The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: David

  • Be Crucified with Christ

    “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

    Saul was the first king of Israel. He looked (physically) like a good king. However, his true nature was soon revealed. But the most devastating thing that happened, was that he chose to do what he wanted to do instead of fulfilling God’s Word. When he disobeyed God, and did not repent for that, Samuel told him that God was going to take the kingdom from him and give it to another – a man who would choose to please God more than himself.

    Saul saw the Philistines, the enemy, gather against Israel. Saul was afraid. When he inquired of the Lord (wanting help for the battle), the Lord answered him not. See why God does not answer those who choose to live for themselves instead of obeying God’s Word. “28. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30. They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.  31. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices” (Proverbs 1:28-31). God would not speak to Saul because Saul had chosen to disregard God in his life. It was at this point that Saul learned a Word from God (through Samuel, the prophet) that Saul and three of his sons would die in battle against the Philistines, and the kingdom would be given to David, one who would obey God and do His will.

    Saul, along with three of his sons, died in battle the next day. And David became the king of Israel.

    This should be a mighty example for anyone who chooses to do what they want to do instead of what God’s Word says they are to do. Because of Saul’s disobedience, he lost his life and his kingdom.

    The following verse should be foremost in our hearts and minds: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). I am not to do what I want, for I am crucified with Christ (this means that I put my selfish desires to death, choosing instead to please God). I am to live a life pleasing to God, by the faith I received because I believe in Jesus, God’s Son – the One who gave His life for me.

    Have you crucified your selfish desires to live a life pleasing to God?

  • A Man After Mine own Heart

    “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
    James 4:17

    David is one of the most famous men in the Bible. God chose him when he was young to be the future king of His people. Although King Saul chased David wanting to kill him, David followed God, and God took care of him.

    When David became king, he was a great king. “And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people” (2 Samuel 3:36). We can read many places where David “enquired of God.” When David wasn’t sure what God would have him to do in a situation, he would enquire of God – and God would answer him. “And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him” (2 Samuel 5:10). The second book of Samuel is all about David’s kingdom.

    Everyone remembers David’s great sin. If you remember, he wasn’t where he was supposed to be. “And it came to pass …  at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 11:1). It was at this time that he took Bathsheba, who wasn’t his wife, and had her husband killed in battle. Although David knew this was completely wrong in every way, he did it anyway. “And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD” (2 Samuel 11:27). What made things worse was that after he made Bathsheba his wife, he continued in life as if nothing was wrong.

    God sent Nathan to speak to David. He told King David a story of man who took a beloved lamb from someone else that did not belong to him and killed it. After hearing the story, “And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die” (2 Samuel 12:5). David recognized that this man had sinned and deserved death. “And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man …” (2 Samuel 12:7a). Nathan proceeded to remind King David just what God had done for him, and his punishment for his great sin. “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die” (2 Samuel 12:13). Although there were many consequences for this sin, because David immediately repented of that sin, God forgave him. David truly had a heart of repentance, and we can read his prayer to the Lord in Psalm 51.

    What more does the Bible tell us about King David? “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). Have you ever considered that it might have been this moment in David’s life that caused God to call him “a man after mine own heart” knowing that when David was confronted with his sin, he would immediately repent? We know, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, read what David understood, long before it was written, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

    We can understand that God forgave David. However, see how great of a forgiveness it was. David wrote Psalm 103, which tells of God’s great forgiveness. “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12)

    Remember what else God tells us of King David, “Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus” (Acts 13:23). God sent, through the lineage of David, His only Son who came to die for man’s sin – if only they would come to him in repentance and receive His forgiveness. “6. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). 

    Are you one who is after God’s own heart?

  • Lesson 3 (Lesson 42): Psalms 42-72: Book 2

    Key Verse

    “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”  Psalm 55:22

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever had a problem.  Do you remember the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt?  Did they have a problem?  What did they do? (They cried out to God.)  What did God do for them? (He sent Moses to deliver them from bondage in Egypt.)  Did God take care of them?  Read the memory verse for today.

    burden:  your problem

    sustain:  hold you, guide you, and provide for you

    suffer:  cause or allow

    righteous:  lawful, or honest; one who obeys God’s laws

    moved:  be removed; cast away; or off course

    God will provide and take care of His people who obey His laws and live for Him.  We will read words David and others wrote as they remembered God’s provision for His people through the years.

    Summary Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms.  Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books.  We will look at book two of the Psalms (chapters 42-72) today, revealing man and God’s dealings with man as compared to the book of Exodus.  We find the main theme was Israel and their cry for deliverance, their redemption from Egypt, learning that the law reveals sin, and learning to trust God.

