W
EEK
7
Samuel Anoints David
BIBLE POINT
God knows us.
SCRIPTURE
Samuel anoints David. (1 Samuel
16:1-13)
BIBLE VERSE
“O Lord, you have examined my
heart and know everything about
me” (Psalm 139:1).
BIBLE BASIS
As a young man, Saul was certainly something to look at. In fact, if
Saul were around today, he might be voted “most popular” or “most
likely to succeed.” First Samuel 9:2 says that he was “the most
handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else
in the land.” So the Israelites probably weren’t surprised when the
prophet Samuel anointed Saul as king. “Of course,” they might have
nodded with satisfaction, “he’s the perfect choice!”
But God saw beyond Saul’s impressive stature into a heart that had
become arrogant and rebellious. Saul’s ways became so sinful that
the Lord was grieved that he had made Saul king. So God sent Samuel
to the home of a man named Jesse, to anoint a new king. And when
David (the youngest of Jesse’s sons and a shepherd no less!) stood
before Samuel, God proclaimed, “He’s the one.” A surprising choice?
Not at all! For God knew that inside this shepherd boy beat the heart
of a godly king.
Each child who attends your Sunday school holds inside a collection
of secrets. Unspoken dreams, aspirations, fears, and questions lie
beneath the surface. Therefore, it’s comforting for children to realize
that God knows them perfectly—from the inside out! Children will
be delighted (and even surprised) to discover that the big God who
created the universe knows every detail of their hearts. Use this
lesson’s activities to reassure children that God knows and loves
them because he made them.
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YOU’LL NEED
• Bible
• Hands-On Worship Sing & Play
Music CD
• Hands-On Worship Sing & Play
Music Video DVD
• DVD player
• “God Sightings” poster
• tape
• markers (1 per Crew)
• 3x5 cards (1 per Crew)
• offering basket
• copies of the “Person Outline”
page (at the end of this lesson),
cut out, 1 per child
• crayons
• copy of both of the “Jesse’s Sons”
pages (at the end of this lesson),
with pictures cut apart
EASY PREP
Gather in Crews. If you have more than four children, form Crews
of two or more children. Keep the Crews as consistent as possible
week to week. Designate an older child as the Crew Leader in each
Crew. Relationships will strengthen as the junior leaders get to know
their Crew members, everyone will learn names, and all children will
be able to share in discussion times. (See the introduction to this
Leader Guide for more details.)
Get ready for God Sightings. Each week, children will report
their God Sightings to their Crew. Each Crew Leader will write the
God Sightings on a 3x5 card and tape the card to the “God Sightings”
poster. As the weeks progress, you may need to add another sheet of
poster board to hold more God Sightings cards. (See the introduction
to this Leader Guide for more details.)
BONUS IDEA:
YOU’LL NEED
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cookies (1 per child)
a variety of frosting flavors
M&M’s candies
licorice strips
sprinkles
mini marshmallows
paper plates
napkins
plastic knives
WEEK 7: SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID
SING & PLAY
WELCOME
Play the Hands-On Worship Sing & Play Music CD
or DVD in the background to create a welcoming
atmosphere. As children arrive, have them gather with
their Crews. If guests arrive, help them join Crews.
Crew members can introduce themselves to each
other and tell about their week.
When you’re ready to begin, greet kids warmly.
Say: Welcome everyone! Let’s start our time
together by singing a song of praise to our
loving God.
TRACK
2
Lead kids in singing “Children
of God.”
BIBLE VERSE AND BIRTHDAYS
After the song, say: God knows and loves all of
his children. In the Bible, Psalm 139 says, “O
Lord, you have examined my heart and know
everything about me.” That verse means God
knows us. (“Thank you, God!”) Lead kids in punching
their fists in the air when they shout the response
words. Let’s learn some motions to help us
remember the verse.
