The Call of David Loaves and Fishes Café (Cooking)

The Call of David Scripture 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-13 Memory Verse “For the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7b Biblical Background David is the second king of Israel and the first of two who reign over the united kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Following his son Solomon’s reign, the kingdom divides into two – the Northern kingdom, Israel, and the southern, Judah. David, as Saul before him, was a warrior king, trying to form a nation, and establish secure borders. After his reign, though battles with neighbors continued throughout history, kings were more stationary, and less apt to be in the heat of every battle. That fact makes his selection here, only a youth, even more remarkable, because the strength needed to lead battle is more evident in his older brothers. David is the eighth brother. Seven was a sacred number in the Hebrew scriptures, and the literary expectation of the story is that the seventh brother would be the chosen one. Placing the chosen one in the eighth position makes the story almost humorous to the audience in David’s day. Clearly, God is asserting sovereignty. God will choose whom God will choose. Note also that David came from Bethlehem, the future birthplace on Jesus, another young, unlikely choice to be king. Anointing has several different meanings in the Bible. The most generic understanding of anointing is to anoint with oil as part of a festival or as a sign of luxury – usually after bathing. For this reason, people in mourning don’t anoint themselves with oil. It is also a means of investing someone with power or for a holy purpose. Both the Hebrew word “messiah” and the Greek word “Christ” mean “anointed one.” Scripture Summary 16:1 Samuel told to go to Jesse’s house 16:2-5 Samuel outwits Saul to make it safely to Bethlehem 16:6 God rejects Eliab 16:7 Memory verse… “the Lord looks on the heart.” 16:8-10 God rejects the other seven sons 16:11-13 David chosen and anointed What this story means to kids God chooses a kid – this story, and the following one of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, are favorites among children because it shows a young person – who is overlooked by adults – being favored by God. God looks on the heart – children judge based on outward appearances. Studies show that even very young children choose pictures of who they’d like as a friend based upon appearances. The Call of David -- (Creation Station) Art

At a Glance Children will make clay containers for anointing oil and learn about the meaning and importance of anointing.

Outcome Objectives 1. Children will understand what it meant for David to be anointed king. 2. Children will understand anointing in their current context.

Materials List Self-drying clay Toothpicks, wire, etc. for making empressions in clay Olive oil Vials and containers (real or pictures) to show children Opening Show collect vials and containers and discuss anointing as per Biblical background notes above. Ask them to think of times we might anoint people in our day. Main Activity Give each child a piece of clay about 1 ½ inches square and encourage them to shape their own container for anointing oil. Give instructions about softening and working the clay as per package directions. Encourage them to collapse and restart if there’s anything they are dissatisfied with, and to decorate by making impressions in the finished container. Remind them also, that such containers are generally small – they don’t need to make theirs big. If this is first session, have them put their names on a piece of paper and their container on top of it. Have a helper move these containers upstairs to the stage for taking home. Closing Reflect using journal and puzzle pages “anointed by God” and “David is called.” Allow each child to touch oil and anoint themselves in celebration or for a task ahead. Close with prayer. Adjustments for age levels and abilities This activity could take a long time, or be done in a few seconds, depending upon the child. Encourage children to take more or less time as needed. If you have extra time… Encourage children to share their designs and see if any of them made any particular symbols on them. If time is short… Puzzle pages can be taken home. Be creative… Sit with the children and make your own container as they work. The Call of David -- Loaves and Fishes Café (Cooking) At a Glance The children will make a Middle Eastern Dish, hummus, to remember the story of David’’s call. Outcome Objectives 1. Children will be able to retell the story of David’s call and anointing as king. 2. Children will understand that God calls young people to service as well as adults. Ingredient List 1 T. lemon juice (God had “soured” on King Saul) 1 can of chick peas/garbanzo beans (David had many brothers) drain & reserve juice 1-4 cloves of garlic, unpeeled (David. Children will peel -> “God looks in the heart”) olive oil (Samuel anointed David king) salt/pepper to taste Pita bread or fresh vegetables for dipping Blender Bowls for serving Opening Have a diverse list of vocations/occupations and ask children to list what you need to be able to do in order to fill that requirement. (Example: teacher, airplane pilot, construction worker, parent, nurse, astronaut, president of the US) End with the vocation “king” and ask them what they think a king needs to be able to do. Prompt them if necessary. Read together 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-13 Wonder with the children about the things God might have seen in David that he didn’t see in his brothers. How do the children think David felt? Samuel? Jesse? The brothers? How would you feel if you were told as a kid that you had to be president of the whole country? Main Activity Reread the bible story, adding ingredients as you go. Allow children to taste each ingredient before it is added. 16:1 Add lemon juice (God had “soured” on king Saul) 16:6, 8-10 Add beans (David had many brothers) 16: 7 Let children peel the garlic (God doesn’t look at the outside, but the heart) 16:11-12 Add the garlic (David) 16:13 Add olive oil (Samuel anointed David) Puree mixture, adding additional oil and some reserved liquid to make a smooth paste. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired. Say grace, and allow children to dip pita triangles or fresh vegetables into the hummus. Closing Pass out journal pages and invite children to retell the story or draw a picture in part 1, and/or tell things that God might ask kids to do in part 2. The Call of David Fisherman’s.Net/Mountaintop Movies (Combined)

At a Glance Children will watch clips from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer which show how we judge by outward appearances. They will then decide a fair way to pick teams for Bible Baseball which will be played on one computer on the screen.

