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

Happy Opening

Hold up a simple paper crown (or a pretend crown made from paper).

Say: “Who wears a crown?” Let them answer. Then say: “Today we learn that Jesus can be our King!”

Have everyone do a quick “King Pose”: stand tall, hands on head like a crown, then put hands on heart.

Simple Scripture Story

Tell the story with actions:

1. Israel wants a king. Say: “The people said, ‘We want a king!’” (have children march in place like soldiers). Read this short part:

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

Explain simply: “The Lord wanted to be their King and help them.”

2. Saul is chosen. Pretend to pour oil on someone’s head (just mime). Say: “Samuel anointed Saul.” Read:

“Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head… and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?” (1 Samuel 10:1)

Then act out Saul hiding (children crouch and cover their faces). Read:

“And when they sought him, he could not be found.” (1 Samuel 10:21) “Therefore they enquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.” (1 Samuel 10:22)

3. The Lord chooses David. Hold up a heart cutout. Say: “God looks at our hearts!” Read:

“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: “Where does Heavenly Father look?” (Point to heart.)

Big Idea

Jesus is my King, and Heavenly Father looks at my heart. (Repeat it together 2–3 times during the lesson.)

Wiggle and Learn Activities

1) Object Lesson: “Outside or Heart?”

Materials: 2 small snack containers or paper bags, one plain outside with a yummy snack inside; one fancy outside with something boring inside (like plain crackers). What to do:

1. Show both. Ask: “Which one looks best?”
2. Let them choose, then reveal what’s inside.
3. Point to the heart cutout. What to say: “Sometimes we look at the outside. But God looks at our heart!” (1 Samuel 16:7) Connection: “Now let’s play a heart-looking game!”

2) Game: “Heart Hunt”

Materials: Paper hearts taped around the room; each heart has a simple phrase you’ll read: “Be kind,” “Share,” “Pray,” “Help,” “Obey.” What to do:

1. Have children tiptoe to find one heart.
2. When they bring it back, you read it aloud and they act it out quickly. What to say: “These are heart choices. Jesus is our King, He helps us choose good!” (1 Samuel 8:7) Connection: “Let’s make our own heart to take home!”

3) Hands-On Craft: “My Heart for Jesus”

Materials: Paper heart for each child, crayons, stickers (optional). What to do:

1. Children color a heart.
2. Help them add one simple promise: draw a praying child, sharing hands, or a happy face helping. What to say: “Heavenly Father looks at your heart. He loves you.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Connection: “Now we’ll use our bodies to remember: ‘to obey is better’!”

4) Music & Movement: “Obey Freeze”

Materials: None. What to do:

1. Children march while you say, “Obey, obey!”
2. When you say “STOP,” everyone freezes and puts a hand on their heart.
3. Repeat 2–3 times. What to say (teacher reads):

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22) Explain: “Obeying is very important to Jesus, our King.”

Picture Time

Show “The Prophet Samuel Anoints David to Be King of Israel in Bethlehem” (Gospel Art Book).

Ask:

• “What do you see Samuel doing?”
• “Who does God choose?”
• “Where does Heavenly Father look?” (Let them point to their heart and say: “My heart!”)

Song and Actions

Sing “Love One Another” (Children’s Songbook, 136).

Simple actions:

• “Love one another” → hug self
• “As I have loved you” → point up (to Jesus)
• “By this shall men know” → point to heart
• “Ye are my disciples” → hold hands with a neighbor (or pretend if they prefer space)

Tie-in line: “When we love, our hearts are like Jesus.”

Jesus Loves Me Moment

Gather close. Hold the paper crown and a heart.

Say: “Today we learned: Jesus is my King, and Heavenly Father looks at my heart (1 Samuel 8:7; 16:7).”

Invite a few children to finish one sentence:

• “I can be like Jesus when I ______.”
• “Jesus loves me when I try to ______.”

Take-Home Hug

Send them with their paper heart and invite: “This week, show Jesus is your King by doing one heart choice, share or help someone at home.”

Teacher Survival Tips

• Keep each activity 2–4 minutes. If attention slips, jump to the song or the freeze game.
• Give “tiny jobs” to helpers (hold the crown, hand out hearts, point to the picture).
• If children get wiggly, repeat the Big Idea with motions: hands like a crown, then hands on heart.