave excuses and his excuses are very similar to excuses people give today for not serving or following God.) Ask your volunteers to have a seat. Give them a round of applause. BIBLE LESSON, part 2 Choose 3 new volunteers SAY: Barzillai gave the king excuses and his excuses are very similar to excuses people give today for not serving or following God. 1. Give the first volunteer a sign that says: Excuse #1 I m too old! Today: Age is still an excuse today. I m too old to serve God. Or, if they re young, they ll say, I m too young. How could God use me? SAY: After my next question I want you to say True or False. Ready -A person can be too old to follow and serve God to the best of their ability. True or False -A person can be too young to follow and serve God to the best of their ability. True or False
SAY: Both are False. The only thing that stops people from following and serving God is themselves their choices, not their age. 2. Give the second volunteer a sign that says: Excuse #2 Can I? SAY: Three times Barzillai asked, Can I? He doubted his ability. Today: People today still give the excuse that it s just too much for them. That they just can t do it. That they don t have the ability. SAY: After my next question I want you to say True or False. Ready -God will always give a person exactly what he needs to do what God has called him to do. True or False -God doesn t look at your abilities but your willingness. True or False SAY: Both are true. God can do amazing things through those who are willing to trust Him and follow Him. 3. Give the third volunteer a sign that says: Excuse #3 It s too far. SAY: Barzillai told the king that he would go with him a little ways. Today Many Christians are willing to follow God a little ways but not all the way. In other words, they want to follow God as long as it s convenient or as long as they re comfortable or as long as it doesn t cost them anything. SAY: After my next question I want you to say True or False. Ready -God doesn t want you to follow Him a little ways but all the way, every day of your life. True or False SAY: True. ASK: What do you think it means to Go all the way with God? ASK: What would someone be like if they followed God all the way? (Totally surrendered to Him.) Dismiss to Small Groups SAY: Right now it is time for our small groups, so I m going to dismiss you one row at a time. We ll be in our small groups for a little while and then we ll come back together as a large group again. Dismiss rows of chairs to the tables in the rooms. Give them specific directions where to go. NOTE: You also might want to give instructions for the craft project your students will begin today. SMALL GROUPS CRAFT: Burnt Match Crosses
This craft will be a three-week project. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS TO ATTEND EVERY SUNDAY THIS MONTH. DESCRIPTION: Week #1 Students will choose their spiritual goals and write them on the spiritual goals page with their name as well as any decorations they might wish to add. This will then be glued to the back of the project (the 12x12 cardboard piece). Make sure students write their names on this page as well. Week #2 Students will glue matches on the cardstock cross diagram (printed on tan cardstock) and finish anything from last week that they didn t complete. -Students who missed the first week can begin their craft today. -Please leave the crafts on a table in your room to dry. Week #3 Students will glue the background they choose for the project to the 12x12 cardboard piece. Then they will cut out the burnt-match crosses from the cardstock diagram and glue them to the background that they choose for their project. Review their spiritual goals with them and be sure to remind your students to think about their spiritual goals every time they see this craft. Students who have attended all three weeks will probably finish today s part rather quickly and can continue on to the EXTRA TIME activity below. Students who have missed a week can complete their craft today and everyone should be able to take it home when they are finished. If a student begins the craft today, send the items home with them that they need to complete the craft or you can keep the craft through next week and let them continue alongside next week s lesson. Also be sure to keep in your room the crafts of any students who are absent today. DISCUSSION Discuss your students spiritual goals for this year. This is a craft that parents will hopefully hang up and will be a great reminder throughout the year of what to do and how to live. -GREAT QUESTIONS TO ASK: Are there things in your life you would like to change this year? How you treat someone in your family? Words you say? Things you do that you know don t please your parents or God? What would you like God to do in your life this year? These are examples of spiritual goals some things you might want to put on your page: -Follow Jesus everyday -Learn more about God -Treat my brother with kindness -Obey my mom and dad -Have a good attitude -Treat others right -Use self-control -Be more patient -What else? EXTRA TIME: Some students will finish more quickly than others. When someone finishes for the day, give them a piece of white cardstock and ask them to make an appreciation card for someone who is a godly example in their lives. This is a great discussion to have in your group as well.
KEY VERSE (After working on the match crosses, show your students what the final craft will look like and ask ) ASK: What does the cross mean to you? SAY: I m getting ready to read our key verse for today and as I read it, I want you to repeat it after me. Read Luke 9:23 from your Bible ASK: What do you think the cross meant to the disciples when they heard Jesus say this? (Take a few answers) SAY: The cross to us stands for salvation and that Jesus died to save us but when the disciples heard this, that hadn t happened yet. So this meant something totally different to them. The cross was how the Roman Empire killed criminals. Murderers and thieves and those who rebelled against the Romans were crucified because it was the most painful and humiliating way to die. When Jesus talked about them taking up their crosses, the only thing the cross meant to them was death. ASK: What do you think Jesus meant when He told His disciples and us to take up his cross daily? (Take a few answers) SAY: Jesus calls us to let go and give up anything in our lives that isn t right or pleasing to Him and to live for Him everyday and not ourselves. REPEAT after Me: I Can / Live for Jesus / All this Year! SAY: Don t be like Barzillai who said Can I? but I Can Live for Jesus, not for yourself or for the things of this world. And you CAN live for Jesus EVERYDAY. REVIEW QUESTIONS If you want and have time, you can make this a competition and keep score. -Who were the main characters in our Bible story today? -What did Absalom do? Tell me some things about him. -Would you consider him to be a good or bad example of how we should live life? -What did King David do? Tell me some things about him. -Would you consider him to be a good or bad example of how we should live life? -What did Ahithophel do? Tell me some things about him. -Would you consider him to be a good or bad example of how we should live life? -What did Barzillai do? Tell me some things about him. -What was King David s offer to Barzillai as he was heading back to Jerusalem? -What were Barzillai s excuses? -In what ways would you consider Barzillai a good example for how we should live? -In what ways would you consider Barzillai a bad example for how we should live? -What did Barzillai do instead of going and staying with the King? We didn t point this out I just want to see how well you were listening when I read the story. (He sent Chimham, a servant, with the king to take his place.)
SAY: It s very sad but he sent someone else to take his place. Some Christians do this too Instead of going to tell others about Jesus, they let someone else go. They might even pay for someone else to go on a mission trip, but they won t go themselves. Barzillai s servant enjoyed the king s presence and blessings and in the same way there are many Christians who miss out on what God intended for them because they send someone else to do what God has called them to do. When it comes to telling others about Jesus, don t ever send someone in your place. If you do, someone else will enjoy the great blessings that should have been yours. PRAYER PART ASK: A lot of times when we pray we bow our heads and close our eyes but is it okay to pray with your eyes open? What about your head up? SAY: Yes, the Bible doesn t tell us to bow our heads and close our eyes. In Jesus day people would usually raise their hands and heads and look towards heaven when they prayed. ASK: So why do you think we bow our heads and close our eyes? SAY: Bowing our heads in our culture shows respect and we close our eyes so that we won t be distracted but you don t have to pray with this posture. God can hear you just as well with your head up and eyes open. Read the prayer requests that have been turned in at the Prayer Request box and take other prayer requests from your class. Ask if a volunteer would like to pray for your class today. EXTRA TIME If you finish early, let your kids resume their work on their crafts for the day or work on appreciation cards for people who are godly examples to them.