Unit 12 – Faithfulness
Lesson 34 – Saul Disobeys God (Illustrates the Opposite of Faithfulness)
Preparation for the Teacher
1. Aim: To lead the people to understand some of the errors to avoid through Saul’s unfaithfulness to God.
2. Explanation of the Aim: Faithfulness can be defined as responding in God’s way to everything that happens – both big and small. Another way of looking at faithfulness is by staying true to God in my thoughts, words and actions. Saul, as the king of Israel is an example of someone who failed to be faithfully obedient to God. Even though Saul tried to explain to Samuel that he tried to complete the God given tasks he was assigned, yet his refusal to obey all the commands of God led to his rejection as king. Teach the people that faithful obedience to God means doing all of the will of God with a right attitude, motive and selfless spirit.
3. The Bible Story: Jesus told His disciples, “Go into all the nations of the world… teaching them to obey ALL that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19) God expects us to obey all of His commands. Anything less than full obedience is disobedience to the Almighty. God commanded Saul to destroy everything that belonged to the Amalekites. God used this as a test of Saul’s obedience, but his faithfulness was incomplete, the result of a proud, rebellious spirit. Saul chose to destroy only the refuse, that was good for little. Whatever is not given completely to obey God will soon be destroyed as a sacrifice to the justice of God. Samuel summarizes Saul’s sin when he admonishes him by saying, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft (divination) and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” (I Sam. 15:22,23) Do not set your own will above the commands of God or you will face His wrath.
4. Prepare to Teach: The INTRODUCTION helps the people explain what it means to be faithfully obedient to God. Ask any of the people if they can give a good definition of faithful obedience (Faithfulness can be defined as responding in God’s way to everything that happens – both big and small. Another way of looking at faithfulness is by staying true to God in my thoughts, words and actions). Ask the people if they can tell what happens to someone who is willfully disobedient? See if the people know what God rejected Saul as King of Israel? Discover if any of the people know the difference between what Saul did to offer a sacrifice instead of complete obedience to God? The BIBLE STORY focuses on showing the people the errors to avoid in the life of disobedient Saul. Explain how pride, selfish ambition and inattention to God’s word leads people to the sin of disobedience. The MEANING FOR OUR LIVES directs the people to make applications from the lesson. Ask the people to describe the kinds of attitudes that contribute to a disobedient spirit. What are some of the consequences of being disobedient to God? What are some of the remedies for people who are disobedient? What are some of the reasons why God is not pleased with sacrifices, but only our complete obedience?
CLASS TIME (Begin With Prayer)
Introduction
Help the people explain what it means to be faithfully obedient to God. Ask any of the people if they can give a good definition of faithful obedience (Faithfulness can be defined as responding in God’s way to everything that happens – both big and small. Another way of looking at faithfulness is by staying true to God in my thoughts, words and actions). Ask the people if they can tell what happens to someone who is willfully disobedient? See if the people know what God rejected Saul as King of Israel? Discover if any of the people know the difference between what Saul did to offer a sacrifice instead of complete obedience to God?
The Bible Story
God expects us to obey all of His commands. Anything less than full obedience is disobedience to the Almighty. God commanded Saul to destroy everything that belonged to the Amalekites. God used this as a test of Saul’s obedience, but his faithfulness was incomplete, the result of a proud, rebellious spirit. Saul chose to destroy only the refuse that was good for little. Whatever is not given completely to obey God will soon be destroyed as a sacrifice to the justice of God. Samuel summarizes Saul’s sin when he admonishes him by saying, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft (divination) and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” (I Sam. 15:22,23) Do not set your own will above the commands of God or you will face His chastisement.
When the Lord saw that Saul had only partially obeyed his commands He said to Samuel, “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” (I Sam. 15:10) Saul only destroyed the items that he could not use for his own personal aggrandizement. The wicked king planned to only offer to the Lord what was despised and weak and this was seen as a contemptible act. God knows our hearts and will judge us on the basis of our motives. Our faithful obedience should come out of love that involves our whole heart, soul, strength and mind as well as a love for our neighbor as ourself. (Luke 10:26-28) Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:21) Do not think that you can obey God unless you first love Him with all your heart.
Saul also failed to obey God in genuinely repenting of his sin. Repentance means that we are willing to completely change our mind, emotions, will and behavior away from selfish concerns and turn wholly toward God’s pathway. Saul changed from following God to pursing his own agenda. From this point forward he made God his enemy. Samuel spent a whole night in pleading for Saul, but to no avail. God saw that Saul’s heart was hardened and that his repentance would be half-hearted at best. We should learn from God’s demotion of the unfaithful. God does not delight when someone falls into sin and neither should we.
Saul tries to boast to Samuel of his obedience. This is the way that many sinners think they can make satisfactory excuses for their unfaithfulness. Disobedient people try to justify themselves so they can escape God’s discipline. The noise of the sheep and the cattle was evidence enough that Saul was not sincere in his obedience or repentance to God. The Lord looks on the heart of everyone to see whose hearts are perfect toward Him.
Many pretend to obey God, but what does it mean when their lifestyle is characterized by the lusts of flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life? (I John 2:15,16) If people are faithfully obedient to God they will love their neighbor. If people love God and keep His commands they will not habitually be angry and unkind to those around them. Obedient people do not neglect their responsibilities. Unfaithful people covet something greater than the approval of God. Any pursuit above the will of God for our life is flat out disobedience and will be punished.
Failure to obey God’s holy word is disobedience. Many people do not realize that the sins of omission are just as serious as the sins of commission. Saul learned this lesson the hard way. Saul’s heart was carnal, deceitful and full of excuses, but he could not fool God and neither can anyone else.
It is always hard to convince the people of disobedience. Remember that humble, sincere, and conscientious obedience to the will of God, is more pleasing and acceptable to him than all sacrifices one could make in a lifetime. God knows that it is easier to make a sacrificial offering on Sunday morning than it is to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. God wants us hearts not just a few sacrifices of our time. People will find themselves being disqualified for positions of responsibility who are unwilling to let God rule over their mind, will and emotions. 2
Notice the indications of hypocrisy in Saul’s repentance. 1. He sought Samuel only and seemed eager to stand right in his opinion, and to gain his favor. Trying to please men instead of God is wrong. 2. Saul offers excuses for his fault. True repentance throws itself on the mercy of God. 3. Saul’s main concern was to save his reputation, office and power. Fickle people vacillate in their minds and are undependable servant leaders. God cannot bless unfaithful leaders. 4. Saul also seems unconcerned at the token of God’s displeasure which he now under. Samuel mourns day and night for him. Jerusalem was carnally secure while Christ wept over it. Do we desire to do the whole will of God? Turn to God not in form and appearance, but with sincere obedience.
Memory Verse: To obey is better than sacrifice…for rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.” (I Sam. 15:22,23)
The Meaning for Our Lives
Direct the people to make applications from the lesson. Ask the people to describe the kinds of attitudes that contribute to a disobedient spirit. What are some of the consequences of being disobedient to God? What are some of the remedies for people who are disobedient? What are some of the reasons why God is not pleased with sacrifices, but only our complete obedience?
Response:
Song: To obey is better than sacrifice.
Prayer: Ask the Lord to help every child to resist the temptation to partially obey God with superficial sacrifices.
At Home: Ask the people to find out from their parents what are some of the symptoms of half-hearted obedience like Saul demonstrated.
