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God told Samuel that he had chosen a new king for Israel, and the new king was to be one of Jesse’s seven sons. When Samuel saw the sons, he assumed the Lord would choose Jesse’s oldest son. Instead, to everyone’s surprise, the Lord chose the youngest son, David. Samuel anointed David as the new king, but it would be many years before the time was right for David to take Saul’s place. The Lord chose David even though he did not look as big and handsome as his older brothers. The Lord does not judge by outward appearance but by the heart.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Outline:

1. God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a new king, (1 Samuel 16:1-5)
2. Samuel anoints David. (1 Samuel 16:6-13)

Tips for teaching children:

• Before the session, ice and decorate plain cookies but add salt to a few of them. Show the iced ookies to the children and ask them to judge which would taste the best (without tasting). Finally, allow the children to taste the cookies and talk about how what looks good on the outside does not show what the inside is really like .
• Make a craft involving hearts.
• Anoint each of the children to show them what it was like for David. Use water as it is less messy than oil.
• Talk to the children about what is in their hearts.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Read the text or choose another person to read this story. Follow up the reading with the question: What does it mean that God was looking for a man after God’s own heart? What kind of heart would this be?
• Use the rest of class time to set up a date and time for your class to go “people watching.” The idea is to watch people and try to see them with the eyes of God, seeing them as God sees them.
  • Meet at a public space where there are people who are out and about. This could be a mall, the downtown area or any place where there are people walking about. Pair up and spread out. Each pair should find a spot to sit and watch people walk by. As you watch people walk by, think about what God may see in these people. Ask yourself the questions: “What does God see?” “What is their heart like?” “What is their story?” “What would God want to say to them?”
  • Do this for about ½ hour or so and then gather for a coffee and sit and reflect on this experience. Here are some further questions to ask: “What was this experience like?” Did you see people in a different way? How so? Was there anyone you saw that stood out to you? Why? What would you say to them? How would we interact with others if we saw them as God sees them?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Samuel Anoints David

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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The Lord gave King Saul specific instructions on how to handle a battle with the enemy, the Amalekites. King Saul disobeyed the Lord in front of all of the people, and then he refused to admit his own sin. When Samuel confronted him, Saul made excuses and even blamed others. Although Saul would remain in place as king for many years, it was at this time that the Lord rejected him as King.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 13:5-14; 15:1-35

Outline:

1. Saul’s impatience costs him the crown. (1 Samuel 13:5-14)
2. Saul disobeys God’s plan for battle. (1 Samuel 15:1-9)
3. Saul makes excuses and Samuel delivers God’s judgment. (1 Samuel 15:10-35)

Tips for teaching children:

• Discuss taking responsibility when we have done something wrong.
• Discuss God’s forgiveness when we repent. As a prayer exercise, provide small pieces of paper and pens. Children write their sins on the paper and then pray to ask God’s forgiveness. After the prayer, crumple up the paper and throw it in a rubbish bin. Plan for a quiet and thoughtful time for this, so the children do not rush through it. One way to do this is to turn the lights low and light candles.

Tips for teaching adults:

• The big takeaway from this story is the words Samuel spoke to Saul, “to obey is better than sacrifice.” Here are some questions to ask the class members. Remember to give them time to think and to formulate a response:
  • What does Samuel mean by this?
  • Does this mean that ritual in worship is not important? Why or why not?
  • How does this apply to our context today? How can we be guilty of sacrifice without obedience?
• Pass out paper and have each person in class write down an area of their life in which they struggle to obey God fully. After a period of time, ask each class member to pray about what they’ve written, asking God to give them strength and courage to obey and not to offer excuses. Ask God for the strength to trust him more, even when it is difficult.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: King Saul Disobeys God

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Although God warned Israel of the many problems associated with having a king, the people still demanded one. They wanted to be like the nations. Though reluctant, a handsome young man named Saul was anointed as Israel’s first King. The people quickly found out that having a king was not as good as they thought it would be.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 8-10

Outline:

1. Israel demands a king. (1 Samuel 8:1-22)
2. Samuel and Saul meet, and Samuel anoints Saul as king. (1 Samuel 9:1-10:8)
3. Saul is announced as King. (1 Samuel 10:9-27)

Tips for teaching children:

