The Calling of David

Series Title: Not Too Young

Week 1: You're Not Too Young

Big Idea:

God doesn't wait for you to "grow up" to use you. You're valuable and called—right now.

Scripture Focus:

1 Timothy 4:12 — “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young…”

TEACHING

Have you ever been told you were too young for something?

Maybe someone told you straight up:

“You’re not old enough to do that.”

Or maybe they didn’t say it out loud… but they made you feel that way. Like you weren’t ready. Like your voice didn’t matter yet.

I get it. I’ve been there.

When I was growing up, I was the youngest in my whole group of cousins for a long time. I’ve got an older brother, and then a much younger sister and brother. So for years, whenever my extended family got together, I was the baby of the group.

And they let me know it.

There were times they left me out. Times I felt like I was too young, too annoying, or just not welcome in their games or conversations.

And I’ll be real—it didn’t feel great. Nobody likes being told—or shown—that they’re “too young” or “not enough.”

Sometimes that even happens in church.

Maybe someone made a comment like:

“It’s just the youth group.”

“They’re only students.”

It might not seem like a big deal, but it can make us feel small. Like we don’t really matter yet. Like we’re in some kind of waiting zone until we’re adults.

But that’s not how God sees you. Not even close.

God sees you. God values you. God uses young people.

That’s what this series is all about. As we finish out the school year, we’re going to look at stories in the Bible of young people—just like you—who God used to do amazing things. And it’s not because they had it all together. It’s because they trusted God and stepped up, even when others thought they were too young.

Let’s talk about someone you’ve probably heard of before—David.

David is one of the most famous people in the entire Bible. Here’s what you might know about him:

He defeated a giant named Goliath.

He became king over all of Israel.

He made Jerusalem the capital and a holy city.

He’s called “a man after God’s own heart.”

Yeah—pretty legendary.

But David didn’t start out with all that power and influence. Actually, his first job was pretty low on the scale.

He was a shepherd. And in that culture, being a shepherd wasn’t exactly impressive. It was dirty, smelly, lonely work. Not the kind of job that would land you on a “Most Likely to Be King” list.

But here’s the twist:

God had bigger plans for David.

If you’ve got your Bible (or Bible app), go ahead and turn to 1 Samuel chapter 16. It’s in the Old Testament—closer to the beginning if you’re still getting familiar with where things are.

At this point in Israel’s story, there’s already a king named Saul. But Saul had a big problem: he kept disobeying God. And eventually, God said enough was enough.

So God goes to a man named Samuel—who’s basically the spiritual leader and prophet of Israel at the time—and tells him this:

“You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” (1 Samuel 16:1)

God’s about to choose a new king—and He’s looking in a surprising place. Not in a palace. Not at a military camp. Not among famous leaders.

He sends Samuel to a regular family in a small town.

This is the beginning of David’s story—and it shows us something powerful:

God sees potential where others only see ordinary.

God sees potential—but sometimes people don’t.

Even the best people can get it wrong. Take Samuel, for example. He’s literally God’s prophet. And yet… even he makes a snap judgment based on appearances.

When Samuel shows up at Jesse’s house to find the next king, he starts checking out the sons one by one.

And the first son he sees? Eliab.

Samuel looks at him and goes, “Yep. This has to be the one.”

“Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” (v. 6)

Why? Because Eliab looked the part. He was tall, strong, probably confident—basically a sigma giga chad (if you know, you know).

And honestly, it made sense to think that way. Their culture, like many today, gave special attention and importance to:

The firstborn

The strongest

The most outwardly impressive

But here’s what God says back:

“Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (v. 7)

Whoa. That’s huge.

God is reminding Samuel—and us—that He sees differently.

Where people focus on the outside,

God focuses on the inside.

Where we often value the popular, powerful, or put-together,

God values the heart—who you really are when no one’s watching.

And that means something incredibly encouraging for you:

You don’t have to look a certain way, be the oldest, or be the loudest for God to see greatness in you.

