Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

God Is Strong

Based on: 1 Samuel 16—17

OVERVIEW:

Activity One: Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts.

Worship: Singing

Activity Three: Respond to the story by doing the activity.

Activity Four: Bless your children

EQUIP:

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.)

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David

(1 Samuel 16:13)

David’s anointing wasn’t an empty ceremony. Though King David wouldn’t sit on the throne until many years after his anointing, the Holy Spirit came upon him in power from that day on. He became so advanced in courage and wisdom by the Spirit of God that even the king’s servants knew of him.

In 1 Samuel 16—17, the Philistines paralyzed the Israelites with the fear of being conquered and destroyed. As the Philistines sent out their mightiest warrior, Goliath, the Israelites questioned how they would overtake the Philistines. But who was Goliath compared to God’s strength, power, and authority? What was the Philistine army, but merely human? Tools of child’s play were weapons of victory in the hands of the almighty and sovereign God. His plans will not be thwarted.

Among the many attributes of God is His omnipotence, meaning He has very great, almighty, unlimited, and infinite power. “Omnipotent” stems from the Greek words omni (all) and potens (powerful), meaning “all-powerful.” God’s strength can conquer any foe, no matter how powerful.

Activity 1: STORY

Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

Introduction to read to the children:

King Saul was the first king of Israel. Was Saul a good king? At first Saul was a good king because he obeyed God and remembered that God was really the One in charge. After a while, though, Saul decided not to follow God.

So God sent the prophet Samuel to find a man named Jesse. God was going to choose one of Jesse’s sons to replace Saul and be the next king of Israel. Jesse introduced Samuel to seven of his sons, but none of them was the one God had chosen to be king. Finally, Jesse introduced Samuel to his youngest son, David. Let’s watch the video and find out some more about David.

Watch the video:

Activity 2: DISCUSSION

In this part of The Big God Story, God chose David to be the next king of Israel. God’s Spirit was with him. God’s people were battling the Philistines and were afraid of a large man named Goliath. With God’s strength, David dared to fight Goliath and won the battle.

I wonder … How did David feel when he found out he was going to be king?

I wonder … What did Goliath think when he saw David coming to fight him?

I wonder … How can God show His strength in my life?

After discussing the Wonder Questions, you’ll have the opportunity to pray with and for each of the children.

Through David, God showed His strength for all the Israelite and Philistine people to see. Let’s praise God and let Him know what we’re thankful for about who He is.

Continue by offering praise to God. Examples of praises: “God, thank You for being stronger than anything or anyone else” or “God, You are strong in my life.” Encourage children to respond with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

Worship Songs:

https://youtu.be/QpAx0s7raeY

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1: Make a David sling

You can prepare in advance by pre-cutting felt into rectangle pieces for each child. Each piece should measure approximately 2” tall and 6” long. Lay the piece lengthwise and cut a small slit on each end (about an inch from the end).

Also, cut into each rubber band to make a long straight piece elastic. You will need two bands per child.

How to Make the David’s Sling Craft

To create David’s Sling with preschoolers the following items are needed:

1 Y-shaped stick
1 Rectangle piece of brown or black felt (approximately 6” long and 2” tall)
2 Large rubber bands
Electrical tape
Scrap pieces of newspaper

Take the kids on a short excursion to collect the sticks for the base of the sling. Help them each find a small Y-shaped branch. Break down the stick to a manageable size for the child and remove any small twigs, leaving only the Y-shape portion. If a time constraint or the location of the lesson does not permit taking the kids to search for their own sticks, you may elect to prepare this step ahead of time.
Help the children thread an elastic band through each slit in the felt piece. Tie the ends of the bands off in a double knot, leaving a long piece of elastic on the other end.
Wind the other end of the rubber band around one of the prongs on the end of the Y-shaped branch. Tie it off and secure it by wrapping the area with electrical tape. Repeat the same procedure for the other side. About 1” of the elastic should show on either side of the completed sling.

Slay the Giant with David’s Sling

Sketch a drawing of a giant on a large sheet of paper ahead of time, and hang it on the wall. Provide plenty of space in front of the giant.

Give the children old piles of newspaper. Have them tear off small sections and crumple them into small balls. These pieces will be used as safe ‘paper rocks’ for the sling.

Demonstrate to the children how to shoot and aim with the sling. To shoot, simply place the ‘paper rock’ in the felt portion of the sling, pull back while holding the object, and then release.

Line up the children single file and have them take turns slaying the giant by shooting their ‘paper rocks’ at Goliath.

Response Activity #2: Coloring page to print and color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

David trusted in God’s strength, and all it took was one small rock to bring down the giant Goliath. Did you know that one of the ways the Bible describes God is as a rock? In Isaiah 26:4 the Bible says, “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” We can put our trust in God because He will never change. He is our strong rock.

Invite children to bow their heads and hold out their rocks as you offer a final blessing over them.

May you know that God is always strong, always good, and always loving. His strength will never end, and nothing will ever change that.