Wildside 09.29.19

Wildside September 29, 2019

Israel Demanded a King

Bible Passage:

Main Point: God chose Saul as Israel’s first king.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Who is our King? Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world.

Small Group Opening

(10–15 minutes)

Large Group Bible Study

(25–30 minutes)

Small Group Activities

(25–30 minutes)

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Samuel had judged Israel throughout his lifetime, but he was getting old. So Samuel appointed his sons, Joel and Abijah, as judges over Israel. But like many sons, Joel and Abijah did not follow the example of their father. They were unfair and dishonest. They disobeyed God and caused problems for Israel.

Until this time, Israel had relied on God to give them judges to lead them. The elders of Israel spoke to Samuel about his sons, and they demanded a king. They pointed out that all the other nations around them had kings. Samuel wasn’t happy with their request, and he prayed to God.

God replied, “Give them what they want. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king.” God pointed out that His people had been doing the same thing ever since He brought them out of Egypt: turning from God and worshiping other gods. He told Samuel to warn the Israelites about the consequences of having a king.

So Samuel explained to the Israelites what rights a king would have. He warned that when they regretted asking for a king—and they would regret it—God would not help them. The people still insisted on having a king, so God told Samuel to appoint a king.

Through a series of events, a young man named Saul came to Samuel. God had chosen Saul to be the king, so Samuel told Saul about God’s plan. Samuel anointed Saul by pouring oil on his head, and then Samuel presented Saul to Israel. “Long live the king!” the people replied.

God knew Israel would want a king, but the kind of king Israel wanted was not the kind of king they needed. They wanted a king like the other nations. The problem was that every human king would fail them. God had a plan to give them Jesus—fully God and fully man. Jesus would be a perfect King who would reign with justice and righteousness forever. ()

The BIBLE Story

Israel Demanded a King

Samuel was a judge over Israel. At this time, Israel had no king, but they wanted a king.

Samuel had two sons, Joel and Abijah. Because Samuel was getting old, he let his sons be rulers over Israel. There was a problem, though. Joel and Abijah were not good judges like their father was. Joel and Abijah were unfair and dishonest.

The leaders of Israel went to Samuel. “You were a good judge,” they said, “but your sons have not followed your example. We don’t want them to lead us; we want a king like the nations around us!”

Samuel wasn’t sure how to respond, so he prayed to God.

God said, “Samuel, they are not rejecting you; they are rejecting Me as king. Give them what they want, but make sure you warn them what it will be like to have an earthly king.”

Samuel explained to the Israelites what rights an earthly king would have. A king could make their sons serve in the army, he could make their daughters work for him, or he could take away their fields and servants. Samuel warned the people that they would regret asking for a king, but the Israelites didn’t care. “Give us a king!” they said.

Meanwhile, a wealthy man named Kish was looking for some of his donkeys that had wandered off. Kish told his son Saul to take a servant with him and search for the missing animals. Saul searched, but he was unable to find the donkeys. He was ready to give up.

“Wait,” his servant said. “There is a man of God in this city. Let’s talk to him; maybe he knows where we can find the donkeys.” Saul and his servant found the man of God—it was Samuel.

“Don’t worry about the donkeys,” Samuel said. “They have been found.”

Samuel invited Saul to have dinner with him. The next morning, Samuel told Saul that God had chosen Saul to be the king of Israel. Saul was surprised because he was from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel.

Samuel used oil to anoint Saul. “You will be king!” Samuel said. Samuel gave Saul some instructions and sent him home. The Spirit of God was with Saul.

Some time later, Samuel gathered the Israelites to introduce Saul, their new king. But no one could find Saul. God said, “There he is, hidden among the supplies.” The people ran to get Saul, and Saul stood among all the people. “Long live the king!” they said.

Christ Connection: God intended for a heavenly king to rule over Israel, but the Israelites did not trust God’s plan. So God chose Saul to be their king. God had a plan to one day send His Son, Jesus, to rule the entire world. Jesus would be the perfect King who would bring peace and salvation to the world.

Small Group Opening

Session Title: Israel Demanded a King

Bible Passage:

Main Point: God chose Saul as Israel’s first king.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Who is our King? Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world.

Welcome time

Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to connect to your group and make sure each student is checked in.

Table Wars

Transition to large group

Large Group LEADER

Session Title: Israel Demanded a King

Bible Passage:

Main Point: God chose Saul as Israel’s first king.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Who is our King? Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world.

For the last 2 months we have been talking about the judges that God had placed of Israel. Now, God’s people—the Israelites—asked for a king. I can’t wait to find out what happened!

Let’s Briefly review the history of Israel:

God used Moses to rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Moses led the people in the wilderness and toward the promised land.

After Moses died, Joshua led the people into the promised land.

Leader • What can you tell me about the Israelites? (They were God’s people, descendants of Abraham.)

