Before You Teach
A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.
David faced a very big, scary problem (Goliath), but he trusted the Lord. David also showed kindness and self-control when he did not hurt King Saul. When David became king, he asked the Lord what to do, and the Lord helped him.
Goliath scares Israel’s army, but David says the Lord will help, and David wins. Later, Saul is mean to David, but David spares Saul two different times. When David becomes king, he “enquired of the Lord” and follows the Lord’s directions.
Little children need to feel: “Heavenly Father is stronger than my fears.” Keep it simple: brave choices, kind choices, and praying for help, because the Lord loves them and can help them.
Full Lesson Flow
Use the sections below as a menu. Swap cards and activities to keep the class interactive.
Hold up a smooth stone (or any small rock). Let each child gently hold it for one second.
Say: “This is a ‘brave stone.’ David had stones, and the Lord helped him be brave!”
Ask: “What is something that feels a little scary?” (dark room, loud thunder, first day of school). Keep answers quick.
Use simple actions and 2 props: a paper giant face (Goliath) and the stone.
Tell the story from 1 Samuel 17 in kid words:
Read one important line (slowly, with feeling):
“for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47)
Invite the children to whisper: “The battle is the Lord’s.”
Then act it out: have children march in place like David walking, then gently “toss” an imaginary stone (no throwing real objects).
Ask: “Who helped David?” (The Lord.)
Jesus can help me be brave and choose peace.
(Repeat it often: “Jesus helps me be brave. Jesus helps me choose peace.”)
Activity options
Materials: the paper giant face, the small stone. What to do:
What to say: “David knew something true:”
“for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47)
Connect: “Now let’s move our bodies like brave helpers!”
Materials: the paper giant face, the small stone. What to do:
What to say: “David knew something true:”
“for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47)
Connect: “Now let’s move our bodies like brave helpers!”
Materials: none. What to do:
What to say: “David trusted the Lord. We can trust the Lord too.”
Connect: “Sometimes being brave also means being kind and peaceful.”
Materials: a simple paper crown (for Saul) and a cloth (for David). What to do:
Read David’s words:
“The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:6)
What to say: “David chose peace. Jesus can help us choose peace too.”
Connect: “How do we get help to choose peace? We can ask Heavenly Father!”
Materials: paper circles (badges) or simple crown strips, crayons, stickers. What to do:
Read the phrase from David’s life as king:
“David enquired of the Lord” (2 Samuel 5:19)
What to say: “That means David asked Heavenly Father for help.”
Connect: “Let’s look at a picture to remember!”
Show “David Slays Goliath” (Gospel Art Book).
Ask:
Repeat Big Idea: “Jesus can help me be brave and choose peace.”
Sing “I Will Be Valiant” (Children’s Songbook, 162).
Simple actions:
Gather close and quiet. Hold the stone again.
Say: “David faced something big. The Lord helped him. David also chose peace. Jesus can help us too.”
Invite children to finish one sentence (one or two children is enough):
Gently testify using the scripture words:
“for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47)
This week: When you feel scared, fold your arms and ask Heavenly Father for help. Then give someone at home a hug and choose peace.
