In this lesson, children learn that God keeps his promises even when his people make mistakes, and that he is always worth trusting. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is faithful. Even when we get things wrong, he keeps his promises and he is always good to us.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 12:24
Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you.
(WEB)
Cup both hands together like a bowl, then lift them up toward the sky as you say the verse. Ask the children to do the motion with you three times, slower each time, so they learn the words by heart.
The Story: 1 Samuel 12 for Kids
The people of Israel had a problem. For many years God had been their king, and he had led them, fed them, and rescued them from their enemies. But the people wanted to be like the other nations, so they asked the prophet Samuel for a human king. God told Samuel to listen to them, and Samuel gave them a king named Saul.
Then Samuel stood before all the people and talked about his own life. He said, “I have been your leader since I was a boy. Is there anything I have taken from you that was not right? Tell me, and I will make it right.” The people all said, “No, you have treated us fairly.” Samuel said, “Then the Lord is our witness.”
Next, Samuel reminded them of the story of their past. He talked about how God rescued their families out of Egypt and how God kept saving them again and again, even when they forgot him. Every time the people turned away from God, they got into trouble. Every time they cried out to God, he helped them.
Samuel told them that God is still their King, and that he would show his power. So Samuel prayed, and God sent thunder and rain, even though it was the time of year for the wheat harvest, when rain is not normal. The people were amazed and very afraid. They said, “Please pray for us, so that we will not die for what we have done.”
Samuel did not tell them that they were beyond hope. He said, “Do not be afraid. Serve the Lord with all your heart, and do not turn away to things that cannot help you.” He also said that God would not leave his people, because God had chosen them to belong to him. Samuel promised to keep praying for them and to keep teaching them the right way.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 12:22
For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.
(WEB)
Point out that God chose his people and promised not to leave them. Ask the children what it feels like to know someone will never leave them, and connect this to God’s faithful love.
1 Samuel 12:14
If you will fear the LORD, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of the LORD your God.
(WEB)
Show the children that God wants his people to listen to him and follow him. Explain that following God is not a rule meant to trap us but a way of living with the One who loves us.
1 Samuel 12:20-21
20 Samuel said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet don’t turn away from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 Don’t turn away to go after vain things which can’t profit or deliver, for they are vain.
(WEB)
Point out that Samuel told the people not to be afraid, even though they had done wrong. Help the children see that God is ready to forgive, and that turning back to him is always the right step.
Talk About It
- What did the people of Israel ask Samuel for, and why do you think they wanted it?
- How did God take care of his people in the past, even when they forgot about him?
- What do you think Samuel meant when he said not to be afraid?
- Why is it a good thing to know that God keeps his promises?
- What is one way you can serve God with your whole heart this week?
Activity Ideas
Thunder and Rain Craft
You will need a paper plate, blue and gray crayons or markers, cotton balls, and glue. Have each child draw a dark cloud on one half of the plate and glue cotton balls on it. Then they can draw blue raindrops falling below, and talk about how God sent rain when Samuel prayed. Hang the finished pictures where the children can see them.
Follow the Leader Game
Choose one child to be the leader. Everyone else follows the leader’s movements, like walking slowly, hopping, or clapping. Stop the game and talk about how following a good leader keeps us safe, and how God is the best leader we could ever follow. Let each child have a turn to lead.
Promise Keeper Card
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a marker. Ask each child to write or draw one promise they will keep this week, such as helping at home or being kind to a friend. Decorate the card and let them take it home to place on the fridge. Encourage families to remember that God keeps his promises, and we can try to keep ours too.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God remains faithful to his people even when they ask for something that puts their trust in human leaders rather than in him. Samuel’s speech is a farewell that reminds the nation of God’s past deeds, his character, and his call to a wholehearted relationship with him, while also making clear that God will not abandon them.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that bad things always happen to people who do wrong. The chapter does show that the people faced consequences for their choices, but the main message is God’s faithfulness and his willingness to forgive and keep his people. Keep the focus on God’s love and trustworthiness rather than on fear.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you always keep your promises and never leave us alone. Help us to listen to you, to turn toward you when we make mistakes, and to serve you with all our hearts. Thank you for loving us every day. Amen.
