The Israelites, discontent with Samuel’s leadership and wanting to be like the nations around them, asked for an earthly king. In doing so, they rejected God as their true King and forgot how he had faithfully rescued, provided for, and led them. Their request revealed a deeper spiritual issue, a divided heart that placed trust in human leadership instead of God's perfect rule.

Even in their misplaced desires, God remained faithful. He allowed their request, not as an absence of his care, but as part of a greater story. The longing for a king pointed forward to Jesus, the true and perfect King, who came not to dominate but to serve and save. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he gives us new hearts that are able to trust, love, and follow him fully.

As you lead, ask God to help you model what it looks like to trust in Jesus' leadership. Pray that kids will come to know Jesus as the King who rules with compassion, wisdom, and unfailing love.

Samuel was a faithful man, chosen by God to lead and speak truth to His people. But even someone as devoted as Samuel could not bring lasting rescue. His life reminds us that we all need something more, someone greater. That someone is Jesus, the only One who could conquer sin and death once and for all through His perfect sacrifice. Because of Jesus, we no longer need a human judge to stand between us and God. Our hope rests securely in His finished work.

Take time to share with the kids in your care how the Lord has helped you along the way (1 Samuel 7:12). Point them to the ways Christ has changed your heart and given you lasting victory through faith in Him. Your story can shine a light that helps them see just how faithful and powerful our Savior truly is.

The story of the Philistines capturing the ark of the covenant is a powerful reminder that it's not enough to seek God's blessings without seeking God Himself. The Israelites, feeling overwhelmed by their enemies, turned to quick fixes instead of coming to God in prayer and trust. They treated the ark like a good luck charm, hoping it would bring success without considering their relationship with God. That decision led to painful consequences.

But even in their failure, God did not leave them. He showed mercy and brought victory they did not deserve. It's a hopeful reminder that God's grace is bigger than our mistakes, and He is always ready to meet us with love and redemption.

Consider the relationship between trust and obedience. Does your life reflect the truth that God’s ways are good and worthy of your trust? Lead the boys and girls in your care to see the fruit of a faith-filled life in service to God. Show them that, like Samuel, they can begin leading others to follow the Lord in faith.

The book of Ruth weaves a redemption story that begins with one family from Bethlehem and points toward the Messiah born in the same city. In the story of Ruth, we see how God sees and cares for His people, even demonstrating His love for the nations through a Moabite woman who became a part of Jesus’ lineage. God’s provision for not only Ruth, but all people, is revealed through the theme of a redeemer.

The story of Gideon in Judges 6-8 highlights God’s power to work through unexpected circumstances and individuals, showing that victory belongs to Him alone. Gideon’s journey demonstrates how God often chooses what seems weak or unlikely to accomplish His purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Judges 4 and 5 highlight God’s heart for rescuing His people and fulfilling His promises, even when they had turned away from Him. Despite their repeated choices that distanced them from God, He provided a way for them to overcome their enemies and experience His faithfulness.

This week’s story ushers in a new chapter for God’s people: the era of the judges. These short-term rescuers pointed to the need for an eternal Rescuer and Savior with the power to redeem and transform the hearts of God’s people once and for all.

The book of Joshua ends with a farewell address to God’s people about 20 years after they first found rest in the Promised Land. Joshua took one last opportunity to challenge the people to continue following the Lord and remind them how they were called to live in view of what God had already accomplished on their behalf.

Consider what an act of faith it was for God’s people to fight each battle, one city at a time, trusting God’s promises despite the opposition ahead. The belief that God is all-powerful not only aided the Israelites in their mission to conquer the land; it also serves to encourage us as we live by faith and not by sight.  Lead the boys and girls in your care to see the power of God who fights on our behalf and the love of His Son who died on the cross in our place and rose again.

Lead the boys and girls in your care to see that this story does not end with dismal destruction; rather, we see the Lord faithfully keep His promise to deliver His people from their enemies. God set Achan apart for destruction, just as He said He would. Destruction, however, does not have to be our end. By placing faith in Jesus, the punishment we deserve has been placed on God’s Son instead. Remind your kids of God’s faithfulness in providing a sacrifice on our behalf and an eternal victory secured in His Son—a victory that transforms hearts and frees people from the destruction they deserve.

Like the Israelites, we bring nothing to the table except our need for God’s saving grace. Yet by trusting in the Lord’s power to save us through faith in His Son, His victory is our reward. Help the boys and girls in your care see the power of God at work in this story, as well as in their own lives—that God has the power to deliver us into the kingdom of His Son. Pray that the children in your care will trust in Jesus for His gift of salvation.

In Joshua 1, we learn the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land following the death of Moses. God spoke directly to Joshua, commissioning him as the new leader of His people. The Lord commanded Joshua three times to be strong and courageous as he was about to guide the Israelites across the Jordan River.

As we read of Moses’ passing the baton to his successor, we must recognize the goodness of God in sending an even greater Leader to shepherd God’s people for all eternity: Jesus Christ. While Moses could not lead the Israelites into the land, Jesus fulfilled every requirement as a good and faithful servant of the Lord, therefore leading us into the eternal promise of His kingdom. Ask God to soften the hearts of kids in your family, that they may glean these great gospel truths as you faithfully teach this passage. May they see the faithful kindness of the loving God who desires to dwell with them not only today, but for all eternity.

Moses interceded for the people, and God miraculously provided them rescue. By looking at the bronze snake mounted on a pole, the people would recover. This was a glimmer of the eternal salvation that would one day come through the Son of God lifted up on the cross. Though the Israelites did not deserve this rescue, God saved them by His grace. Likewise, the Son of Man lifted up on the cross provided a once-and-for-all sacrifice for those who look to Him for salvation. Pray for the kids in your family to sees God’s gracious provision, that they would put their confidence in Christ for salvation.

After Israel left Sinai, God led them through the wilderness to the land He had promised Abraham. God was faithful to keep His promise and brought His people to spy out the land He was going to give them. Moses chose twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, to see if the land was good and to bring a report back to the people. Rather than focus on the good land God was giving them, they gave a negative report about the land based on the people living there. They focused their mind on the strength of the people rather than the promises of God.

Grumbling shows that we sometimes forget how kind and good God is to us. Even when we grumble, God lovingly cares for us and provides everything we need. When things are hard or not how we wish, we can trust that God knows what’s best for us. Instead of grumbling, we can remember His goodness, thank Him for His care, and ask Him to help us have a thankful heart.

Anyone who trusts in Jesus can experience the hope and joy of being made new and living as part of God’s family. The Day of Atonement pointed to this incredible gift, and through Jesus, we can always celebrate God’s love and grace. Isn’t it amazing how much He cares for us?

Today, though we gather at local churches to worship God and commune with fellow believers, it is not in physical structures where God dwells among His people. Instead, those who are in Christ receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Jesus tells us in John 16:7 that the gift of the Holy Spirit is greater than His physical presence was as He walked among His disciples! Pray for the Lord to prompt the kids in your family to heed His call of salvation, that He would dwell within them as their Lord. May we read of the tabernacle’s splendor and respond, not out of obligation, but in awe of the closeness and kindness of our Lord.