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Saturday, November 12, 2022

Nabal Refuses to Help, Primary - I, Lesson - 16

PRIMARY

AGE: 6 - 7 YEARS

STANDARD (GRADE): I & II

Permission is granted only for free distribution among Sunday School children.

No part of this document can be modified, sold or used for any commercial purpose.

LESSON – 16

NABAL REFUSES TO HELP

Nabal was a very wealthy man who lived in a place called Maon, when King Saul was ruling Israel. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep. His wife’s name was Abigail. Nabal was known for being a miserly man who was surly and mean, but his wife Abigail was generous and kind-hearted.

Once in a year the sheep farmers would celebrate the shearing festival. It was also called as Hag ha-Gez. Shearing is the process of trimming the hair or wool off of the sheep. It's like giving the sheep a haircut. Sheep were sheared after the winter season during late spring season so as to keep the sheep cool during the hot summer. 

Shearing of sheep

            
                                           Sheep                                                              Goat

The shearing day was a day of festivity and rejoicing. The farmer would invite his relatives and friends to come and take part in the shearing and when it was over, there would be singing, dancing and a sumptuous feast for all.

The sheared wool would be spun into yarn, which was then used to make dresses, tents and carpets.

                        

                             Wool spun into Yarn                                             Dried Yarn

Yarn made into woolen clothes

Once Nabal was celebrating his shearing festival at a place called Carmel. At that time David and his men had arrived there because King Saul was after them. King Saul did not like David and wanted to harm him. So, David and his men fled and lived in the desert near Nabal’s shearing place. While living there, David and his men kept a watch over Nabal and his flock also; because the farmers were in danger of being attacked by their enemies or robbers and their flock and their precious wool stolen. So, David and his men being there, provided security for Nabal, his flock and his shearers.

David and his men had travelled a large distance and their food supply was getting low. David thought of getting help from Nabal and sent ten of his men to Nabal to request some food.  The men approached Nabal and wished him health and long life for both himself and his family and they requested him to spare some food for them. But Nabal insulted David and his men by calling them runaway men and refused to share his food with them. 

Even though David and his men had a need at that point of time, David was a respectable person. David was the Army Commander of King Saul; a reliable and a valiant soldier. God was with him. God had also chosen him as the next king of Israel. But Nabal who was unwise and mean, did not realise that he was putting himself, his friends and his family in danger by his wicked behaviour. The ten men came back to David and told him about how Nabal refused to share by calling them runaway men. David wanted to teach Nabal a lesson. So, four hundred of David’s men prepared to attack Nabal’s home. But God did not want David to fight that day, so he provided another solution.

One of Nabal’s servants quickly rushed to tell Nabal’s wife Abigail about Nabal refusing to share food with David and his men. Abigail knew she had to do something fast. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two goat-skins of wine, five cooked sheep, some roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs. She loaded them on donkeys and took them to David and his men. David received them, blessed her and returned to their camp without attacking Nabal. Nabal, his family, and servants were saved through Abigail’s wise and generous actions.

Bible Reference: I Samuel 25: 1-35

Memory Verse: If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (I John 3:17) 


ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Answer the following questions:

1. What was Nabal’s character like?

    ......................................................................................

2. What does sheep-shearing mean?

    ......................................................................................

3. Why did David and his men keep a watch over Nabal and his flock?

   .......................................................................................

4. How did Nabal put his friends and family in danger?

    ......................................................................................

5. Give the names of any 2 items Abigail gave to David and his men.

   .......................................................................................

Choose the best answer

1.      Nabal was celebrating shearing at a place called ………

a) Bethel                 b) Jericho               c) Carmel

2. David sent ten men to …………… to request some food.

     a) Nabal                  b) Saul                     c) Absalom

3. David was the Army Commander of King ………….

     a) Saul                     b) Solomon            c) Samuel

4. Nabal refused to share his food with …………… and his men.

     a) Daniel                 b) Elijah                  c) David

5. Nabal and his family were saved through the wise and generous actions of ……………...
a) Rahab                  b) Abigail                c) Jael

 

 

 

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Saul goes in search of Donkeys, Kinder - I, Lesson - 16

KINDER

AGE: 4 - 5 YEARS

CLASS (GRADE): LKG & UKG

Permission is granted only for free distribution among Sunday School children.

