Week 304 · about 45 minutes
1 Samuel 29
1 Samuel 29 · Memory verse 1 Samuel 29:7
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Queues the lesson plan, this story’s coloring page (1 Samuel 29), the matching word search and answer key (1 Samuel 29 word search), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a smooth stone
Hold a smooth stone. Read 1 Samuel 29 in about four minutes, stopping at 1 Samuel 29:7: “Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”” Ask, “What does this prop have to do with 1 Samuel 29?” Let two children answer, then say the memory verse together.
Story script
1 Samuel 29 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek; and the Israelites encamped by the spring which is in Jezreel.” 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, “Then Achish called David, and said to him, “As Yahweh lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords don’t favor you.” 1 Samuel 29 opens with these words: “Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek; and the Israelites encamped by the spring which is in Jezreel.” The line to keep is 1 Samuel 29:7: “Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”” Carry the word “return” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is 1 Samuel 29:7: “Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in 1 Samuel 29? Then try this: Read “Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”” 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 29. Every time you freeze, a child says one word from 1 Samuel 29:7. The last child says the whole verse.
Craft
On a US Letter sheet, draw one picture from 1 Samuel 29 and write 1 Samuel 29:7 under it. Send it home as tonight’s reminder, not as a decoration contest.
Memory verse
1 Samuel 29:7
“Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.””
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for 1 Samuel 29. Help us remember 1 Samuel 29:7 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.