Oct. 2013 Bible story background for leaders/teachers How many of us have looked at someone else and formed an opinion about them (good or bad) without really knowing them? Maybe you ve seen someone and thought, They look like a doctor or a musician. But you never really met them or got to know them- - you only saw them. Our lesson today is a good example of the way God sees and judges a person. God looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance. 1 SAMUEL 16:1 Samuel was mourning over the Lord s rejection of Saul as king over Israel. The Lord spoke to Samuel and said to him, How long will you mourn for Saul? God had rejected Saul as king because he refused to repent; he would not confess his sin and turn back to God, though Samuel, as God s messenger, had warned him. God looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance. In the midst of Samuel s mourning over Saul, the Lord gave Samuel an assignment. In essence, God was saying, Samuel, I ve rejected Saul but I m not through yet. 1 SAMUEL 16:2, 3 Samuel asks, How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me. Notice that Samuel does not respond right away in obedience to go. He was concerned with the danger or risk involved if Saul were to find out; but, the Lord promised to lead Samuel through the difficult situation- - He would show him what to do. God never asks us to do something that He will not enable us for and lead us through. Sometimes it may seem like what He is asking us to do is really difficult (as it did for Samuel), but God promises Samuel and us that He will be with us and show us what to do. 1 SAMUEL 16:4, 5 Samuel did what the Lord said. He went to Bethlehem. The elders trembled at the coming of this well- known prophet. The Lord gave Samuel a legitimate reason for going so that he would not attract attention. He told Samuel to go and make a sacrifice and invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and the Lord would show Samuel whom to anoint. 1 SAMUEL 16:6, 7 When Samuel looked at Eliab (David s older brother), he thought to himself, Surely this must be the Lord s anointed one. Samuel s judgment was based on outward appearance- - he must have thought he was kingly looking. But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature because I have refused him. God looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance. After Eliab was rejected, Jesse called each of his sons to pass before Samuel and each time one passed by Samuel said, neither has the Lord chosen this one. Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel but none of them was the one that God had chosen. Then Samuel asked Jesse
Are these all of your sons? Jesse answered Samuel by telling him that there still remained his youngest son who was out keeping his sheep. Samuel asked Jesse to send for him and he even said, We will not sit down until he comes. You would think that after all of Jesse s sons had passed by Samuel and he had not anointed any of them, Jesse would speak up and say, Oh, well it must be David ; but, he does not. In fact, it is Samuel who breaks the silence and asks Jesse if there is another son. Perhaps, Jesse never thought his son David could be a king. Perhaps, he thought he was too young or not talented enough. It is interesting to study the people that God chooses. He rarely chooses the powerful, the beautiful, or the naturally talented ones. He often chooses the weak and the outcast to do amazing things for Him. God can even use young boys and girls who have a heart to serve Him and are willing to obey Him. God looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance. 1 SAMUEL 16:12,13 When David was brought before Samuel, the Lord told Samuel "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!" So, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day on.david is often referred to as a man after God s own heart. God did not choose David to be a king because he looked like a king or even acted kingly. David was a lowly sheepherder. God chose David because of his heart- - a heart that longed for God and desired to serve Him. God looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance. Let us see others as God sees them. We should not make up our minds about other people based on whether they look good on the outside or not. What God esteems as important should be what we esteem as important. God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance. May we examine our own hearts and be found to be as David, boys and girls, men and women, who are after God s own heart longing to know God more intimately and to serve Him.
