Use this free youth group lesson to teach students by showing restraint and respect, I am honoring God and trusting in His power.

Enjoy!

– Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

ONE YEAR PASS – For one year save 93% on $1,440 worth of youth group lessons, Bible studies, games, events & more. Only available through March 28!

Youth Group Lesson on Respect

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

Bible: 1 Samuel 24:8-10

Have you ever had a hard time respecting someone in authority over you?

(Share an example from your own life or use the example below.)

I can remember a teacher that I had in high school that I felt had not “earned” my respect.

He was short-tempered, rude, and often showed dislike toward me and my friends.

One day, he lost his temper and yelled at me in front of my classmates even though I did nothing wrong.

I was so angry that I just snapped. I treated him exactly how I felt he should be treated by yelling back and saying some very hurtful things.

Later, I found myself sitting in the principal’s office. She agreed that the teacher was out of line, but it did not excuse my actions.

I walked away confused. How could I respect someone who was always acting wrongly? Do I even need to?

David and King Saul

Before we read a passage from 1 Samuel, let me give you some backstory.

God never intended for Israel to have a king, but after they begged for one, He relented. King Saul was chosen by God to lead His people. Things did not end up going so well.

Eventually God appointed Saul’s replacement–a shepherd boy named David.

It would be many years before David became king. In that time, Saul went from David’s caregiver to trying to murder him. David was forced to live a rough life on the run from his king.

One day, Saul enters a cave not knowing that David is hiding in the dark. David finally has a chance to kill Saul and take his place as King of Israel. His friends urge him to go through with it.

David does not. Let’s read why he spares Saul’s life:

Read 1 Samuel 24:8-10 (NLT):

David came out and shouted after him, “My lord the king! ” And when Saul looked around, David bowed low before him. Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the Lord’s anointed one.

To this point, Saul had definitely not “earned” David’s respect. He had lied to him and tried to murder him.

Basically, Saul’s chief ambition in life seemed to be making David miserable even though David had never done anything wrong to him. But look how David responds to Saul.

First, he bows before him, showing him the respect a king deserved. Second, he explains that he will never harm the king because “he is the Lord’s anointed one.”

As difficult as it must have been for David, he realized that by showing Saul the respect a king deserves, he was actually showing God respect. Saul was God’s chosen king.

David realized that it was God’s choice when and how to remove him.

When I think back to how I treated that teacher I realize what my principal was trying to teach me.

There are times in life when those in authority over me will make mistakes. Does that mean I do not have to respect them? No. God is in control.

He has the power to place people in authority and also to remove them.

By showing restraint and respect, I am honoring God and trusting in His power.

It is no wonder that David was so incredibly close to God. He understood that respect is not earned but is required.

Following Jesus requires a tremendous amount of humility. More than anything it requires faith that God will always support and defend us in His timing.

Discussion Questions:

  • Do feel that there is a point that we no longer need to show respect to an authority figure? Why/why not?
  • Why is it so hard to show respect to an authority figure that has not “earned” it?
  • Is it possible to show respect while standing up for myself? How so?
  • Learning from David’s example, how should I have responded to the teacher in my story?
  • After I realized I had reacted wrongly toward my teacher, what should my next steps have been?

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LESSON

End lesson.

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

ONE YEAR PASS – For one year save 93% on $1,440 worth of youth group lessons, Bible studies, games, events & more. Only available through March 28!

Like this lesson? You’ll also enjoy this …

Youth Group Lesson on Friendship

2 Replies to “Youth Group Lesson – Respect”

  1. Samantha March
    • May 19, 2017

    This is awesome! I will definitely share this with our youth group at church! Thank you so much for this ministry!

    Reply 1 Response
    1. Becky Forkel
      • May 26, 2017

      You’re welcome! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Samantha March Cancel reply

*