David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17:1-51

The Philistines were enemies of God.  Their army came to fight King Saul’s army.  A giant soldier named Goliath yelled, “Bring out your best soldier to fight me!”

“If your strongest soldier defeats me, we will be your slaves!”  he boomed.  “If I defeat him, you will be our slaves!”  King Saul’s soldiers were afraid.  They did not want to fight the giant.

Meanwhile, young David was taking food to his brothers.  They were soldiers in King Saul’s army.  When David reached the camp, he saw Goliath.

David heard the giant’s challenge. “I am not afraid to fight the giant,” said David.  King Saul called for David and told him, “You cannot fight the giant.  You are too young.” David replied, “God will be with me.”

King Saul gave his armor to David, but it was big and heavy.  David wasn’t used to wearing armor.

David went to a nearby stream and picked up five stones.  He stood before Goliath.  The giant laughed at him, but David didn’t care.  He said, “I come before you in the name of the Lord who rules over all.”

David put a stone in his sling and ran toward the giant.  Then he let the stone fly.

It hit Goliath’s forehead, and he fell to the ground!  The Philistines saw that their hero was dead.  They ran away.

Discussion Questions

There was a very big soldier.  What was his name? Goliath

Who was brave enough to fight Goliath?  David

Did the rest of the army think David could fight Goliath? No, they thought he was too young  

How many stones did David get from the stream? Five

How many did he use to knock Goliath down?  Only one!

Why was David so brave to fight Goliath?  He knew God would be with him and protect him.

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of David and Goliath. We know now that whether we are small or young we can make a BIG difference.  Amen

Memory Verses

“Do good and share with others.”  Hebrews 13:16

Song:  Only a Boy Named David

Only a boy named David

Only a little sling

Only a boy named David

But he could pray and sing

Only a boy named David

Only a rippling brook

Only a boy named David

But five little stones he took.

And one little stone went in the sling

And the sling went round and round

And one little stone went in the sling

And the sling went round and round

And round and round

And round and round

And round and round and round

And one little prayer went up to God

Activity:  Cooking

Streams and Stones

You will need:  celery stalks, raisins, cream cheese or yogurt, a plastic knife

Have the children help to rinse the celery.  

They then use a plastic knife to spread the cheese or yogurt in a celery stalk.

They place 5 raisins (5 smooth stones) on their snack.

VARIATION:  Color the cheese or yogurt blue by adding a small amount of blue food gel coloring and mixing.

Sling Shots

For this snack, you will need:  cookie dough (the refrigerated cookie dough will work), red licorice (the ones you can peel), chocolate chips

Give each child a slice of cookie dough.  Have them roll it into a snake.

Show them how to shape their snake into a letter "Y" (Sling shot shape).

Bake the cookies.  When done, the children attach a piece of red licorice from one top of the "Y" to the other.  Give them a handful of chocolate chip stones!

David, a good heart

1 Samuel 15:1-16:13

Saul was a good king for about 20 years.  Then he began to disobey God.  God was sorry he made Saul the king.  Samuel was sad about it, too.

God sent Samuel to a man named Jesse to find a new king.  When Samuel met Jesse, he said, “I would like to meet your sons.”

When Samuel saw them, he thought, These are strong-looking men.  God said, “I do not look at the outside of a person.  I look at the inside of a person.  I look at the heart.”

Samuel asked Jesse, “Do you have another son?”  Jesse said, “Yes.  His name is David.  He is out in the field with the sheep.”  Samuel asked to see him.

As soon as David arrived, God told Samuel, “He is the one I want to be the next king.”  Samuel anointed David.  He poured oil on David’s head, and David was filled with God’s power.

Discussion Questions

God was disappointed with Saul.  Why? Saul began disobeying God 

God asked Samuel to find a man.  What was his name?  Jesse

True or False.  Was God searching for a new king. True

Does God care about how we look on the outside or how we are we are on the inside?  He looks inside at our heart

Who did God choose as the new king?  David

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of David’s good heart.  Please help us to remember to see the good in others.  Amen

Memory Verses

“Do good and share with others.”  Hebrews 13:16 

Song:  I am Special

(Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)

I am special, I am special (point to self)

If you look, you will see

Someone very special, someone very special,

It is me, it is me!! (Point to self)

Activity:

Grab two bags, one a plain, brown one and the other a fancy gift bag. In the plain, brown one, place your child’s favorite snack food. In the gift bag, place your child’s least favorite food. During snack time, let your child choose and open each bag. While he is eating his snack, talk to him about how it only mattered what was on the inside of the bag, not how it looked on the outside. Read the bible story of how God chooses David to be king and how God looked at what was in David’s heart not what was on the outside. Use these questions to talk with your child.  Here are some questions to talk about afterwards.

