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Upper Elementary

Whole Heart

  • Lesson 2
  • Fall 2026
  • By: RLD Editorial Team
  • September 13, 2026
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Lesson Focus:

Obey God with all your heart.

Bible Basis:

1 Samuel 14:47—16:13

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

  • Internet access

Step 4:

  • Bibles
  • Pieces of paper (1 for each student)
  • Writing utensils (preferably markers or colored pencils)

Summary & Links:

Students will consider the difference between half-hearted and whole-hearted and will be challenged to choose to obey God with all their heart.

Memory Verse:

So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.
—Deuteronomy 5:32

Step 1:

Students will consider the difference between half-hearted and whole-hearted and will be challenged to choose to obey God with all their heart.

Materials Needed:

  • Internet access

Share the following video [1:58]: USPS carrier caught on camera tossing homeowner’s packages

In this video, we saw the USPS driver’s “half-hearted attempt,” meaning that the driver didn’t put their whole heart or effort into this work. The person may have been at the end of their shift, tired, and ready to go home. We don’t know the reason why the delivery driver acted this way, but we can see they didn’t finish the job well.

Most delivery drivers take their jobs seriously and deliver packages with care.  

  • Why do you think this driver threw the packages onto the porch? (Answers will vary; allow students to speculate.)
  • What might have motivated them to choose to do the job well instead, and to do it whole-heartedly? (Answers will vary.)
  • What task(s) have you done half-heartedly? (Answers will vary: homework, cleaning bedroom, practicing an instrument, etc. Be prepared to share your own half-hearted task completions.)
  • Why did you do the task(s) half-heartedly? (Some possible answers: in a hurry to play; did not like the task; felt tired; would rather do it my way; etc. Share your personal reasons for half-heartedness in your own life.) 
  • What motivates you to put your whole heart into what you do? (Answers will vary; tasks that are fun or enjoyable; rewards for completing the tasks, etc.)

There are times when we’ll be tempted to slack off and do things our way, not do them at all, or only do them half-heartedly. If our heart isn’t grounded in love for the One we’re serving, we may do things grudgingly. Let’s see what Saul’s life can tell us about the importance of obeying God with our whole heart.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Step 4:

Materials Needed:

  • Bibles
  • Pieces of paper (1 for each student)
  • Writing utensils (preferably markers or colored pencils)

Students are going to make “whole heart” sheets to remind them to obey God with their whole heart. If you are meeting in person, gather pieces of paper (1 per student) and writing utensils before class. If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring supplies to class. If possible, use markers or colored pencils to add color.

In the video we saw earlier, for some reason the delivery driver was half-hearted in their work. The driver may have done some of their duties but didn’t do all that they were supposed to do the way they were supposed to do it. If the driver hadn’t been caught, they might have appeared to be doing the job correctly. However, the outward appearance didn’t match what was going on in the driver’s heart. From what we learned about Saul, obedience that is pleasing to God is obedience that comes from loving God with our whole heart, obeying God fully.  

  • In what circumstances do you anticipate needing a whole heart reminder during the week ahead? (Allow students to share openly or consider this quietly.)

Because we may be tempted to go in our own direction instead of God’s way, we are going to make “whole heart” sheets for when we need a little reminder.

Distribute supplies (or invite students to have them ready at home). Encourage your students to draw multiple hearts on their pieces of paper and design them in some way that will remind them of whole-hearted obedience (an example might be a flaming heart or a heart with a graffiti style cross on it.) Students may choose to write “Whole Heart,” “Obey God with all your heart,” or the entire memory verse: “So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.”—Deuteronomy 5:32).

Place your sheet where you will see it often and be reminded on-the-spot to obey God with your whole heart.

  • What can you do this week to choose to put your whole heart into obeying God? (Answers will vary.)

Close in prayer asking God to help all of you obey with your whole heart.

Spread the word

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