Youth Teacher: October- December 2020

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

Youth Teacher is a quarterly resource for instructors that assists with discussing issues pertaining to youth ages 12-17. Sections such as Biblical Emphases give background knowledge of the lesson. All lessons include relevant life concerns and lesson applications to help the teacher relate the Bible to the lives of young people. It is used for Seekers for Jesus and Teen Scene.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Sep 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781681677644

Book preview

Lesson 1 for Week of October 4, 2020

LOVE SEEKS JUSTICE

Background Passage 1 Samuel 19:1–7; 23:1–18; 2 Samuel 9

Lesson Passage 1 Samuel 19:1–7

UNIFYING TOPIC:

Love and Devotion to Others

LESSON SECTIONS

I. Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 19:1–3)

II. Jonathan goes to Saul (1 Samuel 19:4–7)

KEY VERSE

So Jonathan called David and related all these things to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before. (1 Samuel 19:7, NRSV)

BIBLICAL EMPHASES

1. Saul’s son Jonathan was very close to David and advocated on David’s behalf.

2. Jonathan intervened and asked Saul not to kill his servant David.

3. Saul agreed to spare David’s life, but Saul’s jealousy soon got the best of him again.

UNIFYING PRINCIPLE

Although families are important, family dysfunction can skew our priorities and lead us to ruin. Is there a greater priority than family? Jonathan opposed the unjust intentions of his father, King Saul, in order to offer support and protection to David.

LESSON EMPHASES

•To help youth understand the importance of advocating for others even if it conflicts with family.

•To help youth stand up for justice.

Consider Your Students

SEEKERS FOR JESUS Youth understand that family members are not always right.

TEEN SCENE: Older teens are already developing ideas and concepts about justice and can determine when it is appropriate to go against family ties to do right.

Materials Needed to Teach

For further reference, see today’s lesson from Boyd’s Commentary, and The New National Baptist Hymnal, 21st Century Edition.

Need more teacher helps?

Visit http://www.rhboyd.com.

Suggestions for Effective Teaching . . .

SEEKERS FOR JESUS

Step 1: — Begin class with prayer. Review last week’s lesson.

Step 2: Intro Activity — Ask students to think of their best friend or best friends. Have them describe why they are loyal to their friend(s) without sharing their names. Ask them what makes their friends good friends? Would they stand up for their friends if their friends were in trouble?

Step 3: Today’s Word — Invite a volunteer to read the print passage for today. After reading the passage, discuss how Jonathan, David and Saul must have felt.

Step 4: Consider This — Ask a volunteer to read the Consider This section. Discuss with the class and explore how the story relates to today’s lesson. Ask students to share any questions they might have around advocating for others.

Step 5: Last Thoughts — Ask a volunteer to read the Last Thoughts section. Write the word Friendship or Best Friend on the board. Have them define these words in their own words. What is friendship? or What is a best friend? Refer back to the Intro Activity—What makes a good friend?

Step 6: Closing — Allow for prayer requests, and close in prayer.

TEEN SCENE

Step 1: — Begin class with prayer. Review last week’s lesson.

Step 2: Intro Activity — Ask students if they have ever had to go against a family member to stand for justice. Invite volunteers to share what happened if it is not too personal.

Step 3: Dissect and Digest — Read the section together as a class and discuss the lesson passage.

Step 4: Heart of the Matter — Ask a volunteer to read and discuss the Heart of the Matter section found in the student books. Discuss how the story could be relatable to a situation in their lives.

Step 5: Activity — Ask students to think of their best friend or best friends. Have them describe why they are loyal to their friend(s) without sharing their names. Have them list traits of a good best friend. Ask the students if there was ever a time they had to stand up for the friend? If they have not, ask the students if they had to stand up for their friend, would they and why?

Step 6: Closing — Ask students if they have any questions or prayer requests. Close in prayer.

— Lesson Overview —

Introduction

Today’s lesson celebrates truth, justice and love. Through the relationship of Jonathan and David, we see how both men follow what is righteous and true even when Jonathan’s father, King Saul, tries to get rid of David. The story of David and Jonathan show us how we should stand up for what’s right regardless of the situation and how our actions can show true devotion and loyalty. David and Jonathan’s friendship is a beautiful example of how we are called to love.

I. Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 19:1–3)

David had served King Saul when Saul needed him to play his lyre to soothe his spirit (1 Samuel 16:21–23); David was committed to protecting the King even though David knew he’d succeed him. David didn’t rush this succession, but instead did as he was called to do—protect and serve Saul. David apparently knew his time would come and he didn’t do anything to rush God’s hand. He had already been anointed yet his integrity came through as he waited on God’s timing. Discuss with the class how important it is to always wait on God. Let them know that God doesn’t need any help and that He may not come when we want Him, but He is always on time.

Jonathan and David’s friendship was a special one. Friendship or any relationship requires communication. It also requires being there for one another and sometimes taking risks.

During David’s service to Saul, David developed a close relationship with Saul’s son Jonathan. Scripture says the love and admiration between the two men was mutual. Discuss with the class, what is a best friend or what is friendship. Have them define these terms in their own words. After discussing what is a best friend, ask the class to think about their best friend. Ask them how much they love them? Jonathan, although he was a part of Saul’s family, loved David. Jonathan’s love was not one of affection only. His actions in verses 2–4 demonstrate how to utilize love as a verb not just as a feeling. Ask the class if they knew some information regarding their best friend, would they tell them? Why or why not?

II. Jonathan goes to Saul (1 Samuel 19:4–7)

Jonathan knows his father is trying to kill David and Jonathan lets David know. He devises a plan to help David and shares the information with his beloved friend. Discuss with the class why Jonathan was a great friend to David. Ask them if they would be willing to do something like that for their best friend, even if it meant going against family members?

Jonathan tells David that Saul wants to kill him, but he also lets David know that he is going to try to save his life. Jonathan thinks Saul is wrong and would be sinning if he killed his friend. Saul would be killing David without cause. This feud between Saul and David continues throughout the book Samuel.

So regardless of his family ties, Jonathan stands up for David. He intervenes to save his friend’s life. It’s the right thing to do. Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin (Proverbs 18:24.)

CREATE INTEREST: Who do you need to stand up for this week?

Not only did Jonathan try to help David by disclosing that Saul wanted to kill him, Jonathan tried to intervene and stop his father from hurting David. In verse 4, Jonathan made a bold move and stood up to his father, the King. Would you be willing to stand up to your parents if you knew what they were doing was