YEA Lesson Library
Shepherd Boy
About This Lesson
Using the story of David and Goliath, the student is encouraged to trust God when facing “giants” in his life.
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 7:6
1 Samuel 16:1-13
1 Samuel 17:1-51
Psalm 89:19-20
Isaiah 35:4
1 Corinthians 1:27
1 Corinthians 15:57
2 Corinthians 12:9
Ephesians 6:10
Ephesians 6:10-17
1 Timothy 4:12
Words to Know
HARP - musical instrument with strings
SHEPHERD - a person who tends sheep
SLING SHOT - a pouch attached to two cords, used to throw rocks
The Lesson
God picked Saul to be their king. Saul was a strong soldier. He led the people to fight the Philistines. But Saul did things he shouldn’t do. So God picked a new king for the Israelites.
Do you think a king should be strong? Should he be a soldier? Should he be a man? Well, God doesn’t always do things like you do. God picked a young shepherd boy to be Israel’s king.
Samuel went to young David’s house. He looked at David’s big, strong brothers. But God said no! David was the youngest of eight boys. He watched over his father’s sheep. Surely God didn’t want David. But God said, “Yes. David will be the next king.”
David loved the sheep and he loved to play music on his harp. He wasn’t a fighter. But one day he had the fight of his life.
Saul’s soldiers were fighting the Philistines. A giant, named Goliath, had them all scared. Goliath laughed at Saul’s army. No one wanted to fight him because he was so big.
David said, “I will fight the giant.” They put the king’s armor on David, but it was too big. So David took five smooth stones and a sling shot. Around and around went the sling. Up, up in the air went the stone. Boink! The stone hit Goliath right in his head. Down, down, down went Goliath to the ground. God used a little shepherd boy to kill the great big giant!
Daily Devotions
Sunday - 1 Timothy 4:12
Monday - Deuteronomy 7:6
Tuesday - Psalm 89:19-20
Wednesday - 1 Corinthians 1:27
Thursday - Isaiah 35:4
Friday - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Saturday - 1 Corinthians 15:57
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Tell how David was different from most kings.
2. Explain why Saul’s soldiers were all afraid.
3. Describe what David used for weapons against Goliath.
4. State that nothing is too hard for God.
Topics & Themes
David
God’s Omnipotence
Goliath
Trusting God
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, stickers, music player and CD or tape, songbook, felt, yarn, mouse puppet
Preparation
“God made the human to be dependent longer and to develop more slowly than any other creature. . .” (Teaching Preschoolers by Ruth Beechick). Children depend on their parents for food, shelter, clothing, love, direction, as well as many other things. Teaching them to depend on God to take care of them, to give them strength and wisdom is simply another step in their development.
Goliath was over nine feet tall, so if your room has an eight foot ceiling, explain that Goliath’s head would be higher than the ceiling. Cut felt into 2” x 3” rectangles (one for each child). Cut, or use a hole punch to make a hole in each of the short ends of the felt. Cut heavy yarn into 12” pieces (two for each child).
Review Questions
Have Tiny ask the questions.
1. Why didn’t Samuel pick one of David’s big, strong brothers to be the king?
2. How was David different from most kings?
3. What did David like to do?
4. Why were Saul’s soldiers all afraid?
5. What did David use to fight the giant, Goliath?
6. Who made David strong and not afraid?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Give each child a piece of felt and two pieces of yarn. Have them thread a piece of yarn through each hole. You will probably have to tie the yarn in a knot to make handles for the sling. Holding both pieces of yarn, the children can practice swinging the sling around and over their heads, like David did.
REACH Activity
Letter: D
Words: David, do, down, dead
Sentence: DAVID WATCHED GOLIATH GO DOWN, DOWN, DOWN.
Song
“Little David” is on page 3 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the children in prayer, thanking God for helping little David fight Goliath. Thank Him for His mighty power. Ask God to help the children not to be afraid, but to trust God to protect them:
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for helping little David fight the giant, Goliath. Nothing is too hard for You. You can even use me, even though I am small. Help me trust You to make me strong.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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