FAITH QUEST
David and Goliath
Apostle’s Playhouse
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-50
Memory Verse: “Don’t ever be afraid or
discouraged! I am the Lord your God,
and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (CEV)
Concepts:
·
God is with you in
difficult situations
·
Rely on God because God
is more powerful than anything you will face in this world.
Special Note: Thank you for
teaching David and Goliath. Given the
present situation in the Middle East and the subject matter of the curriculum,
please defer any questions you may be asked about the war, aftermath of the
war, rebuilding of Iraq, etc., to the parents.
Please affirm the child’s question, but encourage them to ask a parent,
saying something like, “That is a great question, but I think your mom or dad
might like to answer that question for you.
Christians don’t always agree about a particular war, and I think your
parents should probably be the people you ask first about our war with
Iraq.”
We believe it is important for the parents to respond to
their child’s questions, and share their thoughts and beliefs, instead of the Workshop
Leader responding and possibly giving a differing point of view from what the
parent would like his/her child told regarding the war. Thank you.
Objectives:
The children will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts by drawing parallels between the armor of David and the armor of God.
Procedure:
Welcome and Introductions:
1. Greet the children and introduce yourself.
2. Today we are going to read the story of David and
Goliath. Then we’re going to compare
the protection of the armor that Saul gave David with the protection of
God. We’ll create commercials to
advertise the virtues of each and decide which is best.
Scripture/Bible Story:
Review the Bible story. Read aloud to the children from a Bible storybook. Ask them to listen especially to the description of the armor.
Application:
First
discuss the story. What challenges did
David face? (lions, bears, Goliath) How did David know he could face
Goliath? (The same way he faced lions and bears-because God was with him)
Just as
David knew that God was with him, What can you know about God:
·
God is with you in difficult situations;
·
Rely
on God because God is more powerful that anything you will face in this world.
(Display
these 2 concepts on poster board or chart paper so the children can refer to
them throughout the next activity.)
1. Show
the kids some armor that might be like what David was given to wear. Hockey
and/or football gear is great. Mix it up though so it is not all one sport but
an eclectic collection of protective gear. Show the kids the individual pieces.
Ask how each piece might protect the wearer.
Let’s
pretend we are making a commercial to sell this armor to David and the other
soldiers. What advertising words do you know that could be used to describe
this gear and how it works? Eg. This super deluxe helmet is made of the hardest
material guaranteed to stop spears and protect your brains. This extra super
duper thick padded coat will stop spears and keep you warm too! Brainstorm
ideas for superlatives that they have heard used in commercials.
Divide
the kids into small groups. A group ( 2 or more kids) for each piece of gear.
Give them a few minutes to decide on a 10 second commercial for it. Include a demonstration
of how it works or some words about its deluxe features and how it will save
you in battle. Post these prompts to be
included in the commercial.
·
What
is it? Use lots of exciting words
·
How
does it work? Demonstrate it
·
Tell
us why we should buy it
Younger
kids: help each
group get started by introducing their product with a typical voice over.
Eg.“Are you tired of:
·
getting
banged in the head
·
attacked
with spears
·
breaking
your spear during battle
·
shields
that are too small or thin?
·
A
metal coat that spears go right through?
Well
have we got the product for you!” The
kids take it from here. Let the kids describe or demonstrate their
product and how it is going to save them. You can make up a little intro for
each piece of gear in your armor.
Older
kids: Assign
someone to introduce the product. You may also hand out your prepared
voice-over introductions and let the kids read it or they can make up their
own.
Tell the
kids to use excited voices and humor as they do in commercials. Let each small
group present their commercial of their product.
2. Ask
for a volunteer to come forward to be outfitted in armor as Saul tried to
outfit David.
Put on
the helmet, shoulder pads, knee pads, a shield, a heavy weapon or spear, a
heavy coat on top. Ask the volunteer to demonstrate a few attack moves. It
should be awkward and cumbersome. Remove the gear.
