David defeats Goliath with God’s help
key words
bible reference
1 Samuel 17:17-49
lesson objective
To enable the children to know that God helps them face difficult situations.
memory verse
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
In the previous lesson, we saw how God chose a new king for his people. Through the story of David, we will learn that the Lord looks after his servants and provides them with what they need.
David was the youngest son of Jesse. He divided his time between caring for his father’s sheep and serving in the court of King Saul.
During this time, clashes between the Israelite and Philistine armies were frequent. Territorial and power struggles led them to face each other in bloody battles. During one of those battles, young David was at his father’s house, guarding the flock, while three of his brothers fought as soldiers of King Saul, whose army was going through a serious crisis.
Jesse, David’s father, ordered him to take some food to his brothers. It was there that David had the opportunity to demonstrate why God had chosen him as the future king of Israel.
Instead of panicking like everyone else, young David, filled with the power of God, confronted the enemy who insulted the chosen people of the Lord.
David did not go to battle with heavy armor or dangerous weapons. He trusted in the help and protection of God.
adaptation
On many occasions, when we face great problems, we feel overwhelmed and frightened. We think there is no solution. However, today’s story teaches us that when we trust in God, we receive strength and security even in the most terrible struggles.
As a teacher/ children's discipler, you have the responsibility to instill that confidence in your children. Preschoolers face a world unfamiliar to them. Most of them start going to school and go through situations that are out of their control. Young children have the need and the natural desire to receive care and protection. There are many things that they cannot do by themselves. That is why this story, in which God helps David to fight against the giant Goliath, is ideal to instill confidence. Emphasize that although they do not always have the protection and the support of their parents, God can help and protect them at all times.
introduce the lesson
Food supplies
For this activity, you will need cut outs or drawings of some foods, empty and clean food containers, and some kitchen utensils.
Put the materials on a table and invite the children to prepare an imaginary lunch. As they do, tell them that today’s story tells us something very important that happened when David brought food to his brothers.
Planning ahead
During the week, draw a figure representing Goliath on a large piece of paper. You can use an example from a book of biblical illustrations or the children’s activity book. Also draw a smaller figure that represents David.
Use these figures during the lesson. If time and resources allow, draw a simple scenario for the development of the story.
teach the lesson
Use this activity to help the children better understand the message.
Scary faces!
Gather the children in a circle and tell them: At the count of ‘one, two, three’, everyone should make a scary face. Repeat the activity several times. Then ask them to sit on the floor. Tell them that the story is about soldiers who were very scared by a giant named Goliath.
David confronts Goliath
David was a little shepherd who took care of his father’s sheep.
One day David would be the king of Israel, but the current king was Saul. Three of David’s older brothers were soldiers in Saul’s army and were fighting the Philistines.
David’s father Jesse told David to go to the soldiers’ camp to take food to his brothers.
David was very excited because he would be close to the battle. When he arrived, he realized that all the soldiers were scared. The reason was that the Philistines had a giant named Goliath in their army.
Goliath was very tall and strong. Everyone feared him. Everyone that is except David. He knew that God was stronger than Goliath and any or all giants.
David appeared before King Saul and said, “I will fight against Goliath.”
“But you’re just a young man,” Saul replied.
David trusted that God would give him victory and convinced the king to let him fight.
King Saul loaned him his armor, but it was too large and heavy for the small shepherd boy. Then David picked up five stones from the river and put them in his bag. Then he went to the front of the battle where Goliath was waiting.
When the giant saw the boy, he began to laugh and said: “You cannot fight against me. You are too small!” But David, filled with the power of God, went to the giant. Then he took a stone, put it in his sling and began to swing it with great force. When he threw it, the stone flew and hit Goliath’s head - and he collapsed to the ground. Everyone in King Saul’s camp was happy, and the enemy army ran away scared. God gave David victory over the giant, and he can help you overcome your fears too.
connect the lesson
What’s the difference?
Hand out Student Activity Sheet #58 and pencils. Give children time to write their name and trace the word of faith of this unit. Tell them: “God is always willing to help us overcome our fears.”
Ask: “In what way did God help David?” (Allow them to respond.)
Hand out scissors and help those who have difficulty trimming the three rectangular frames. Connect and tape or glue the two pieces that form the figure of Goliath by joining sections A and B.
Have the children color the two figures. Then help them fold the figure of Goliath into an accordion shape (see the example). Compare the size of the two figures and ask them: “Who was bigger and stronger, David or Goliath? Do you think David was afraid to fight against this giant?” (Allow them to respond.) Then say: “David knew something that Goliath did not know. He was sure that God was more powerful than all the people in the world. David trusted in God and in his help. We can also trust that God cares for us and helps us when we feel fear.”Encourage the children to take home their activity sheets and share today’s lesson with their family and friends.Did you think ahead about planting seeds?
Because this lesson and the next few lessons talk about David growing up and developing as a king, did you consider the group planting some flower or vegetable seeds and to watch them grow for the next few weeks? If you began this activity in the last session, provide an update to the children. Be sure to continue thinking ahead to Lesson 9 and prepare to include this. Keep in mind your group’s particular circumstances. Care for the growth of the seeds/ plants.
practice the memory verse
Form a line with your children and guide them to walk around the room. Tell them that when the line stops, everyone will say the memory verse out loud. Repeat this exercise until they have reviewed the text at least three times.
wrap-up
Pray
Spend a time of prayer in which the children express their requests and intercede for each other. Since preschoolers are learning to pray, it is important that they understand the importance of speaking with God.
Encourage
Encourage the group to trust God when they feel afraid. Finish the session with a song that goes along with the story.
Invite
Say something interesting about the next session and invite the children to attend.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™