Week 291 · about 45 minutes
1 Samuel 15
1 Samuel 15 · Memory verse 1 Samuel 15:21
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (1 Samuel 15), the matching word search and answer key (1 Samuel 15 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a wooden spoon
Hold a wooden spoon. Read 1 Samuel 15 in about four minutes, stopping at 1 Samuel 15:21: “But the people took of the plunder, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God in Gilgal.”” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with 1 Samuel 15?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
1 Samuel 15 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Samuel said to Saul, “Yahweh sent me to anoint you to be king over his people, over Israel. Now therefore listen to the voice of Yahweh’s words.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “and Yahweh sent you on a journey, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’” 1 Samuel 15 opens with these words: “Samuel said to Saul, “Yahweh sent me to anoint you to be king over his people, over Israel. Now therefore listen to the voice of Yahweh’s…” The line to keep is 1 Samuel 15:21: “But the people took of the plunder, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God in Gilgal.”” Carry the word “people” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is 1 Samuel 15:21: “But the people took of the plunder, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God in Gilgal.”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in 1 Samuel 15? Then try this: Read “But the people took of the plunder, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
Group game
Walk the room as if you are moving through 1 Samuel 15. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from 1 Samuel 15:21. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from 1 Samuel 15 and write 1 Samuel 15:21 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
1 Samuel 15:21
“But the people took of the plunder, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God in Gilgal.””
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for 1 Samuel 15. Help us remember 1 Samuel 15:21 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.