Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults

Listen to this week’s leader training podcast with Y Bonesteele, team leader for The Gospel Project for Adults, for a summary and guidance in leading your group.

This week’s additional resources for study and preparation:

• Article: “Being a Special Nobody” by H.B. Charles Jr.
• Sermon: “Seeing Life from God’s Perspective” by Doug Melton

Transcript of Leader Training Podcast:

Hi, this is Y Bonesteele, team leader of The Gospel Project for Adults. Welcome to another Leader Training podcast. Today we are in Unit 10, Session 4, Foolish Appearances, with the core passage of 1 Samuel 16:1-13, and the key concept of: God always looks at the heart over external qualities. Let’s dive in.

In verse 1, we are reminded of what happened in last week’s session—Saul was rejected as king because he did not fully obey God. In verse 1, we see Samuel mourning this consequence, but God told him to go to Bethlehem as God has already picked out a new king from one of Jesse’s sons. We know that Bethlehem is the home of Naomi, and that Jesse is the grandson of Ruth and Boaz. We know that they are from the line of Judah. The tribe of Judah and the city of Bethlehem will be linked with the Messiah by future prophets. In verse 1 we also see the Lord saying, “I have selected for myself a king from his sons.” God is selecting “for himself” a king—this king is God’s chosen one, unlike Saul whom the people chose to be king like all the other nations.

In response to God’s instructions, however, Samuel was fearful of Saul if perchance he found out a new king was about to be chosen. But God told Samuel to take a cow and go to Bethlehem to sacrifice it, inviting Jesse to the sacrifice, not mentioning anything else about kingly election.

In verse 4, Samuel obeyed God and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of Bethlehem saw him, they “trembled” and asked if he came in peace. Scripture is silent on why they trembled but perhaps they thought he came to judge them in some way, or they trembled in reverence as he was God’s prophet, or they trembled because the last mention of Samuel was his hacking Agag to pieces in verse 15:33.

Samuel told them he came in peace, and they were all to consecrate themselves, including Jesse and his sons as he invited them to the sacrifice. When Samuel saw Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son, he thought he was the one God chose but God rebuked him a little. He told Samuel to not look at appearances or stature, as we normally do for leadership, and as the people did for Saul, who turned out to be disobedient and self-centered. God told Samuel He looks at the heart—people’s character and motives, that which was not visible—and would choose accordingly.

What are some ways we demonstrate that we value external qualities instead of the internal qualities in others? This can be true of how we view pastors or student leaders or business leaders. We sometimes look at their looks and stature and those who look strong and confident, and we assume that they are leader material. Or in the opposite way, we might look as someone scrawny or unattractive in the world’s eyes and think they would be incapable of being a good leader. Our society often looks at external qualities over internal ones as it is a little more difficult for us to see internal qualities unless we’ve had ample time with people. We usually want immediate answers and results so we choose based on appearances instead of what’s inside.

So then, after Eliab was presented before Samuel, and God told him he wasn’t the one,  it was Abinadab and Shammah’s turn, and neither of them were chosen either.

Then in verse 10 Jesse presented seven of his sons and none of them were chosen. Samuel had to ask, “Are these all the sons you have?” in verse 11. Jesse then told of his youngest son who was tending sheep. It’s possible that Jesse also didn’t think David was a possible candidate for king and didn’t even bother to bring him, because of his youth or stature or someone had to be at home working. So David was called and he came and his first description is external: “He had beautiful eyes and a healthy, handsome appearance” in verse 12. This might seem odd in the context of the theme of not looking at external qualities. The original Hebrew words here literally mean “beautiful of eyes” and “ruddy, red in complexion.” Some commentators believe that this is in reference to David possibly being a “pretty boy,” perhaps delicate in nature. He wasn’t the strong, military type that most would think of as king. He was young and beautiful. Thus, when God said, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature,” He knew the people, including Samuel, would try to look for someone like Saul, tall and manly. But God was looking at the heart. So, though David was an unexpected type of king, God had plans for him.

How has God worked in a surprising or unexpected way or through a surprising person in your life? Maybe God gave you a job that wasn’t expected that you initially felt you weren’t equipped for, but it turned out amazing. Maybe God taught you something through someone younger or younger in the faith that surprised you, someone with wise advice that you needed. God often works in ways we don’t expect.

So the Lord told Samuel to anoint David, and he did. Since Saul was still king, there is no mention of why Samuel was anointing David. We, the reader knows, but the people of the time must have wondered what it was for. They only knew that God had chosen him for His service. And right after he was anointed, like what happened with Saul, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in verse 13. But unlike Saul where the Spirit left him (10:14), for David, the Spirit was on him “from that day forward” to do God’s work.

What gifts has the Lord given you that you can use to serve Him through the Holy Spirit? Maybe the gift of teaching, maybe the gift of hospitality, or the gift of service, the gift of evangelism or organization. There are many gifts out there that He gives us.