What do you think is important to God?

What makes you special to God?

Israel's First King

Israel’s First King 1 Samuel 8-10

When Samuel was an old man, God’s people said, “We want a king to rule over us.”  Samuel asked God for help.  God told Samuel to warn the people about all the trouble a king could bring.

A king would make the young men join his army, and the people would have to give the best things they owned to support the king.  Samuel warned the people, but they still would not listen.  Then God told Samuel to give them a king.

God led Samuel to a man named Saul.  Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head.  This was a sign that Saul was God’s choice for their new king.  Saul hid because he was shy.

The people found him.  Then Samuel said, “Here is your king.” Everyone cheered and shouted, “Long live the king!”

Discussion Questions

God’s people wanted someone to rule them.  Who did they want? A King

Did Samuel think this was a good idea?  No

Did God tell Samuel to give them a King? Yes

Who was it?  Saul

Samuel put oil on Saul’s head. What did that mean?  It means that Saul was God’s choice for their new king

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Saul becoming king.  We can always trust you to make the best decisions for us.  Thank you for that gift.  Amen

Memory Verses

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all  your soul and with all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5 

A Voice in the Night

A Voice in the Night -- 1 Samuel 3

When Samuel was a little boy, Hannah brought him to live at the tabernacle.  She had promised God that Samuel would serve him all his life.  The priest Eli would now take care of Samuel.  He would teach Samuel about God. 

One night while Samuel was sleeping, he heard a voice say, “Samuel!” He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am .” But Eli said, “I did not call you.” Then Samuel went back to bed.

Samuel heard a voice call his name two more times.  Each time, Samuel ran to Eli.  Finally, Eli told Samuel, “I think God is speaking to you.  Next time, say, “Yes, Lord, I am listening.” Then Samuel went back to bed.

“Samuel! Samuel! the voice said again.  This time, Samuel answered, “Yes, Lord, I am listening.”  From that moment on, Samuel gave messages to God’s people.  He was a special prophet of God.

Discussion Questions

• Where did Hannah take Samuel Tabernancle
• What is a Tabernacle?  It is a church
• Why did she take him there? The priest Eli was going to teach Samuel about God.  
• Samuel heard a voice in the night.  Who was it?  God
• What did Samuel do after realizing who was speaking to him?  He gave special messages to God’s people.

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Samuel.  It is a great lesson on listening to you God.  We pray we are obedient to You and our parents.   Amen

Memory Verses

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all  your soul 

and with all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5 

Bible Story Rhyme

Samuel, Samuel slept one night,

(Lay titled head on hands as if sleeping)

In the temple; that’s alright.

(Make the “O.K.” sign)

Awakened by the Lord’s own voice,

(Place fists next to eyes and open fingers)

Helping God was Samuel’s choice.

(Point to heaven)

Craft / Activity:  Cup Phones

Materials Needed:  Disposable Plastic Cups, String (not yarn), Small Paper Clips, and Ball Point Pens

Directions

1. Pass out two disposable plastic party cups to each student.

2. Poke a hole in the bottom of each cup with a ball point pen.

3. Cut a 10 foot piece of string for each student.

4. Slip the piece of string through the bottom of each cup.

5. Tie a paper clip to each end of the string.

6. Pull cups away from one another slowly until there is a bit of tension on the string.

7. Allow students to take turns talking into their “cup phones”.

For Discussion

As students are assembling their “cup phones”, remind them that we should listen to the Lord too. Though the Lord may never choose to speak audibly to us, he does speak to us through his word. Encourage students to “listen” to the Lord by reading the Bible.

Hannah's Prayer

1 Samuel 1 -20

Hannah loved God.  She wanted to have a baby, but she wasn’t able to have any children.

Hannah and her husband went to the tabernacle.  She prayed to God, “If you will give me a baby boy, I will see that he serves you all his life.”

Eli was a priest.  He saw Hannah praying.  She explained, “I am crying out to the Lord because I want him to answer my prayer.”  Eli gently told her, “Go in peace - and may God give you what you ask for.”

Sure enough, Hannah and her husband had a baby boy.  They thanked God for their new son.  They named him Samuel.

