Weekly Parent Guide
Our children’s gatherings are strategically designed to present a singular message each week through a variety of mediums including age-relevant teachings, games, songs, object lessons, crafts, activities, and more. To assist parents and guardians in reinforcing what is being taught, this weekly parent guide provides an overview with additional insights and details. Our hope is this provides an outline that can be used throughout the week.
Sunday | 6.8.2025
Saul Rescued Israel
I Samuel 11-13
The beginning of Saul’s reign as king over Israel brought great promise. He was a fierce warrior, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, was moved to defeat the Ammonite army. However, Saul’s foolish choice revealed that he was not the king the people needed. We see Samuel’s warnings come true: an earthly king could never fulfill the role of the eternal God.
Saul’s willingness to defend the people of Jabesh and secure a victory over the Ammonites only served to encourage the people’s hope in him as their king. All the people went to Gilgal, where they made Saul their king.
After Saul’s victory over the Ammonites, Samuel gathered the people of Israel together for a final public speech. Samuel acknowledged the callousness of the people’s hearts after the threats of Nahash, going so far as to call their actions evil in the sight of God (1 Samuel 12:17). Samuel reminded the people to continue walking in obedience if they wanted God’s protection over them. However, Samuel also added the warning that if they disobeyed God or turned away from God, both they and their new king would be swept away.
A wise proverb reminds us, “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18), and Saul’s pride led him to a foolish choice. Saul sinned against God by offering a burnt sacrifice on his own accord, rather than waiting for Samuel to perform this duty as priest. Saul did not honor God as holy and ultimately revealed that his heart was not after the things of the Lord but his own selfish desires as king.
Samuel condemned Saul for his foolishness and spoke of the king who would replace him—one who would be a man after God’s own heart. Though in the short term, we see this prophetic word fulfilled through King David, its ultimate fulfillment would come through his lineage to bring us King Jesus.
Parent Challenge: Watch the Questions from Kids with your kids.
Bible Story Video
Questions from Kids
Christ Connection
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
Saul defeated enemy armies for Israel but failed to obey God. Jesus defeated our greatest enemies—sin and death—and always obeyed God. All who trust in Jesus will be saved and receive changed hearts that desire to obey God.
Big Picture Question
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Question: Who is our King?
Answer: Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world.