    After Moses led the people out of Egypt, God spoke to them from the top of Mount Sinai, and it was there the law was given (beginning with the Ten Commandments – Exodus 19-20.)  This law showed mankind their sin.  They were to obey God’s Law.  The Israelites were taught that obedience to God is necessary, and that they could not be a redeemed, set apart people, unless they obeyed God’s commands.

    During the book of Exodus, God’s people learned to trust Him for everything.  God provided for their every need in the wilderness – a cloud of covering during the heat of the day, a pillar of fire by night, food (manna), and even water (from the flint rock.)  They learned to trust in Him – completely.

    Much of the second book of the Psalms was written by David.  If you remember, he spent many years fleeing King Saul in fear for his life.  During that time, he learned to trust in God.  He cried out many times for God to provide for him, and even to deliver him from enemies.  During this time, he learned to praise God for His wonderful provisions and answer to prayers.  David also learned that sin separated him from God, until he repented of his sin.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Encourage them to learn to trust God for everything they need in life.  Help them recognize that sin separates us from God until we come to him in true repentance.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 42 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 42 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    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 colored the verse Psalm 46:10a.  After we finished that, we glued the verse to a piece of construction paper.  The important thing was to understand the verse – to be still and know God!

    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.

  • Lesson 2 (Lesson 41): Psalms 1-41: Book 1

    Key Verse

    “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  Colossians 3:16

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  After reading the verse with your students use the following definitions to help them understand it a little better.

    word of Christ:  refers to the revelation which Jesus brought into the world which is undiscoverable except by God and the Scriptures

    wisdom:  practical wisdom; sound judgment; good sense

    teaching:  to advise, or put in mind – as a tutor would do

    admonishing:  to caution or reprove gently; to warn

    hymns: a song sung in praise to God

    Use this discussion to prepare your students to understand the importance of the Psalms as we begin our study of them.  We see in our memory verse that the Psalms are songs sung as praises to God, but they are also to instill wisdom and good judgment in our hearts and minds to teach us how to live.

    Summary:  Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms. Psalms is known as the Israelites’ songbook.  David is often accredited to as its author.  Although he probably wrote almost half of them (about 73), there were other authors, known and unknown.  Many of the Psalms were written when different men approached God in prayer because of circumstances surrounding them.  You can see instances of great sorrow, admitted sin, repentance, hope and trust in God, faith, and a great love for God.  Throughout Psalms, man’s prayers from the heart turn to singing in that prayer – ending with man praising God, revealing that the Psalms are not only prayers from the heart, but songs as well.  Some were written in praise and adoration of who God is vs. who man is. So, many of these hymns are rich in Israel’s history.  If we know the history, we will better understand the circumstances surrounding many of these songs.

    In the book of Psalms, we find God is infinite – sovereign; yet despite man’s failings, God still communicates with man, and allows man to communicate with him.

    We will especially see how the Psalms, broken into five books, parallel to the first 5 books of the Bible (the Law).  Many believe the 5 books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy) are God’s words to His people, whereas the 5 books of the Psalms are God’s people’s words (prayers and songs) back to God.  Each of these five divisions ends with its own doxology (a hymn of praise to God).  We begin today with the first book of the Psalms (chapters 1-41) revealing man and God’s dealings with man as compared to the book of Genesis.  Remember in Genesis, we saw sin enter into the world, causing separation from God.  We also found God actively involved in men’s lives.  You may want to review that in Genesis there were 4 main events (the Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel) and 4 main people (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  All of God’s Word is important – converting the soul and making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7).

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 41 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 41 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

     

    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 an outline of a sheep and filled it with cotton balls to make a fluffy sheep.  That was one way to remember that David (who we learned was a shepherd boy) wrote many of the Psalms.  You could choose to do a craft that reminds your students of one of the 4 Main Events in Genesis (Creation, Fall, Flood, and Tower of Babel) as we compare them to Book 1 of Psalms.

     

    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.

  • Lesson 13 (Lesson 39): Jesus in the Old Testament: Jesus our Ruler

    Key Verse

    “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Explain the memory verse using the following definitions:

    seek:  strive after, with earnestness

    first:  importance; first of all; chiefly

    kingdom:  the glorious reign of the Messiah; its basis from the prophecies of the OT where the coming of the Messiah and His triumphs are foretold

    righteousness:  conformity to all God commands; God’s uprightness to which man is expected to conform.