Outcome Objectives 1) Children will understand that decisions are often made based upon certain appearances. 2) Children will understand through the call of David that God looks on people’s hearts, not at outer appearances. 3) Children will connect what they learn with events in their own lives.

Movie Summary Locate the following clips: 1) Where Rudolf’s father puts clay on his nose to where it falls off and the other reindeer laugh at him. 2) The island of misfit toys

Software Summary Use a laptop to bring Bible baseball to the movie room. Questions have been pre-written and the program and questions can be loaded into the laptop being used. The program is relatively straightforward

Supplies Needed Movie Software and computer Popcorn, etc. Paper easel and markers Prizes for the winning team

Advance Preparation Cue the movie Make popcorn Have program ready to go On paper easel write WHO WHAT HOW

Opening Activity Watch the two clips. After each clip ask: Who is judging based on outward appearances? What did they decide based upon appearances? How did their judgment differ from what’s real? Fill answers in on the chart.

Ask the children to think of other situations where people judge based on outward appearances. Fill in the who, what, how. Read the story of the call of David. Fill in the Who, What, How for that story.

Main Lesson Explain that you are going to play Bible Baseball and show the children the prizes for winning. Have the children come up with a fair way to divide up into teams.

Note that the MAIN POINT is to discuss how they decided to divide up into teams. So if it takes them awhile to decide, that’s okay. It’s actually MORE IMPORTANT than the questions they’ll be answering in the game.

Play the game, leaving time for closing discussion.

Life Application How did you make decisions about what team each person would be on? Was this fair? What assumptions did you make about who would be the best teammate? Did you pick people that you thought would win to be on your team?

What have you learned today about how we judge other people? How might this change your behavior going forward?

Be creative A lot of movies involve people making judgments based upon appearances. There’s nothing magical about Rudolf. Pick a movie of your choosing. The Call of David – Temple Courtyard

At a Glance Children will look at optical illusions and learn a magic trick to emphasize that God does not see as people see.

Outcome Objectives 1) Children learn that their eyes can trick them. 2) Children will make judgments about people based on their outside appearances. 3) Children will hear the story of David’s anointing. 4) Children will discuss prejudice, and the best ways of finding out what someone is really like.

Supplies Needed Optical illusion pages and magic trick pages (extras for handouts as needed)

Printout of faces (A – P) (about 1 per 3 children)

Identify the pictures handout (one per child)

Bibles Pencils or markers

Advance Preparation Mount the attached illusions on card stock or download additional optical illusions by going to www.puzzles.com and clicking on puzzle playground.

Learn one or more of the “magic” tricks. Have additional copies printed of the trick you would like to teach your class.

Opening Activity Play one or more of the optical illusions. (attached)

Trick the children with one or more of the magic tricks (attached) and teach them how the trick works and how to do it themselves.

Ask: What was tricky about these games? How did they fool your eye? Once you know the trick, are you fooled anymore?

Main Lesson Pass out the printout of faces and the “Identify the pictures” handout. Give children several minutes to complete this. For early and pre-readers it may work best for you to read out each question and allow them to write down their answers. (Older children can also complete the bottom question) If time permits, tally your results for some or all the questions. Were there any questions that everyone seemed to agree on? Ask the children how they decided that someone was a good friend (leader, etc.)

Read 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7 Why did Samuel think Eliab would be God’s choice for king? What did God say to Samuel? What does it mean when we say “God looks on the heart?” Continue reading 16:8-13 If Samuel had trusted his own instincts, who would have been the king of Israel?

Return to the pictures. Who did you decide would make the best leader? What did you use to make that decision? How were you like Samuel? Who looks least like a leader? Is it possible that God would choose that person to lead the people?

Life Application Explain that when we make decisions about people based upon their looks, or knowing them only a few minutes we “prejudge” them. What do you think “prejudge” means? Did you “prejudge” the people in the pictures? Explain. Do you think people “prejudge” you? Explain. How does it feel? What is a “prejudice”? (use dictionary if needed) How do you think God feels about prejudice? How do you think prejudice affects our society? Instead of prejudging, how can we decide what someone is like? Can we know what is on someone’s heart? Why or why not?

Journaling Write a fictional story about one of the people in your “identify the pictures” list. In the story begin with the assumption you made, then show how the exact opposite is really true.

To take home Word Search Puzzle

Identify the pictures

1) Which person would be the best friend? ______

2) Which person would be the best leader? ______

3) Which person is most helpful? ______

4) Which person would make the best teacher? ______

5) Which person is most fun to be around? ______

6) Which person is smartest? ______

7) Which person is neatest? ______

8) Which person is most religious? ______

9) Who is the biggest troublemaker? ______

10) Which person is mean? ______

11) Which person is hard to get along with? ______

12) Which person is stupid? ______

13) Which person is boring? ______

14) Which person is the best parent? ______

15) Which person is messiest? ______

List the letters of the people you didn’t choose for any of the questions above. What word or words would you use to describe them?

______