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God Looks at the Heart

Kids (ages 4-8) · 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 51:10 · Standard ·35 minutes

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Objective: Children explain that God corrected Samuel's appearance-based judgment and chose David.

Read: 1 Samuel 16:6-13

Opening: Show two closed bags or boxes and ask: Can you know everything inside by looking at the outside?

Say:

Ask:

Do: Use the Outside and Inside Character Cards to separate visible details from character actions.

Close: Pray: God, shape our hearts and help us treat every person with dignity.

Materials: Bible; Two bags or boxes; Outside and Inside Character Cards

Standard outline · 35 minutes

  1. 4 minConnect. Use the opening prompt and invite two or three brief responses.
  2. 4 minContext. Introduce the passage setting, speaker or main characters, and genre in age-appropriate language.
  3. 8 minRead and observe. Read 1 Samuel 16:6-13, pausing at Samuel's assumption, God's correction, and David's arrival. Ask: Why did Samuel first notice Eliab? What contrast does God make in verse 7?
  4. 7 minDiscuss. Create two columns: What Samuel Could See and What God Knew, then discuss the limits of human judgment. Ask: Where was David when Samuel arrived? What can humans judge responsibly?
  5. 8 minActivity. Complete the Outside and Inside Character Cards activity and review what it demonstrates. Activity: Outside and Inside Character Cards. Printable: K1-L13-P01-outside-inside-character-cards.
  6. 4 minRespond. Review the objective, repeat the take-home line, and pray.

Activity details

Outside and Inside Character Cards · 9 min

Materials: Attribute cards; Two headings

  1. Place Visible Detail and Character Action headings.
  2. Sort height, clothes, kindness, truthfulness, and keeping a promise.
  3. Discuss which details reveal worth and which actions can be evaluated.
  4. Repeat that only God knows the heart fully.

Low-resource option: Write examples in two columns.

Closing

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 16:7

Prayer: Ask God to shape truthful, humble hearts and help the group treat people with dignity.

Take-home line: People see the outside, but God knows the heart.