Valiant 9–10 · Sunday, June 14, 2026 · ~20–25 min
Come, Follow Me: 1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16 · Start with a short class prayer.
Theme
“The Lord looks on the heart.”
God cares most about what’s inside us — our heart — not how we look. (1 Samuel 16:7)
This Week’s Scene
Who are we reading about? (set the stage)
About 3,000 years ago in the hill country of Israel. The people had begged for a king “like the other nations.” They got Saul — but Saul stopped obeying God. Now God sends the prophet Samuel to a little town called Bethlehem to quietly anoint the next king from Jesse’s sons. The surprise: God picks the youngest, a shepherd boy named David.
Samuel Prophet & judge
God's prophet — He speaks through Samuel, who anoints Israel's kings.
As a boy he heard God call him in the night and answered “Here am I.” Now old, God sends him to Bethlehem to anoint the next king.
Saul Israel's 1st king
Tall and handsome — he looked exactly like a king should.
He started well but stopped obeying God, so God chose someone new. He looked right on the outside, but his heart turned away.
David Shepherd boy
Jesse's youngest son, out watching the sheep — the one nobody thought to call in.
God chose him for his heart. Yes — this is the SAME David who soon faces Goliath, writes the Psalms, and is an ancestor of Jesus.
Jesse David's father
A man of Bethlehem with eight sons.
Samuel looks over the seven older brothers first — God passes them all by for the youngest, David.
Where are we? (map)
These towns sit close together in the hill country — only about a day’s walk apart. Samuel travels from Ramah down to Bethlehem to anoint David.
Connections the kids will know
- This is THE David from David & Goliath — that famous fight is the very next chapter (1 Samuel 17).
- David grew up to write many Psalms — songs to God — including “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23).
- He was anointed in Bethlehem — the same little town where Jesus would later be born. Jesus is called the “Son of David.”
- Samuel is the same boy from recent lessons who heard God call and said “Speak, Lord” (1 Samuel 3).
- “Anoint” = pouring oil to set someone apart for God. “Messiah” and “Christ” both mean “the Anointed One.”
Scripture — read straight from here
1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Quick Synopsis (for you)
Israel demands a king “like the other nations.” God warns them, but lets them choose — they get Saul, tall and impressive. Saul starts well but stops fully obeying God (ch. 13; ch. 15), so God rejects him. Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint a new king from Jesse’s sons. He’s sure it’s the tall oldest brother — but God passes them all to the youngest, David, a shepherd boy: “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7).
Materials / Props
- • Scriptures (1 Samuel 16:7 — printed above)
- • Two containers: one fancy/empty, one plain with a treat inside
- • HEART / OUTSIDE signs (included in the PDF export)
- • This week’s scene picture (above — also in the PDF)
15-Minute Plan
- 0–2 minHook — “Don’t judge by the outside”
Hold up two containers: one fancy/shiny but empty, one plain with a treat hidden inside. “Which has the prize?” Let them pick by looks — the plain one wins. “The best one didn’t look the best on the outside.”
- 2–5 minStory
Israel wanted a king who looked impressive — they got Saul, tall and handsome. But Saul stopped obeying God; his heart turned away. Samuel goes to pick a new king, looks at the big oldest brother (“surely this one!”) — God says no, all the way down to the youngest, David, a shepherd boy.
- 5–8 minMain Principle
Read 1 Samuel 16:7 (below). “People look at the outside, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Why David? His heart loved and trusted God. Teach: “God cares most about what’s inside our heart, not how we look.”
- 8–11 minInteractive — “Heart or Outside?”
Two signs: HEART (inside) / OUTSIDE. Call things out; kids point/run: being kind when no one’s watching → HEART; cool shoes → OUTSIDE; telling the truth → HEART; being tallest → OUTSIDE; helping someone sad → HEART; praying & loving God → HEART.
- 11–13 minApplication
“How do we grow a good heart this week — home, school, friends?” Draw out: being honest, kind when it’s hard, praying, obeying when no one would know. “God sees the good you do that nobody else sees.”
- 13–15 minClose
Go around: “One way I’ll grow my heart toward God this week is ___.” Short testimony: God knows your heart, loves you, cares who you’re becoming. Challenge: do one kind/honest thing this week when no one is watching.
Quick Reference (carry this)
- Theme: The Lord looks on the heart — 1 Sam 16:7
- Hook: Fancy empty box vs. plain box with treasure
- Story: Saul looked perfect but turned from God → God picks young David for his heart
- Main point: God cares about our heart, not outward looks
- Activity: “Heart or Outside?” sorting
- Close: One way to grow your heart this week + testimony + challenge
but the Lord looks at the heart.