Israel’s First King
New to GameLife 123 Bible Discovery? Click here to become a More Effective Bible Teacher!
Israel’s First King / 1 Samuel 15
Bible Truth: Obedience is better than sacrifice
“Are you ready for the Joy of Discovery? Unlock the One Main Truth: It’s an adventure in the Game, a revelation in the Bible, and it will transform your Life. Let’s take one step closer to becoming a Champion for Eternity!”
In the Game: “Players that Listened were able to Obey”
In the Bible: “King Saul Disobeyed God and was Disciplined”
In Your Life: “Even Leaders, and You if You Disobey God, will be Disciplined”
1 GAME EXPERIENCE: Listen Obey Relay
- Introduction: Gather the children and explain that they have an exciting mission ahead, but they must listen carefully to the instructions.
- Objective: Point out an object in the distance that the players need to run around and back to. This will be their mission point.
- Team Formation: Divide the players into two or more teams, ensuring an even distribution. If there’s an odd number, assign one player to run twice for their team.
- Game Rounds: In each round, players will take turns running to the mission point and back. After their turn, they move to the end of the line for the next round.
- Instructions: Crucial: Explain that instructions will be given only once. In the first round, players must skip on one leg; in the second round, they should run backward; in the third round, they must walk quickly (while walking, not running).
- Winning Team: The team that successfully completes all three rounds with the correct actions wins. Once a team completes the rounds, all their members sit down.
2 BIBLE DISCOVERIES: Gospel & Truth - I Samuel 15
“Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”
THE CIRCUMSTANCE: (1 Samuel 15: 1- 5)
Children today we are going to discover who the first King of Israel was. In the land of Israel prophets and judges gave advice to God’s people. After many years the people cried out, “We want a King to rule over us like other nations.” God was not pleased but allowed Saul to be King over all of Israel. King Saul ruled for several years when Samuel the prophet of God came to King Saul with a divine message from God. Samuel said, now listen to the words of the Lord. Samuel said to King Saul, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt.” God remembered the cruelty of the Amalekites against the Israelites when the were escaping from Egypt and trying to find a new home many years before. God gave the Amalekites many, many years to repent to change their ways. Their king was called King Agag he also chose to continue to be mean and cruel and now they were going to face God’s justice.
THE CHOICE: (1 Samuel 15:10-23)
Boys and girls, we are going to do something a little different today, as you are going to be part of the story. When I say sheep, those on the right side are going to go Baa, Baa. When I say oxen those on the left side are going to go Moo, Moo. When I cross my hands, you are to stop. Can you do that? Let’s practice once. The teacher points to the right side and says Sheep. Cross hands to stop. Good Job! Now let’s hear from the Oxen, and point to the left side. Cross hands to stop. Great Job also! Now listen carefully when I say the words. Saul gathered his people and prepared them to obey God. As they approached the city of Amalek, Saul issued a command to attack and destroy everything, sparing nothing as God commanded. However, in the midst of the battle, Saul made a choice that would change his life forever. Children he chooses to disobey God! Boys and girls let’s shout NO Saul, NO! What should Saul do let’s say it together. 1. Stop and turn around 2. Go back 3. Do it the right way. King Saul should repent and ask for forgiveness right then but he didn’t. He spared King Agag and kept the best of the livestock. Saul chose to disobey God’s clear command! When Samuel confronted Saul, he defended himself by lying he said, “No Samuel, I followed the Lord’s instructions”. But Samuel answered with a wise question, “What then is this bleating of the sheep (point to the right side, Baa, Baa. Cross hands to stop.) in my ears and the lowing of the oxen( Point to the left side, Moo, Moo. Cross hands to stop.) that I hear?” The importance of Saul’s choice was clear. His decision to disobey God’s command
showed a heart of rebellion against God.
THE CONSEQUENCE: (1 Samuel 15:24 – 35))
Samuel’s voice rang out with the truth that disobedience carries consequences. Saul confessed, “I have sinned, for I have disobeyed the commandment of the Lord and your words.” However, he wasn’t truly sorry he disobeyed, only that he got caught. Samuel proclaimed, “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you rom being king.” The result of choice was severe—his kingship was taken away, and the kingdom was given to another. Because of Saul’s disobedience in his heart, his plea for pardon was rejected. King Saul’s incomplete obedience was the same as disobedience. With great sadness, Samuel said, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.We are going to learn more about King David in latter bible stories.” Because of King Saul’s disobedience, the kingdom was to be given to David who would obey God. Later God said, “King David was a man after My own heart”. We are going to learn more about King David in later “Bible Stories,” and learn how he was related to “Jesus the Son of God.”
“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”
3 LIFE CONNECTIONS: Connecting Jesus to Every Child
(1) The One Main Truth Planted in MY HEART, Growing MY ATTITUDE
POWER WORDS: “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” I Samuel 15: 22b
(2) The One Main Truth Rooted in MY MIND, Leading MY CHOICES
POWER QUESTIONS:
Game Questions:
- How was the game played?
- What parts of the game were easy for you? What parts were challenging?
- Can you think of a time in the game when not listening carefully led to challenges?
- How does that obedience in the game connect to our bible story?
“Boys & girls, that sounds a lot like what we just discovered in the Bible!”
Bible Questions:
- Circumstance: Where did the history take place, and who was there?
- Choice: What important decision did [name] have to make?
Was it a good choice or a bad choice, and why do you think [name] made that choice? - Can you name two people in the bible story? (Saul and Samuel)
Life Questions:
- Circumstance: When have you (today or in the future) been in a similar situation as [name] in the Bible history?
- Choice: What would you do if you were in [name]’s situation? Have you ever faced a similar decision? What did you choose?
- What will you ask God to change in you this week so you can serve God faithfully?
“Boys & girls, we should always make the right choice that will please God, let us tell God what is in our hearts right now.”
(3) The One Main Truth Today Committed in MY SOUL, Inspiring MY ACTIONS
POWER PRAYER: Repeat After Me “Dear Jesus, please help me to obey You the way You want to be obeyed, not according to what I think, but according to what You say in your word.
Teach me how You want me to obey You. Jesus, thank you that you are always there.
*“***Boys & girls, let’s be still and quiet, open your heart to hear God’s whisper.***”
(Coach, wait at least 14 seconds, allowing God to connect to every child)
Thank you for answering my prayer the way that is best.
Ask the children what is their favorite worship song and then sing several worship songs with Strong & Powerful Worship Motions
(Click here for worship songs
“GameLife Strong & Powerful Worship Motions”)
Now, remember to share this truth,
practice this truth, and bring a friend back with you! Boys and girls, let’s go out as the
“Champions for Eternity” that God expects us to become!