Tell the story of David & Goliath based on 1 Sam 17
Can use DVD or get kids to act it out etc. Make it fun and engage the kids in it
The Israelites focused on the Giant
Goliath was a tall, strong man. He was the champion of the Philistines — Israel’s enemy. Day and night, he’d shout threats at the Israelite army. “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.”
Every time Goliath roared, the Israelites were terrified. They forgot that they had a bigger Champion on their side — God.
David focused on God
David focused on the size of His God, not Goliath. He knew that God had already given Him the victory.
When David heard Goliath’s threats, he said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
Goliath said he was defying the “armies of Israel”, but David knew he was really trying to defy the “armies of the living God”.
David told Saul, “Don’t lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him”. David remembered all that God had done for him in the past — when he was faced with the lion and the bear. And he knew that God will go with him to face Goliath.
God gives us the victory!
David didn’t just go into the field with his slingshot and five stones. He went with the Lord, and it was the Lord who gave him the victory.
1 Sam 17:47 “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
David defeated and killed Goliath. The Philistines turned and ran. The Israelites chased them and plundered their camp .
2. LESSON
In this story, we are reminded of what Jesus has done for us.Like David, Jesus:
Was a Shepherd-King
Was our Champion Representative
(David represented the entire nation of Israel; Jesus represented the whole mankind)
Destroyed the enemy
(David destroyed Goliath using Goliath’s own sword; Jesus destroyed Satan using Satan’s own weapon — death)
Has won the victory for us! We are more than conquerors!
(Just like the Israelites plundered the Philistines because of what David did, we can receive all God’s blessings because of what Jesus did on the cross.)
Jesus is bigger than our Giants!
What giants are you facing? Fear of darkness, sickness, bullies etc.
Don’t focus on our giants (problems). Remember, Jesus is bigger than all of the giants in our lives.
When we are afraid or faced with a difficult challenge, always look back to the Cross — where Jesus won the greatest victory of all!
Illustration idea: Paste some mah-jong paper (or the big brown sheets we have) on the wall and draw a large giant silhouette on it. Write down the “giants” the kids mention (or think of a few yourself). Prepare a large red cross and later stick it over the giant to say that Jesus is bigger than our giants.
Memory Verse: 1 Sam 17:47 “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands”
