Older Primary Lesson Plan: 1 Samuel 17–18;24–26;2 Samuel 5–7

Opening Connection

Hold up a smooth stone (or a few small rocks). Ask: “If you had to face something scary, like a bully, a hard test, or a big mistake, would you rather have big armor or big faith?”

Explain that today you’ll learn how David’s faith helped him be brave, how he chose peace instead of revenge, and how he asked the Lord for help when he needed direction (1 Samuel 17; 1 Samuel 24; 2 Samuel 5).

Scripture Discovery

Passage 1: David’s courage comes from the Lord (Partner Reading)

Give pairs these verses to read and hunt for a courage phrase:

• 1 Samuel 17:45–47

Then read key lines aloud together:

“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts…” (1 Samuel 17:45) “...for the battle is the Lord’s...” (1 Samuel 17:47)

Ask:

• “What did David trust more than weapons?”
• “What does it mean that ‘the battle is the Lord’s’?”

Passage 2: David chooses self-control (Scripture Listening Signal)

Tell the class: “When you hear the words ‘Lord’s anointed’, touch your heart.” Read:

“The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed...” (1 Samuel 24:6)

Ask:

• “What could David have done?”
• “What did he choose instead?”

Core Gospel Principles

1. Faith in the Lord can give me courage to face hard things. David said, “the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).
2. Godly courage includes self-control. David refused to hurt Saul even when he had the chance (1 Samuel 24:6; see also 1 Samuel 26:9).
3. I can ask Heavenly Father for guidance. David “enquired of the Lord” when he needed help (2 Samuel 5:19, 23).

Interactive Learning Activities

1) “Stone of Faith” Courage Path (Object Lesson + Physical Activities)

Materials: 5 smooth stones (or paper circles), a cup/bowl labeled “In the name of the Lord” Steps:

1. Place stones in a line like stepping-stones across the room.
2. On each stone, tape a paper with a “kid challenge” (examples: “I’m nervous for a test,” “Someone is mean,” “I feel left out,” “I made a mistake,” “I’m scared of the dark”).
3. One at a time, children step across. At each stone, they say one faith sentence starting with: “The Lord can help me when…”
4. When they reach the bowl, everyone says together: “...for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).

Connect to scripture: David faced something huge but trusted the Lord’s power (1 Samuel 17:45–47). Discuss:

• “Which challenge felt like a ‘Goliath’?”
• “How can we ‘come in the name of the Lord’ at school?”

2) “Courage or Jealousy?” Freeze-Frame Charades (Role-Play & Acting)

Materials: Paper slips with roles: David, Saul, Jonathan, Eliab, Goliath Steps:

1. Assign small groups a slip with one person from the story.
2. Each group makes a silent “freeze-frame” pose showing that person’s attitude.
3. Class guesses who it is and labels the feeling: courage, fear, jealousy, love, anger, etc.
4. After each, read one short matching line from the bundle’s listed verses (teacher chooses):

• David: (1 Samuel 17:45–47)
• Saul afraid: “greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11)
• Jonathan’s love: “Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1)

Connect to scripture: Different people reacted differently to the same situation (1 Samuel 17; 1 Samuel 18:1). Discuss:

• “What feeling helps us follow the Lord?”
• “How can we react like Jonathan when someone else does well?”

3) “Ask, Then Act” Guidance Map (Hands-On Crafts)

Materials: Paper, pencils/crayons Steps:

1. Children draw a simple “map” with two paths: My Way and Ask the Lord.
2. On “My Way,” they write what it looks like to rush or guess when they need help.
3. On “Ask the Lord,” they write: “I can pray” and add one action step: “Then I will do what is right.”
4. Read together:

“And David enquired of the Lord...” (2 Samuel 5:19) “And David enquired of the Lord...” (2 Samuel 5:23)

(If time, add the ending line as a class goal:)

“And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him...” (2 Samuel 5:25)

Connect to scripture: David didn’t just ask once, he kept asking, and the Lord sometimes gave a different plan (2 Samuel 5:19, 23). Discuss:

• “What’s something you could ask Heavenly Father about this week?”
• “How can we listen and then ‘do so’?”

Life Application Bridge

Invite children to name one “battle” they face (worries, temptation, friendship drama, being honest, being kind). Write a few on the board. For each one, ask:

• “What would it look like to be brave like David?” (1 Samuel 17:45–47)
• “What would it look like to be peaceful like David with Saul?” (1 Samuel 24:6)
• “What would it look like to ask for guidance like David?” (2 Samuel 5:19, 23)

Help them choose one small, real action for the week (apologize, tell the truth, pray before a decision, include someone).

Testimony Time

Ask: “What part of today helped you feel that the Lord can help you, courage, peace, or guidance?” Invite 2–3 children to share a short thought. Share your testimony that the Lord helps us face hard things as we trust Him, remembering David’s words:

“...for the battle is the Lord’s...” (1 Samuel 17:47)

Take-Home Challenge

Give this simple challenge: “This week, when you face a ‘Goliath moment,’ say a prayer and then do one brave right thing.” Encourage them to remember David “enquired of the Lord” (2 Samuel 5:19) and acted (2 Samuel 5:25).

Teacher Tips

• If children get wiggly, shorten the charades to 3 quick groups and move right into the craft to calm the room.
• For shy readers, do “echo reading”: you read one line of (1 Samuel 17:45–47) and they repeat it together.