Lesson 3 rd - 6 th gr. Read from the Bible: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Ask the following: What were some of the characteristics Samuel was looking for in choosing the next king? (height, muscle power, good- looking, curly hair, etc.) What are the qualities of a good leader? (Let them name some. You might add integrity, honesty, empathy, love, and others you think are important if they are not named.) Why do you think God passed over the older brothers and chose David? (God knew he had a good heart; he was young and would develop right characteristics with the spirit of God to help him.) Talk a little bit about outward appearances. What are some stereotypical physical traits you think of when you think of a fireman? Policeman? Nurse? Soldier? Others. What other traits in their hearts would be good to have in these positions? Ask: What are some of the aspects of outward appearance that are considered important in our society? What are some material things to have that are considered important in our society? (cool clothing, car, big house, right friends, etc.) Lay out all the magazine ads on the table. Have each of them look through them and choose an advertisement that interests them and pick it up. One by one, let each person show their ad. As a group, discuss the kind of persons the ads describe or imply as ideal. List on the whitboard the attributes seemingly preferred in the ads (details of appearance, such as height, hair color, etc). Discuss whether each attribute is related to a person s outward appearance or a person s heart. On another side of the whiteboard, make a list of the attributes that God may look for in preparing us for God s work (characteristics that are not visible, such as friendliness, honesty, faith, love of family, etc). Ask: What is wrong with a good personal appearance? (Actually, nothing. Taking care of ourselves is taking care of God. But this alone doesn t make us ready for doing God s work.)
What characteristics mentioned on the whiteboard might you look for in choosing different kinds of leaders? (Answers here might depend on the leadership role that needs filling. Sometimes physical characteristics are desirable in leadership roles, but most often good inner qualities are desirable in leaders. Inner characteristics determine what we can do for God.) What people in your life might be measuring your heart for filling important roles? DAVID IS ANOINTED MEMORY VERSE SIGN LANGUAGE 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 16:7b LORD The sign KING is made with a L handshape. (Move your hand from the chest to the waist while crossing the body. The movement indicates the location of the royal sash worn by kings.) (NOT) LOOK AT The sign V handshape represents the eyes and it is moved forward to indicate that the eyes are looking at something. (Shake head as you do the sign to indicate not. ) THINGS The palm is facing upward and the hand bounces to the side to indicate different items (things). MAN (PEOPLE) The P handshapes move in alternating circles. The circular movement can be forward or backward LOOKS AT The sign V handshape represents the eyes and it is moved forward to indicate that the eyes are looking at something. OUTWARD (OUTSIDE) The sign OUT is repeated. (OUT: One hand comes out from a hole made by the other hand.) APPEARANCE The same as the sign for face. (FACE: The forefinger circles the face.) LORD The sign KING is made with a L handshape. (Move your hand from the chest to the waist while crossing the body. The movement indicates the location of the royal sash worn by kings.) LOOKS AT The sign V handshape represents the eyes and it is moved forward to indicate that the eyes are looking at something. HEART The middle finger taps the chest over the area of the heart. These signs are from the American Sign Language Browser: http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm. You can see the signs demonstrated there. Do Worksheets if needed.
Lesson 3yr. old 2 nd grade What does it mean that God looks at the heart? I think it means that God looks at what you feel and think inside you. God sees if you are friendly, honest, feel sorry for others, helpful etc. Many times people see what a person looks like on the outside and they think they know what that person will be like, but they don t know how that person may act or think. Let s read a story about when God chose a person that no one expected because he was young and small, but God knew that he had a good heart and would be a good leader. Read from Spark Bible: pages 126-128 We are going to play dress up today. We will take turns putting on the costumes. Now what do you have on the outside? hat, robe, crown etc. What does the fireman s hat make you? A fireman. And what is a fireman like big, strong, brave, BUT he might be afraid of spiders and he might love to play with little kids like you. These are the things that the world sees. A fireman s hat is what makes a fireman. But what is on the inside of a person what is in their heart? The cowboy hat makes.a cowboy strong, loves animals, in his/her heart may be a leader, honest, humble, etc. (continue with the other costumes) We are going to make a heart of paper and make a list of some things inside that God may see and a list of things that people see. (Sample provided in the room) 1. Hearts are provided; list 2 things that people see brown hair, blue eyes, tall, short, etc. on one heart. 2. On a second heart list 1-2 things that God can or wants to see in you honesty, empathy (know how another person feels), brave, integrity, keep your promises, etc. 3. Staple the people heart on top of the other heart with the list on top; cut the top heart up the middle so you can open it and see what god sees. 4. (for older kids have a friend or another person list 1 thing God could see in you and give it back it may be a surprise to the person)
