In this lesson, children learn that God wants us to wait for him and obey him, even when we feel scared and alone. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we are scared, we should wait for God and do what he tells us, not do things our own way. God keeps his promises even when we have to wait.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not continue. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you.”
(WEB)
Hold your hands out in front of you, palms up, like you are receiving a gift. Then say the verse slowly together, lifting your hands a little higher on each word that matters, like you are reaching up to God.
The Story: 1 Samuel 13 for Kids
King Saul was a new king of Israel, and he had about three thousand soldiers. His son Jonathan led a group of soldiers too. One day Jonathan attacked a group of Philistine soldiers, and the Philistines heard about it. They were very angry, and they gathered a huge army to fight Israel. It was so big that it looked like sand on the seashore.
The Israelite people were terrified. Many of them ran and hid in caves, rocks, and holes in the ground. Some of them even crossed the river to get away. Saul stayed at a place called Gilgal, and his people were frightened and kept leaving him. Saul was supposed to wait seven days for the prophet Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice to God.
On the seventh day, Samuel still had not come. Saul got impatient and decided to offer the sacrifice himself, even though only a priest was supposed to do that. Just as he finished, Samuel arrived. Samuel asked Saul, “What have you done?” Saul made excuses for himself.
Samuel told Saul, “You have done foolishly. You did not keep the command the LORD gave you.” Because Saul did not obey God and wait for him, Samuel said God would choose someone else to lead his people. Then Samuel left, and Saul went on with only about six hundred men. Things got even harder, because the Philistines had taken all the blacksmiths, so the Israelites had no swords or spears, only Saul and Jonathan had any.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 13:8
He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel; but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.
(WEB)
Point out that Saul had to wait seven days, and that waiting is hard when everyone around you is leaving. Ask the children what makes waiting difficult for them, and how they feel when they want something to happen right now.
1 Samuel 13:11-12
11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn’t come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash; 12 therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven’t entreated the favor of the LORD.’ I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering.”
(WEB)
Show how Saul gave reasons for doing the wrong thing. Explain that when we make excuses instead of owning our mistakes, we can end up choosing what we want over what God asked.
1 Samuel 13:13-14
13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you; for now the LORD would have established your kingdom on Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom will not continue. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you.”
(WEB)
Remind children that God wanted Saul to obey him and that God looks for people who trust him. Explain that God still keeps his promises even when we disobey.
Talk About It
- What do you think Saul felt when he saw his soldiers leaving him?
- Why do you think waiting for God can be so hard sometimes?
- What is something you could do this week instead of rushing ahead?
- How did Saul try to make his mistake look like it was not his fault?
- What helps you trust God when you feel afraid?
Activity Ideas
Hand Drawing of a Waiting Hand
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and pencils. Have each child trace their own hand on the paper. Inside the hand, they can draw or write one thing they can wait for God to help them with, like being patient or being brave. Let them share their drawing with the group and say a short prayer over their hand.
Follow the Leader Waiting Game
You will need a few open spaces and a timer or clock. Have children stand in a line and do simple movements together, like clapping or stomping. Call out “Wait!” and have everyone freeze until you say “Go!” Start with a few seconds and slowly make the waiting longer. Talk about how waiting for the leader is like waiting for God.
Take-Home Sticky Note Reminder
You will need sticky notes and a pen. Give each child a sticky note and ask them to write or draw a reminder to wait and listen to God this week. Encourage them to put it somewhere they will see it, like on the bathroom mirror or the fridge. Let them know that every time they see it, they can pause and ask God to help them wait.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Saul’s failure was not just about one mistake. He acted out of fear and did not trust God’s timing, and he tried to take on a role God had not given him. The passage also shows that God’s plans continue even when people fail, and that obedience matters in the ordinary moments of life.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God is harsh or that one mistake always ends everything. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness, his patience, and his desire for us to trust him, rather than on fear of punishment.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, help us wait for you when we feel scared or when things take a long time. Help us listen to you and do what is right, even when it is hard. Thank you that you keep your promises and that you love us every day. Amen.
