Heroes of the Faith, Part 5Sýnishorn

God's Will

Bible story: King Saul - 1 Samuel 8:4-21, 9:15-10:1, 10:20-25, 13:5-14, 15:1-31

Theme Verse: Psalms 143:10

Last week we learned that God is all-powerful and that He has plans to do what He wills. Today we are going to learn from a man named Saul what happens when we try to change God’s will or when we disobey it.

In those days, Israel didn’t have a king and Samuel was still the leader of Israel. The Israelites came to Samuel and asked for a king like all the surrounding nations had. It is easy for us to look around at what our neighbors have. When we make comparisons, we become discontent with what God has given us. The Israelites begged God to give them a king. God said that they would not like it once they had it and there would be no going back.

God loves us and has our best in mind, but it’s tempting to ignore God for something else. God sent Samuel to anoint a man named Saul as king. But as time went by, Saul began to disobey God little by little. Disobedience can creep in, and you must be careful! Jesus said to watch and pray so we will not fall into temptation. (Matthew 26:14) At one battle, Saul was supposed to wait for Samuel to come to offer a sacrifice to God, something only Levites like Samuel were permitted to do. They waited almost a full week and grew impatient. Saul feared that he would lose his army – he thought people were more important than God for winning the battle. He disobeyed the rule and offered the sacrifice.

Samuel told him that God was already looking for someone better to replace him as king. If you stop doing God’s will, you may be letting go of something amazing God has for you. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have God’s grace to help us all the time. Instead of disobeying, ask God for help.

Some time later, Saul disobeyed God’s command to destroy the Amalekites completely, keeping the king and the best sheep and cattle. He said they were to sacrifice to God, but Samuel said that obedience is better than sacrifice.

In our own lives, too, while it is good to make sacrifices for God by giving Him our time, money, gifts, etc., God always prefers obedience. Jesus said that anyone who does God’s will is Jesus’ brother or sister. (Matthew 12:50) Jesus also said that God cares much more about doing His will than about prophesying, casting out demons, or performing any miracle. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Because of Saul’s disobedience, God was going to remove the kingdom from him! Throughout Saul’s life, his disobedience grew worse and worse until he was killed in battle. Next time we’ll learn about someone better who took Saul’s place as king, a man who was very careful to do what was right no matter what.

I choose to obey God and do His will, whatever He wants me to do.

Questions:

1. What if God asks me for something impossible?

2. Where did God come from?

3. Why doesn’t everybody believe in God?

Application to Life:

In every moment that you feel tempted, pray to God and ask Him for help to do the right thing. When you sin, ask God for forgiveness and repent. Also ask God to help you to do good things, Each time you think of something good to do, for example helping or encouraging someone, do it.

Want more?

This reading plan is taken from Equip & Grow's children's curriculum, considering the examples God has given us in the lives of key people in the Bible. Enjoy this plan at home, and then do the full curriculum at church with student books, games, crafts, songs, decorations, and more!

https://www.childrenareimportant.com/heroes/