Keeping Up Appearances
Things aren’t always as they seem
by Manon Ceridwen James (revised, originally published in 2014)
Suitable for Key Stage 3
Aims
To use the Bible story of David to consider that things aren’t always as they seem.
Preparation and materials
- You will need to be familiar with the Bible story that is found in 1 Samuel 16.1-13. It is available at: https://tinyurl.com/2jz9bruh
The story describes how Samuel chose Jesse’s most unlikely son to be the future king of Israel. From it, we learn that God often has different criteria from what humans consider important when it comes to making good decisions.
Assembly
- Tell the students that the theme of today’s assembly is ‘things aren’t always as they seem’.
- Ask the students to think of some occasions when things have been different from how they appeared, and discuss their ideas with those around them.
Examples could include a book that they hadn’t wanted to read, but enjoyed once they started it, or a close friend whom they originally found it hard to click with.
Listen to a range of responses. - Read or retell the story of Samuel and David found in 1 Samuel 16.1-13.
Samuel Anoints David
The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.’
But Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.’
The Lord said, ‘Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.’
Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, ‘Do you come in peace?’
Samuel replied, ‘Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.’ Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’
But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things that people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’
Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ So, he asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’
‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse answered. ‘He is tending the sheep.’
Samuel said, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.’
So, Jesse sent for his youngest son and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; this is the one.’
So, Samuel anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. - In this passage, God told Samuel that David was the one who would be the future king of Israel. Even though David was the youngest son, God had a special job for him: to become the future king! David went on to be a great king, even though he didn’t look as though he could be a king at the beginning - especially compared to his big brothers.
- When Samuel was trying to decide about God’s choice for the future king, God spoke to him and said these words: ‘Man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart.’
What God meant was that although David didn’t look like a king on the outside (because he was so much younger and smaller than his brothers), God could see what David was like on the inside. God could see that David had the qualities that were needed to make a great future king!
Time for reflection
Explain that Christians believe that God sees what we are like on the inside. He sees our potential and knows what we could become, rather than just looking at our outward appearance. With God, things aren’t always as they seem.
Nowadays, people often complain of feeling judged by what they look like on the outside. Social media feeds us images that create unrealistic expectations as to how we should look. The story of David teaches us an important lesson: it’s what’s on the inside that matters most. It is who we are, not what we look like that really matters.
Things aren’t always as they seem!
Prayer
Dear God,
We thank you for surprises in our lives.
Thank you that you look at our hearts and not what we look like.
Thank you that you see the potential in us.
Please help us to see potential in others.
Please help us to be willing to give people a second chance.
Amen.
Song/music
‘I am amazing’ by Philippa Hanna, available at: https://youtu.be/fVNKj0fbMiU (4.21 minutes long)