No part of this document can be modified, sold or used for any commercial purpose.

LESSON – 16

SAUL GOES IN SEARCH OF DONKEYS

 

Once there lived a man called Kish in Israel. He had a son named Saul. Kish owned a lot of donkeys.  In the ancient days, many animals were reared such as cows, sheep, donkeys, horses and camels. Cow, sheep and goat provided milk and meat. The wool and leather of some animals were used to make dresses and tents for shelter.

Most of the animals including donkeys were used as beasts of burden for transporting people and goods. Hence animals were considered as valuable possessions.

Donkeys used as transport or as "Beasts of Burden"

One day Kish, Saul’s father, found that his donkeys had gone missing. So, Kish sent Saul and one of his servants to look for the lost donkeys. Saul and his father’s servant went throughout the land and looked all over the hill country for the donkeys, but they could not find them anywhere. Saul realized that they had been gone quite a long time and was concerned about his father. He told the servant that they had better go back home. His father Kish would be more worried about him than the donkeys if they don’t return home soon.

www.fishnetbiblestories.com

But the servant wanted to make a last attempt. He had heard that Samuel, the man of God, was in the next town. Samuel was a Prophet of God. In the olden days they were called as “Seers”. Prophets were men of God who had special powers. Maybe he can tell them where the donkeys are, the servant thought. Saul agreed.

www.fishnetbiblestories.com

Saul and the servant went to the next town to find Samuel. When Saul and his servant finally found Samuel, they got a big surprise when Samuel told them to stop worrying about the donkeys and that they have been found.  Prophet Samuel even invited them for a feast because he had another special message for Saul. God had chosen Saul as the first King of Israel. Prophet Samuel also told Saul exactly what would happen as Saul was travelling back home. 

www.fishnetbiblestories.com

Prophet Samuel told him that he would meet two men by a famous tomb called “Rachel’s Tomb”.  The men would tell Saul that the donkeys had been found and that his father is worried about him. Prophet Samuel also told Saul about few others whom he would meet on the way. Everything happened just like Samuel said it would. Saul also became the first king of Israel.

www.fishnetbiblestories.com

Bible Reference: I Samuel 9:1 -10:9

Memory Verse: But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalms 33:11)


Thursday, August 25, 2022

Saul - The First King of Israel, Senior - I, Lesson - 15

SENIOR

AGE GROUP: 14 - 15 YEARS

STANDARD (GRADE): IX & X

Permission is granted only for free distribution among Sunday School children.

No part of this document can be modified, sold or used for any commercial purpose.

LESSON – 15

SAUL THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL

Theocracy

In the earlier lessons we saw how Israel was ruled over by various judges. One of the famous judges of Israel was Samuel. He was also the last judge of Israel. The Government of ancient Israel was different from other countries, while other countries had kings ruling over them, the nation of Israel had God ruling over them as King. That’s why God is praised as the King of Israel. This arrangement of Government, practiced in ancient Israel was called a “Theocracy.” In Theocracy, God is the head and the supreme authority of the country, therefore he Himself chooses the leaders to govern the nation on his behalf. In ancient Israel, the leaders who were chosen by God to govern the nation on his behalf were called as “Judges.” 

The Rule of Judges

Moses was the first God-appointed leader of Israel after their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. Moses was followed by his servant Joshua, who led Israel into their promised land Canaan. Although Moses and Joshua both judged Israel, the period of Judges is usually counted from the time Othniel started to judge Israel after the death of Joshua. The period of Judges extended for about 350 years and it ended with Samuel. After the end of the era of judges, Kings started to rule Israel. This lesson is about the events that led to the ending of the rule of Judges and the anointing of the first King of Israel, Saul.

