Come Follow Me 2026 · Week 24
Family Activities
June 8–14 - 1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16
This week's one thing
Jesus Christ looks on my heart and can lead me better than anyone else.
Opener: Flashlight Leadership
Turn off the lights or sit under a blanket tent. Ask one person to lead everyone across the room with the flashlight pointed at the floor, then try again with the flashlight pointed forward so everyone can see where to step. Say, "Which way felt safer to follow, and why?"
When we let Jesus Christ lead, He lights the way ahead, and He also knows what is going on in our hearts.
Scripture Story
Israel is tired of judges, so the people come to Samuel and say, "Give us a king." Samuel prays, and the Lord tells him to listen, even though it will bring hard consequences (see 1 Samuel 8:6-7). Later, Saul is out looking for lost donkeys with a servant. They cannot find them, and Saul says, "Come, and let us return" (1 Samuel 9:5). The servant suggests they ask the seer, Samuel. When Saul meets Samuel, Samuel tells him the donkeys are found, and then he anoints Saul to be captain over Israel (see 1 Samuel 10:1). Saul looks around like he is hoping someone else will volunteer, and when it is time to present the king, they cannot find him. They discover Saul hiding among the baggage (see 1 Samuel 10:22). What do you think Saul was feeling when they pulled him out of the baggage?
Discussion Questions
Little Kids (ages 4–7)
- If you were looking for lost donkeys, where would you look first?
- When you feel nervous, where do you like to stand, close to people or far away?
Big Kids (ages 8–11)
- Why do you think the Israelites wanted a king after Samuel warned them it would be hard? (See 1 Samuel 8:19-20.)
- Saul hid among the baggage (1 Samuel 10:22). When do you feel like hiding, and what helps you step forward anyway?
Teens
- Samuel warned the people about the cost of choosing a king (1 Samuel 8:10-18). How do you tell the difference between a choice you want and a choice that will lead you where you want to end up?
This Week's Challenge
Make a simple "King List" on the fridge with two columns: "Voices I Follow" and "Jesus." Each day, each person adds one sticky note to the first column (something that tried to lead them that day, like friends, phones, stress, or fear) and one sticky note to the second column (one small way they let Jesus lead, like a prayer, a kind act, or choosing honesty). Count the notes on Sunday.
Song Suggestions
Heart-Light Lantern
Ages 3-10~10 min- 1
Step 1: Draw a big heart on paper and cut it out. If kids are small, an adult cuts.
- 2
Step 2: Roll another sheet of paper into a tube and tape it into a simple lantern shape.
- 3
Step 3: Tape the heart onto the front of the paper tube, then shine the flashlight through the tube so the heart shows up bright.
God looks on the heart, and Jesus Christ can light what is inside us as we follow Him (see 1 Samuel 16:7).
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