So get this—Samuel goes down the whole line of Jesse’s sons. Seven sons. Each one walks in, and Samuel’s like, “Maybe this is the guy!” But time after time, God’s like, “Nope. Not him.”

At this point Samuel’s probably thinking,

“How many sons does this dude have?!”

And finally, he just asks:

“Are these all the sons you have?”

And Jesse’s like:

“Well… there is the youngest. But he’s out watching the sheep and goats.”

Translation:

“There’s still David, but… he’s just the kid. You don’t really need to see him.”

Oof. David didn’t even get invited to the party.

And yet—that’s the one God chose. As soon as David walks in, God tells Samuel:

“This is the one. Anoint him.”

So Samuel pours the oil over David’s head right there in front of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord comes powerfully upon him.

That’s wild.

David was overlooked, left in the field, forgotten—because he was the youngest. Even though we’re told he was actually a good-looking dude (“beautiful eyes,” the Bible says), he wasn’t even considered king material by his own family.

But here’s the key truth:

❗️David was an afterthought to his family—but not to God. ❗️You may be young, but you’re not an afterthought to God either.

God knew David. God called David. And God used David—powerfully.

And this is just one story of how God uses young people in Scripture. There are more. And they all remind us of one thing:

📣 Age doesn’t disqualify you from being used by God.

People might look at you and say, “You’re just a student…” But God looks at you and asks,

“Do you have a heart for Me?”

Because if your heart beats for God—if you love Him and want to follow Him—He can use you. He wants to use you.

God doesn’t limit His calling based on age. He doesn’t look at your grade level or your birthdate. He looks at your heart.

And honestly? That’s totally different from the way the world works.

Most people think youth means inexperienced, immature, not ready yet. But God says something radically different.

Just look at what Paul wrote to Timothy, a young leader in the early church:

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

That flips the script.

Instead of waiting for adults to set the example, Paul tells Timothy:

“You set the example.”

That’s not what most people expect. Usually it’s like: “Hey kid, learn from the adults.” But God is saying:

“Hey student, live in a way that inspires even the adults.”

You don’t have to wait until you’re older to live for God.

You can live it out right now—in what you say, how you treat people, how you love, how you trust God, and how you pursue a pure life.

How many of you go to Oconomowoc High School?

There’s a student-led Bible study that meets there. And honestly? It’s incredible.

They didn’t wait for a youth pastor. They didn’t wait for a teacher. They didn’t wait to be “old enough.” They just did it—because they believed God could use them now.

Those students know something important: Just like David, they understand that God cares more about your heart than your age, your platform, or your popularity.

They are setting the example right where they are.

And guess what? You can too.

But Before You Make a Difference… You Need to Know Jesus

Before you can go out and do big things for God, you have to know the One who gave everything for you.

His name is Jesus.

He’s the Savior of the world. The God who created everything—including you.

He saw a world broken by sin—people who had turned away from God—and instead of staying far off,

He stepped in.

Jesus laid down His life, taking on a criminal’s death on the cross… not because He had to, but because He loves you.

He died to bring you back to God. And then three days later, He rose again—defeating death forever.

Because of that—because of the cross and the empty tomb—you’re not just forgiven… You’re made new.

And that’s why you can be used by God.

But maybe you’ve felt like David—overlooked, underestimated, like you’re “just a kid.”

But tonight, I want you to hear this loud and clear:

God doesn’t look at your age. He looks at your heart.

And before He ever asks you to do something for Him, He invites you to know Him—to have a real relationship with Jesus.

So here’s the question I want you to think about:

Do you know Him?

Not just know about Him… but know Him as your Savior, your Lord, your King?

Because Jesus gave everything for you. He died for your sin, rose from the grave, and is offering you forgiveness, freedom, and new life tonight.

If you’ve never made that decision—if tonight is the night you want to say,

Final Thought

Jesus gave everything for you first—so now, you can give your life back to Him.

No matter your age, your story, or your struggles: You’re not too young. You’re not too late. And you’re definitely not an afterthought.

You are loved. You are called. And you are ready.