 

Samuel – the Last Judge of Israel

Samuel, who had heard the voice of the Lord as a child and who grew up to be prophet became one of the greatest judges of Israel. He had a busy schedule and travelled all over Israel year after year to judge the people of Israel. When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons Joel and Abijah as the judges of Israel. But to everyone’s disappointment, Samuel’s sons did not walk in their father’s ways. They were interested in dishonest profit and accepted bribes. They also perverted justice, causing innocent people to suffer. Samuel was a faithful and righteous judge but his sons were not. So, the Israelites were unwilling to let them be their judge. 

Israelites Demand for a King

The people of Israel rejected Samuel’s sons as judges over them. They desired to have a human King, who was physically present among them to rule over them, so that they could be like the other nations around them. This upset Samuel, not for his sons, but for the nation of Israel. Israel was the chosen nation of God, and God ruled over them as their king. By saying that they wanted a human king like other nations, they have rejected God as their king. This made Samuel sad. 

Samuel’s warnings about the king

Samuel prayed to God and asked for His guidance. The Lord told Samuel to do as the people asked, but first to tell them what it would be like to have a king. A king would take their sons to be warriors, and their daughters to be workers in the royal household; he would take the best of everything they owned (crops, cattle, and so on). They would eventually become slaves to the king. Even though Israel had never had a king, the Lord knew all along that they would want one. He had even given the qualifications for a king and rules for governing the nation, through his servant Moses, while they were living in the Sinai desert itself (Deuteronomy 17:14 – 20). 

Saul meets Samuel

There was a wealthy man named Kish in the Tribe of Benjamin. He had a son named Saul who was handsome and taller than any other Israelite. In the olden days, the Israelites reared cattle including donkeys, which were used as means of transport and beasts of burden. Donkeys were considered a valuable possession. Saul’s father Kish also reared donkeys. Once, the donkeys wandered off and were missing, so Kish sent his son and his servant to go and look for the donkeys. When they couldn’t find the donkeys, they decided to go to the seer, Prophet Samuel to request his help to locate the donkeys. In those days, judges were also called “Seers.” A seer is a person who can see with his spiritual eyes what a normal person cannot see. He can understand and interpret things that are obscure and vague to others. He can also foresee the future through divine guidance and power. 

Saul Anointed as King

When Prophet Samuel met Saul, the Lord revealed to Samuel that this was the new king. So, Prophet Samuel invited Saul to stay with him. He also told him not to worry about the donkeys since they have been found. Saul did not know that God had chosen him as the king of Israel. That day they had a sacrificial meal and Saul was given the seat of honour. The next day, when Saul was about to leave, Prophet Samuel anointed his head with oil. In the Old Testament days, a person was anointed with oil, which meant oil (usually olive oil) was poured on his head to indicate that he has been appointed as a priest or king. Samuel told Saul that God had chosen him to be the king of Israel. As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God gave Saul a change of heart and he got the ability to prophecy. 

Saul Introduced as King Formally

Few days later, Samuel gathered all the tribes of Israel at Mizbah. He announced that according to their demand, God would be giving them a king. Samuel singled out the tribe of Benjamin from the other 12 tribes; then from the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Kish’s son, Saul was chosen. But Saul was overwhelmed and he hid behind some baggage. But God revealed where he was hiding, and the young man was presented in front of the people. Saul was handsome. He was the tallest in the crowd. The Israelites were ecstatic that they too have got a king physically present among them like the other nations and shouted, “Long live the king!” As per the Law of Moses, Saul could not be absolute monarchy. There were regulations given by God for the king as well as for the people (I Samuel 10:25; Deuteronomy 17: 14-20). An absolute monarchy is a form of government in which a single person usually a king or queen would hold absolute autocratic power, which meant that the decisions taken by them cannot be challenged by anyone.