Say: That was fun getting to know more about
our birthday people! I’m so thankful God
knows us. (“Thank you, God!”) God’s so faithful. He
created everything and everyone. Let’s sing a
song of praise to him!
TRACK
7
Have the birthday people help
you lead kids in singing “Great
Is Thy Faithfulness.”
Say: Our one true God is faithful. He doesn’t
change. God was the same when he was with
people in Bible times, God is with us now, and
he’ll be with us in the future. God is faithful!
When we look for God Sightings, we’re looking for
signs of God’s faithfulness. Let’s talk about God
Sightings!
Have everyone point up for “O Lord” and then place
hands on their hearts for “you have examined my
heart.” Motion from head to toes for “and know
everything about me.”
Say: God knows all of us, because he made us!
Let’s get to know some special people right
now…our birthday people!
Ask people who have birthdays this upcoming week
to tell one thing about them they want everyone to
know—their favorite color, food, movie, or sport.
Afterward, have everyone shout “Glad to know you!”
and say the name of each birthday person.
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GOD SIGHTINGS
Bring out the “God Sightings” poster, 3x5 cards, tape,
and markers. Say: Each week, we’ve been looking
for God Sightings—ways we see God loves us
and is with us—all around us. God Sightings
are evidence of the one true God all around
us every day! We’re looking for things that
God has done or made, such as God creating
a sunset, bringing a refreshing rainstorm,
or giving us food for a tasty snack. We can
practice being a God Sighting, too, by showing
God’s love! We can give a hug, tell a kind word,
or pray with someone.
Give a 3x5 card and marker to each Crew Leader.
Ask kids to sit in a circle with their Crew and share
God Sightings such as a friend who helped them feel
better when they were sad or a bright-colored bird
flying in the sky. Allow time for Crews to share and for
Crew Leaders to write on their Crew’s card. Have kids
or Crew Leaders tape the cards to the “God Sightings”
poster for everyone to see.
Read a few of the God Sightings from the poster, and
then hold up the offering basket. Say: You can be
God Sightings to others through your offerings,
too. The money you bring in will help others
know how much our one true God loves them!
Remind children about the outreach project the
offering will go to at the end of the quarter, and
collect the offering.
Say: We can be God Sightings to everyone we
meet. We want everyone to know about our
awesome, good and faithful God. Let’s sing a
song of praise to our awesome God!
TRACK
11
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Lead kids in singing
“Awesome God.”
WEEK 7: SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID
Say: Wow! Our awesome God loves us and
knows us. (“Thank you, God!”)
God
Hold up a Bible and say: Today we’ll learn how
God helped a man named Samuel be wise
when he chose the next king for God’s people.
God knew that’d be a tough job! Let’s sing “If
Anyone Lacks Wisdom.”
TRACK
6
Lead kids in singing “If Anyone
Lacks Wisdom” (James 1:5).
Say: If we’re ever confused and need wisdom,
we can ask God. God knows what to do! God
knows us. (“Thank you, God!”) Let’s head into a
Bible time and get to know Samuel and David.
BIBLE EXPERIENCE
SAMUEL’S SEARCH
Gather Crews, and hold up a Bible. Say: God chose a big guy named
Saul to be Israel’s first king. Saul started out as a good king,
but later he didn’t follow God. So God decided he’d choose
a better king for Israel. God sent a prophet named Samuel
on…well, kind of an adventure. A prophet is someone who
can hear special messages from God. And, boy, did Samuel
hear something amazing! We’re going to see what it might’ve
been like to be there with Samuel! Samuel met Jesse who
was a dad with a bunch of sons. We’re going to play a game
show called Who Wants to Be King? Motion to the Crews. You’re
the game show audience! After you hear me tell about all of
Jesse’s sons, I’ll ask you to applaud your choice for a king.
We’ll use our Applause-o-Meter to see which son you think
should be king.
