Key Verse
“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34
Read the Key Verse with your class. Ask your students if they know what sin is (sin means missing the mark; an offence to God.) Ask them who has committed sin (all: Romans 3:23.) This verse helps us understand that when we sin, we then serve sin. When we allow sin into our life, we cannot serve God as we should. Today we will see what happened to David when he sinned against God.
Summary: Today we see what can be considered the turning point in David’s kingdom. When he allowed sin into his life, the penalties for that sin damaged his kingdom. We see rape, murder, and rebellion take root in his home. God acknowledged that David had “. . . given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD . . .” (II Samuel 12:14.) The rebellion in his home advanced to his kingdom. David’s own son Absalom, whom he loved, rebelled against not only his father, but his father’s kingdom. David ended up fleeing for his life, and in regaining his kingdom, his son was killed. We see the time spent restoring the kingdom. And once again, we see people recognize God’s promise to send One some day. David’s men recognized this and did not allow him to return into battle for fear “that thou quench not the light of Israel.” They knew the promise laid in him and his descendants. As David comes toward the end of his reign, we see words of wisdom and even a song of thanksgiving and praise.
David also bought the land that the temple would one day be built upon.
Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!
Emphasis: Once David allowed sin to come into his life, he had much heartache that could have been prevented. We must learn from the examples written within God’s Word, or we will repeat them – suffering many of the same consequences of those sins. But remember that God is faithful: I Corinthians 10:13: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:
Lesson 37 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1
Lesson 37 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1
Lesson 37 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 2
Ideas for children:
Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.). I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash! Pinterest always has great ideas!
You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.
One idea for today’s lesson: (See picture below). For today’s lesson we took a coffee filter and cut it into a large heart. We then took a regular marker and made small black spots in random places all over the heart. I tried to help them understand that this was kind of what sin does in our hearts – leaves black spots. We then took a spray bottle full of water and sprayed a few squirts onto the heart where the spots were. We watched as the spots began to bleed and spread on the heart, becoming bigger. That is much like what sin does once it enters into one’s heart – spreads, becoming bigger. Also help them understand that it is impossible for us to remove those stains. This is a great way to help them see the significance of this and the importance of understanding that it takes Jesus to wash away those black spots – our sin.
Mural idea:
Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.
By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives. Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural. Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.
Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall. Encourage everyone to participate.