King Saul begins His Reign

Samuel told the people what the rights and duties of a king were. He wrote them down on a scroll and placed it before the Lord, so that the people wouldn’t forget. After the ceremony was finished Samuel sent everyone back to their own homes. All the people returned to their homes and Saul went to his home in Gibeah. As the first king of Israel, Saul had nothing – no army, no palace, and no royal city. As he travelled to his home some valiant (courageous) men went home with him. While most of the people were pleased with their new king there were some people who were unwilling to accept him as king. They scorned and ignored him. They did not honour him as king by bringing gifts as was the custom in those days. Saul was humble and was not offended. Even though he was a king, he did not punish them. Saul ignored those people and kept silent. 

After Samuel anointed him before the people, Saul went back to his home in Gibeah. He continued to work on his father’s land until he was needed to lead the people in battle to deliver the city of Jabesh Gilead from the Ammonites. Saul being anointed as the first king, marked the beginning of a new era for the Israelites. Saul was obedient and humble and started out very well, but once he got settled in his position, he began to ignore God’s commands. 

King Saul’s Disobedience

Once the Israelites were getting ready for a battle against the Philistines. King Saul wanted to offer a sacrifice before leaving for the battle. Prophet Samuel was the priest and he had to offer the sacrifice. When Samuel did not arrive on time, King Saul offered the sacrifice himself, even though he was not a priest. God was not pleased and God decided to take the kingship away from him. Another time Prophet Samuel told King Saul to attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything they had. But King Saul left the King of the Amalekites, Agag alive and also the best sheep, oxen, lambs and all the things that were good and destroyed only those that were worthless. Samuel asked him why he had disobeyed God. Saul blamed the people saying that they kept the best sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel told Saul that it is better to obey God’s commands than to sacrifice. Because he disobeyed God and has rejected his word, God has rejected him as the king.

King Saul’s other mistakes

King Saul also went against God when he killed the Gibeonite slaves of Israel. He thought he was doing a favour to Israel by destroying them, without knowing that Israel was under a curse because of his actions (II Samuel 21:1,2). The Gibeonites were protected under a special oath because of the covenant they had made with Joshua and the God of Israel (Joshua 9). King Saul was also jealous of David, a man after God’s own heart and sought to kill him. King Saul had also ordered the killing of priests. The spirit of God left King Saul and he was tormented by an evil spirit.

King Saul consults a Witch

After some years Prophet Samuel was dead, and the army of the Philistines had gathered to fight against Israel again. Seeing the vast army of the enemy, Saul became afraid and he decided to inquire of the Lord. However, God was no longer speaking to Saul because of his continual disobedience. Then Saul decided to enquire to the evil spirits through witch craft. Saul had previously chased all the witches out of the land. Discovering that there was a woman living at the town of En Dor performing witch craft, Saul disguised himself and came to the witch of En Dor at night. He asked her to bring up the Prophet Samuel for him through witch craft. A form that appeared like Samuel came and predicted that Saul would die the next day. King Saul was devastated. Can an evil witch predict the future correctly? We have to understand that satan has limited power and authority, only God has absolute authority. Since Saul had committed himself to the power of the evil spirit, the evil spirit could predict and control his life.

King Saul’s End

The day after King Saul consulted the witch, there was a great battle fought on the side of Mount Gilboa. The Philistines climbed up the mountain and attacked the Israelites. Many of the men of Israel were killed and many more fled away. Saul’s three sons were also killed. When king Saul saw that defeat was imminent, he asked his armor-bearer to draw his sword and kill him. But the armor-bearer refused. So, King Saul fell upon his own sword and killed himself. Thus came to an end the reign of Saul, which began well, but ended in failure and in ruin, because Saul disobeyed and forsook God and his commandments. But God had another man ready, a man after his own heart to lead the people of Israel

Bible Reference: I Samuel 9, 10

Memory Verse: I Timothy 2:1, 2


For Sunday School activities and stories in English https://jacobsladderactivity.blogspot.com/

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Fill in the blanks:

1. The period of Judges is usually counted from the time ………………. started to judge Israel

2. Saul was from the tribe of ……………………...

3. Saul was …………………… than any other person in Israel.

4. As per the Law of Moses, Saul could not be ………………… monarchy.  

Give short answers:


1. What is “Theocracy”?

 

 

2. Write about the period of judges?

 

 

3. Why did the Israelites reject Samuel’s sons as their judges?

 

 

4. Write about the qualities of Saul?

 

 

Answer in brief:

1. Write in brief about the events that happened when Saul met Samuel for the first time? 

 


Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice, Intermediate - I, Lesson - 15

INTERMEDIATE

AGE: 12 - 13 YEARS

STANDARD/GRADE: VII & VIII

Permission is granted only for free distribution among Sunday School children.

