Week 1 – What Is Holy Cannot Be Treated as Something Ordinary

1 Samuel 5:1-4

The Philistines took the Ark of God and brought it into the temple of Dagon. They thought they had gained a trophy and a victory over Israel. But the next day, they found Dagon fallen before the Ark.

The following day, Dagon was found fallen again. This showed that no idol could stand above the true God.

Explain that the Ark of the Covenant represented the presence and covenant of God with the people of Israel.

The Philistines thought they could take the Ark as if it were simply an object of power.

The main lesson is:

God is not an object that we can control.

We should teach children and young people that things connected with God must be treated with respect and reverence.

What Is Holy Cannot Be Treated as Something Ordinary

The Philistines wanted to possess the Ark, but they did not want to obey the God of the Ark.

They wanted the symbol of God's presence, but they did not want to recognise that God was the true Lord.

This can also happen today.

We can own a Bible, attend church, sing songs, know Bible verses and speak about God.

But God is looking for something deeper:

A heart that honours Him.

Proverbs 9:10 says:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

The fear of God means recognising that God is holy, that God is Lord, and that we must treat Him with reverence.

Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

1. Why did the Philistines take the Ark into the temple of Dagon?

2. What happened to Dagon?

3. Why should we not treat God as something ordinary?

4. What does it mean to respect and honour God?

5. How can we show reverence to God in our daily lives?

Activity: Object or Relationship?

Prepare different cards with words such as:

Bible – Church – Prayer – Obedience – Love – Respect – Jesus.

Ask the children and young people to explain why it is not enough simply to have things connected with God.

The conclusion should be:

It is not only about having things from God. It is about knowing and honouring God.

Lord, help us to recognise that You are holy. We do not want only to have things connected with You. We want to know You, obey You and honour You with our lives. Amen.

Week 2 – God Is Not a Lucky Charm

1 Samuel 4:3-5

Israel decided to take the Ark into battle. They thought that if the Ark was with them, they would automatically win.

But they confused the presence of God with a magical object.

Help the students understand that God cannot be used simply to get what we want.

We cannot think:

“If I do this, God has to give me what I want.”

True faith seeks to obey God, even when we do not understand everything that happens.

When We Treat God Like a Lucky Charm

Israel said:

“Let us bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to us, so that when it comes among us, it may save us.”

The problem was that they wanted to use the Ark to obtain victory.

They were not seeking God.

They were seeking to use the symbol of God.

God does not want to be our lucky charm. God wants to be our Lord.

We cannot say:

“Lord, give me what I want, and then I will obey You.”

A true relationship with God begins when we say:

“Lord, I want to do Your will.”

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

1. Why did Israel take the Ark into battle?

2. Why did this not guarantee victory?

3. What does it mean to treat God like a lucky charm?

4. What should our attitude be when we pray?

5. Are we only seeking God's blessings, or are we seeking God Himself?

Game: My Will or God's Will?

The teacher presents different situations.

The students must decide which response represents “My Will” and which represents “God's Will”.

Example:

“I want to do what I want, even though I know it is wrong.”

Or:

“I want to obey God, even when it is difficult.”

Lord, we do not want to seek You only when we need something. We want to know You and follow You every day. Help us to seek Your will first. Amen.

Week 3 – The Holiness of God

2 Samuel 6:1-10

David wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. During the journey, an event occurred that showed that God is holy and that His instructions must be taken seriously.

Explain the holiness of God in a way that is appropriate for each age group.

The main purpose is not to create fear, but to teach respect, obedience and reverence.

God is loving, but He is also holy.

The Presence of God Is Not the Problem

When David tried to bring the Ark, he discovered that they could not treat God's instructions as something unimportant.

This teaches us:

Obedience matters.

Sometimes we want to reach a good result, but we want to do things our own way.

God also teaches us that the way we do things matters.

We should not only ask:

“What do I want to achieve?”

We should also ask:

“Am I doing things in the right way before God?”

Psalm 24:3-4

“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.”

1. What did David learn about the holiness of God?

2. Why is it important to obey God?

3. What does it mean to have a pure heart?

4. Can we do something good in the wrong way?

5. How can we learn to follow God's instructions?

Activity: The Right Path

Prepare a small route or maze.

The students must find the correct path.