Demonstrate the Applause-o-Meter. Stand like the figure below. As
kids applaud more loudly, raise your arm higher and higher, like the
needle on a gauge, leaving your elbow in place. Practice a couple of
times with the kids.
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WHO WANTS TO BE KING?
During the game show, you’ll show five pictures of
Jesse’s sons. Save the picture of David for after the
Applause-o-Meter.
Show the picture of Eliab to the audience. Well, they
didn’t have photos in Bible times, so I brought
some pictures instead. This is Jesse’s oldest
son, Eliab. He was the fastest goat milker at
the Bethlehem Go-Go-Goat Track. You should’ve
seen him! A king has to be fast! Motion to a child.
You remind me of someone who’s always on the
go, like Jesse’s son Eliab. Why don’t you stand
here and hold his picture for me? Have the child
hold the picture.
Hold up the picture of Abinadab. Here’s Jesse’s
award-winning son Abinadab. He won a trophy
in a sheep herding contest. You should’ve
seen how he guided all those sheep! It takes
patience working with stubborn sheep. A king
must be patient working with people. Motion to
a child. Why, you—you look like a patient person,
just like Abinadab. Would you come up here and
patiently hold his picture for me? Have the child
hold the picture.
At least he had enough sense to fall into a big
tub of goat milk! I guess a king should love
adventure, shouldn’t he? Motion to a child. You
look like someone who loves adventure, just
like Jesse’s boy! Would you come up and hold
his picture for me? Have the child hold the picture.
Hold up the picture of three sons. We could be here
all day! Jesse had so many sons, and he thought
they’d all make good kings! Point to each son in
the picture. Jesse thought he’d make a good
king…and so would he…and him, too! Motion to
a child. I need help! Would you hold this for me?
I’m getting tired! Have the child hold the picture.
Well, audience, let’s see how Jesse’s sons rate
on our studio audience Applause-o-Meter. Who
wants to be a king?
Stand behind one picture at a time. As you indicate
each “son,” act as the Applause-o-Meter and rate the
applause for each son. When all the sons have been
applauded, shake your head.
Hold up the picture of Shimea. Here’s a picture of
Jesse’s son Shimea. Jesse thought he’d make
a good king because he won the Jokester of
the Year award down at the Sabbath School!
He was always telling the funniest jokes—why,
everyone loved Shimea! And you know that a
king should have a good sense of humor. Motion
to a child. You, there—you remind me of Jesse’s
jokester, Shimea. You like to make people laugh,
don’t you? Come on up here, and hold Shimea’s
picture for everyone to see. Have the child hold
the picture.
Say: You know what? It doesn’t appear that
any of Jesse’s sons is meant to be king. Hmm.
Jesse did have one more son. But he was just
a small boy. Hold up the picture of David. His name
was David. He was a good-looking boy. He loved
music and played the harp pretty well. He was
also a pretty decent shepherd. And even though
he was little, he was very brave. David attacked
a bear and a lion when they tried to take his
sheep away. The most important thing was
David really loved the Lord. Ask a child to hold the
picture of David. Then act as the Applause-o-Meter,
and have the studio audience wildly clap and cheer.
David would be the next king!
Hold up the picture of a boy with the palm branches
attached to his arms. Now here’s a picture of
another one of Jesse’s boys—before the
accident. He was always trying crazy stunts
like this! He made wings out of palm branches
and jumped off the barn in an attempt to fly.
Collect the pictures from the kids, and have the
children return to their Crews. Then say: Well, our
game show was fun and a little silly! I don’t think
Jesse’s sons really did all those things, but the
Bible does tell us that Samuel was impressed
with Jesse’s sons.
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WEEK 7: SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID
Hold up a Bible and say: The Bible tells us that the prophet
Samuel looked at Jesse’s oldest son and thought he should
be the king. But God told Samuel not to consider how Jesse’s
sons looked on the outside because God was looking on the
inside—at their hearts! Samuel learned that God knows us.
(“Thank you, God!”)
