Curriculum
God Chooses a King
Memory Verse:
“But the LORD said, ‘Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Since Saul chose to disobey God, Israel needed a new king. God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint the next king. Instead of choosing a strong and tall man who looked like a king, God chose David, who was young and small. God doesn’t judge us on our looks; He sees our hearts.
Scripture Summary
King Saul ruled over Israel for about 20 years. As a military giant and with God’s blessing, Saul defeated the Philistines, Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Arameans, and Amalekites. Though, Saul didn’t fully obey God when it came to the Amalekites. God had said to destroy everyone and everything, but Saul, in his pride and greed, thought he knew better and kept Agag, the Amalekite ruler, and the best livestock for himself. God was no longer happy with Saul as King.
God called the prophet Samuel to anoint the next King of Israel. Samuel prepared for his journey to Bethlehem and filled his horn with oil.
Ceremonially, Samuel would pour oil on the chosen one as a symbolic gesture of divine appointment. God also told Samuel to take a cow with him, so he could say that his purpose in Bethlehem was to make a sacrifice.
At the sacrifice, Samuel consecrated a man named Jesse and his sons before they entered God’s presence in worship. They needed to purify themselves, physically and spiritually.
Samuel expected the oldest, tallest, strongest son of Jesse to be the next king. He looked like a king, like Saul. But that’s not what God had planned. Samuel went through seven of Jesse’s sons, and God didn’t choose any of them. Samuel had heard God’s instruction to look not at the outer appearance of strength and stature, but at the heart. God had chosen the eighth son, David, who was young, small, and weak compared to his brothers.
That day, Samuel anointed David as king, though it wasn’t announced until later.
Why Is This Important
We can often become fixated, comparing ourselves with what’s on the outside. But that’s not God’s plan. He sees what’s on the inside of each of us. And our hearts of genuineness, love, and willingness outweigh any outward strength or looks.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7a NKJV)
It has happened countless times over the years. Our family hits a level of grumpiness that seems Olympic-medal worthy.
The reasons are common and understandable: fighting fatigue, feeling overlooked, judging each other, and allowing selfishness to reign. Often, it’s in the car on a longer ride—where no one can escape—that we achieve maximum grumpiness level.
In a desperate attempt to make one car ride more bearable,
I said a little too loudly, “Let’s play a game!” The other three responded with silence and crossed arms. I came up with the rules of The Thankful Game (I know, not the most creative title) where we take turns sharing one thing we’re thankful for. Everyone plays, and you can’t repeat something someone else has shared.
We shared lots of things we were thankful for. Board games. A friend at church. Sunshine. Coffee. Leveling up on a video game. Time with a family member. Pizza. Laughter.
Do you know what happened?
As we continued to go round after round, the tones of our voices changed. Short and quipped answers became longer phrases. Smiles appeared on our faces. Our hearts were turned, transformed even.
Yes, God notices what we do and accomplish, but He’s so much more concerned with the matters of the heart. The heart is so central, physically and spiritually. It affects everything we do, say, and think. God doesn’t want our heart to prevent us from His will and what’s best for our lives.
Through the years, we’ve played The Thankful Game numerous times. I’ve even played a solitaire version. When I notice I’m short with friends and family, only seeing what’s lacking and feeling grumpy, I pause and begin naming things I’m thankful for. Time after time, thankfulness transforms my heart.
Prayer
Dear God, I’m sorry I still get grumpy. But I’m so thankful for how You transform my heart in those moments when I turn to You and Your blessings. Please help me keep my heart clean for You and Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: “Heart Puzzle” handout - one per small group, Scissors, Paper clips, Bibles - one per child
Get Ready: Before class, print the “Heart Puzzle” handout on several different colored sheets of paper. Cut apart the puzzle pieces for each small group, bundle with a paperclip, and hide each set around the classroom.
“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7
Lead kids in these steps:
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to 1 Samuel 16:7.
- Ask for several volunteers to read the verse aloud.
- Once kids are familiar with the passage, put them into small groups.
- Challenge each small group to find the pieces of their heart puzzle and put it together.
- Once together, lead the class in saying the memory verse aloud several times.
