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Lesson Series

10. The Life of Paul

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©2007 David A. Jones.
All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVES: To teach that:                                             
1. Obedience to God is more important than sacrifices and gifts.
2. When God reveals His will, He requires mankind to obey it.
3. Telling a partial truth is deceitful and not the same as telling the whole truth.
4. Disobedience has a very high price, for it deprives the person from retaining what has been enjoyable and valuable in his or her life.
5. The sinner who disobeys the gospel cannot go to heaven, but rather, is condemned.

SCENE 1. VISUAL AIDS. Figures of Saul and his servant, his father Kish, and also a figure of Samuel. Signs showing that these figures represent some of the privileges in Saul’s life. Another sign showing similar privileges of children today.
DEVELOPMENT:
- Saul was privileged from his youth.
- Among the many things in his favor. 1) A concerned father, 2) A wise servant, and 3) Advice from
Samuel.
App. The children of the class also have privileges; those who want to guide them in right paths
(parents, teachers).
- In spite of these advantages, Saul did not know how to direct his life in the right way and make
good decisions.
- He did not have the patience to seek God’s will.

SCENE 2. VISUAL AIDS. In Gilgal, figures representing Saul and some soldiers, an altar and Samuel arriving. A sign with the words of Samuel “Thou hast done foolishly...”
DEVELOPMENT:
- Saul had been instructed by Samuel about what steps to take next (1Samuel 10:8).
- According to what was said, Saul was to wait seven days for Samuel in Gilgal.
- By the seventh day, he was becoming very nervous for the people were deserting.
- He decided he had waited long enough and offered the burnt offering, which only a priest, a
member of the tribe of Levi, could do.
- To be king according to God’s will, Saul had to recognize that there were limits to his power and
one of these was that he could not take on the task of the priests.
- Saul always blamed others. Cmp. 1 Samuel 13:11.
Cmt. From Adam and Eve onwards, mankind has always tried to avoid taking blame. For this
reason, the prodigal son stands out as one who made an honest confession.
Sug. An interchange with the students about the need to recognize errors committed, not only with
reference to God, but also in the family and amongst their friends.
- On this occasion Saul lost the possibility of keeping for himself and his family the right to reign.
Apl. There are times in life when, due to a mistaken action, one loses privileges, opportunities, and
future blessings.
- On this occasion, Saul admitted that God’s will was not the most important thing in his life. “And
Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the
LORD” 1 Samuel 15:24.
Lsn. Application for the unsaved: God commands they be saved through the Lord Jesus Christ. If
they pay no attention, they will be lost.
Lsn. Saul lost the right to reign. The sinner will lose much more --- fellowship with God now, a
future home in heaven and the privilege of one day reigning with Christ.
Cns. Saul carried out his own will without taking into account the will of God and obeying Him.
- On this occasion, the Israelites won a victory against the Philistines, thanks to the courage of
Jonathon and the mercy of God.

SCENE 3. VISUAL AIDS: Palace scene with figures of Saul and some servants. A figure of Samuel with words written about the task God was giving to Saul against the Amalekites. “Thus said the Lord ... I remember what Amalec did … Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have” 2 Samuel 15:1-3.
DEVELOPMENT:
- Even though God had decided that Saul’s sons could not follow their father and rule the kingdom,
He did not abandon Saul.
- He gave him another opportunity to serve.
- He sent him a message through Samuel that he should carry out the judgment already decreed by God (Deuteronomy 25:17-19).
- The Amalekites were descendents of Esau (Genesis 36:12) and were ancient enemies of Israel
(Exodus 17:8-16).
- Samuel explained in detail to Saul what God wanted (1 Samuel 15:2-3).
App. God reveals His will to us also, and we are responsible to obey it.
Ex. 1 Timothy 2:4 God “will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth.”
Cns. Did Saul pay attention? Apply to the children the importance of a listening carefully.
- Saul gained the victory with no difficulty but his obedience was only partial.
- What he did showed that he had no interest in fully carrying out God’s purposes, but rather in
showing his own importance.

SCENE 4. VISUAL AIDS: In Gilgal again, with figures of Saul and others, as well as some animals. Samuel arrives. A sign with the words of Saul saying “Blessed be thou ... I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” Also a sign with Samuel’s words “....... to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken ...” In a separate area, a figure of Samuel crying unto the Lord all night.
DEVELOPMENT:
- Samuel cried to God all that night, burdened by the disobedience of Saul, about which the Lord had told him. This affected Samuel very much.
Cns. Teachers and preachers who long for the salvation of sinners, feel burdened when they see them reject the gospel.
- Upon going to meet Saul the next day, Samuel discovers he is no longer in Carmel where he has
raised a monument to himself, but he has gone to Gilgal.
- Saul greets Samuel declaring he has fulfilled the word of God. Because this was only a half truth, it was a lie.
- Samuel soon sees the evidence of his disobedience and Saul offers weak excuses.
- Once again Saul has failed a test and made his own decisions.
- Samuel reminds him of his better years when he was humble of heart.
- He teaches that “to obey is better than sacrifice”.
- Samuel carries out the judgment against Agag, and informs Saul that he has lost the kingdom
through his disobedience.
Apl. The main lesson here is the high cost of disobedience.
- To reject Christ is to be disobedient. See 2 Thessalonians 1:8.