Game What does that mean The Lord looks at the heart? Accept answers. God knows if you are a good person inside and wants you to be good. That means that sometimes the way people look on the outside is not the same as what they feel or act like, on the inside. What are some good things to have on the inside that God looks for? Preschool 2 nd gr.: Read from Spark Bible pages Game: King, King, Who is the King? (Adapted from Button, Button, who has the button?) Younger children: A child is chosen to be it (Samuel) and hides her eyes as a button is given to a child to hide behind his back. Samuel then has three chances to guess which child has the button (is the king ). (All children hide their hands behind their backs like they have the button.) The child with the button gets to be Samuel next. Mystery Grab Bag! Purpose Children will recall the story by pulling clues that relate to the story from a mystery bag. Preparation Gather some objects that relate to the story. If possible, provide one object for each child in the class. Suggestions include: Animal horn or picture of one (held the oil for anointing) Baby doll or small child figure (indicating that David was the youngest) Binoculars (Samuel s search for the new king) Crown (Kings wear crowns David was anointed king) Dirty sock (David didn t have time to clean up before coming inside) Family picture with lots of children (Eight would be perfect for brothers) Heart (God looks on the heart.) Index card with Bible verse written on it (memory verse) Index card with Old Testament written on it (where this story is found) Picture of a shepherd or small shepherd s crook (David was a shepherd) Small bottle of oil (Samuel anointed David with oil) Small stuffed sheep (David cared for his father s sheep)
Place the objects in a large paper bag. Keep the bag closed so the children cannot see the objects before choosing. Divide the children into two teams and have them seated with teacher and clue bag in the middle of the room. First player on Team A reaches into Clue Bag and removes an item from the bag. Player tells how the item relates to the story. For example: heart God looks at people s hearts, not how they look on the outside. If player needs help or is stumped, he or she can ask his team for help. Play passes to next team. Continue playing until all items have been taken from Clue Bag. 3yr Kind Sit in a circle or around the tables. Go around the circle or table and have each child pull out an item. The teacher can ask what they think it has to do with the story or go ahead and explain what it has to do with the story. 3 rd 6 th grades: Read from the Bible: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Have the kids take turns reading or the teacher may read out loud. Say: Even though David was very young and doing a lowly job, God saw beyond what was on the outside. God looked deep into David's heart and saw the kind of person whom he wanted for king. God looks into our hearts too. He sees past what we look like on the outside -- how tall we are, what color hair we have, what kind of clothes we wear -- God cares about what we're like on the inside. We are going to see how much you can remember about the story by playing. Jeopardy Bible Jeopardy Categories Bible Blessings 100 - God looks at the. (Heart - 1 Samuel 16:7) 200 - God does not see like. (Mortals see - 1 Samuel 16:7)) 300 - Today's story is found in the Testament. (Old) 400 - Today's story is found in this book of the Bible. (1 Samuel) 500 - "Peaceably, I have come to sacrifice to the Lord." (What Samuel told the people - 1 Samuel 16:5) Living It 100 - The one whom we should most want to please (God/Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:9) 200 - The one who is our real king (Jesus Christ - the "anointed one" - Luke 4:18) 300 - Why God made Samuel send for David even though he was the youngest (He knew his heart, it didn't matter about his age - 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Timothy 4:12) 400 - Who God gives us to help and support us during hard times (Holy Spirit - John 14:26)
500 - Why God often chooses the unexpected to accomplish his will (To show his glory and power, demonstrate that it is from God, not man) Odds and Ends 100 - David's job for his father (Shepherd - 1 Samuel 16:11) 200 - Number of sons Jesse had (Eight - 1 Samuel 16:10-11) 300 - To pour oil on someone's head; to set them apart for a special job (Anoint - Study note, Adventure Bible, 1 Samuel 10) 400 - An offering made to God, using our gifts, money or talents (Sacrifice- Psalm 50:14) 500 - This came upon David after he was anointed (Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Lord - 1 Samuel 16:13) People 100 - First king of Israel (Saul - 1 Samuel 9:17) 200 - Old Testament person who anointed David (Samuel - 1 Samuel 16:13) 300 - Father of eight sons who Samuel came to visit (Jesse - 1 Samuel 16:1) 400 - Youngest son of Jesse (David - 1 Samuel 16:11, 13) 500 - Relative of David whose name means "anointed one" (Christ - Acts 10:38, Study note, Adventure Bible, Anointing with Oil, 1 Samuel 10) Places 100 - Saul was king here (Israel - 1 Samuel 16:1) 200 - Jesse and his sons lived here (Bethlehem - 1 Samuel 16:4) 300 - Where David was when Samuel came to Bethlehem (Fields watching the sheep - 1 Samuel 16:11) 400 - Jesus was born here (Bethlehem - Luke 2:4-6 ) 500 - To anoint someone, the oil was poured here (On the head) Bible Jeopardy Game To play the game, divide the children into two teams. Supply each group with a Bible. First player of Team A chooses a category -- any category, any amount. Remove the post-it from the proper spot and reveal the answer. Player must confer with his or her teammates and then once the team has come to consensus, give the correct "question." If players are stumped, they may use their Bibles to look up items that have Scripture references. If players get the correct answer, they receive the points for that question. If they answer incorrectly, the other team may "steal" the points by answering the question correctly. Play passes to the Team B and alternates between teams until the board is empty. Take turns so that every player on each team has a chance to choose a category.