Of
course, the armor is heavy and cumbersome! David thought so too. He took off
the armor. Instead, David used the skills and experiences of a shepherd. David
put his trust in God to help him through his challenge with Goliath. David knew
that God was with him. God is everywhere.
3. Make
a radio commercial about God. Now, let’s use some words to describe God. Make a
list of things we know about God’s power, how God protects us. (Creator of
the world, makes all things possible, knows every hair on our head, knows
everybody’s name, reads what is in our head and heart, loves us, helps us when
we are in trouble, comforts us, gives us strength, hears our prayers, has a
plan for us, watches over us, provides for us, redeemer)
This is
how God helps us. Not armor or weapons.
Using
the list create a radio commercial for God. For this you may use a script
skeleton:
Younger
kids: Display the
script outline on chart paper for all to see. Ask for suggestions and ideas to
fill in the blanks as a group. This will be more of a radio ad. Think of some
sound effects. Then read it: ask for volunteers to read each line, read it
together as a group or read it to them.
Older
kids: Divide
children into partners. Give each set
of partners a script and pencil. They may fill in the blanks, adjusting wording
as necessary, add or delete lines or ad lib to fit their needs. Remind them that as they practice for their
presentations, they need to be enthusiastic in order to “sell” their
solution. Humor is definitely
acceptable as long as the solution emphasizes the concepts:
1.
God
is with you in difficult situations;
2.
Rely
on God because God is more powerful that anything you will face in this
world.
When
they are ready, call the groups back and have them present their commercials
one group at a time.
A prop
of a microphone is a great way to add a fun touch to the radio commercial. Some
boom boxes have microphones that can amplify the voice. Add sound effects.
Reflection Time:
Ask the shepherds to pass out
the journal sheets and pencils/markers. Suggestion: You may wish to give the
children a sticker or some memento to paste in their journal as a reminder of
the story or activity.
Prompts for journal writing: Write about a challenge or “giant” you have faced recently. How did you know God was with you?
Closing:
Prayer: Dear God, sometimes we are afraid and discouraged! You
are our Lord God, and you will be there to help us wherever we go. You are so
(use some of the descriptive words that the children used in their scripts)
_____________________. Thank you for always being with us to face our giants of
trouble. Amen.
Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy up. Close/lock the door and
turn off the lights.
Teacher preparation
in advance:
1. Read the scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.
2. Check out the room before your first Sunday workshop so that you know where everything is located.
3. Copy scripts for each week.
4. Write the skeleton script on chart paper for the younger kids.
5. Poster board with lesson concepts and the memory verse.
Supply List
·
Chart paper/markers, tape
·
Copies of the fill-in-the-blank commercial script
skeleton for older kids
·
Microphone
·
Armor costume: helmet, knee pads, shin guards, large
heavy coat, goggles, shield (may be made of cardboard or a goalie’s blocker
(hockey), a spear (broom handle) or heavy weapon (a massive, heavy sledge
hammer)
·
Bible story book
References
·
Notes from curriculum writer’s bible study provided by
Lori Houck April 13, 2003.
·
David and Goliath-Lesson set from Hermitage &
Smyrna Pres. Churches found at Rotation.org website
David and Goliath
God Commercial Script Skeleton
(Speakers take turns, changing with each line)
1. Do you have
trouble with armor that doesn’t do the job? Does the typical armor just not
work for you? Is it too heavy? Too awkward? Too big? (add your ideas) Too _________________________?
2. Well, we have a solution for you! Just like David faced the giant Goliath, you
too can face your giant.
3. Yessiree, have
we got the answer for you. It’s God. That’s right G-O-D God.
4. God can (describe
some of the things God does to show God’s power)
_______________________________________________________
5. God is (use
some descriptive words to describe God) _______________________________________________________
6. So, next time you get into trouble with (name some kind of trouble or challenge you might get
into) ___________________________.
7. Remember: Rely on God. God is always ready and
available wherever you go!
8. That’s right! You can pray to God too when you (restate the trouble or challenge) _____________________________________________________________because
God is more powerful than anything you will face in this world.