KNOWN BY GOD
WELCOME TO WEEK 1
This month we are learning about what it means to have courage and trust God. God knows who you are and He has a special plan for your life. God can use the gifts and talents he has given you to serve others and guide you on the path he has planned for you. You can trust that He will show you the way.
BIBLE STORY
This month we are reading about people in the Bible who had courage and were brave even when they didn’t know what their future would be. God calls us to have courage as well. He has something special for each one of us to do and He promises to be with you throughout the good and bad times.
Let’s play a game. Our goal is to move from one side of the room to the other. Easy, right? Except, you will be blindfolded. Blind fold the person who is “It”. Now, you will try to get across the room. If you have more than one person playing this game, the other players will be “obstacles” by sitting around the area the blindfolded person has to walk across. If there are not very many players, you can use stuffed animals or pillows as additional obstacles. Each time the blindfolded person bumps into an “obstacle” shout out, “Hey!”
When I say go, walk across the room and touch the opposite wall. Have kids take turns being blindfolded.
How did it feel being blindfolded and having to move through all the obstacles to get across the room?
How is this game similar to the challenges we face in life each day that make us fearful or unsure?
Being blindfolded kept you from knowing what was in your path and what problems were ahead of you. Did that make you fearful about what was ahead of you?
In our story for this week we read about David and a special job God calls him to. He does not know what or even when this will happen, but he has to trust God’s special plan for him.
Read or listen to the scripture 1 Samuel 16
Where did God send Samuel to find the new king? (to the house of Jesse to choose one of his sons)
How would Samuel know who to anoint? (God would tell Samuel who to choose)
What did God say He looks at when choosing a man? (He doesn’t look at someones appearance but looks at their heart)
How many of Jesse’s sons passed in front of Samuel before he chose a son? (All 6 sons)
Who did Samuel anoint? (David)
What special thing did God plan for David to do? (Be the new king)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
David was the last to be thought of in his family. When Samuel asked to see Jesse’s sons, they were all brought before him except David. They didn’t think David was the brother God was looking for. He was the little brother out in the field tending the sheep! Although no one saw him as being a special brother fit to be the next king, God saw more than just what he looked like outwardly. God saw David’s heart and that he was willing to be humble and follow God. God sees each one of us too. Regardless of what others say or think about us, God knows the truth about you. He knows you are His child and that you have something special to do for Him.
Activity
Play this game of Who am I? Using the large deck of cards, take turns reading questions to find out more about each other, or show how much you already know. Player A draws a card from the pile and reads it out loud. There will be 4 answer choices, A-D. The other players use their answer cards to guess what they think Player A’s answer will be. All players use their A-D cards to answer the question by turning their answer card over so no one can see. Once everyone has place their answer card facedown, Player A tells everyone to turn their cards over and then shares their answer. Each player takes a turn playing the same way.
Materials: printed game “Who do you think I am
Alternate
Complete the following activity sheet. God knows each one of our names and has a special plan for each of us. Look at the names of the following people in the Bible and read their brief description. Then see if you are able to match the biblical name to its meaning.
Materials: printed activity sheet
create:
Fingerprints are unique to each individual person and are not duplicated. There are 4 main types of fingerprint patterns: arcs, loops, whorls, and composites. Complete your own investigation with the people in your family. Use the following recording sheet to write your family members names, including your own. Then use an ink pad or erasable marker to darken their index finger and press their fingerprint on the box next to their name. Then using the print examples, identify which type of print you believe they have.
Materials: Activity sheet, ink pad or reusable marker, pen/pencil
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Make a crown for King David. Print and cut out the crown page. Decorate the crown with crayons, markers, glitter or jewels. Add attributes of David’s character that God saw by writing them on the crown as well.
Materials: Printed crown cut-out, scissors, crayons, glue, jewels
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
On a sheet of paper, draw a large circle in the middle. Then off of that large circle, draw 4 lines and a medium circle at the end of each line (large enough to write inside). In the large middle circle write your name. On the 4 smaller circles write a statement in each circle that describes you starting with the words “I am…” and then fill in something that describes you. For example, “I am creative”. You are uniquely made and God knows you. Or print the following bubble map.
In 1 Corinthians 8:3 it says that whoever loves God is known by God.
What does it mean to be known by God?
Does that mean we can wear a mask and trick God?
Does this mean God knows the good and bad parts of me?
Does God know the things I like and dislike?
To be known by God is just that, He knows us. He knows the good, bad, and ugly! But the good news is, He loves all of you! We can sometimes pretend to be someone else to be accepted by our friends at school or on our sports team, but we don’t ever have to pretend to be someone else for God. He already knows us, better than we know ourselves because He is our creator. God knew David for who he really was, not for what he looked like on the outside. We can also be sure that since God knows us, He knows when we are weak and need His help.
Practical Application at Home
God knew that David had a willing heart that would listen and obey Him. David was willing to be used by God in whatever way God saw fit. The bible says from the day David was anointed the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. The things David did, the strength, and faith he had was from God! God gave David what he needed for the days that followed. Even though David didn’t know what the future would be, God knew and He provided courage and strength to David. Think of all the things you could do if you knew you had the Spirit of the Lord on you.
If you knew God’s Spirit was on you how would you act in these situations:
Asked to share your last bit of food
Stand up to a bully picking on a little kid
Someone telling lies about you or someone you loved
Opening your pantry and not seeing any food
Noticing someone who needs a hand carrying a heavy box
Seeing 2 classmates argue and want to fight
Watching someone keep a classmate from being part of your group
God has given us His Spirit and we can pray for Him to give us strength and courage to do what He wants us to do. God has a plan for us, not because we are perfect, but because He knows our hearts.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Spend time in nature watching how both living and non-living things have their own cycle and jobs to do. Watch how their job fits with the ecosystem and creates balance in nature. God had a plan for all of creation.