No part of this document can be modified, sold or used for any commercial purpose.

LESSON – 15

OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE

Saul – the First King of Israel

In the previous lessons we had learnt about how the judges ruled Israel. Samuel was the last judge of Israel and after him kings started to rule Israel. The Israelites asked Samuel to anoint a king for them so they could be like all the other nations around them. God told Samuel to anoint Saul to be Israel’s king. Saul was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel. Being the first king, he had no palace, army, or royal city. The Israelites continued to have fierce battles against many heathen nations around them. King Saul needed an army, so he selected 3,000 men. 

King Saul Offers Sacrifice

Once there was a battle against the Philistines. Saul called the people together at Gilgal and the Philistines too gathered together to fight them. The Philistines had 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen and a multitude of people ready to fight against Israel. When the men of Israel saw the Philistines, they were terrified. They even tried to hide in thickets, caves, rocks and pits. Saul was still in Gilgal and the people were scared. Saul wanted to offer a sacrifice before the battle so they could ask God for help. Samuel told Saul to wait for him at Gilgal. Then Samuel would offer the sacrifices and Israel would be ready for battle. Saul waited for seven days for Samuel to come; but Samuel didn’t show up. Only Samuel, the priest, could offer sacrifices but he wasn’t there yet. Saul was tired of waiting. He decided to offer the sacrifice himself without waiting for Samuel anymore. Saul could have made supplication for the nation of Israel in any number of ways, just like other men of God in the Old Testament did and God would have listened, but instead he did the one thing he must not do: offer a sacrifice. 

Samuel Rebukes King Saul

As soon as he finished the sacrifice, Samuel came. Saul went out to meet him and Samuel asked him “What have you done?” Saul told Samuel that when he saw that the people are getting scattered, and Samuel hadn’t come at the appointed time, and the Philistines had gathered ready for battle, he decided to offer the sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel told Saul that he was unwise because he didn’t keep God’s commands. God would have established Saul’s kingdom over Israel forever. However, now Saul’s kingdom will not continue in his family. The Lord has looked for a man “after His own heart” and he would be the next leader of Israel.

Samuel left and Saul had 600 men with him. There wasn’t a blacksmith in the land of Israel. That meant the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to have their battle weapons sharpened by the Philistines. This shows how unwise and unprepared King Saul was for the battle. On the day of the battle, Saul and Jonathan were the only men with weapons. 

King Saul fights the Amalekites

Once again Samuel had an urgent message for King Saul. God had commanded him to completely destroy the Amalekites and everything they possess. The Amalekites were descendants of Esau. The Amalekites and Israelites were constantly in war. They were the first nation to attack the Israelites when they left Egypt (Exodus 17:8Numbers 14:45). Years earlier Moses had pronounced a curse from God on the Amalekites. He had declared that after the Israelites settle in the promised land, they would return to completely destroy the Amalekites (Deuteronomy 25:19). God wanted to fulfill it through Saul and his army. 

King Saul Disobeys God

Saul called the army together at Telaim. The Amalekites were destroyed from Havilah to Shur. The Lord had told Saul to destroy everything. King Saul killed all the people, but he took Agag king of the Amalekites alive. They spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs - everything that was good. It was a practice among heathen nations to keep a conquered king alive. They would take him back to their country, humiliate him and then he would be put to death. That could be the reason why Saul had kept Agag alive. Saul was very proud of his actions that he even erected a monument in his honour at Carmel. Saul thought that he had obeyed God, even though he hadn’t obeyed God’s word fully! Obeying partially or incompletely is disobedience in God’s eyes. 