Discussion Questions

• Hannah and her husband traveled somewhere special.  Where did they go? Tabernancle
• What is a Tabernacle?  It is a church
• What were they doing there? Praying for God to bless them with a baby.  
• What did Naomi promise God? If she had a baby he would serve God all his life.
• Did they have a baby?  Yes, a baby boy
• What was his name?  Samuel

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Hannah’s Prayer.  We know that we can bring anything to you in prayer.  Thank you for caring about our hearts’ desires.   Amen

Memory Verses

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all  your soul and with all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5 

A Promise in My Pocket Paper Craft

This paper craft would work for any "keeping promises" lesson plan. 

Materials:

• paper

• scissors

• tape

• crayons

Instructions:

1. Cut out the outline of pocket 
2. On a small paper write a promise the children plans on keeping
3. Tape the promise in the pocket.  Let the words show at the top of the pocket so anyone can read to your child to help them remember.
4. Hang the pocket on the refrigerator to remind of the promise he or she is working on 

Ruth and Naomi

Ruth 1 - 4

Naomi grew up in the promised land, which was also called Israel.  But now she lived far away.  She had a husband and two sons.  Ruth was married to one of the sons.  

Then something sad happened.  Naomi’s husband and sons died.  Not long after that Naomi decided to go back to her homeland.  Naomi told Ruth to return to her parents, but Ruth did not want to leave her. She loved Naomi very much. “I will go wherever you go,” Ruth said.  “Your home will be my home.  Your God will be my God.” So Ruth went with Naomi to Israel.

They needed food to eat.  So each day, Ruth gathered leftover grain from the fields.  A good man named Boaz owned the field.  He wanted to help her.  So he left extra grain for Ruth to gather.

Boaz fell in love with Ruth.  They got married and had a baby boy named Obed.  God had blessed Ruth and Grandma Naomi with a brand-new family.

Discussion Questions

• Where did Naomi grow up? Israel ~ also called the promise land
• Who is Ruth?  Ruth was married to one of Naomi’s sons.
• Something terrible happened in Ruth’s life.  What happened? Her husband and two sons died.  
• Naomi wanted to return to Israel so she told Ruth to go back to live with her parents.  Did Ruth want to leave Naomi? No, she did not want to leave Naomi.  She said your home is my home and your God is my God.
• While in Israel they gathered grain for food.  Who owned the field?  Boaz 
• Did Boaz fall in love with Ruth?  Yes

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Ruth and Naomi.  It is a beautiful story of friendship.  We pray that we can be good friends to each other and lead others to you.   Amen

Craft:  Friendship Wreath:

Materials Needed: 

 construction paper

color pencils/crayons/markers

scissors, and glue.  

Directions:  Take turns tracing each others hands and cut out.  On the person’s hand you traced write what you love about them.  Once you have cut out several hands glue in the shape of a wreath.  Ask your child their favorite thing about each family member or friend and then write that on their hand cut out.

Song:  The MoreWe Get Together             

The more we get together

Together, together

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

The more we play together

Together, together

The more we play together

The happier we'll be

Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we play together 

The happier we'll be

The more we dance together

Together, together

The more we dance together

The happier we'll be

Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we dance together

The happier we'll be

The more we get together

Together, together

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

The more we get together

The hap-pi-er we'll be

Samson

Judges 13-16

The Israelites were in trouble again.  Along came a very strong man named Samson.  God had chosen him to save the Israelites from their enemies, the Philistines.  

Samson knew that as long as he did not cut his hair, he would always be very strong.  

Samson was in love with Delilah.  The Philistines told Delilah they would pay her if she found out what make Samson so strong.  At first, Samson lied to her.

“If you tie me up with ropes,” samson said, “I will lose by strength.”  That night while Samson slept, Delilah tied him up.  Then she shouted, “The Philistines are coming!”  Samson jumped up and broke the ropes.  Delilah kissed him and asked, “Won’t you tell me your secret?”

Samson gave in and told her, “My strength is in my long hair.”  When Samson was asleep, Delilah had all his hair cut off.  Samson’s strength was gone!  the Philistines grabbed him and put him in jail. 

A while later, the Philistines were having a big party.  They brought Samson in and made fun of him.

Samson prayed to God to make  him strong one last time.  God did.

Samson pushed the pillars with all his might.  The temple came crashing down, and Samson defeated the Philistines.

Discussion Questions

• God chose another man to help save his people.  What was his name? Samson
• What was special about Samson? He was very strong
• Where did his strength come from?  His hair 
• What was his wife’s name? Deliah.  
• Delilah had his hair cut and what happened?  The Philistines put him in jail

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Samson and may we never forget that we find our strength in you.  Amen

Memory Verses

“See what awesome things God has done!”  

Psalm 66:5