Lesson 9.6 Eli and Samuel

Lesson 9.6

God Judges His People: Eli and Boy Samuel

1 Samuel 1-3

This week we wrap up our study of the Old Testament judges by studying Samuel. Samuel was called by God as a boy to tell Eli and the people of Israel about God’s plan.

Samuel used God’s words to tell the people what God is like. John 1:1 says that Jesus is the Word. Jesus showed the world what God is like, and He told people to turn away from their sin. Jesus ultimately freed people from the power of sin by dying on the cross and rising again.

 

Help your kids connect Samuel using God’s words to tell others about what God is like and Jesus, the Word of God, showing the world perfectly what God is like because He is God.

 

FAMILY DISCUSSION POINTS

●     Babies and Toddlers

○     God’s plan is perfect.

○     God heard Hannah’s prayer for a son.

○     God used Samuel to tell His words to the people.

○     Like Samuel, Jesus told people God’s words.

●     Preschool

○     Whom does God use in His plan? God uses people in His plan.

○     God spoke to Samuel.

●     Kids

○     How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good.

○     God called Samuel to share God’s plan.

 BIG IDEA

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

NEXT WEEK

●     “Israel Demanded a King” (1 Samuel 8–10

Lesson 9.5 Ruth and Boaz

Lesson 9.5

God Judges His People: Ruth and Boaz

Ruth 1-4

This week we will look at the story of Ruth and Boaz that took place during the time of the judges. God provided Boaz to take care of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi when they were in need. God sent Jesus to earth through Ruth’s family.

 

Boaz was a family redeemer. That means he would help his close relatives who were in trouble. Boaz cared for Ruth and Naomi because their husbands had died. In a similar way, Jesus is our Redeemer. We need help because we sin. Jesus bought our salvation for us by taking our punishment when He died on the cross. 

 

Help your children see the picture of Jesus redeeming us through His payment on the cross.

 

FAMILY DISCUSSION POINTS

●     Babies and Toddlers

○     God’s plan is perfect.

○     God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi.

○     God sent Jesus to earth through Ruth’s family.

○     Like Boaz, Jesus helps us in times of trouble.

●     Preschool

○     Whom does God use in His plan? God uses people in His plan.

○     God gave Ruth a family.

●     Kids

○     How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good.

○     God provided a redeemer for Ruth.

BIG IDEA

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

NEXT WEEK

●     “Eli and Boy Samuel” (1 Samuel 1–3)

Lesson 9.4 - Samson

Lesson 9.4 God Judges His People 
Samson

Judges 13-16

This week we come to Samson in our study of the Old Testament judges. God gave Samson great strength, but Samson was very weak when it came to being faithful to God. Samson’s sin led to his death, but God used his death to defeat the Philistines and deliver the Israelites from their enemy.

Samson’s story reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but God sent Him to die on the cross and rise again to rescue believers from sin and give them eternal life.

Help your children see that Samson offers us a contrasting picture of Jesus. Like Samson, Jesus’ death was used to deliver God’s people, only Jesus did not die because of a sin He committed. Jesus died because of our sin. 

 *All materials are used and reprinted with permission from Lifeway.

FAMILY DISCUSSION POINTS

●     Babies and Toddlers

○     God’s plan is perfect.

○     God made Samson strong to help God’s people.

○     Samson made wrong choices, but God’s plan is perfect.

○     God sent Jesus to be our Judge.

●     Preschool

○     Whom does God use in His plan? God uses people in His plan.

○     God made Samson strong.

●     Kids

○     How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good.

○     God gave Samson power.

BIG IDEA

KEY PASSAGE

NEXT WEEK

●     "Ruth and Boaz" Ruth 1-4

Lesson 9.3 Gideon

Lesson 9.3

God Judges His People: Gideon

Judges 6-8

This week, we continue examining the judges of the Old Testament with Gideon. Gideon was an unlikely judge. When God called him, he was afraid and was unsure if he could be used by God. God proved to Gideon, and the Israelites, that He is strong enough and that He is the One Israel should depend on.

The Israelites cried out to God because they knew they could not save themselves. Even Gideon was not enough to save them; God used Gideon to save His people, but God fought the battle for them. The people needed someone who was mighty to save. Jesus Christ came to save us from sin because we cannot save ourselves. Only God, through Christ, can save us.

 

Help your kids see that God uses our weaknesses for His glory.

 

FAMILY DISCUSSION POINTS

●     Babies and Toddlers

○     God’s plan is perfect.

○     God used Gideon to help His people.

○     God said He would be with Gideon.

○     God sent Jesus to be with us.

●     Preschool

○     Whom does God use in His plan? God uses people in His plan.

○     God gave Gideon victory over his enemies.

●     Kids

○     How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good.

○     God used Gideon’s weakness for His glory.

 

BIG IDEA

KEY VERSE

NEXT WEEK

●     “Samson” (Judges 13–16)

Lesson 9.2- God Judges His People - Deborah and Barak

Lesson 9.2 Deborah and Barak

Judges 4-5

This week we continue our study of the judges as we work through the Old Testament. When God’s people were distressed by Canaan, they cried out for a judge and God sent them a judge named Deborah. Deborah obeyed God and instructed Barak to fight Israel’s enemy. With the help of a woman named Jael, Israel won the victory.

God does what is for His glory and our good. (Psalm 115:3; Romans 8:28) God fought for the Israelites and used Deborah, Barak, and Jael to defeat Canaan. In a similar way, God uses people and events to not only save us from our enemies, but to bring about our ultimate good: salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Help your children see that God uses people to bring about His perfect plan.

 *All materials are used and reprinted with permission from Lifeway.

FAMILY DISCUSSION POINTS

●     Babies and Toddlers

○     God’s plan is perfect.

○     God’s people needed someone to help them obey God.

○     God used Deborah and Barak to help His people.

○     God sent Jesus to be our Judge.

●     Preschool

○     Whom does God use in His plan? God uses people in His plan.

○     God sent judges to help His people.

●     Kids

○     How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good.

○     God’s people needed someone to rescue them from their enemies.

BIG IDEA

UNIT KEY PASSAGE

NEXT WEEK

●     “Gideon” (Judges 6–8)