What happened when Joshua died? (The Israelites forgot about God and worshiped idols.) God was angry that His people had turned away from Him. He allowed the Israelites’ enemies to take over. Then the Israelites remembered how good life was when they loved and obeyed God. They cried out to God for help. Whom did God raise up to lead His people? (judges) God raised up judges like Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Samson, and Samuel. Samuel was the last judge.

In today’s Bible story, you will hear why. The title here might give it away: “Israel Demanded a King.”

Big picture question

Leader • Before we listen to the Bible story, let me tell you our big picture question: Who is our King? Did you know we have a king? A king might not be the leader of our country, but we have a king who is ruler of the whole universe!

Tell the Bible story

Open your Bible to . Let’s watch the Bible story video “Israel Demanded a King.”

Leader • Samuel had been the judge of Israel, but when his sons became judges, they were not good leaders.

Why were Eli’s sons not good leaders? (They were unfair and dishonest, )

The nations around Israel had kings. Israel wanted a king, too. Samuel knew this was wrong. God was the King of His people. Who were the people actually rejecting? (God, )

God said that He would give the Israelites a king, but He told Samuel to warn them. What did Samuel warn the people about having a king? (They would have to do what the king wanted, )

Around this time, a wealthy man told his son Saul to search for his missing donkeys. Saul searched, but he could not find the donkeys. His servant suggested Saul ask someone for help. Whom did Saul go to for help? (Samuel, -19)

Samuel told Saul that the donkeys had been found. Saul stayed with Samuel. The next morning, what news did Samuel give Saul? (God chose Saul as Israel’s first king, )

Leader • Samuel anointed Saul, but when the time came for Saul to be king, Saul hid. The people found him, and Saul became their king.

God intended for a heavenly king to rule over Israel, but the Israelites did not trust God’s plan. So God chose Saul as Israel’s first king. God had a plan to one day send His Son, Jesus, to rule the entire world. Jesus would be the perfect King who would bring peace and salvation to the world.

Who is our King? Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world.

Key passage

Show the key passage and lead kids to read it aloud together.

Leader • The Israelites demanded a king, and God chose Saul as Israel’s first king. Who is our King? Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world.

Discussion starter video

Leader • If the Israelites had a king, they would have to listen to the king and do what he said. Whom do you listen to when you have a decision to make? Think about that and check out this video.

Show the “Unit 10, Session 1” discussion starter video. Lead kids to share whom they think the contestant should have listened to. Guide them to discuss whose voice is most powerful or influential in their lives. Whom do they trust the most—themselves or someone else?

Leader • Who knows what is best for you? (God) The Israelites rejected God as their king and demanded an earthly king. Who is our King? Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world. How can you show that God is number 1 in your life?

Pray

Invite kids to pray before dismissing to small groups.

Leader • Lord God, You are our King. We look to You for care and protection. We love and trust You. Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

Small Group LEADER

Session Title: Israel Demanded a King

Bible Passage:

Main Point: God chose Saul as Israel’s first king.

Key Passage: 
Big Picture Question: Who is our King? Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Form four groups of kids. Lead kids to read the key passage together. Then assign each group a portion of the key passage.

Point to the first group to say the first phrase together. Then they should point to the second group. The second group should say the second phrase and then point to the third group, and so on until kids say the entire passage.

Say • Great job, everyone! Let’s work to memorize over the next few weeks. Memorizing God’s Word helps us remember the truth about Him. These verses even help us remember the answer to our big picture question! Who is our King? Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world.

Bible story review

Prepare a simple paper crown from heavyweight paper or poster board. Position the crown on a table or chair.

Form two teams of kids. Invite one player from each team to stand next to the crown and open a Bible to . Explain that you will ask a review question.

The first player to find the answer in the Bible, grab the crown, and put it on his head may give an answer. If he is correct, his team earns one point. If he is incorrect, the other player gets a chance to answer and earn one point. For each review question, invite a new pair of kids to play.

What was the name of Israel’s last judge? (Samuel)

Name one of Samuel’s two oldest sons. (Joel and Abijah, )

Why were Samuel’s sons bad leaders? (They were unfair and dishonest, )

What did the Israelites tell Samuel they wanted? (a king, )

Did the Israelites reject Samuel or did they reject God? (God, )

What warning did Samuel give the Israelites? (They would have to do whatever the king said, )

Did Samuel say the Israelites would enjoy having a king or regret it? (regret it, )

Saul was searching for what animals? (donkeys, )

Who was the man of God that Saul went to for help? (Samuel, )

What did Samuel use to anoint Saul? (oil, )

Where did Saul hide? (among the supplies, )

prayer

Distribute pencils and prayer cards. Encourage kids to write about a time they felt cared for or safe.

Encourage them to write a few sentences as a prayer to God to thank Him for caring for them directly or for putting people in their lives to take care of them.

Say • God chose Saul as Israel’s first king. Israel demanded a king because they wanted a leader who would take care of them and protect them from their enemies. They did not trust in God. But God is good, and He loves us. We can trust Him.

Prompt kids to consider whom they live for—God or themselves? Who is on the “throne” in their lives?

Close in prayer or have a student from your group pray.