Then explain:

We cannot always do things in any way we choose. God teaches us a path of obedience.

Lord, teach us to respect You and obey You. Help us to follow Your ways and not only our own desires. Amen.

Week 4 – The House of Obed-edom Was Blessed

2 Samuel 6:10-12

The Ark remained in the house of Obed-edom for three months.

The Bible says:

“And the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.”

This week it is important to highlight the contrast.

The same presence of God that produced fear in one situation brought blessing to the house of Obed-edom.

God did not change.

What matters is how we respond to God.

The Presence That Changes a Home

For three months, the Ark remained in the house of Obed-edom.

And God blessed his household.

This reminds us that God wants to be present in our lives, in our families and in our homes.

But we must receive Him with honour.

It is not only about saying: “God is close to me.”

The question is:

“How am I responding to God?”

Joshua 24:15

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

1. How long did the Ark remain in the house of Obed-edom?

2. What did God do for his household?

3. How can we honour God in our homes?

4. What things can we do as a family to grow closer to God?

5. What does “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” mean?

Activity: My Home for God

The children can draw a house.

Inside the house, they can write words that represent how they can honour God in their family:

Love – Respect – Prayer – Forgiveness – Obedience – Helping Others.

Lord, we want our home to be a place where You are honoured. Help us to live with love, respect, obedience and faith. Bless our families. Amen.

Week 5 – Humility, Obedience and Reverence

James 4:6

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Deuteronomy 28:1-2

God teaches the importance of listening carefully to His voice and walking in obedience.

Explain that blessing does not simply mean having money, possessions or success.

The greatest blessing is walking with God, receiving His direction and growing in a life that honours Him.

How Do We Receive the Presence of God Properly?

A. With Humility

Humility says:

“Lord, I want to learn to do Your will.”

B. With Obedience

Obedience shows that we trust God.

C. With Reverence

We recognise that God is holy and worthy of honour.

The presence of God should transform the way we live.

James 4:6

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1. What does it mean to be humble?

2. What does it mean to obey God?

3. How do we show reverence?

4. Why is obedience important?

5. What area of our lives can we surrender more fully to God?

Activity: Three Steps

Place three signs:

1. Humility

2. Obedience

3. Reverence

Divide the students into groups and ask them to explain one practical situation for each word.

Lord, give us humble hearts. Help us to obey You and live with reverence before You. We want to walk in Your ways. Amen.

Week 6 – The Final Question: How Do We Respond to God?

Psalm 1:1-3

The Psalm compares two different paths.

One is the path of the person who seeks God and meditates on His Word. That person is compared to a tree planted by streams of water.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16

People can respond differently to the message of God.

This final week should serve as a summary of the entire series.

God does not change. His holiness does not change. His love does not change.

The great question is how we respond to Him.

The Same Presence, Two Different Responses

For some people, the Ark became a source of trouble.

For Obed-edom, it became a source of blessing.

God did not change.

The difference was in the response to God.

The question is not only: “Is God with me?”

The deeper question is: “How am I responding to God?”

We can be close to spiritual things and yet have our hearts far from God.

But when we open our hearts, obey and honour God, His presence transforms our lives.

We do not only want God's blessings. We want to know God.

Psalm 1:3

“He shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

1. What have we learned about the presence of God?

2. Why should God not be treated like a lucky charm?

3. What did we learn from Obed-edom?

4. How can we honour God every day?

5. What does it mean to seek God and not only His blessings?

6. What change would you like to make in your life after this series?

Final Activity: My Response to God

Give each student a sheet of paper.

Ask them to complete the following sentences:

“I want to honour God when...”

“I want to obey God in...”

“This week I can grow closer to God by...”

Students may voluntarily share their answers.

Lord, we do not only want to receive Your blessings. We want to know You.

We do not want to use Your presence. We want to honour Your presence.

We do not only want to receive from You. We want to obey You.

Help us to live with humble hearts, obedient hearts and hearts filled with reverence.

May our lives, our families and our homes be places where You are honoured.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Final Message

“The presence of God does not change; what changes is our response to it.”

For the heart that surrenders, His presence brings life and blessing.

For the heart that treats His holiness with irreverence, His holiness becomes a confrontation.

We do not only want God's blessings. We want to know, honour and obey God.