In this lesson, children learn that God knows exactly where we are and chooses the people He wants to use, even when we feel small or lost. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God knows where we are, and He can use us to do good things, even when we feel small.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 9:16
“Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.”
(WEB)
Ask the children to stand tall and point to the sky with one hand on each word of the verse as you say it together. Then have them sit down slowly, like a donkey lying down to rest. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: 1 Samuel 9 for Kids
A young man named Saul lived in the tribe of Benjamin. He was tall and strong, taller than anyone else in Israel. One day, Saul’s father, Kish, lost some of his donkeys. He called to Saul and said, “Take a servant and go find them.”
Saul and his servant walked over hills and through many towns. They looked everywhere, but the donkeys were nowhere to be found. Saul began to worry that his father would stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about him instead. So he said, “Let us go home.”
The servant had an idea. “There is a man of God in this town named Samuel. People say everything he tells them comes true. Maybe he can tell us where to look.” Saul asked, “But what can we give him? Our bread is gone.” The servant said, “I have a small piece of silver. We can give him that.”
As they walked into the town, they met some young women carrying water. They asked, “Where is the seer?” The women pointed up the hill and said, “He is right in front of you! Hurry, because he is going up to a special meal today.” Saul and his servant hurried along.
When Saul reached the gate, Samuel was already there. God had told Samuel the day before that a man from Benjamin would come. God said, “This is the man I have chosen to lead my people.” Samuel looked at Saul and heard God say, “That is him.”
Samuel said to Saul, “Do not worry about your lost donkeys. They have been found. And God has something special for you.” Saul was surprised and said, “Why are you talking to me like this? I come from a very small family.” But God had already chosen him, and Samuel was ready to share that news.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 9:3-4
3 The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, “Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go look for the donkeys.” 4 He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they weren’t there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them.
(WEB)
Point out how Saul and his servant kept searching, even when it seemed like they would never find the donkeys. Ask the children what it feels like to keep trying when a job is hard. Remind them that persistence is a good quality to have.
1 Samuel 9:17
When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! He will have authority over my people.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God spoke directly to Samuel and pointed out Saul before Saul even knew it. Explain that God sees each person clearly and knows what each one can do. Let the children share a time they felt God was guiding them.
1 Samuel 9:21
Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?”
(WEB)
Point out that Saul felt small and said he was from the smallest family. Explain that God does not judge us by how big we feel or how important others think we are. Encourage children that God can use anyone who trusts Him.
Talk About It
- What did Saul and his servant do when they could not find the donkeys?
- How did God let Samuel know that Saul was the man God had chosen?
- Why do you think Saul said he was from a small family and not important?
- What is something you have lost before, and how did you feel while looking for it?
- How can you tell that God is with you when you feel small or unsure?
Activity Ideas
Donkey Hunt Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper and crayons. Ask them to draw a map of a place they know well, like their house or a park, and hide a small paper donkey somewhere on it. Then have them trade maps with a partner and find the donkey. Talk about how looking carefully and not giving up helps us find what we are looking for.
Stand Tall Game
Play a simple game where children take turns standing on a chair while the others guess something about them. Each child then says one thing God can do with a small person. This movement idea helps children feel the message that God can use anyone, big or small. Use any sturdy chairs in the classroom.
Take-Home Silver Coin
Give each child a coin or a small paper circle to take home. On one side, have them write “God knows where I am.” On the other side, ask them to draw one way they can help someone this week. Encourage families to talk about the coin at dinner or bedtime, reminding children that God can use them every day.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God sees people clearly and chooses them for His purposes, often in ordinary moments like a lost-animal search. For adults, it reminds us that God’s plans can unfold through everyday tasks and that He does not need someone to be impressive to use them. Saul’s humility here is a gentle example of how God works through those who may not feel ready.
Avoid suggesting that children will become leaders or be chosen for something big just because they are good. The story is about God’s sovereign choice and faithfulness, not a formula for success. Keep the focus on God knowing and guiding us, not on rewards for obedience.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You know exactly where we are and see us clearly. Help us to trust You even when we feel small or lost. Show us how You want to use us today to help others. Amen.
