The Gospel Project at Home: Freedom from the Philistines

Read Scripture

Read all or parts of 1 Samuel 7 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.

Preschool Bible Story Video

Elementary Bible Story

Talk About Scripture

You might have heard the world repent before, but do you know what it means? The word repent means to change your mind. It means that you think one way about something but then change to think and believe the opposite.  

In the Bible, the word repent is meant to call people to change the way we think about sin. We tend to think that doing things our own way and pursuing whatever pleases us is the best way to live, but the Bible calls this sin. Because God is Creator and Ruler over all creation, He wants us to pursue what is pleasing to Him and do things His way. To repent means to turn away from sin and toward God. 

When the people continued to disobey God, they realized the consequences of their sin. They cried out to Samuel for help, and he told them to repent—turning away from sin and turning to Jesus. When the people repented and turned to God, He blessed them with victory over their enemy and restored everything they had lost because of sin. If we repent of sin and turn to Jesus, God blesses us with salvation and restores the relationship with Him that we had lost because of sin.

Samuel called the people to turn away from false gods and to worship God, and God gave them victory over their enemies. God calls us to turn away from sin and to trust in Jesus who gives us victory over our enemies of sin and death.                    

Pray: God, we praise You for being compassionate and gracious to us. If we turn away from sin and turn to You, You will restore the relationship we are meant to have with You. Thank You for providing everything we need for salvation in Jesus. Amen.

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Learn Scripture

Preschool Scripture Music Video

Elementary Scripture Music Video

Family Prayer

Mornings: Thank God for hearing us when we call on Him. Think about the love, power, and mercy God has available for you when you call on Him.

Evenings: Ask God to help you face the hard things you’re going through in your life. Whether it’s a fear, a struggle in school, or a relationship that needs help, God is available to help us in our need when we turn to Him.

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Family Activities

For Fun: Set up an obstacle course through the house. Have each family member complete the course with a small rock in each shoe. Talk about how the rock felt small but caused pain and hindered the way they walked. Similarly, sin may feel small, but it has big consequences on our ability to walk with God. The Bible calls us to repent—to turn away from sin—so that we can walk with God and follow His ways for us.

To Serve: Gather supplies to clean the inside and outside of windows at your church. Spend an afternoon washing and cleaning. When finished cleaning, read Psalm 51:10 and 1 John 1:9. Reminds kids that the Bible calls us to repent of sin and to turn to God because He is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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