Curriculum
David and Goliath
Memory Verse:
“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’” 1 Samuel 17:45
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
You’re never too small to follow God’s leading and do big things. David, a small boy, defeated a giant soldier, Goliath, who stood over nine feet tall. God also helps us overcome the “giants” in our lives.
Scripture Summary
Many giants in the Old Testament wreaked havoc on neighboring armies. In fact, it was these giants that made the Israelites afraid to enter the promised land (Numbers 13:32-33). Goliath, a Philistine, towered over everyone at more than nine feet tall. This giant laughed at the Israelites and was confident of the Philistine’s projected victory.
Going into battle cost both sides a tremendous loss of time, energy, and life. In those days, it was common for the two sides of a battle to put forth their strongest soldier to fight on behalf of the entire army. The battle could be quicker and spare lives. Saul, being the tallest and strongest of the Israelite army, could have been pretty nervous. He was Israel’s best chance to defeat Goliath.
For 40 days, the Israelites and Philistines camped on opposite cliffs overlooking a valley. Each side was waiting for the other to make the first move. The first to climb down the cliff, across the valley, and up the opposing cliff would clearly be at a disadvantage.
David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, had just been privately anointed as the next king of Israel. But he was still young and spending his time caring for the family’s livestock while his older brothers fought with Israel’s army. Jesse asked David to go back and forth from home to the army’s camp to replenish his brothers’ supplies and bring back updates from his brothers.
On this visit, David overheard Goliath’s threats and asked soldiers who was going to go and fight. The soldiers were afraid of Goliath, but David focused on his bigger God and offered to go and fight the giant. Instead of wearing King Saul’s armor that was too big and clunky, David gathered five smooth stones and his slingshot. With the first stone, David struck Goliath—sending him unconscious to the ground. With God’s direction and David’s obedience, the Israelites defeated the Philistines.
Why Is This Important
God loves everyone—even the underdog. Even when our circumstances seem impossible, God has a way for us to thrive and follow the next step in His great story.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’ ” (Acts 5:29)
As I laid in bed one morning after snoozing the alarm one too many times, my thoughts began to bombard me. My brain not only thought of the many to-dos outlined for the day, but it also brought up a number of negative thoughts...criticisms I’ve received from others and myself. I’m not good enough. I’m behind. I’ll never measure up. I missed the mark. I’ll need to work harder today…
And I stopped myself.
I invited God into that moment and asked Him what He wanted to say. I wanted His words, and not the voices of others or myself, to set the tone for my day.
We’re not alone when we face criticism. There’s a long line of faithful followers who received questions and judgment from others as they were doing their best to follow God’s leading and direction.
The apostles faced criticism and rejection as they were beginning the new church, yet they continued to focus on God and His plans for His church.
Remember how David received criticism from his brothers, King Saul, and other soldiers? Rather than listening to these people, David believed in our big God—and defeated Goliath.
On this side of heaven, we’ll always deal with criticism. But we don’t need to let it define us or even shift our mood for a day. Let’s commit to listening to God first, through His Word. What does He want to say to us today?
Prayer
Dear God, please help me listen to You above all others today. I’m sure I’ll face many people with many opinions and criticisms. But Your love for me and Your opinion of me are the only things that matter. Thank You for shifting my perspective today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Seven small inflatable beach balls, A permanent marker, Bibles - one per child
Get Ready: Before class, inflate each beach ball “stone,” and write a phrase from today’s memory verse on the beach ball.
“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’ “ 1 Samuel 17:45
Lead kids in these steps:
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to 1 Samuel 17:45.
- Ask for several volunteers to read the verse aloud.
- Assign one child as the director. Their job is to keep their Bible open to the passage and direct the players.
- Each player’s job is to roll a “stone” into a line that reads today’s mem- ory verse.
- Have players take turns rolling so everyone gets a turn and all the words are visible in one direction.
- After they have lined up the stones, read the verse aloud.
- Invite kids to try to line the stones up without the director. Be sure to mix them up before this round.
SAY: Today we’re learning that God gave David the power to defeat a giant. He didn’t need a sword or armor; he simply had five smooth stones and faith in God.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bibles - one per child, “David and Goliath Workbook” handout - one per child, Scissors, Crayons, A stapler
Get Ready: Before class print out the “David and Goliath Workbook” handout for each child. Cut it as directed and staple along the fold line.
