Older Primary Lesson Plan: 1 Samuel 8–10;13;15–16

Opening Connection

Bring a simple paper crown (or draw one on the board). Ask: “If you could choose the best king ever, what would you want him to be like, kind, fair, brave?” Then ask, “Who is the best King to follow?”

Explain that Israel wanted a king they could see, “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5). But the Lord wanted them to remember that He was their real King.

Read this key line together:

“And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7)

Let children briefly share: “What are some ‘kings’ people might follow today besides Jesus?” (Popularity, being cool, winning, etc.)

Scripture Discovery

Passage 1: The Lord looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)

Invite two children to partner-read the verse (one reads the first half, the other reads the second half). Then read it again slowly as a class.

“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.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Ask:

• “What do people notice first?”
• “What does the Lord notice first?”
• “How can we ‘look on the heart’ at school?”

Passage 2: Obedience matters most (1 Samuel 15:22)

Tell them Saul tried to explain his choices, but Samuel taught a powerful truth. Read:

“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

Ask:

• “What does the Lord like better than big ‘religious-looking’ actions?”
• “What is one small way to obey today?”

Core Gospel Principles

1. Jesus Christ is my King. The Lord explained that wanting a king instead of trusting Him was a kind of rejection: “that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). We can choose to let Jesus “reign” in our choices.

2. God calls people to serve by revelation and authority. Saul and David didn’t just volunteer; the Lord guided Samuel. Saul was anointed: “the Lord hath anointed thee” (1 Samuel 10:1). David was anointed and strengthened: “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13). This matches: “A man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority” (Articles of Faith 1:5).

3. The Lord cares about my heart and my obedience. “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22), and “the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Interactive Learning Activities

1) “Cover vs. Contents” Heart Lesson (Object Lessons)

Materials: A book with a plain cover (or a food container), and inside place something surprising (a picture of Jesus, a kind note, or a simple treat).

Steps:

1. Show the outside and ask: “What do you think is inside?”
2. Reveal the inside. Discuss how the outside didn’t tell the whole story.
3. Read 1 Samuel 16:7 again (one child reads it aloud).

Connect to scripture: People “look on the outward appearance,” but God “looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Questions:

• “How could we accidentally judge someone at school?”
• “What is a ‘heart’ thing we can notice, like kindness or honesty?”

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2) “Obey Is Better” Beanbag Toss (Games)

Materials: Beanbag (or rolled sock), 6 paper cups/cards labeled: Listen, Obey, Wait, Pray, Blame, Excuses.

Steps:

1. Place cups/cards in a line. Children toss the beanbag.
2. Wherever it lands, read 1 Samuel 15:22 together (short and repeated helps it stick).
3. If it lands on Listen/Obey/Wait/Pray, child names one example this week.
4. If it lands on Blame/Excuses, child says a better choice (example: “Instead of an excuse, I can tell the truth and fix it.”)

Connect to scripture: Samuel taught that the Lord delights in “obeying the voice of the Lord” (1 Samuel 15:22).

Questions:

• “Why do excuses feel easy in the moment?”
• “How does obedience show Jesus is our King?”

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3) “Crown of Choosing Jesus” (Hands-On Crafts)

Materials: Paper strips, crayons/markers, tape/stapler. Optional: small heart cutouts.

Steps:

1. Each child makes a simple paper crown.
2. On the crown, they write 3 short promises beginning with “I will…” (examples: “I will obey,” “I will be kind,” “I will look on the heart.”)
3. Add a small heart drawing to remind them of 1 Samuel 16:7.
4. Take turns wearing the crown and reading one promise aloud.

Connect to scripture: Israel wanted a king “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5), but we choose Jesus to “reign” in our lives (1 Samuel 8:7).

Questions:

• “What does it look like when Jesus is ‘King’ of my choices at recess?”
• “How can my heart help me obey even when friends choose differently?”

Life Application Bridge

Give quick scenarios and let children do thumbs up/down, then explain:

• “A friend is left out, do I follow the crowd or follow Jesus?” (Connect to choosing a different King than “all the nations,” 1 Samuel 8:5.)
• “I broke something and want to hide it, what does obedience look like?” (Connect to “to obey is better than sacrifice,” 1 Samuel 15:22.)
• “Someone looks different, what does the Lord want me to notice?” (Connect to “the Lord looketh on the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:7.)

Testimony Time

Invite children to hold their paper crowns and quietly think: “Which promise on my crown feels most important for me this week?” Then ask:

• “Who wants to share one promise and why it helps you follow Jesus?”

Bear simple testimony using only these truths: I know the Lord can guide His people (1 Samuel 10:1; Articles of Faith 1:5). I know He looks on our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7), and He blesses us as we choose to obey Him (1 Samuel 15:22).

Take-Home Challenge

Ask children to take the crown home and do one “heart check” each day: before bed, choose one question:

• “Did I obey even when it was hard?” (1 Samuel 15:22)
• “Did I look on the heart today?” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Have them be ready next week to share one time they chose Jesus as their King (1 Samuel 8:7).

Teacher Tips

• Keep scriptures moving: For 8–10-year-olds, repeat just two key verses several times (1 Samuel 15:22; 16:7) instead of trying to cover every chapter detail.
• Help quieter kids participate: In the game, allow a child to answer with a partner or simply choose between two examples you offer, so everyone succeeds.