Introduction for: Year 1, Lesson 24

Saul’s Disobedience

The Big Idea (Textual Principle):
God wants obeying hearts.

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. I Samuel 15:22b

Biblical Virtue (Timeless Principle)
Obedience – God wants our hearts, not just actions.

Memory Verse

And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22

Saul’s Disobedience

Bible Text: Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. I Samuel 15:22b

Answer the following questions:

After asking these for yourself, you will be ready to ask these questions of the students after you tell the story.
Question Answer
What did you like in the story?  
What did you not like in the story? 
What does the story teach you about God? 
What does the story teach you about mankind? 
What might the Lord be calling you to do after hearing this story? 

Teacher Soft Skills Development

Create 5 Questions and answers to thoughtfully review the text.
Question Answer
Who  
What  
When  
Where  
Why  
How  


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Classroom Sequence for Saul’s Disobedience (Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. I Samuel 15:22b)

#1 Welcome the Students

AHello students, please sit down and stay quiet for prayer.”

BPray and praise God for a beautiful day, and
ask God to bless the teacher and students.

#2 Rules Review

Use the rules chart to remind everyone to sit, listen, watch, put away their toys/personal items, and have fun.

#3 Music

Sing two or more joyful songs.

#4 Five-Finger Prayer Time

Thumb
Praise God for His
worthy character

Index Finger
Confess sins

Middle Finger
Thank God for
His great care

Ring Finger
Pray for those
who are weak
or in need

Pinky
Pray for my own
needs

#5 Bible Time

Use the rules chart to remind everyone to sit, listen, watch, avoid toys, and have fun.

#6 Story Time

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Start by sharing the big idea: “God wants obeying hearts.”

Engage: Engage

Expound: Tell the Story (5-10 minutes)
1. Mention the historical situation.
2. Begin: “This is a true story from God’s
Word.”
3. Tell accurately with gestures/pictures.
(Accurate/Transferable/Contextual/Short)

Explain (Before or after the story – not during):
1. Share insights and biblical principles.
2. Compare with Jesus or NT when appropriate.
3. Identify Christian virtue(s): Obedience – God wants our hearts, not just actions. 
4. Apply an example to real life.

Note: Learning to read the full passage and accurately retell a short version is part of the personal development of the teacher.

#7 Expand

Do 2 or 3 of the following as time permits. The teacher does not have to do everything listed – just choose according to the time permitted.

A. Retell the Story so the students can memorize it.

If possible, tell the story again so the students can memorize it.

B. Craft

“Saul’s Broken Obedience Blocks”

A visual object lesson showing how incomplete obedience doesn’t please God.


Materials Needed

  • 4–6 small rectangular pieces of construction paper (different colors)
  • Markers or crayons
  • Glue stick or tape
  • Safety scissors
  • Small strip of paper (for a simple label)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Step 1: Cut your construction paper into 4–6 small rectangles (these will be your “blocks”).

    Step 2: Stack the rectangles loosely in a small pile in front of you.

    Step 3: On each rectangle, draw simple pictures (no words needed) like:

      • An ear (listening)
      • A check mark (obedience)
      • A crown (King Saul)
      • An “X” (wrong choice)

    Step 4: Color each block with bright colors.

    Step 5: Take one block and purposely tear off a corner or cut it unevenly to show “imperfect obedience.”

    Step 6: Write this short phrase on a small strip of paper: “Obey God”

    Step 7: Glue or tape the label onto one of the blocks.

    Step 8: Try stacking all the blocks neatly like a tower.

    Step 9: Notice how the torn or uneven block makes the tower unstable or messy.

    Step 10: Remember: Saul obeyed only partway—but God wants full obedience from the heart, not broken or partial actions.

C. Total Physical Response

Story MomentTeacher TPR CommandsExpected Student Actions
God gives Saul a clear command“Point up… listen carefully!”Students point upward and listen intently.
Saul goes to battle“March, march… forward!”Students march in place.
Saul does NOT fully obey God“Stop… shake your head… not obeying.”Students freeze and shake heads.
Saul keeps what God said to remove“Hold something back… hide it.”Students pretend to hide something behind their backs.
Samuel comes to Saul“Walk in… stop and look.”Students walk in place, then pause and focus.
Samuel hears the animals“Cup your ear… what is that?”Students cup ears and lean in.
Saul makes excuses“Shrug your shoulders… ‘It wasn’t me!’”Students shrug and gesture excuses.
God is not pleased“Frown… look serious.”Students frown and stand still.
God wants obedience, not just actions“Point to your heart… obey from your heart!”Students point to chest.
Saul loses his place as king“Lower your hands… step back.”Students slowly lower arms and take a step back.
Samuel is sad about Saul“Look down… slow sigh.”Students lower heads and sigh.
God cares about our hearts“Hands on heart… God sees inside.”Students place hands on their hearts.
We obey God from the heart“Nod your head… then point to your heart!”Students nod and point to chest.