• Use water in a small pitcher to “anoint” kings in the class.
• Discuss the negative aspects of wanting to do things just because others are doing them.
• Younger children can “find the donkey” like Saul did. Use a toy donkey or pictures of a donkey.
• Make a crown.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Ask the class if they would be willing to share decisions they have made (big or little) and an unintended consequence of their decision, whether good or bad. What did they learn from their decision?
• This is a longer story, so you, the teacher, will need to summarise it for the class. Alternatively, you can ask the class to read the story before class, so everyone will be familiar with it when they come to class.
• How do you make decisions? When do you bring God into the picture in making decisions? How can you make decisions that honour God and are within his will?
• When Saul met Samuel, he didn’t know that God was orchestrating this meeting. Think about a time in your life where you believe you experienced a God moment, a meeting with someone or an event that you think was a God-orchestrated meeting or event. Share this with the class. Why do you believe this? How did it affect or change you or others?
• When Saul was announced as the king, he was hiding. Are you hiding from a ministry God is calling you to? Ask the class to share something they think God is calling them to, but they are ‘hiding’ from? How can the class encourage them to come out of hiding?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Saul Becomes Israel’s First King

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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While young Samuel was sleeping, the Lord called his name. Not recognising the voice, Samuel ran to the elderly Eli, mistakenly thinking it was him. When the voice continued to call Samuel, Eli told him to listen carefully. The voice must be the voice of the Lord. The Lord spoke to Samuel and told him that Eli’s sons would not be the new priests of Israel. Samuel would be. Samuel served the Lord as long as he lived as a Priest, Judge, and Prophet.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 3

Outline:

1. God calls young Samuel, but Samuel does not recognise God’s voice. (1 Samuel 3:1-9)
2. God speaks to Samuel and shares bad news about Eli’s family. (1 Samuel 3:10-18)
3. Samuel grows and establishes a solid reputation as a prophet. (1 Samuel 3:19-21)

Tips for teaching children:

• Invite the children to come to class in their pyjamas. Enjoy acting like Samel sleeping and hearing God calling his name.
• Play a game where one child sits in the middle of the room, blindfolded. The other children move around the room and take turns calling out “Samuel, Samuel.” If the blindfolded child recognises the voice of the caller, then they trade places.
• Talk about hearing God’s voice through reading the Bible.

Tips for teaching adults:

• This chapter is short enough to read in a class setting. I suggest using the outline provided in the show notes above. Alternatively, you can arrange for the class to listen to the story in audiobook format. Chances are, someone in the class will have an audiobook app on their phone.
• Instruct the class to be completely quiet and still, and to listen in complete silence. Do this for 1 minute. What did they hear? What did they notice?
• Encourage the class to get into the habit of really listening to God’s voice when they read the Scripture. Find a quiet space and a quiet time. Read the Scripture slowly and mindfully, concentrating on the words of the text – not just the words themselves but also the emotional content of the text, the way the text moves forward. Encourage the class to be intentional when reading the word of God. And begin your Scripture reading by saying, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.” The following week, ask the class if this made a difference in their reading and understanding God’s word.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: The Lord Speaks to Samuel

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Hannah did not forget the promise that she had made to the Lord. After her son, Samuel, was weaned, she took him to the Tabernacle and presented him to Eli, the High Priest. Samuel’s parents returned home, but Samuel remained with Eli to be a helper. Samuel would have cleaned and run errands and lots of other jobs to help the priests. Hannah made a new robe for Samuel every year and brought it to him when she and Elkanah visited the Tabernacle.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 1:21-2:26

Outline:

1. Hannah gives her son, Samuel, to God. (1 Samuel 1:21-28)
2. Hannah gives thanks. (1 Samuel 2:1-10)
3. Young Samuel’s purity in contrast to Eli’s evil sons. (1 Samuel 2:11-26)

Tips for teaching children:

• Children can design a coat. Alternatively, outline a coat and provide materials for the children to decorate it. Talk about Hannah giving Samuel a new coat every year.
• Collect stories of children doing heroic things and share the stories with the children in your class.
• Invite the children to reflect on how it would be in the tabernacle and what they might see or hear.
• Young children can clean or straighten up the classroom to relate to Samuel helping in the tabernacle.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Ask the class to think of an answered prayer and then write down a short prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God. Ask those who are willing to read these prayers to the class.
• As a class, do something special for the children in your congregation. Depending on the size of the church or your resources, do something that will encourage your children, do something that communicates your love and God’s love and that communicates how special they are.
• Pray for the children of your congregation by name – pray that they will grow up serving God and pray that you will do what you can to help them grow up to serve God.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Samuel- Helper in the Tabernacle

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Elkanah had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah taunted Hannah because Hannah had no children. Hannah prayed and wept near the entrance when she accompanied Elkanah to the Tabernacle. In her prayer, she promised the Lord that if He gave her a son, she would give that son to Him all the days of her life. Hannah’s prayer was so intense that the High Priest, Eli, saw her and thought she was drunk. Hannah’s prayer was answered, and she gave birth to a son. His name was Samuel.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Samuel 1:1-20

Outline:

1. Hannah is childless (1 Samuel 1:1-8)
2. Hannah’s prayer and vow (1 Samuel 1:9-18)
3. Samuel is born (1 Samuel 1:19-20)

Tips for teaching children:

• Explain how to pray and try a few different prayer methods. Click here for suggestions.
• Invite a woman to class to dress as Hannah and tell the story from her point of view.

