Unexpected
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.
BIBLE STORY
Being a shepherd is not a very exciting job. Shepherds spend their day in the field with their sheep giving them food, water, and lots of care. Listen to the following poem about sheep and their shepherd. Think of what it would be like to be a shepherd caring for sheep all day.
Print and cut out the following props to use as you read this poem to your child. First demonstrate how to move the pictures to coincide with the poem as you read, then retell the poem and allow your child to use the picture prompts as you read. For an additional challenge, see if your child can tell the poem in their own words while moving the prompts as they recite it.
This is the meadow where all the long day,
Ten little frolicsome lambs are at play.
These are the measures, the good farmer brings,
Salt in, or cornmeal, and other good things.
This is the lambkins own big water trough,Drink, little lambkins, and then scamper off.
This is the rack where in winter they feed,
Hay makes a very good dinner, indeed.
These are the big shears to shear the old sheep,
Dear little lambkins their soft wool may keep.
Here, with its’ big double doors closed so tight,
This is the fold where they all sleep at night.
David was a shepherd and spent his days in the fields with his sheep. He was the youngest brother but he was also considered the lowest in his family. He was given the job of a servant, caring for the sheep. His family may have considered him an ordinary boy, not assuming he would do anything unordinary in his life. God saw something else in David and considered him anything but ordinary. God had a special plan for David because God knew David’s heart wanted to please Him
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 knew that David would be a great king for Israel because he listened to God and wanted to follow Him. David was anointed to be king even though no one else would have thought he would be the next king, even his family. We can seem ordinary to others, but God knows that He has something unique He created us to do.
Activity
There are many interesting facts about animals that can sometimes sound to unusual to be true. Sometimes these unusual facts are in fact true. Listen to these facts about ordinary animals and decide if the unusual statement about the animal is true or false.
Materials: Printed activity sheet or device for viewing animal cards
Alternate
View this website to see some unusual buildings that have been designed all around the world. After viewing the buildings decide which building you like the most. Then use Legos or bricks to design your own unique structure. Alternative option, draw a picture of your unique structure.
Materials: Device for viewing unusual buildings, Lego or other building blocks, optional: paper and coloring utensils
Independent activity:
Use Play dough to create a person that represents 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. Create a person that looks like you and then describe who you are to a parent or sibling. Describe not only what you look like on the outside but things you like and what makes you you, on the inside.
Materials: Play dough
Materials: Yellow construction paper, scissors, gold glitter, plastic jewels, glue
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
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 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.