Invite the children to open their Bibles to 1 Samuel 17:32-50. Read aloud 1 Samuel 17:32-33, and then pause for kids to color the first page of the workbook with the image of David.
ASK:
- Tell about a time someone thought you were too young to do something.
Read aloud 1 Samuel 17:34-37, and then pause for kids to color the page with the sheep and the bag.
ASK:
- What helps you have confidence in God?
Read aloud 1 Samuel 17:38-39, and then pause for kids to color the page with the armor.
ASK:
- What is something that has weighed you down and kept you from being a strong fighter? (Because this is an abstract concept, give kids an example or two, such as how a disagreement with a friend might keep us from focusing and doing well on an assignment.)
Read aloud 1 Samuel 17:40, and then pause for kids to color the page with the slingshot and stones.
ASK:
- Tell about a time you felt strong.
Read aloud 1 Samuel 17:41-44, and then pause for kids to color the page with Goliath. Encourage kids to think about “Goliaths” in their lives, and re- member God can help them with these people or things.
Read aloud 1 Samuel 17:45-50, and then pause for kids to color the final page.
ASK:
- How can you be more like David when you face your giants?
Snack
Slingshot & Stones Snack
You’ll Need: Paper plates - one per child, Napkins - one per child, String cheese - one and a half per child, Grapes - five per child
Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, and a piece and a half of string cheese.
Have kids follow these steps to make the “Slingshot & Stones Snack”:
- Invite kids to separate their whole piece of string cheese down the middle to about halfway down. Make sure they pull the sides apart.
- Place the half piece of string cheese across the middle of the separat- ed pieces to look like a slingshot.
- Lay five grapes beside their slingshot.
- Enjoy.
ASK:
- If you were going to have to fight a giant, what would you want to use? Why?
- What does God give you to fight giants in your life?
SAY: David didn’t need any fancy armor. It was way too heavy for him. He didn’t need a sword. David had the Lord God Almighty on his side; so he only needed five smooth stones and a slingshot.
Game
Stone Toss
You’ll Need: Gray construction paper - one piece per child, Butcher paper - nine feet long, Markers
Get Ready: Before class, draw an outline of a giant filling up the nine feet long butcher paper. Place the butcher paper on the floor on the other side of the room.
To play “Stone Toss” have kids follow these steps:
- Give each child a piece of gray construction paper.
- Instruct kids to write their name all over the front and the back of the construction paper.
- Guide kids to wad up their construction paper to look like a stone.
- Explain that kids will stand behind a certain line and each will get a chance to throw their stone at the giant on the floor.
- The child’s stone that lands closest to the giant’s head wins.
- Play several rounds, beginning closer and then moving farther away from the giant.
SAY: Today we used paper to throw “stones” at our paper giant so it wasn’t very scary. But imagine that you were David standing in front of a nine-foot tall giant. (Pause.) David may have been way out- matched, but he had God on his side. You also have God on your side. God helps us overcome the “giants” in our daily lives.
Craft
Stone Painting
You’ll Need: Large stones the size of a hot dog bun - one per child, Paint, Paint brushes - one per child, Cups of water for rinsing, Paper plates - one per child, Disposable tablecloths
Get Ready: Cover the tables with disposable tablecloths. Give each child a paper plate and a large stone. Make sure kids paint with their stones on the paper plates to keep the tables cleaner.
Have kids follow these steps to make the “Stone Paintings”:
- Invite kids to decorate their stones to represent today’s lesson. They can paint a picture of what happened, write the five words from the children’s sermon or decorate their stone to share one of their everyday giants.
- After they have finished, invite kids to share their stone paintings.
ASK:
- What will you remember most about today’s lesson?
Prayer
Giant Prayers
You’ll Need: Butcher paper from “Stone Toss” activity, Markers
- Use the giant from the stone toss, or make a new one.
- Invite each child to find a place to sit around the nine-foot giant.
- Instruct kids to write giant prayer requests they have on the paper in front of them.
- Explain that no request is too big or hard for God.
PRAY: Dear God, You are so powerful. We saw Your power on display through David taking down Goliath. We have some giants listed on this paper, too. (Name some giants you read on the giant.) Help us to look to You, trust You, and follow You when we face giants in our daily lives.
