LESSON THEME: Choose God’s Way
In 1 Samuel 7:2-8:22, we see Samuel serving as judge over Israel for many years, leading the people back to God and defeating their enemies through prayer and God’s power. As Samuel grows old, the elders of Israel approach him requesting a king to rule over them like other nations, rejecting God’s direct leadership through judges. Samuel is displeased by their request and prays to God, who tells him that the people are not rejecting Samuel but rejecting God himself as their king. God instructs Samuel to warn the people about what having a human king will cost them, but ultimately allows them to make their choice, demonstrating that God gives us free will even when our choices may not be best for us.
WELCOME SENSORY BINS 6:00-6:15 p.m.
CROWN DECORATING
Items Needed
- Crown (1 Per Child)
- Jewels
- Markers
- Glue
Allow kids to decorate a crown to wear during the lesson. Let them know that we will learn about how God is our one true King, but there were people who wanted to get rid of God’s system and choose an earthly King.
Good Choice / Bad Choice Sorting Game
Items Needed
- Good vs Bad Choice Cards (Printed)
Have kids sort their cards into Good vs Bad Choices. Discuss how God allows us to make choices every single day. He wants us to make good choices, but he gives us freewill to make whatever choice we want to make.
WORSHIP JESUS THRU MUSIC: 6:20-6:30 p.m.
Worship Jesus Thru Music
WORSHIP JESUS THRU PRAYER: 6:30-6:40 p.m.
WHISPER A PRAYER SONG & FORM CIRCLE
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time.
Ask each kid to pray.
BIBLE STORY GAME
Divide the room in half . Label one side “Good Choice” with a green sign and the other “Bad Choice” with a red sign. Call out various scenarios and have children run to the side they think represents the right choice. After each scenario, briefly discuss why it’s a good or bad choice.
Example scenarios:
- “Obeying your parents”
- “Taking toys from friends”
- “Praying to God”
- “Being kind to others”
- “Telling lies”
- “Sharing your toys”
- “Listening in church”
Make it more fun by having children hop, skip, or crawl to their chosen side!
BIBLE STORY & CRAFT 6:40-7:00 p.m.
Items Needed
- Bible
- 1 plate of cookies (1 for each child)
- 1 fruit tray (1 for each child).
Line kids up to go to the other room.
Display two bowls – one with colorful fruits another with cookies “Look what I brought today! You each get to pick one snack from either bowl. Choose carefully!” Allow each child to make their selection.
After everyone has chosen, gather them together. “Let’s talk about our choices! Those who picked fruit chose something that helps your body grow strong and healthy. Those who picked cookies chose something sweet and yummy right now, but it won’t help your muscles and bones grow like the fruits will. Both choices were okay, but one choice helps us more in the long run!
This reminds me of a story in the Bible where God’s people had to make a big choice. Just like you could choose your snack, they could choose what kind of leader they wanted. God knew which choice would be better for them, but He loved them enough to let them decide for themselves. Let’s see what happened!
A long time ago, God’s people had a special leader named Samuel. Samuel was called a ‘judge’ – not the kind that sits in a courtroom, but someone who helped people make good choices and follow God.
Samuel loved God very much and always prayed to Him. When enemies came to fight God’s people, Samuel didn’t grab swords or shields. Do you know what he did? He prayed! And God answered his prayers by sending thunder and lightning that scared the enemies away!
But as Samuel got older, the people came to him with a request. They said, ‘Samuel, we want a king! All the other countries have kings, and we want one too!’ Samuel felt sad. He had been their leader, and most importantly, God had been their king! Samuel prayed to God about this. God told Samuel, ‘The people aren’t rejecting you, Samuel. They’re rejecting ME as their king.’
God could have said ‘NO!’ and forced them to keep Him as their only king. But do you know what God did? He let them choose! Even though God knew having a human king would bring them trouble, He loved them enough to let them make their own choice.
Just like God let His people choose, God lets us choose too! When Mommy asks you to clean your toys, you can choose to obey or disobey. When friends are being mean, you can choose to be kind or mean back. God always wants us to choose His way because it’s best for us, but He loves us so much that He lets us choose.
Craft Option 1: Two Choices Board
Materials:
- “My Choices” printed on Card Stock (1 per child)
- 1 Strip of Yellow Construction Paper
- 1 Strip of Red Construction Paper
- Printouts (God’s Way, My Way, Arrow, Choices)
- Glue (1 per child)
- Brad Fastener
Instructions:
- Give each child a rectangular board with “My Choices” written at the top
- Have them glue one yellow strip down the left side and label it “God’s Way”. Then glue the red strip down the right side and label it “My Way”
- Help children decide where to glue different items: “God’s Way” or “My Way”
- Attach the arrow with a brad fastener so they can point the arrow toward either path
- As they work, discuss how we can point our choices toward God’s way
Take-home message: “When you have a choice to make this week, spin your arrow and remember to choose God’s way!”
SNACK TIME: 7:00-7:10 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Coloring Page
Crayons
Snack
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks.
A coloring sheet will be available for kids to color while they eat their snack.
CLOSING GAME: 7:10-7:25 p.m.
Musical Chairs
Setup the chairs in a circle. Play musical chairs. Explain when they fight over a chair, they picked “my way” instead of “God’s Way”. It’s okay to win, but it’s also okay to share – especially in gams.
DISMISSAL 7:25-7:30 p.m.
Prepare for dismissal.
Scripture Reference (KJV)
1 Samuel 7:2-3, 10; 8:4-7, 19-22
“And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines… And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel… Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them… Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king.”