Art/Cooking 3-6 grades Read from the Bible: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Say: Even though David was very young and doing a lowly job, God saw beyond what was on the outside. God looked deep into David's heart and saw the kind of person whom he wanted for king. God looks into our hearts too. He sees past what we look like on the outside -- how tall we are, what color hair we have, what kind of clothes we wear -- God cares about what we're like on the inside. 1.We are going to make our own hearts and put in them what we think God sees in us, in our own hearts. First, list 3-5 things that you think God likes about your heart or what you are on the inside (honest, brave, friendly, have empathy, etc) on slips of paper Next, we will sew our hearts: Take 2 felt hearts, needle and thread. Sew the two pieces together, but leave an opening at the top of the heart. Place your slips of paper into your heart This is what God cares about: what we are like on the inside. 2. We are going to make some Turkey Bouquets for the nursing home. Trace your hand on paper. Cut it out. Place feathers on the fingers, add an eye and glue to a stick. When they are dry, we will make a bouquet of them and they will decorate the tables in the dining hall at the nursing home. 3. You each get a heart cookie. Notice the sprinkles on the cookie. These represent the qualities that God is looking for in you. These are the things that are important and make us followers of Jesus. What could some of those sprinkles be? (honesty, friendly, kind, helpful, etc) Now we will frost these cookies. This is what the world, or what mortals/men see, our outside appearance. Go ahead and enjoy the cookie!
Art/Cooking Preschool 2 nd grade What does that mean The Lord looks at the heart? Accept answers. God knows if you are a good person inside and wants you to be good. That means that sometimes the way people look on the outside is not the same as what they feel or act like, on the inside. What are some good things to have on the inside that God looks for? Read from Spark Bible: Pages 1. We are going to make some Turkey Bouquets for the nursing home. (First and Second graders can trace their hand and cut it out.) 3yr old Kind : You will each get a hand already cut out. Decorate it by placing feathers on the fingers, add an eye and glue to a stick. When they are dry, we will make a bouquet of them and they will decorate the tables in the dining hall at the nursing home. 2. You each get a heart cookie. Notice the sprinkles on the cookie. These represent the qualities that God is looking for in you. These are the things that are important and make us followers of Jesus. What could some of those sprinkles be? (honesty, friendly, kind, helpful, etc) Now we will frost these cookies. This is what the world, or what mortals/men see, our outside appearance. Go ahead and enjoy the cookie! 3.When choosing God looks at the heart craft. (example provided in class room) Have kids glue (with glue sticks) tissue paper onto the gray crown. Then put the outlined crown on top of this so it is covering the tissue paper. Color the top sheet. Kids take the small paint brushes and touch the sponges that are soaked in oil and paint the crowns. This will make the colors come through it is what is on the inside that God sees. Color sheets, if needed.
Theater Grades 3-6: Read from the Bible: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Ages 3 yr old to 2 nd grade: Read Spark Bible, pages Show movie: 3 rd 6 th grades: Children s Heroes form the Bible Story of David Ages 3 yr old to 2 nd grade: Veggie Tales Dave and the Giant Pickle