Eli’s Sons Disobeyed God

Redemption Kids

Sep 29

1 Samuel 4-6

Continue the conversation throughout the week with your kids by asking them questions pertaining to the lesson from Sunday at Redemption Kids.

The questions asked below were asked on Sunday during our time at Redemption Kids. Take some time to read the passage together, discuss the questions, watch a BRAND NEW video of the lesson, memorize the Bible verse, and remember the big idea of this week!

Ask the Questions

Bigs Discussion Questions

What was your favorite part of today’s Bible story?
1 Samuel 4-6 In today’s Bible story, God’s people, the Israelites fought the Philistines, and the Philistines won the battle. The Israelites were confused. Why did God let them lose? The Israelites made a plan. They would take the ark of God to the battle. The ark of God was a beautiful box from the tabernacle that reminded the people that God was with them. They thought the ark might help them win the battle. So Eli’s sons, wicked men who sinned against God, carried the ark of God to the Israelites’ camp. When the army of Israelites saw the ark, they shouted with joy. Surely they would win the battle now! But when the Israelites fought the Philistines, the Philistines won again! Many Israelites died—including Eli’s two sons—and the Philistines stole the ark of God. The Philistines took the ark of God to their temple. They put the ark next to a statue of Dagon (DAY gahn), a false god. The next morning, the Philistines found Dagon’s statue facedown in front of the ark. They set the statue back up. The next day, the statue was facedown again. This time, its head and hands were broken off. God punished the Philistines living in the city where the ark of God was. God made them really sick, so the people in that city wanted to get rid of the ark. They moved the ark to another city, but everyone in that city got sick too. The Philistines were afraid. They didn’t want God to punish them anymore, so they decided to give the ark back to the Israelites. The people hooked up two cows to a cart and put the ark on the cart. They also sent gifts to show they were sorry for taking the ark. The cows moved the ark down the road until the ark of God was back with the Israelites, where it belonged.
What did you learn about God in today’s Bible story?
God was with the Israelites and God wanted them to remember that. God showed the Philistines that He is the one true God. Both the Philistines and the Israelites learned that God is in control. The greatest gift that God ever gave His people is His Son, Jesus.
What object reminded the Israelites that God was with them?
God gave the Israelites the ark to remind them that God is with them.
What is the punishment for sin? The punishment for sin is death.

Elementary Discussion Questions

Why was the ark of the covenant so important to the Israelites?
Remind kids that the ark of the covenant was a wooden box covered with gold. Inside were the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments on them, as well as other objects from their time in the wilderness, such as a jar of manna. The ark was a symbol of God’s power, holiness, and presence with the Israelites. Explain that the ark of the covenant was also used in special ceremonies required by God’s law.
Why did Eli’s sons take the ark into battle?
Guide kids to discuss how the nation of Israel had taken the ark into battle before; however, in this case, the people treated the ark like an idol, believing that it would save them from the Philistines. They were not honoring God or obeying His law, and as a consequence, God did not fight for them, whether they had the ark with them or not.
How do you know God is with you? What can you do when you feel alone?
Remind kids that God promises in His Word to always be with us through the Holy Spirit. Emphasize that God is in all places at all times. We are never alone. Suggest that when kids feel alone, they talk to an adult and pray to talk to God. Point out that even though the Israelites treated the ark like an idol, God graciously brought the ark back to them. God will never leave His people, even when they sin against Him.