Jesus Without Language

The introduction to John’s gospel can read a little abstract and symbolic for many. Who is this ‘Word’ that John is referring to? What knowledge is John building on, and why does he use this convoluted tone as an introduction to a book about a man who talked of sparrows, sheep, and stone? This retelling looks at the reasons why John started the book with these now famous lines

Main Passage : 1 Samuel 16

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

David lived in the town of Bethlehem with his seven older brothers. One evening, David’s father Jesse told the boys that a great man of God was coming to Bethlehem, the prophet Samuel. Everyone knew that Samuel had the job of choosing the king. He had chosen King Saul. But Saul had disobeyed God, and people thought Samuel was looking for a new king. Then, Jesse told them something even more amazing: Samuel had asked to come to their house. The brothers got super excited and started to talk about what they would do if they were king.

The oldest brother suddenly pulled out his sword, “I’ll be a strong king! Samuel will see that I have my sword ready.” A brother laughed and shouted, “You want to protect, not fight. I’ll take a shield!” By morning prayers the next day, all the brothers stood ready to greet Samuel with their chosen object. Jesse looked at his sons, “Tell me, why do you have all that stuff?”

Starting with the oldest brother, they each showed their father their choice.

“If Samuel sees me with this sword, he will know that I will fight for the people.”
“If Samuel sees me with this shield, he will know that I will protect the people.”
“If Samuel sees I have gold, he will know that I will provide for the people.”
“If Samuel sees how strong I am, he will know that I will rule the people.”
“If Samuel sees me sharing food, he will know that I will feed the people.”
“If Samuel sees me with scripture, he will know that I will pray for the people.”
“If I take nothing, then I shall act like a King; for a king does not give but receive.”

Right on the end of the line stood David. He was not dressed in his house robe but in his work clothes. In his hands was his little harp and his slingshot. When Jesse came to David to ask what he would take, the other brothers laughed. David smiled and said, “Today I take my sling and my harp and go to watch the sheep. I will play songs to the lambs and throw stones at the wolves and bears.” Then he opened the door and headed out. But it wasn’t long before somebody was sent running across the fields to bring him home.

When David got home, the prophet Samuel was waiting for him. “Your sons look like kings,” he said to Jesse, “but God has told me that he does not look at the appearance but the heart. This young boy David may not look like a king now, but God has told me to pour my oil on his head, for he has a good heart and will one day be a great king.’ Everyone was shocked! Seven strong, young men and Samuel chose their smaller, weaker, younger brother. The next day, David went back out to the sheep, but everyone could see God was with him. David did become a king, but that’s another story.

This David Anointed craft is a last minute gift. It’s a simple idea incorporating the key idea of the passage and the oil of anointing.

 
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This worksheet is a lovely little independent activity for the David story and can be completed by a range of age groups. The worksheet ties into the story heavily by matching the fictitious symbols with the brothers of David. The children will need glue & scissors. You may want to reattach the top of the worksheet with tape.

The PDF can be downloaded by clicking on the images.

The hero in this story is the young boy David as he shows his heart for God and is anointed as the future king. The games play on the three ideas of the family traits held by the brothers, the shepherd David, and the revelation of David’s heart.
 

Just like you – This is a simple matching game. Play with a big group by getting into small groups for each round or play in a small group by simply getting into pairs. Once the groups are formed the leader calls out a category and the children have to find something they have in common associated with it. Repeat answers are not allowed. Eg. If the category is green perhaps all the people in the group may have green eyes, if the category is school perhaps they are in the same school year. Good categories are colours, months, places, numbers, & family members.
 

David’s sheep – This is a very silly game for a well controlled group. Have the group choose a person to play David the shepherd. As David goes looking for his sheep he finds other animals. Have David walk round the room calling the various animals he sees ‘here snails’…’here cats’…etc. the children then act out the animal, complete with noises. When David say’s ‘here sheep’ the children have to ‘Baa’ and run to David. The first person there becomes David and the game repeats.
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This is the accompanying images for the story of David’s Anointing. You can run it as a story, as an extra illustration or as a craft. Story post here.
Print out the PDF on paper or card stock. I’ve included 2 versions, one with the objects the brothers chose separately and another with them already included – you only need one set. Do not use photographic or coated paper.

You will also want the story provided to refer to and a tray of dark paint or something to pain with. Add to the printout of David a heart cut from sticky back plastic or clear tape, you can stick this over his heart or face or both. (I used clear parcel tape)

As you tell the story you use these images to illustrate it. Slowly bring out each image at the beginning of the story, allow the children to name the brothers if you wish. If you wish to use the official names they are Eliab, Abinadab, Shimea, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem and we just don’t know the last one. …continue reading

Here are the images you need for the hero’s attributes linked to David Anointed (1 Samuel 16).

Each hero’s page set contains a high quality graphic of the character, a take home bible card and a colouring page.

The images are displayed small here, click on the image you wish to have, then save the image that loads.
(Please note : these images have no watermark but are not copyright free, they are only intended for classroom use.)

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