As you spend time with your children this week, talk about how even someone like King David, a man after God's own heart, needed God's mercy and forgiveness. In 2 Samuel 11–12 and Psalm 51, we see the weight of sin, but even more, we see the beauty of true repentance and God's amazing grace. Help your kids understand that while sin separates us from God, He lovingly invites us back through Jesus. Encourage your children to be honest with God, to ask for forgiveness, and to trust in the Savior who makes our hearts clean. What a gift it is to walk in restoration together as a family!

God is always faithful to his promises, and we see this beautifully in how he established an everlasting kingdom through David’s family, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. David wanted to build a house for God, but it was Solomon who built the temple, and Jesus who came to dwell with us as God in flesh, bringing the kingdom of God near. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to be part of God's family, not because of anything we have done, but because of his great love for us. As you lead the kids in your family, be encouraged that you are helping little hearts understand this life-changing truth. We are invited into God's family and into his forever kingdom. What a beautiful hope to share with the next generation.

David trusted God to fulfill His promise and chose to wait on God's perfect timing instead of taking matters into his own hands. He showed mercy to Saul, even when he had the chance for revenge, believing that God alone is the righteous judge. In an even greater display of mercy, Jesus gave his life for everyone and prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified him. As parents, you have the incredible opportunity to point your children to this same mercy. Remind them that through Jesus, they can receive forgiveness and new life. Be encouraged! Every conversation, prayer, and act of love helps your child see the beauty of God's kingdom and the hope found in following Jesus.

As you share the story of David and Goliath with your kids, remind them that the real focus is not just David’s courage but God’s faithfulness. David was confident because he had already seen God help him face lions and bears. He believed that the same faithful God would help him face the giant too.

This powerful story points us to Jesus, our true Champion, who defeated sin and death for all of us. Encourage your kids to see that, just like David, they can trust in God's strength instead of their own. Jesus has already won the greatest victory, and we can place our hope fully in Him.

As you guide your children, take time to pray together. Ask God to grow their trust in Him and help them celebrate the salvation He provides in every part of life.

In 1 Samuel 16, David embodies humble service by soothing King Saul with music even after being anointed the future ruler of Israel, showing that God often shapes his leaders in seasons of waiting. David’s obedience points to the greater Suffering Servant, Jesus, whose sacrificial death brings lasting peace. As you disciple your kids in the ways of Jesus, let David’s example and Jesus’ perfect humility inspire you to serve with quiet confidence, trusting that God uses every act of faithfulness, seen or unseen, to reveal his love to us.

In 1 Samuel 16, we see a powerful turning point in God’s story with his people. While Saul looked impressive on the outside, God chose David because of his heart. Even the prophet Samuel was tempted to judge by appearance, but God reminded him that he looks at the heart. As you teach the kids this week, be encouraged that God delights in those who trust him and walk in faith. He uses ordinary people with willing hearts to do extraordinary things. You are part of that story, and you are deeply loved.

Sometimes it's easy for us to slip into the mindset of Saul: rushing ahead, relying on our own wisdom, or making quick decisions under pressure. Saul’s story reminds us that disobedience, even when it seems reasonable, leads to brokenness. His choices did not only affect him; they impacted the people he was called to lead. In contrast, Jesus is our perfect example. He obeyed his Father completely, even to the point of giving his life so that we could be redeemed. What a powerful gift of grace we have in him. As you lead your kids in the ways of Jesus, let Saul’s story serve as a warning and Jesus’ obedience as your guide. Do not lead from pressure or pride. Lead with trust in the One who goes before you.

Saul began his reign with strength and promise, even achieving victory through the Spirit’s power. But his disobedience revealed a heart that didn’t trust God's ways. Samuel reminded the people that no human leader could take the place of God, and Saul’s pride showed he was not the king their hearts truly longed for. Still, God's love never wavered. He had a better plan, sending a perfect King through Saul’s line. This story points us to Jesus, the only King who fully reflects God’s heart and draws us close with his love. Keep sharing this truth with your kids. You are helping them see that God’s love is steady and Jesus is the King who will never let them down.

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.