King Saul Rejected by God

Samuel came out to meet Saul and Saul said, “Look! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions!” But Samuel said, “If you obeyed God completely, why do I hear the sheep bleating? And why did you allow King Agag to live?” Instead of regretting his actions and repenting, Saul tried lying and then made excuses. Saul said that he had sinned because he was afraid of the people and had listened to them. He blamed the people saying that they only kept the animals alive to make sacrifices to the Lord. Samuel had to tell Saul of the Lord’s anger. Samuel told Saul that God is delighted more in obedience than in sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrifice. Bringing a sacrifice without being obedient to Him is unacceptable to God. Rebellion is equal to engaging in witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as idolatry. Samuel also conveyed to Saul that because he had rejected the word of the LORD, God has rejected him as the king. 

New Testament Worship & Spiritual Sacrifices

In the Old Testament days people worshipped God by offering sacrifices. In the New Testament even though we don’t offer animals as sacrifices, every Christian believer has to offer spiritual sacrifices as part of worship to God (1 Peter 2:5). The spiritual sacrifices mentioned in the New Testament are

ü  Physical body presented to God (Romans 12:1,2)

ü  Prayer (Revelations 5:8; 8:3)

ü  Faith (Philippians 2:17)

ü  Praise & Thanksgiving (Hebrews 13:15)

ü  Offerings (Philippians 4:18)

ü  Charity and Doing Good Works (Hebrews 13:16) 

Self - Indulgent Worship

The worship that is done in obedience to the word of God is the only worship that is acceptable to God. Our worship should acknowledge and proclaim the sovereignty of God. We worship God for who He is and we offer thanksgiving for His goodness and mercies. If our needs, desires, ambitions and emotions become the point of attention in a worship and if God is only acknowledged as an agent of our success, it is a self-indulgent narcissistic worship. Such self-indulgent worship is contrary to the word of God. The word “Narcissism” is used to refer to self-centeredness. 

The narcissistic worship is usually led by individuals, who are made the center of attraction and the worshippers are led to admire the talent, ability or the individual himself or herself. For such worship leaders, worship is an opportunity to display their talent and to gain admiration and fame. This is the same sin that caused the downfall of Lucifer. Such type of worship is a result of celebrity-obsessed Christian society and it doesn’t have any precedence in New Testament worship or Christian history. 

True Spiritual Worship

In Prophet Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 6), when the cherubim worshipped God, the cherubim, the magnificent creations of God, covered and concealed themselves with their wings, when they proclaimed the holiness of God. God is at the center of a true spiritual worship and He is the receiver of our worship, hence worship should be offered in a manner pleasing to him, according to His will as revealed in the word of God. King Saul brought to God that God had already condemned to present as a sacrifice and his sacrifice was rejected. Our worship too will be unacceptable if we bring to God that which God has rejected in our behavior, actions, attitudes and interactions, even if we give the best excuses, explanations and reasons! God delights in our worship when it is done in obedience to his word is the lesson we learn from Saul’s life. 

Bible Reference: I Samuel 13 - 15

Memory Verse: I Samuel 15:22 

For Sunday School activities and stories in English https://jacobsladderactivity.blogspot.com/

  ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Fill in the blanks:

1. King Saul needed an army, so he selected ………………….. men.

2. The Israelites had to go to the Philistines to have their battle weapons sharpened because there were no ………………………… in Israel. 

3. King Saul erected a monument in his honour at ……………..

4. In Prophet Isaiah’s vision the ……………….. covered and concealed themselves with their wings, when they worshipped God.

Give short answers:

1. Why were the Israelites afraid of the Philistines?

 

2. Why did King Saul offer the sacrifices?

 

3. What was the reason given by King Saul for sparing Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle?

 

4. How did Samuel respond when he found that King Saul had kept some of the best sheep and cattle?

 

Answer in brief:

1. Write in brief about the New Testament worship.