Let’s tell some of the cool things God knows about each of
us. In your Crew, take turns saying, “God knows that I…” Then
tell something God knows about you, such as a gift or talent.
Allow four minutes so everyone has at least one turn. Then get
everyone’s attention, and say: God knows us. (“Thank you, God!”)
God cares more about our hearts than what we look like or
the things we can do. God knew that David loved God. God
knew that little David would grow to be a great leader. Let’s
head into a prayer time and thank God for making us and
knowing us.
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PRAYER PLACE
Distribute the people-shaped cutouts and crayons. Point out that
people see the outside of us—our facial features, how we dress, and
the things we do. Encourage kids to decorate their paper people to
look like themselves. After kids are finished, get everyone’s attention.
Say: Today’s Bible verse says, “O Lord, you have examined my
heart and know everything about me.” That verse means God
knows us. (“Thank you, God!”) God knows everything about us.
Have children turn over their cutouts and draw or describe things
that only God knows about them. Then have Crews get together.
ASK:
• What does God know about you?
• Why do you think God wants to know you?
Ask several children to report back to the large group. Say: People
can look at us on the outside, but God searches our hearts
and knows us inside and out! Let’s close by holding our
pictures and thanking God for knowing and loving us.
Have kids share with their Crews the dreams they have that they
want God to fulfill. Then pull everyone together in a large circle and
pray: Dear God, thank you for loving us enough to know us
inside and out. Thank you for having amazing plans for us,
just as you did for David. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Say: Take your picture home as a reminder that God
knows us. (“Thank you, God!”) When you leave today, remember
to look for things God has done or made. We’ll talk about
God Sightings when we meet again next week. You are God
Sightings to me. You shared so many good ideas in our
discussions. I thank God for you!
Give any other announcements, and then dismiss the children. Play
the Hands-On Worship Sing & Play Music CD or DVD in the background
while they leave.
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WEEK 7: SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID
BONUS IDEA
GOD KNOWS US
Provide a variety of edible art supplies that kids can use to create
cookie faces—cookies, a variety of frosting flavors, M&M’s candies,
licorice strips, sprinkles, and mini marshmallows. Set out paper
plates, napkins, plastic knives, and all snack supplies on a table.
Say: People look at us on the outside, but God searches our
hearts and knows us inside and out! The Bible says, “O Lord,
you have examined my heart and know everything about me.”
That verse means God knows us. (“Thank you, God!”) God
knows everything about us.
Motion to the snack supplies. Say: Today’s treat is also an art
project. You’re going to use these snack supplies to make
your own face…from food!
Let children make their snacks. After they’re done, say: Before we
eat, let’s have a “snack show-and-tell.” Show each other your
snack designs and tell everyone one thing about yourself
nobody knows—maybe it’s your favorite color, or favorite
movie, or most fun vacation.
After the snack show-and-tell, say a prayer of thanks and let
everyone eat.
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JESSE’S SONS (1)
SHIMEA
Copy this page and cut out the individual pictures.
ABINADAB
ELIAB
Permission to photocopy this page from Hands-On Worship Leader Guide, Fall, granted for local church use. Illustrator: Gioia Fiammenghi Caputo.
Copyright © 2014 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland CO 80538. group.com
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WEEK 7: SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID
JESSE’S SONS (2)
Copy this page and cut out the individual pictures.
DAVID
Permission to photocopy this page from Hands-On Worship Leader Guide, Fall, granted for local church use. Illustrator: Gioia Fiammenghi.
Caputo. Copyright © 2014 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland CO 80538. group.com
HANDS-ON WORSHIP
75
PERSON OUTLINE
Make 1 copy of this page for each child, and cut out
the outline.
Permission to photocopy this page from Hands-On Worship Leader Guide, Fall, granted for local church use. Illustrator: Wes Comer.
Copyright © 2014 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland CO 80538. group.com
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WEEK 7: SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID