WELCOME TO WEEK 1

Have you ever been the smallest or youngest in the group? Maybe you are the shortest kid in class, or the youngest child at home. Sometimes you may not be picked for something because of your size or age. This week we will see that David’s family assumed he was just an ordinary boy caring for the family’s sheep, but God had something else in mind. God used an ordinary boy to become the next king of Israel, God can still use ordinary people like us to do big things.

1 Samuel 16:1-13; 2 Samuel 5:1-5; 9-10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

BIBLE STORY

There are things that happen around us that seem normal or usual because they happen all the time. And then there are things that are unusual because they rarely ever happen. What are some things that you would describe as normal, or usual? What are some things that you think are unusual? Listen to the following scenarios and determine which one is most unlikely to happen.

-A whale swimming up to shore OR a penguin living in a warm climate

-A ship getting lost in the Bermuda Triangle OR an island nation that is only 8 sq miles

-a lizard walking on water OR a car driving on a lake

-A bird that can not fly OR a person flying using a blanket

A large tree growing from a tiny seed OR a cat having 9 lives

a submarine that can fly OR an inchworm moving after being chopped in half

An animal that can breath in water and on land OR a mountain that can move

A hot air balloon that goes into outer space OR A flower that moves with the sun

David seemed to be a normal boy with nothing special about him. In fact, he was the shepherd for his fathers sheep, which is typically a servants job. David’s family did not consider him to be anything special but very normal. They looked at his outward appearance; his height, strength and age, but God saw something else. God saw that David had a heart for Him and wanted to obey and please God. God had something special for David. 

Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 2 Samuel 5:1-5; 9-10

God asked Samuel how long he would mourn for Saul, but to do what instead? (To fill his horn with oil and go to Jesse of Bethlehem to anoint one of his sons)

How would Samuel know who to anoint? (God would show him)

How many of Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel that were not chosen? (7)

What did Samuel think of the first son that passed before him? (surely the LORD’’s anointed stands here before the Lord)

What did God tell Samuel He looks at? (Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart)

Where was the youngest son, David, when Samuel asked for him? (Tending sheep in the field)

What happened to David after he was anointed? (The spirit of the Lord was upon him)

How old was David when he was anointed king by the elders of Israel? (30 years old)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

God called David to be the next king of Israel because he saw David’s heart and knew He was special. David made mistakes but God saw that David had something special that He could use for His kingdom and people. We can seem ordinary to others, but God knows that He has something unique He created us to do. 

Activity

We can find unusual animals in nature all around us. God created these animals uniquely and they may not look like other animals we normally see. God created each one of us uniquely as well. He has a special plan and purpose for each one of us. To other people around us we may seem ordinary, but to God we are uniquely His. See if you can name the unusual animals you see in each picture.

Materials: Device for viewing game

Alternate

Satan wants us to believe lies about ourselves and not believe who God has called us to be. Sometimes we believe these lies, such as believing we are not good enough or smart enough in school. Complete the following sheet and read the lies that Satan often wants us to believe. Then read the scriptures listed and replace the lie with the truth God says about us.

Materials: printed activity sheet, scissors, glue

Independent activity:

Create a collage of pictures that are drawn or cut out from magazines that describe you. God made you unique and has something special for you to do. Others may only see what you look like from the outside but God sees who you are on the inside. In the center of your paper, draw a picture of yourself. Then, create a picture description of yourself by pasting pictures of things you like to do, places you enjoy going and pictures you feel best represent who you are on the inside. Describe to a parent or sibling not only what you look like on the outside, but things you like and what describes you on the inside.

Materials: Construction paper, old magazines to cut, scissors, glue, crayons or colored pencils

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Make your own crown just like King David had a crown. Follow the directions here to create your crown.

Materials: Yellow construction paper, scissors, gold glitter, plastic jewels, glue

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

Have you ever been given a job you thought was too hard for you to do? Perhaps your parents asked you to do a new chore around the house but you didn’t think you were old enough to do it. Or your teacher challenged you with a more difficult problem and you didn’t think you would be able to come up with the right answer. There are lots of challenges we have in life, and even though we might think we are too weak to do them, God says he will give us strength we need to face those challenges and conquer them.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul said he delighted in hardships, challenges and difficulties because in those times, God’s power would rest on him. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” We too can have the same attitude toward our difficulties. We can trust that in our weakness we will see God show his strength.

What are some challenges you face each day?

What are some challenges you face at school, home, or at church?

How does knowing God gives you strength help you face your challenges easier?

How can you be sure to give God credit for the strength He gives you and not take the credit for yourself?

In what ways did God give David strength?

Did God choose David because he was small and weak?

How was the previous king Saul, different from David?

Practical Application at Home

David seemed an unlikely choice to be the next king. He was not like the current king Israel had chosen, Saul. Saul was looked like a king to the people, but God knew his heart would eventually turn away from God. David did not look like a king from his outward appearance but God knew David’s heart would make a great king. Through our weakness we can be made strong, not from our own power, but from God’s. God wants to help us with the challenges we face, the difficult decisions, and the hard choices we have to make. God wants to give us the strength when we are weak so that we can live in God’s plan for us. What difficulties do you face that you feel too weak to handle? When you feel like an outsider, how can you turn to God for help?

Make a list of things that are challenging for you to do or hardships you have to face each day. Think about ways God can give you strength to overcome those challenges. Also, think of challenges you’ve had in the past and how God gave you strength to overcome them. 

Materials: sheet of paper, pencil

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.