OT 48 The Philistines Capture the Ark

Reference: 1 Sam 4:1-11, 5, 6


Big Idea: There is no god like our God.


Verse: 1 Samuel 2:2 - There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.


Motions for the Big Idea:No - wag your finger “no”god - hold your hands apart vertically, about a foot apart (you’re pretending to hold a statue like Dagon)Our - point to yourself with both thumbsGod - point up


Motions for the Verse:None - wag your index finger “no”Holy - hold your hands up and bow forwardLord - point upBesides - pretend to put your arm around an imaginary person next to youRock - tap one fist on top of the otherGod - point up


Questions to Ask Throughout the Week

• Who did the Israelites lose a battle against? // The Philistines
• After they lost the battle, what did the leaders of the Israelites go get? // The ark of the covenant
• What did the Philistines take from the Israelites? // The ark of the covenant
• What was the name of the Philistines’ god? // Dagon
• What did God do to the statue of Dagon? // Make it fall over, made it’s head and hands break off
• What happened to the Philistines when the ark was in their cities? // They had painful growths on them
• What things did the Philistines put on the cart with the ark? // Five gold “growths” and five gold rats
• How did the cows walk back with the ark to Israel? // They walked straight, not turning, and mooing all the way
• What is today’s big idea? // There’s no god like our God.
• What is today’s Bible verse? // 1 Samuel 2:2 - There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. (ESV)

Google Docs Links:Lesson | Resources

OT 47 God Speaks Samuel

Reference: 1 Samuel 3


Big Idea: Jesus was punished for our sins.
Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (ESV)


Motions for the Big Idea:Jesus - form a cross with your forearmsPunished - punch your palm with your fistOur - point to yourselfSins - two thumbs down


Motions for the Verse:Our sake - point to yourselfMade him -pretend to hammer or saw (making something)Sin - two thumbs downKnew no sin - tap your temple while shaking your head “no”Righteousness - place your left hand over your heart and hold up your right handGod - point up

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week

1. What was the name of the boy that lived at the tabernacle? // Samuel
2. What was the name of the high priest at the tabernacle? // Eli
3. How many times did the Lord God call Samuel? // Four times.
4. Who did Samuel think was calling him? // Eli.
5. What did Eli tell Samuel to say when God called? // Speak. I’m listening.
6. What message did God give Samuel? // He was going to punish Eli’s family.
7. Why was God going to punish Eli’s sons? // They were breaking God’s commandments.
8. Why doesn’t God punish Christians for their sins? // Because Jesus died to pay our punishment.
9. Who is the only righteous person? Why? // Jesus, because he never sinned.
10. What is today’s big idea? // Jesus was punished for our sins.
11. What is today’s Bible verse? // 2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (ESV)

Google Docs Links:Lesson | Resources

OT 46 Samuel is Born

Reference: 1 Samuel 1


Big Idea: Pray to your Father in heaven because he cares for you.


Verse: Matthew 6:9-13 - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.


Motions for the Big Idea:Pray - fold your hands in prayerFather in heaven - point upCares - give yourself a hugYou - point to another person

Motions For the Verse:Father - Hold your hand with fingers spread, touch your thumb to your forehead*Hallowed - Place your palms flat together and bowKingdome - Pretend to place a crown on your headEarth - Tap the floorHeaven - Point upBread - pretend to eat a sandwichDebts - two thumbs down (since debts means “sins”)Evil - hold up your index fingers like devil horns*This is the ASL sign for “Father”. See a video demonstration.


Questions to Ask Throughout the Week

1. What were the names of Elkanah’s two wives? // Hannah and Peninnah
2. What couldn’t Hannah do? // Have any kids
3. What did Peninnah do to Hannah? // Tease her
4. What did Hannah ask God to do? // Give her a child
5. What promises did Hannah make to God in her prayer? // Give her child back to God, won’t cut his hair
6. Who saw Hannah praying and thought she had too much wine? // Eli
7. Did Hannah have a baby? If so, what was his name? // Samuel
8. After Samuel was done drinking milk, what did Hannah do? // Took him to live with Eli and work at the tabernacle
9. After she gave Samuel back to God, what did God do for Hannah? // She had five more children
10. What is today’s big idea? // Pray to your Father in heaven because he cares for you.
11. What is today’s Bible verse? // Matthew 6:9-13 - Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (ESV)

Google Docs Links:Lesson | Resources

OT 45 Ruth

Reference: Ruth 1-4

Big Idea: Jesus, our Redeemer, died to forgive our sins.

Verse: Ephesians 1:7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses...

Motions for the Big Idea:Jesus - make a cross with your forearmsRedeemer - cross the first two fingers of each hand, cross your forearms in an “X”, then pull apart for hands until they are even with your shoulders, facing out, with fingers still crossed*Died - cross your arms over your chestForgive - hold left palm up, brush it off twice with the fingertips of your other hand**Sins - two thumbs down*This is the ASL sign for “redemption”. See a demonstration.**This is the ASL sign for “forgive.” See a demonstration.


Motions for the Verse:Him - make a cross with your forearmsRedemption - cross the first two fingers of each hand, cross your forearms in an “X”, then pull apart for hands until they are even with your shoulders, facing out, with fingers still crossed*Blood - point to each wrist, where Jesus’ nails would have been placedForgiveness - hold left palm up, brush it off twice with the fingertips of your other hand**Trespasses - two thumbs down*This is the ASL sign for “redemption”. See a demonstration.**This is the ASL sign for “forgive.” See a demonstration.


Questions to Ask Throughout the Week

1. What happened to Naomi’s sons and husband? // They died.
2. Who went with Naomi to Bethlehem? // Ruth
3. What was life like for widows back then? // They were poor
4. How did Ruth and Naomi get food to eat? // Ruth gathered grain from the field
5. Who’s field did Ruth go to? // Boaz
6. Who was Ruth’s redeemer? // Boaz
7. What was the name of Ruth and Boaz’s child? // Obed
8. Who was Ruth and Boaz’s great-great-great-great etc. grandson? // Jesus
9. What does it mean that Jesus is our redeemer? // He bled and died to pay the price for our sins.
10. What is today’s big idea? // Jesus, our Redeemer, died to forgive our sins
11. What is today’s Bible verse? // Ephesians 1:7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses... (ESV)

Google Docs Links:Lesson | Resources