We’re moving on in our study of Israel’s kings in Sunday school. Here’s what you need to know for this week

• The passage: 1 Samuel 13:1-14; 15:1-35
• key verse: Psalm 47:7-8.
• Theme: God rejected Saul as king because of his sin.
• The big picture question: “Who Is Our King?”
• The big picture answer: “Jesus is our King forever, and He rules over the world.”

The beauty of the Old Testament is how timeless it is. The stories of thousands of years ago describe the human condition today so well. I can see myself in so many of the characters, probably because the characters are so flawed and presented with such reality.

Saul had a golden opportunity to do amazing things for God. He was chosen by God, he had a prophetic experience of God, he had everything going for him. But Saul couldn’t stop himself from sinning. When he was told explicitly by God to do one thing, he did the other. Saul was told to go out to war and completely destroy the enemy and everything they had. But Saul kept back the best. Then when he was confronted about it, he tried to justify himself saying he was going to sacrifice it to God.

God said obedience is better than sacrifice! And because Saul didn’t obey God, God would reject him.

I’ve done the same thing. I do something I know is wrong, then try to justify my bad behavior by saying it was for some other good purpose. But God says obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience is better than my good idea. I need to trust God and obey him, and when I obey him then “the good” is accomplished.

This week have a discussion with your kids about obedience to God. Perhaps you can tell your kids about a time that you knew you did something wrong, then you tried to justify yourself like Saul, and you learned that God wants obedience more than sacrifice.

So thankful for you and your kids. Have a great week!