84 14 Habits of Highly Effective Disciples
TEACHING PLANS
Teaching Plan—Varied Learning Activities
Connect with Life
- Ask the class if they are familiar with the term “Spin Doctor”.
Say, This person’s job is to recast an event that may be viewed as
a negative ref lection on a company, a business executive, an office
holder, or a candidate for office into a positive light. Ask the class for
examples of people or events where this has been done. Say, While
this may appear to be a new tactic in media relations, it has been
practiced since ancient times. The Bible study for this week reveals
an example of how the Israelite King Saul, tried to “spin” his disobe-
dience to God’s direct command into something less serious. Through
this story we will be reminded that highly effective disciples choose to
obey God completely.
Guide Bible Study
- Before class, enlist a person to read Exodus 17:14–16 to the class. Ask
the person to read the verses and then explain that the Amalekites
had been particularly vicious in their opposition to the people of
Israel during their journey into the Promised Land. God had prom-
ised that he would punish them because of their resistance to his
people and his plan. - Instruct class members to read 1 Samuel 15:1–3 and to look for
God’s instruction to Saul given through the prophet Samuel. Ask,
What did God tell Saul to do to the Amalekites? Discuss with the
class how thoroughly Saul was to defeat them. Use content from
“God’s Command to Saul through Samuel” in this Teacher’s Guide
to supplement the discussion. Be sure the class understands that
while the punishment required may seem severe to us, God’s
plan and purpose is always to protect and care for those who are
faithful to him. Say, We may not understand how God goes about