Tips for teaching adults:

• After you read the story, ask if anyone has felt like they have been in Hannah’s place before. Perhaps they have been in a situation where others have prospered and they have not. Perhaps they have been overlooked and have seen others receive blessings. Invite them to share with the group.
• Hand out blank index cards. Ask the class to write down a longing they have, a longing they want God to fill. Give time for people to write something down. Ask the class to silently pray to God about this longing. At the end of the session, challenge them to pray about this during the week.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: God Answers Hannah’s Prayer

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Boaz was the owner of the field where Ruth gathered grain. He was also a relative of Naomi’s late husband. When Boaz took notice of Ruth and treated her with kindness, Naomi knew that he would be a good husband to Ruth. She instructed Ruth to follow the wise custom of lying at the foot of Boaz’s bed to show that she wished to marry him. Boaz also followed tradition by gaining the permission of another relative of Naomi’s who had the right to marry Ruth. Boaz and Ruth married, and when they had a son, Naomi took care of him like her own grandchild.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Ruth 2-4

Outline:

1. Ruth meets Boaz. (Ruth chapter 2)
2. Naomi’s plan for Ruth. (Ruth chapter 3)
3. Boaz marries Ruth. (Ruth chapter 4)

Tips for teaching children:

• Provide materials so that children can draw a picture of their family. Teachers should remember that this is the child’s perspective. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and children have no control over the situations. In all cases, affirm the child and remind them that God loves them and the people in their family.
• Lead the children in reflection and “wondering questions.” The children may also have their own questions.
  • I wonder why Naomi thought that Boaz would be a good husband for Ruth?
  • I wonder how Naomi helped Ruth take care of her baby?
  • What would happen if someone new joined my family?

Tips for teaching adults:

• Come prepared to give examples of disasters that resulted from people trying to cut costs or take shortcuts. For example, the ship Titanic sank on 14 April 1912 after hitting an iceberg. Over 1,500 people. Lifeboats were cut from 64 to 20—the legal minimum—to maintain the ship's aesthetics and maximise deck space
• Ask the class when they did the right thing even though it was difficult or came at a cost.
• Read Ruth chapters 2-4 and ask the class to describe Boaz’s character. They should pay attention to what is said about him, what he says, and what he does.
• Pray that God may help you be loyal, faithful and have a heart to do the right thing.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Ruth and Boaz

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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Naomi’s husband and two sons died while they were all living in the foreign country of Moab. She told her two daughters-in-law to go back to their own parents. Naomi wanted to return to her relatives in her original homeland of Judah. One daughter-in-law did what Naomi said, but the other (Ruth) travelled with Naomi to take care of her. Ruth worked hard in the fields to support Naomi.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Ruth 1:1-2:13

Outline:

1. Naomi returns to Bethlehem after living ten years in Moab. Her husband and sons have died, but she is accompanied by her daughter-in-law, Ruth. (Ruth 1:1-22)
2. Ruth works hard in the fields and earns the respect and protection of the owner. (Ruth 2:1-13)

Tips for teaching children:

• Many children come from non-traditional families, so use this opportunity to talk about how God understands and loves people no matter what their family situation is. Naomi and Ruth had suffered many losses and did not have support around them. Even so, they loved each other and helped each other.
• If possible, bring barley or a barley product to class for the children to experience. Malt is made from barley, so children could eat malt-flavoured candy.

Tips for teaching adults:

• I suggest using the outline above to divide up the reading. Alternatively, you can assign readers to read the following sections aloud:
  • Ruth 1:1-5
  • Ruth 1:6-18
  • Ruth 1:19-22
  • Ruth 2:1-7
  • Ruth 2:8-13
• Focus on Ruth’s character. Invite class members to call out the aspects of Ruth’s character that emerge from the story. Choose someone to write these on the whiteboard or chalkboard, as they are called out. Encourage the class members to focus on her actions, words and description.
• Follow up by writing on the white/chalkboard names of people in the class (or people they know) that have this character. For example, “loyalty” is one aspect of Ruth’s character. Ask the class, “Who do you know that is a loyal person or who demonstrates the character trait of loyalty.
• Pray and thank God for these people, who possess these godly character traits.
• Another thing we see from the story is how Boaz began caring for Naomi & Ruth, two people who were vulnerable. Commit as a class to encourage someone the class knows who is vulnerable, such as an older person in a care facility or a widow living alone. Some ideas might be:
  • Visit them regularly.
  • Pray with and for them.
  • Remember them with a gift on their birthday and holidays.
  • Collect money to pay for a bill.

Free teaching instructions are available from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Ruth and Naomi

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org