In a world that too often says “appearance is everything”, we are told that God looks beyond what is obvious to see the inner person. We would do well to keep this mind as we look at others, and even in how we see ourselves.
Worship this week with Holy Communion –
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. traditional worship
10:30 a.m. contemporary worship
Education and fellowship hour at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School and adult study
October 20, 2013
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Key Verse: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7
Time: about 1000 BCE
Background: After years of following God with the guidance of judges and prophets, the people became eager to be ruled by a king. God warned them that they did not need a king if they were following God. But the people insisted.
The prophet, Samuel, was appointed by God to anoint a king over Israel. After a failed attempt at choosing Saul to be king, Samuel followed God’s command to find a king among the sons of Jesse. Samuel inspected all of Jesse’s sons except David, the youngest and smallest. Although they were leaders by outward appearance, God was searching for a leader with a pure heart. God chose David to be the next king.
Community: What criteria does your community use to select its leaders? What qualities does it seek? What qualities would God choose? How do they differ? How are they similar?
At Home: Where do you seek guidance? Who or what do you follow? Make a shift this week to follow the ways of the world less, and God’s ways more. Do one thing to open yourself so that God can create in you a clean heart.
Read This Week:
Monday, Oct 21, Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:1-11
Tuesday, Oct 22, David Visits His Brothers, 1 Samuel 17:12-23
Wednesday, Oct 23, David Prepares for Battle, 1 Samuel 17:31-40
Thursday, Oct 24, David Slays Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:41-54
Friday, Oct 25, Solomon Becomes King, 1 Kings 1:28-31
Saturday, Oct 26, Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom, 1 Kings 3:3-15
Next Week: Sunday, Oct 27, Solomon’s Temple, 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13