SAY: Today we are learning that God doesn’t choose a king like we would. While we may look at the outside, God looks at the heart.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bibles - one per child, Butcher paper, Markers
Get Ready: Cut one piece of butcher paper, per child. Make them as tall as the kids.
- Invite children to open their Bibles to 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13.
- Read aloud 1 Samuel 15:34-16:5.
- Invite kids to lay down on their piece of butcher paper and get a friend to trace their outline.
- Instruct kids to write their names at the top of their papers.
SAY: We’re going to practice seeing things inside of our friends. Think about what’s inside your friends that maybe only God sees, like kindness or honesty.
- Explain that each child is going to go around and write positive com- ments about each child on their outline. These will not be comments about things they see on the outside, but personality traits. (For exam- ple: kind hearted, good friends, loves Jesus, etc.)
- Hang these tracings in the hall with a poster that says “Man Looks at Outward Appearance But God Looks at the Heart.”
ASK:
- What traits were you surprised or happy to see on your person outline?
- Why are these traits more important than the way someone looks?
Snack
Heart Waffles
You’ll Need: Paper plates - one per child, Napkins - one per child, Sliced fruit, Toaster waffles, Heart-shaped cookie cutter, Spray whipped cream
Get Ready: Before class, prepare the toaster waffles and cut them using the heart-shaped cookie cutter.
Follow these steps for the “Heart Waffles”:
- Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, and a heart-shaped waffle.
- Walk around and give each child a dollop of whipped cream.
- Invite kids to decorate their heart waffles with sliced fruit.
- Enjoy.
ASK:
- How does it feel to know that God looks at your heart?
- Why do you want to fill your heart with the things God loves?
SAY: We have a great God who knows everything and we see that in the Bible today. God knew who would make the best king because God knew David’s heart.
Game
Brother, Brother, King
You’ll Need: A crown (from “Crowned” activity)
Get Ready: Make an extra crown with chenille wires during the “Crowned” activity and use it for “Brother, Brother, King.”
To play “Brother, Brother, King,” have kids follow these steps:
- This game is played like Duck, Duck, Goose.
- Pick a child to be Samuel.
- Invite the other kids to sit in a circle on the floor.
- Samuel will walk around the outside of the circle with the crown. Be- hind each person Samuel will say “brother, brother, brother” until they decide who they want to call king.
- They will drop the crown behind who they choose and say “king.”
- The chosen king will stand up, grab the crown, and try to catch Samu- el as he runs on the outside of the circle.
- If the king catches Samuel, he goes into the middle of the circle. If not, Samuel takes the king’s spot in the circle and the king becomes Samuel.
- Play as many rounds as time allows.
SAY: Samuel had to listen closely to the Lord to know who to pick for king. God chose David as king, and Samuel was obedient to do all the Lord said to do.
Craft
Crowned
You’ll Need: Chenille wire - six per child
Follow these steps to make the “Crowned” craft:
- Have kids gather together in a circle.
- Place a pile of chenille wire in the center.
- Show kids how to bend each of two chenille wires in a zig-zag pat- tern, making each section of the fold around an inch long. Have them attach these two chenille wires on one end by twisting them together. (Kids should end up with two long wires connected making a zig-zag pattern like the top of a crown).
- Have kids take a straight chenille wire and match up the end with one end of the bent chenille wire.
- Have them wrap the straight piece around each downward point of the bent wire. Make sure they stretch out the bent wire a little to make downward-pointing triangles.
- Allow kids to use another chenille wire or two to add a new color by wrapping it around the straight chenille.
- They’ll add an additional chenille wire to make the back of the crown, according to the length they need for their head size.
- Invite kids to put on their crowns.
SAY: What a responsibility to be crowned king by God. God saw something in David that Samuel didn’t. That’s why God chose David as King!
Prayer
Circle Prayer
- Invite kids to form a circle.
- Call out different prayer needs. (For example: Who has a family member in need of prayer? Who knows someone sick in need of prayer?)
- As kids have a prayer need, ask them to step forward into the circle.
- Pray for those who step forward.
PRAY: Dear God, You know all. You know us deep within our hearts. Please be with these prayer needs we share today from our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.
