Golden Text
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1, BSB) · Read in the Bible
God sent Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, to anoint a new king. Seven sons passed before Samuel, but Father God did not choose any of them. The chosen one was the youngest — David, a little shepherd who took care of his father's sheep. God looks at the heart, not the appearance, and saw in David a kind and obedient heart.
After finding out that Saul lost his crown for being disobedient, the children will want to know: "And now, who is going to be the new king?" Father God's answer is surprising — He did not choose the tallest, or the strongest, or the oldest. He chose a little shepherd who took care of sheep in the field! This lesson is full of surprise and affection, because it teaches a beautiful truth: Father God looks at the heart.
Bring a cotton ball to class. Place it in each child's hands and ask: "What little animal has wool as soft as this?" — the sheep! And the boy who took care of his daddy's sheep became the most famous king in the Bible. Shall we learn this story?
The story: Father God chooses David
Remember that Saul disobeyed Father God? Because of that, God decided that Saul would no longer be king. He called Samuel and said: — Take olive oil and go to the town of Bethlehem, to the house of a man named Jesse. I have chosen one of his sons to be the new king!
Samuel was a little bit worried: — But what if Saul finds out and gets angry?
Father God answered: — Do not worry! I will tell you what to do. You will anoint as king the one I show you.
Samuel obeyed and went to Bethlehem. There at Jesse's house, he began to meet his sons. The first to appear was Eliab, the oldest. Samuel looked at him and thought: "Surely it is this one! He is so strong and handsome!" But Father God spoke very softly in Samuel's heart: — It is not this one. I do not look at the appearance. I look at the heart.
Then came the second son, Abinadab. Could it be him? No! Father God said: "I have not chosen this one either." Then came the third, Shammah. Not him either! Shall we count together how many have passed by? One, two, three… Four, five, six, seven sons passed before Samuel — and Father God did not choose any of them!
Samuel was surprised and asked daddy Jesse: — Do you not have any more sons?
Jesse answered: — Yes, I do! The youngest is out in the field, taking care of the sheep. His name is David.
— Send for him! — said Samuel.
When David arrived — a handsome, healthy young boy who loved Father God — God spoke to Samuel: — He is the one! Pour the olive oil on his head.
Samuel took a horn full of olive oil and poured it on David's head. From that moment on, the Spirit of God was with David in a special way. He would be the new king!
And do you know why Father God chose David? Because David had a kind and obedient heart. He talked with God, sang to God, and played the harp in a beautiful way. David was also brave — he took care of his daddy's little sheep and protected them from danger.
❤ For the child's heart. Father God does not look at whether you are big or small, strong or weak. He looks at your heart! God wants you to have a kind, obedient heart full of love — just like David's heart. You are very special to Father God, just the way you are.
Christ in the Lesson
David was a shepherd who took care of his father's sheep — and one day, Jesus presented Himself as the Good Shepherd who takes care of all His sheep (John 10:11). David was born in Bethlehem — and it was in Bethlehem that Jesus was born, centuries later. David was anointed with olive oil — Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit. The story of David points to Jesus at every step! And the verse of this lesson — that the LORD is our shepherd and we lack nothing (Psalm 23:1) — finds its full answer in Christ: He is the Shepherd who gave His own life for His sheep. When the children learn that "Father God looks at the heart," they are learning something that Jesus taught His whole life: what truly matters is what is inside us, not the outward appearance (Matthew 23:26).
Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You because You know us on the inside — You look at our heart and love us just the way we are. Help each child to be like David: kind, obedient, and full of love for You. Thank You for Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who takes care of us and never leaves us alone. In Jesus' name, amen.
Soli Deo Gloria — Scripture governs; everything else, on its knees.
Frequently asked questions about this lesson
Why did Father God choose David to be king?+
Because David had a kind and obedient heart. The Bible teaches that God does not look at the outward appearance, but looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). While everyone thought the chosen one would be one of the older and stronger brothers, God had already set apart the youngest brother — a simple little shepherd who loved Father God.
How to tell the story of the choosing of David to 3- to 4-year-old children?+
Build suspense! Tell them that Samuel saw Jesse's first son and thought, 'It must be this one!', but God said, 'No.' Repeat this with several brothers — children love repetition and get eager to find out who the chosen one will be. Use a cotton ball to represent the sheep and ask: 'Who took care of the sheep?' When you say 'David!', celebrate with the class.
What craft activity does the quarterly suggest for this lesson?+
Making a sheep mask. The teacher brings the masks already cut out of poster board and hands out cotton for the children to pull apart, roll into little balls, and glue onto the mask. It is a great fine motor skills exercise (pincer grasp). While they work, talk about the care of the Good Shepherd. Attach an elastic band to the sides so the child can wear it on their face.
What is the memory verse for Preschool Lesson 3?+
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1). To memorize it, draw a fluffy sheep on poster board and write the verse on it. Show the visual aid and repeat it until the children can say it on their own. Explain that Jesus is our Shepherd — He takes care of us and never lets us lack anything we need.
Teacher's Guide
Welcome. As you greet each child, ask them to close their eyes and place a cotton ball in their hands. Ask: "What little animal has wool as soft as this?" When they answer "the sheep!", say: "You are one of Jesus' little sheep! He is your Shepherd and takes care of you." This sensory activity captures their attention right from the start.
Praise. Sing a song about the Good Shepherd or about God's care. Use gestures: imitating sheep, hugging yourself (God's care), pointing to heaven. The song "Deus cuida de mim" is a good option.
Verse (Psalm 23:1). Draw a very fluffy sheep on poster board and write the Bible verse with the reference. Read it from the Bible first. Explain: "The Lord Jesus is our Shepherd. He takes care of us and does not let us lack anything we need." Show the visual aid and repeat until the children can say it on their own.
Bible story (1 Samuel 16). Use the pictures from the quarterly and build suspense in the storytelling. Each time one of Jesse's sons is presented and is not the chosen one, the children grow more curious. Count on your fingers with the class: "One, two, three…" up to seven. When David is finally called, celebrate with the class: "It was the little shepherd of the sheep! Father God chose him because his heart was kind and obedient!"
Activity: Sheep mask. Bring sheep masks already cut out of poster board. Hand out cotton for the children to pull apart into small pieces, roll into little balls, and glue onto the mask — it is a great fine motor skills exercise (pincer grasp). While they work, talk about the care of the Good Shepherd. Attach a thin elastic band to the sides of the mask so that each child can wear it on their face.
Student activity. Hand out the quarterlies, pencils, and colored pencils. Guide the children in coloring the pictures of the sheep. Say: "We are Jesus' little sheep, and He protects us and helps us." In the other activity, ask them to draw and color the house where David and his family lived.
Prayer. Thank God for the class: "Father God, thank You because You look at our heart. Help each child to have a kind and obedient heart. Thank You for Jesus, our Good Shepherd. In His name, amen." As you pray, mention each student's name.
Wrap-up. Reinforce that we need to treat people with love, regardless of their appearance. Give simple examples. Say goodbye to the children with joy and a warm hug, telling them that next Sunday we are going to meet Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived!
