Hook for Teaching 1 Samuel 15
You may be familiar with the Hook, Book, Look and Took of instructional design. A hook captures attention and introduces the lesson in a creative way. The rhyme "Who Stole the Cookie from My Cookie Jar?" is a good hook for teaching 1 Samuel 15 on Saul's disobedience.
- Fill a jar with bite-size cookies.
- Tell the children that they are to agree among themselves who is to take and eat a cookie from the cookie jar while your back is turned.
- When that child had done so, you will turn around and guess "Who Stole the Cookie from My Cookie Jar?"
| You: (in a gruff voice) |
"Who Stole the Cookie from My Cookie Jar?" Walk around the children, staring into their faces and keep on repeating "Who Stole the Cookie from My Cookie Jar?" |
 |
| You: | "(Name of Child), you stole the cookie from my cookie jar!" Note: Even if you know who is the "culprit", do not identify the child. |
|
| Child #1: | "Who, me?" | |
| You / Other children: |
"Yes, you!" | |
| Child #1: | "Couldn't be!" | |
| You: | "Then, who stole the cookie from my cookie jar?" Make your second guess Note: The children may run away from you. |
Play the game a couple of rounds then begin the lesson. Gather the children and say, "Today, we will learn about someone who did something wrong but refused to admit his sin; instead he blamed it on others."