On to the Group Experience, start with the Arrival idea, bringing to the group a printed picture or one online of an optical illusion that includes a prominent image and a secondary image. Ask, “Why are our eyes drawn to the more prominent image?” Go through the Context and transition with the questions, “What does God see that you do not always see? What does He know that you don’t know?” Clearly, God sees everything and knows everything. And we are limited in our sight and in our knowledge. This reminds us that we need to rely on the Spirit to help us see more than we do and to guide us in righteousness when we can’t fully see all that we need. We thus must trust in God and His Word and His guidance.

As you Recap then, ask, “What details from the Scripture stood out to you from your personal preparation this week?” After discussing, summarize, and head into the Group Activity.

Draw the chart on the board or direct your group to the chart in the Personal Study Guide on page 44. First, have a volunteer read 1 Samuel 16:1-6. Looking at verse 1 then, ask, “How did God respond to Samuel’s grief?” Now remember that Israel thought Saul would be a good king because he was impressive and tall, seen in 9:2. And when God rejected him, Samuel’s understanding was limited so he grieved knowing Saul wouldn’t be king. But God responded by telling him to stop mourning and go to Bethlehem as He had already chosen a new king. Then ask, “Why did Samuel assume God had chosen Eliab?”  Samuel being led to Jesse’s family, thought Eliab was the chosen one because he was the oldest and of good stature. Again human perspective looks at how the world chooses leaders.

Then have someone read 1 Samuel 16:7-13.  Now it’s time to fill out the chart. Under Human Perspective then, you can write: Human perspective is limited. We judge by appearance and often are wrong. We choose likely candidates like strong and impressive people, like how Israel chose Saul. And when plans change, we can’t see God at work so we grieve.

Then ask, “What would be your expectations for a king?” Probably the same, looking for a good resume and someone who looks the part. Also ask, “Why as humans are we drawn to people who have a stately, powerful appearance?” Probably because that’s what we’ve been trained to think through the media, like movies and ads. Our eyes are drawn to the strong and beautiful too. We sin through our eyes and our flesh. We sadly follow the ways of the world at times. “What does that say about our expectations for leaders?” Many times we follow people who are strong and beautiful or have lots of charisma. It’s hard for us to see the heart so we don’t always take the time to invest in seeing what God sees or ask God to help us to see as He does.

So now, fill out the God’s Perspective side identifying qualities of the heart for a leader God would choose. The Lord looks at the heart. Someone who is devoted to him and whose heart is after God. He is looking for a passionate, child-like faith, that follows Him wholeheartedly.

Follow the instructions on Discuss at the top of page 56, discussing that when Jesus walked on earth, people were not drawn to Him because of an impressive appearance, you can reference Isaiah 53:2 if desired. Then ask: “What does this say about the importance of physical appearance to God?” God doesn’t care. What we see with our eyes, what is visible is irrelevant to God as He will look at faith and character and motives. Invite your group to consider what could have happened if Samuel failed to listen to God when God revealed His choice for a new king. It would’ve been a disaster and failure. When we don’t listen to God and His guidance, our plans will fail.

Summarize with the key concept in mind and ask the Debrief questions: What does this passage teach about making assumptions regarding God’s plan based on what we see? We should seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance through prayer and Scripture, with the help of trusted, faithful friends when we are seeking God’s plans. We should never assume anything merely on what’s visible. We should try to see with God’s eyes and the heart behind all things, plans, and people.

“What are some ways we can be more attentive to God’s perspective for our lives?” As we daily cultivate our relationship with Christ through prayer, Scripture, obedience, faith, and a tender heart, that will help us be more attentive to God’s perspective for our lives. We must always remember that God is beyond us and cannot be put in a box. He works in ways we can’t always understand so knowing that can help us see His perspective when what we expect doesn’t come to fruition.

Head into the Head, Heart, Hands section, focusing on the Heart question if time is limited: Ask your group to quietly reflect on the question, “What sins might you be harboring in your heart that are undermining your service to God?” Since God looks at the heart, He already knows our sins but desires that we confess to Him and ask for forgiveness. Give people time to reflect quietly or write in their own notebook the answer.

For Next Steps, the first bullet point says read Isaiah 53:2, but actually, have your group change that to all of chapter 53. That whole chapter reminds us that Christ was no one impressive to look at but He sacrificed it all for us, “He was despised and rejected” in verse 3, yet He “carried our pains” verse 4, and “we are healed by His wounds” in verse 5. Christ gave His life for us that we may have life everlasting. And though He died on that cross, nothing is what it seems when it comes to God’s plans. His plan had Jesus resurrecting to life that we can be forgiven of sin.

Go through the other Next Steps as options for the week, then ask for prayer requests as well. End with reading and praying through Psalm 26:1-3 if time permits, “Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. 3 For your faithful love guides me, and I live by your truth.”

Hey, thanks again for joining me on another Leader Training podcast. Send comments and questions to [email protected] and have a great group time!