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THIS WEEK’S PASSAGES 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Luke 10:38-42
BACKGROUND PREPARATION Print out the words given in ‘What is most important’. Find the Charlotte’s Web movie clips from the links section of the Youthwork website.
I’M SO BUSY
5 mins
Play the supermarket shopping game but instead of saying, ‘Today, I went to the shops and bought…’ use, ‘Today I have been so busy because I have...’ Encourage them to list lots of very important and busy things someone could have done as they go around the circle. Try and throw some very ‘holy’ or ‘good’ things in, such as ‘did a Bible study,’ or ‘set up church for an event’. This is a little bit of fun but also a good place to introduce the theme that it isn’t always good to be doing lots of ‘good’ or ‘holy’ things if you are doing them for recognition, or if your heart isn’t right.
WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT ?
5 mins
Print out the set of words below, either for individuals or groups, and ask them to put them in order of what is most important to have in the world. Once they have done this, ask them then to repeat this activity with what is most important to have in God’s eyes. The words to use should include –‘kindness, appearance, money, security, love for others, love for yourself, love for God, being busy, helping lots of people, the best clothes and the latest gadgets’. Feel free to add in any of your own.
DAVID , A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART
15 mins
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and then ask the group the following questions:
• What do you think Jesse felt when the son he hadn’t ever bought into the room was called for and anointed?
• How do you think David’s older brothers felt when their younger, weaker brother was anointed as the next king?
• How do you think David would have reacted when he was told he was to be anointed?
It might be helpful to have a sheet of flipchart paper with a drawing of stick people, representing the characters in this passage. Give the young people pens and ask them to write down the feelings they think that person might have experienced, around the edge of the drawing.
Ask the group to think about whether or not they feel more like David (overlooked by others and not considered good enough to do things) or the brothers (more than capable of great things but others get chosen).
Say: God looks at our hearts and has a specific role for us all - ask him where he wants you to be and spend time getting your heart right with him. He knows what is best for you and has incredible plans for your life.
CHARLOTTE’S WEB
15 mins
Show the Charlotte’s Web clip from the links section of the Youthwork website. In this story Wilbur the pig goes from being the runt of the litter to being the most celebrated pig. This could be how David had felt. Everyone mocked him as he was out in the field, not even brought in when Samuel went to anoint a new king at Jesse’s (David’s dad) house. However, David became a great king who had a very close relationship with God despite his failings.
In a similar way to Fern, who looks beyond Wilbur’s size to nurture him to fulfil his purpose, God looks beyond our appearance, actions or position in the world, and wants us to fulfil our unique purpose he has put us here for.
MARY AND MARTHA: JESUS WANTS YOU
5 mins
Another example of Jesus making his priorities clear in the Bible is in the story of Mary and Martha. Read Luke 10:38-42 as a group and say: in this story Mary is sitting with Jesus, listening to his teaching and being with him. Unlike Mary, Martha is focused on the things that need doing and worrying about the dinner being served on time. She protests to Jesus about how she feels, that her sister is being lazy, but Jesus suggests that it is Martha who needs to change her priorities and be with Jesus.
WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSING ON ?
10 mins
Give time for the group to think about what it is that they get their worth from. Perhaps it’s being the popular one at school, the one who always gets good grades or the one who does most in church. Remind them that God looks beyond this and sees their heart. Use David’s Psalm 51:7-12 in closing to help them confess times when they have relied on their outward appearance rather than ensuring their heart is right with God.
KEY POINT #1
David is known in the Bible as a ‘man after God’s own heart’. He didn’t always get it right but his heart was right. It is important that we remember that, for God, this was the most important thing - he wants to see us secure in the fact that our heart is right with him, not secure in the fact we are the one with a certain position or the one ‘doing’ the most for him.
KEY POINT #2
Sometimes we can become preoccupied with the things the world values, be it the dinner being on time, being seen to be doing the right things, looking a certain way or getting the right grades. Jesus suggests that what he wants is our time and for us to be with him. This will help us to get our hearts right.
