ROCK SOLID: What Your Child Learned in Church Today, Sunday, May 3

Bible Lesson: The Rise and Fall of Saul, the First King of Israel (1 Samuel 11:1-11, 13:5-16, 14:1-23, 15:1-31)

Memory Verse: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7 NIV

Main Point: I will live a life of faith in God rather than relying on just my own strength and understanding!

What we learned:
Today, we saw how Saul's reign as King started out humbly as he relied on God to empower him as a leader, but all too soon we see that Saul becomes enamored with himself and begins to rely on his own strength to lead the people. God gives Saul numerous opportunities to repent, but Saul blindly continues to reject God and walk by sight rather than by faith. As a result, God rejects Saul as king, tearing the kingdom from him and giving it to a man after his own heart, David.

Life Application:
Like Saul, we too can become relient upon ourselves instead of God. Our successes can cause us to puff up with pride and cause us to walk in our own strength and understanding. When we turn away from God, giving ourselves the credit for 'our' successes and accomplishments, we are setting ourselves up for a big fall. Just like God ripped the kingdom from Saul, He can and will deal with our disobedience. Therefore, we should live our lives relying on God, obeying Him, and giving Him all of the credit and glory due.

TRAINING UP A CHILD HOMEWORK:
1. Memory Verse: Help your child memorize Psalm 20:7 in the upcoming week. Discuss why it is important to place your ultimate trust in the Lord.
2. Bible Reading: Read through the Bible lesson passages (1 Samuel 11:1-11, 13:5-16, 14:1-23, 15:1-31) throughout this week. You can read a little each night with your child. Discuss with your child how Saul's actions were in direct disobedience to God. Help them understand that as a result, God dealt with Saul by eventually removing him as King of Israel. Help them to know that God deals with those who are disobedient. However, there is forgiveness and mercy if we repent and confess our sins to Him.
3. Suggested Parent/Child Activity: Through out the week take time to point out various things in which we place our trust. Things such as airplanes, medicine, banks, goverment, technology. All of these things can fail us but God never will.
4. Daily Prayer: Dear God, please help us place our trust in you. Help us seek you and your wisdom for the all the decisions we make both klarge and small. Keep us from becoming proud and let us honor you by the way in which we live. Amen

In His Love, Cathy