The Gospel Project Faith Talk - 1 Samuel 4
Sunday: May 18, 2025
Scripture: 1 Samuel 4
Scripture: 1 Samuel 4
Preschool
Main Idea: The Ark Was Captured (1 Samuel 4-6)
Summary
Review Questions
- God’s people were confused; they fought the Philistines and lost. The Israelites had an idea. They thought if they took a special box called the Ark of God to the battle, they would win.
- They took the Ark to the battle. But again, the Philistines won. The Philistines even took the Ark!
- God showed the Philistines that He is the real God. They were scared and wanted to give the ark back to the Israelites. They put the ark on a cart pulled by two cows and sent it back to the Israelites, where it belonged.
Review Questions
- What did God’s people take to the battle against the Philistines?
- How did God show the Philistines that He is the real God?
Kids
Main Idea: The Ark Was Captured (1 Samuel 4-6)
Summary
Review Questions
- The Israelites fought the Philistines and lost. They thought the Ark would help them win, so they brought it to the battle. But again, the Philistines won.
- The Philistines took the Ark away with them.
- God proved He is the one true God. He terrified the Philistines and made them sick. They sent the Ark back to the people of Israel, where it belonged.
Review Questions
- How did the Israelites misuse the Ark?
- How did God prove that He is the one true God?
Students
Main Idea: The Ground Shook (1 Samuel 4-6)
Summary
The Israelites lost a battle against the Philistines, who captured the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in their temple of Dagon, but their idol kept falling before the Ark and the Philistines suffered plagues. Terrified by these divine consequences, the Philistines sent the Ark back to Israel on a cart with guilt offerings of gold. When the Ark returned to Beth Shemesh, some Israelites disrespectfully looked inside it and were struck down, teaching everyone that God's holiness must be respected.
Review Questions
The Israelites lost a battle against the Philistines, who captured the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in their temple of Dagon, but their idol kept falling before the Ark and the Philistines suffered plagues. Terrified by these divine consequences, the Philistines sent the Ark back to Israel on a cart with guilt offerings of gold. When the Ark returned to Beth Shemesh, some Israelites disrespectfully looked inside it and were struck down, teaching everyone that God's holiness must be respected.
Review Questions
- Why do you think the Israelites lost the battle against the Philistines even though they brought the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield?
- The Israelites treated the Ark like a "good luck charm" rather than respecting it. Can you think of ways people today might treat their relationship with God the same way without truly understanding what a relationship with God means?
Adults
Main Idea: God Disciplines His People (1 Samuel 4)
Summary
The Israelites, suffering defeat against the Philistines, brought the Ark of the Covenant to battle as a talisman, but were still defeated and the Ark was captured, leading to the deaths of Eli and his sons. The Philistines placed the Ark in Dagon's temple, but their idol was repeatedly found prostrate before it, and devastating plagues struck their cities, compelling them to return the Ark with gold offerings. Upon the Ark's return to Beth Shemesh, Israelites who irreverently looked inside it were struck down, emphasizing that God's covenant presence demands reverence rather than presumption. (God is not a good luck charm.)
Review Questions
The Israelites, suffering defeat against the Philistines, brought the Ark of the Covenant to battle as a talisman, but were still defeated and the Ark was captured, leading to the deaths of Eli and his sons. The Philistines placed the Ark in Dagon's temple, but their idol was repeatedly found prostrate before it, and devastating plagues struck their cities, compelling them to return the Ark with gold offerings. Upon the Ark's return to Beth Shemesh, Israelites who irreverently looked inside it were struck down, emphasizing that God's covenant presence demands reverence rather than presumption. (God is not a good luck charm.)
Review Questions
- What are we saying to or about God when we trust in what things can do for us rather than placing our trust in Him?
- What are some misconceptions people–believers and unbelievers–may have about God today?
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