Teaching

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. James 3:16:

For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

In the video we watched, Saul struggled with jealousy. It seems surprising that a powerful king would be jealous of anyone! Let’s find out why.

Saul was anointed as Israel’s king, and the Spirit of God was upon him. (See 1 Samuel 10:1–6.) So, what happened? God rejected Saul.

Why did God reject Saul? Disobedience; he rejected God’s command. Saul did not completely destroy the enemy and their possessions.

Pick up the cloth. Samuel told Saul that God had rejected him. As Samuel turned to leave, what happened? Saul grabbed Samuel’s robe and tore it.

Tear the cloth. Yes, Samuel told Saul that God had torn the kingdom of Israel from him and given it to someone better. To whom did God give the kingdom of Israel? David.

The Spirit of the Lord left Saul. A tormenting spirit filled him with fear and depression. When David was anointed as king, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him.

David began to serve in Saul’s court. He played his kinnor, or harp, for the king. David’s music made Saul feel better and the tormenting spirit would go away. Saul was pleased with David and asked him to serve as his armor bearer. (See 1 Samuel 15:12–23.)

By the power of God, David defeated Goliath, the Philistine giant. Saul made David the commander of his army. The Bible tells us that whatever Saul asked David to do, he did it successfully! All was good, right?

Not so fast! When David returned after defeating the Philistine army, the relationship between Saul and David took a turn for the worse! The women danced and sang praises to celebrate David’s victory over Goliath and the Philistines.

Read 1 Samuel 18:8:

This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!”

So from that time on, Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

God had already made David king; Saul just didn’t know it, yet! Saul was filled with jealousy. He was not content with what he had—he wanted the praise and favor that the people were giving David, too!

When we begin to compare ourselves to others, we open the door to jealousy. Instead, we should focus on God and who He created us to be! He made each of us unique with special abilities and a purpose. When we are content and confident in who we are in God, we can celebrate with others as they receive praise and success!

Read Proverbs 27:4:

Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.

Jealousy is a powerful and destructive emotion. Saul wanted to destroy David! Sadly, Saul didn’t turn to God for help. Let’s learn from his failure and how we can always turn to God for help to overcome jealousy!

Stand behind the table. Hold up the sandwich bag with the sad face visible to the children. One at a time, place the three balls with black marks, in front of the sad face in the bag as you speak. This face represents Saul. He was filled with many emotions—like uncontrolled anger, jealousy, and selfishness. Was he happy and content? No.

The Bible tells us that when we follow the desires of our sinful nature, it will lead to sin. Uncontrolled anger, jealousy, and selfish ambition are specifically listed as sin in the book of Galatians. (See Galatians 5:19–20.)

So how can we be free of these things?

As you speak, empty out the balls with the black Xs. Let’s say this bag with the sad face represents us now. First, we need to confess our sins to God and ask Him to forgive us. He will take them away from us! Then, we must choose to do what pleases God instead of ourselves. All of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior have the Holy Spirit living inside us, producing the good things of God in our lives. This is called spiritual fruit.

Tilt the bag back flat against one hand to make it stiff. As you name each fruit of the spirit, slide one of the nine balls with hearts into the bag to cover up the sad face as you say each fruit. The Holy Spirit fills us with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (See Galatians 5:22–23.)

Look, the sad face has disappeared!

Attempt to place the three balls with black Xs back into the bag. Don’t force them; just place them on top so children can see that the bag can’t be closed. Look, the uncontrolled anger, jealousy and selfishness won’t fit now! When we are filled with the good things of God, there is no room for evil things! Put the three balls down and seal the top of the bag closed. Turn the bag around so children can see the happy face.

When we are filled with the good things of God, we will be at peace, content, and full of joy! How do we overcome evil things like jealousy? Children suggest answers.

We need to be honest with ourselves and with God. We need to confess our sins. We need to spend time with God by reading His Word, praying, and asking for His help. It also helps to spend time with other believers who encourage us to act in godly ways. When we are filled with God’s love and led by the Holy Spirit, there is no room for jealousy! Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “I will not be jealous of others.”

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give each child a David’s Kinnor Pattern, empty tissue box, David’s Kinnor Instructions, two pencils, children’s scissors, and three rubber bands or pieces of string. Children should cut out and glue the verse card on the back of their harp. Have children put their name on the back and follow the instructions to add the strings. Assist any children with special needs.

When Samuel anointed David to be king, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him from that day on! (See 1 Samuel 16:13–14.)

God anointed David as a musician. He wrote and played songs of worship and praise that we can read today in the book of Psalms.

The musical instrument that David played was a stringed instrument called a lyre or kinnor in ancient times. It is now commonly translated as a harp. God’s Spirit flowed through David’s music to sooth Saul’s troubled spirit.

Optional: read 1 Samuel 16:23:

And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.

The Holy Spirit fills our hearts so we can love others, even when we are wronged. The Discipleship Challenge is to be led by the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives. When we give control of our life to the Holy Spirit, we can positively affect others with God’s love and peace.

Let’s read Romans 5:5b, which is on our harps:

For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

At home, look up the verses for Lesson 1, Galatians 5:25–26. Discuss the meaning of the verses with your family. Each day pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in every part of your life. Ask Him to help you with any feelings of jealousy or discontent. The harp can be a reminder to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading each day. When we are led by God’s Spirit, we can respond with God’s love and share His peace with others.