    Jesus taught us to strive, with earnestness and as most importantly, for the coming of the Messiah (Jesus) and his reign.  And seek to be able to conform to all of God’s commands.  When we can do these things, all of the things Jesus had been teaching them (heavenly treasures, provisions here on earth, etc.) would be added.

    Summary:  We have learned that God’s people rejected Him as their king.  They wanted a man.  So, God gave them a man, Saul, and he failed miserably as a godly king.  But God chose a man “after his own heart,” David.  He was a good king, and God made him a promise.  Because David wanted to do good for God to build God a house, God would build David a house, one that would last forever.  Today, we will see in whom that promise was fulfilled, Jesus.

    David believed God’s promise, and it was recorded in the Bible for us to read today.  All through the ages, men watched and waited for that “Promised One” to come.  Even the wise men of the Far East sought a new king that was born, and wanted to come and worship him.  We find John the Baptist proclaimed He had come, and He was God’s Son.  But even more than that, Jesus himself declared principles of His kingdom we must learn to adhere to.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Our job, today, is to seek God as most important in our lives, obeying His commands, making him our King that we will serve.  When we do that, we have nothing to worry about because He will take care of us.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 39 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 39 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    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 I had a kit that made a shield (since we had been studying the kings of Israel) with a sicker for the middle that said “Christ is my Victory.”  It seemed to fit pretty well since we had been talking about the kings of Israel.  In today’s lesson we remembered the promise to King David that that Jesus was the promised King of Kings who would come.  We also learned a little of Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom that would come.

     

    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.

  • Lesson 12 (Lesson 38): I Kings 1-11: David’s Death and Solomon King

    Key Verse

    “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”   Matthew 6:24

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they remember the first 3 of the Ten Commandments.  (Exodus 20:3-5:  “3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image … 5. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them …”  Read today’s memory verse together with your class.  Help them understand this verse using the following definitions:

    serve:  obey; serve in bondage                                   hold:  to hold firmly, cleave to

    despise:  to neglect or not care for                           mammon: all kinds of possessions; the god of materialism

    Today we will look at the life of Solomon.  We see what happens when he turns from serving the one true God to allowing idol worship to come into his life.  He could not serve both.

    Summary:  I Kings begins with King David’s death and his son, Solomon, taking the throne.  David had encouraged his son to walk with God and obey His commands.  Solomon obeyed his father, David, and the kingdom was established.  God then came to Solomon himself, asking what he desired.  Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave it to him, along with riches and fame.  God, too, told Solomon to obey His commands and walk in God’s ways, and God would bless his kingdom as He had promised David.

    Solomon was allowed to build the temple that his father, David, had wanted to build.  But, Solomon allowed his heart to be turned from God to the gods (and idol worship) of his many “strange” wives.  When King Solomon turned his heart from God to idols, we see the nation decline from one of the greatest kingdoms ever to the promise of a divided kingdom; with David’s house only ruling two tribes (Judah and Benjamin:  see I Kings 11:30-35).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Just as King Solomon was blessed and established as long as he walked in God’s ways as his father, David, we must make a choice – obey God or our own desires in the flesh.  When King Solomon “loved” many women, he allowed his heart to be turned from God.  We cannot choose the things of the world over God.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 38 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 38 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

    Lesson 38 – 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 traced footprints and wrote I Kings 2:3 on them.  We then glued them to a piece of construction paper.  The idea is to help them remember the importance of walking in God’s ways and keeping His commandments.

     

    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.

  • Lesson 11 (Lesson 37): II Samuel 11-24: The Result of Sin

    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.

  • Lesson 10 (Lesson 36): II Samuel 6-10: David the Conqueror

    Key Verse

    “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”  I Corinthians 2:9

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Children may have a hard time understanding today’s memory verse.  Ask them what David did for his father when he lived at home (he was a shepherd, tending his father’s sheep).  When God sent an evil spirit to trouble King Saul, who did he want to kill? (David)  Do you remember why? (Saul knew that David would be the next king.)  Do you think David was ever afraid? (yes.)  Do you think he ever wondered if he would ever become the king as God had told him? (probably.)  Last week, we saw that David was crowned as the king of Israel.  David probably never knew that he would be such a great king that the kings that followed him would be compared to him (II Kings 14:3; 18:3; II Chronicles 29:2, etc.)   Today, we see how great of a king David was.  Most importantly, we see that God was most important to David, and David became known as a man after God’s own heart.

    Summary: Today we continue in the life of David.  We see that God is important to David.  We then see that David is important to God.  When David kept God first in his life, we see that God established him as a conquering king.  He not only brought the enemies into subjection, but David was also revealed as a compassionate king.  He found a living relative of the former king, Saul, and brought him to his home and restored his land.

