David, a Good Heart

1 Samuel 15:1-16:13

Saul was a good king for about 20 years.  Then he began to disobey God.  God was sorry he made Saul the king.  Samuel was sad about it, too.

God sent Samuel to a man named Jesse to find a new king.  When Samuel met Jesse, he said, “I would like to meet your sons.”

When Samuel saw them, he thought, These are strong-looking men.  God said, “I do not look at the outside of a person.  I look at the inside of a person.  I look at the heart.”

Samuel asked Jesse, “Do you have another son?”  Jesse said, “Yes.  His name is David.  He is out in the field with the sheep.”  Samuel asked to see him.

As soon as David arrived, God told Samuel, “He is the one I want to be the next king.”  Samuel anointed David.  He poured oil on David’s head, and David was filled with God’s power.

Discussion Questions

God was disappointed with Saul.  Why? Saul began disobeying God 

God asked Samuel to find a man.  What was his name?  Jesse

True or False.  Was God searching for a new king. True

Does God care about how we look on the outside or how we are we are on the inside?  He looks inside at our heart

Who did God choose as the new king?  David

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of David’s good heart.  Please help us to remember to see the good in others.  Amen

Memory Verses

“Do good and share with others.”  Hebrews 13:16 

Song:  I am Special

(Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)

I am special, I am special (point to self)

If you look, you will see

Someone very special, someone very special,

It is me, it is me!! (Point to self)

Activity:

Grab two bags, one a plain, brown one and the other a fancy gift bag. In the plain, brown one, place your child’s favorite snack food. In the gift bag, place your child’s least favorite food. During snack time, let your child choose and open each bag. While he is eating his snack, talk to him about how it only mattered what was on the inside of the bag, not how it looked on the outside. Read the bible story of how God chooses David to be king and how God looked at what was in David’s heart not what was on the outside. Use these questions to talk with your child.  Here are some questions to talk about afterwards.

What do you think is important to God?

What makes you special to God?

Saul, Israel's First King

Israel’s First King 1 Samuel 8-10

When Samuel was an old man, God’s people said, “We want a king to rule over us.”  Samuel asked God for help.  God told Samuel to warn the people about all the trouble a king could bring.

A king would make the young men join his army, and the people would have to give the best things they owned to support the king.  Samuel warned the people, but they still would not listen.  Then God told Samuel to give them a king.

God led Samuel to a man named Saul.  Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head.  This was a sign that Saul was God’s choice for their new king.  Saul hid because he was shy.

The people found him.  Then Samuel said, “Here is your king.” Everyone cheered and shouted, “Long live the king!”

Discussion Questions

God’s people wanted someone to rule them.  Who did they want? A King

Did Samuel think this was a good idea?  No

Did God tell Samuel to give them a King? Yes

Who was it?  Saul

Samuel put oil on Saul’s head. What did that mean?  It means that Saul was God’s choice for their new king

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Saul becoming king.  We can always trust you to make the best decisions for us.  Thank you for that gift.  Amen

Memory Verses

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all  your soul and with all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5 

Samuel, A Voice In The Night

A Voice in the Night -- 1 Samuel 3

When Samuel was a little boy, Hannah brought him to live at the tabernacle.  She had promised God that Samuel would serve him all his life.  The priest Eli would now take care of Samuel.  He would teach Samuel about God. 

One night while Samuel was sleeping, he heard a voice say, “Samuel!” He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am .” But Eli said, “I did not call you.” Then Samuel went back to bed.

Samuel heard a voice call his name two more times.  Each time, Samuel ran to Eli.  Finally, Eli told Samuel, “I think God is speaking to you.  Next time, say, “Yes, Lord, I am listening.” Then Samuel went back to bed.

“Samuel! Samuel! the voice said again.  This time, Samuel answered, “Yes, Lord, I am listening.”  From that moment on, Samuel gave messages to God’s people.  He was a special prophet of God.

Discussion Questions

• Where did Hannah take Samuel Tabernancle
• What is a Tabernacle?  It is a church
• Why did she take him there? The priest Eli was going to teach Samuel about God.  
• Samuel heard a voice in the night.  Who was it?  God
• What did Samuel do after realizing who was speaking to him?  He gave special messages to God’s people.

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Samuel.  It is a great lesson on listening to you God.  We pray we are obedient to You and our parents.   Amen

Memory Verses

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all  your soul 

and with all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5 

Bible Story Rhyme

Samuel, Samuel slept one night,

(Lay titled head on hands as if sleeping)

In the temple; that’s alright.

(Make the “O.K.” sign)

Awakened by the Lord’s own voice,

(Place fists next to eyes and open fingers)

Helping God was Samuel’s choice.

(Point to heaven)

Craft / Activity:  Cup Phones

Materials Needed:  Disposable Plastic Cups, String (not yarn), Small Paper Clips, and Ball Point Pens

Directions

1. Pass out two disposable plastic party cups to each student.

2. Poke a hole in the bottom of each cup with a ball point pen.

3. Cut a 10 foot piece of string for each student.

4. Slip the piece of string through the bottom of each cup.

5. Tie a paper clip to each end of the string.

6. Pull cups away from one another slowly until there is a bit of tension on the string.

7. Allow students to take turns talking into their “cup phones”.

For Discussion

As students are assembling their “cup phones”, remind them that we should listen to the Lord too. Though the Lord may never choose to speak audibly to us, he does speak to us through his word. Encourage students to “listen” to the Lord by reading the Bible.

Hannah's Prayer

1 Samuel 1 -20

Hannah loved God.  She wanted to have a baby, but she wasn’t able to have any children.

Hannah and her husband went to the tabernacle.  She prayed to God, “If you will give me a baby boy, I will see that he serves you all his life.”

Eli was a priest.  He saw Hannah praying.  She explained, “I am crying out to the Lord because I want him to answer my prayer.”  Eli gently told her, “Go in peace - and may God give you what you ask for.”

Sure enough, Hannah and her husband had a baby boy.  They thanked God for their new son.  They named him Samuel.

Discussion Questions

• Hannah and her husband traveled somewhere special.  Where did they go? Tabernancle
• What is a Tabernacle?  It is a church
• What were they doing there? Praying for God to bless them with a baby.  
• What did Naomi promise God? If she had a baby he would serve God all his life.
• Did they have a baby?  Yes, a baby boy
• What was his name?  Samuel

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Hannah’s Prayer.  We know that we can bring anything to you in prayer.  Thank you for caring about our hearts’ desires.   Amen

Memory Verses

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all  your soul and with all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5 

A Promise in My Pocket Paper Craft

This paper craft would work for any "keeping promises" lesson plan. 

Materials:

• paper

• scissors

• tape

• crayons

Instructions:

1. Cut out the outline of pocket 
2. On a small paper write a promise the children plans on keeping
3. Tape the promise in the pocket.  Let the words show at the top of the pocket so anyone can read to your child to help them remember.
4. Hang the pocket on the refrigerator to remind of the promise he or she is working on