    Because of David’s faithfulness, God made him a promise:  II Samuel 7:12 & 16:  “12. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 16. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”  We will learn today that this is a promise not only of his son, Solomon, who became the next king, but a promise that God’s son, Jesus, would one day be King of Kings.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  We see Matthew 6:33 lived out in David’s life, long before it was even written:  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  We must live a life seeking God first, just as David did, and then we can see God bless our lives.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 36 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 36 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

    Lesson 36 – 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 I found a foam castle kit and modified it to fit today’s lesson.  In the doorway we glued the verses II Samuel 7:11b-12, 16.  In the crown sticker, we wrote the name Jesus to remind us that the promise extended past the immediate future into the very distant future when Jesus would finally be born.

    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.

     

  • Lesson 9 (Lesson 35): II Samuel 1-5: David Crowned as King

    Key Verse

    “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”  Psalms 25:14

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Help them understand the verse using the following definitions.

    secret:  Intimacy, conversation, consultation

    fear:  reverently fear

    covenant:  a pledge; a contract with promises of blessing for obedience, a curse for disobedience

    Today we will see the “secret” God had made with David many years earlier (that he would be king of Israel) come to pass.  We also notice that David’s relationship with God was one of reverential fear.  We see God show David that He will continue fulfilling His covenant with His people by establishing David as king.  This was pivotal in ushering in Jesus, the King of Kings (I Timothy 6:14-15).

    Summary:  Remember that we saw Saul became the first king of Israel, but had the kingdom removed from him and his family, forever, because of his disobedience to God’s words.  I Samuel 15:23:  “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”   I Samuel closed with King Saul’s death in battle.  We have now seen 3 of the 4 main characters in the books of Samuel have died.  We begin the book of II Samuel continuing in the life of David.  We open with David hearing the news, mourning, and Judah (one of the tribes of Israel – David’s tribe) anointing him as their king.  The rest of the tribes accept Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, as their king.  We see the nation in a state of conflict and turmoil as their king has died, and they try to go on.  Until they receive David, God’s choice for their king, there is no peace in the land.  Once David is established as king throughout Israel, they are prepared to move on as a nation.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  David faithfully sought God’s will for his life.  He knew God’s word and obeyed it.  He then saw God do just what He promised.  We see David live Matthew 6:33 long before it was written:  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 35 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 35 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    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 made a crown as we remembered how God made David king of Israel.  You could either purchase pre-made crowns through someplace like Oriental Trading or make your own with gold or silver poster board.  Stick on jewels are the easiest to use to decorate the crowns.  Some children are creative and enjoy coloring their own crowns  with markers making their own jewels.

     

    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.

  • Lesson 8 (Lesson 34): I Samuel 16-31: David Coming to the Kingdom

    Key Verse

    “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  Proverbs 16:7

     Read the Key Verse with your students.  It is very self explanatory.  But be sure that they understand – God is with those who please Him, and He will take care of His people.  We will see this in David’s life as we study our lesson for today.

    Summary After learning of Eli, Samuel, and Saul, we come to the final main character of I Samuel, David.  Last week we saw that the people had rejected God as their king and desired a man to rule over them.  God gave them Saul – physically, everything a people could want in a king.  He was good looking, and he stood head and shoulders taller than anyone else.  But we found he chose to please man over God.  Remember Saul’s disobedience that caused God to remove the kingdom not only from him, but his family.  Today we see that God chooses a “man after his own heart.”  We see God take a man the world might see as one of low esteem (a shepherd boy), but one whom He raised up to serve Him.  When God chose David, he removed his spirit from Saul and allowed an “evil spirit” to trouble him.  Watch today and notice the conflict between these two men.  Notice that even though Saul sought to destroy David, when David walked with God, Saul could not destroy him.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  As we see God turn from Saul (for his disobedience) to David, Saul then became David’s enemy, after him at every turn.  We read that David continually sought God, and that even Saul recognized God was with David.  When David had opportunity to kill Saul, and would not, Saul promised David peace.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 34 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 34 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet 1

    Lesson 34 – 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 we made a coloring book for each child.  Because David was a shepherd boy God chose to be the future king of Israel, there were many choices of coloring pages (some of the most famous are pictures of David fighting Goliath).  I chose some that told the story of David.  I had a book of construction paper cut and stapled together for them to glue the different pictures into in the correct order.  We colored some of the pictures in them with the time we had left.  They were then able to take their books home to color the rest of the pictures as they had time, helping them remember what we had learned in class that day.

     

    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.