Old Testament Unit 10: David Lesson 3: David and the Giant Hour B

Bible Story:
God’s Unfolding Story Suggested
David and the Giant 1. God created everything. Schedule:
(1 Samuel 17) Arrival
Bible Phrase: 2. People disobeyed God. Centers – 25 minutes
Clean-up Time – 5 minutes
“The Lord is my strength and
3. God chose a special people. Bible Story Time – 15 minutes
my shield” (Psalm 28:7) Craft Time – 10 minutes
Bible Truth: God is my strength 4. God sent Jesus to help us. Snack Time – 10 minutes
and my help. Game Time/Dismissal
5. Jesus began the Church.

6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us.

Unfolding God’s Story for Teachers a man. Saul warned David against facing Goliath without armor, but David fought
Please read our story from 1 Samuel 17. During the time I wrote this lesson, my the giant with just a sling and a stone. David’s faith however, was not in the sling or
husband asked me what I was learning about David. Smiling and speaking as a the stone, but in God’s power to deliver him. When the two champions faced off,
genuine preschool Bible teacher, I conveyed the obvious: “He was brave and killed Goliath only saw a boy; David knew the Almighty was with him. Goliath had no idea
a giant.” Yet my husband’s question persuaded me to dig deeper into the character of the strength and might of the One working in and through his small opponent—
and faith of this young man who was a shepherd, warrior, and future king. and he probably had no idea what hit him!
We learned last week that David was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons and that All of us face giants. People and circumstances can loom large and make victory
he tended his father’s sheep. David was an accomplished harp player and often seem impossible. Satan wants us to feel small and defenseless. The key to victory
used his talent to calm a troubled and hostile King Saul. Some of David’s abilities isn’t in what we hold but in the One holding us. His weapons are invincible (see 2
didn’t seem to fit together. His hands could play melodious songs yet kill bears Cor. 10:4-5). The One who stands with us and for us is greater than any Goliath.
and lions. He had the strength to protect, yet at the same time also be a caring
shepherd.
Apparently David was a responsible and obedient son. He accepted the
Lesson Plan
assignment to take food to his brothers during the battle but was clearly Arrival
conscientious about his shepherding duties. David was brave; he did not seem to • Greet children at eye level and express how happy
give a second thought to fighting the giant. In fact, he could not understand why you are to see them.
no one had yet stepped up to the enemy. David’s faith was huge. In this young • Be sure each child has a name tag and the security
boy’s eyes, the giant’s stature and strength were nothing compared to the power
measures of your church are followed.
of Israel’s God. David’s love for God was evident by his outrage that anyone would
• Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly
be allowed to defiantly point a finger at the majesty and awesomeness of the living
encourage children who have brought items from
God of Israel. Ironically, while Saul’s men were officially soldiers, David was the true
home, such as toys and books, to place them on a
warrior.
shelf while they are working with other materials.
We don’t know exactly when David first opened his heart to God. Days of solitude
Assure children their items will be safe and they
and being surrounded by sheep in the midst of God’s creation provided the
backdrop for the encounter. David’s response to the Holy Spirit’s power in his life can take them home at the end of the session.
superseded any fear of Goliath. David already had experienced God’s faithfulness • Help each child make a choice where he or she
when he killed wild animals, so of course God would deliver him from this animal of would like to begin his or her Center Time.

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT10 Lesson 3 Hour B Page 1
 Puzzle Center:
Work Puzzles
Center Time Art Center: Paint Rocks
Supplies: Smooth river rocks (small to
Supplies: medium in size) – (1 per child)
• Offer a variety of non-fantasy • Washable tempera paints, brushes,
wooden or cardboard puzzles for paper plates
children to work. What to Do: Invite children to paint their rocks.
What to Do: Encourage preschoolers to Link to the Bible Story: As preschoolers work,
finish puzzles they begin. Affirm children briefly tell the Bible story. You might say, “The
as they work together to complete the stones you are painting are wonderful reminders
puzzles. of today’s Bible story. In our story a man named
Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look Block Center: Goliath wanted to fight an Israelite. Goliath was
for opportunities in conversation to say the Supplies: Wooden blocks such a large man he was considered to be a
Bible phrase or to briefly tell the Bible • Option: measuring stick, yarn, Painter’s giant. In fact, he was so big, every Israelite
story. tape or masking tape soldier was afraid to fight him. A young man
What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. named David knew that God would help
Blocks are best located in a corner of the room him fight the giant. David was able to
away from the traffic flow. If providing supplies for the knock Goliath down with a slingshot. He
optional activity, place a piece of tape 9 feet, 9 inches used the slingshot to hit him in the
high on a wall. Cut and tape a length of yarn long enough head with one small stone.”
to extend from the mark on the wall to top of a child’s head.
Invite the children to stand facing the mark. Place the piece of
yarn at the front of the child’s head to give the perspective of
how tall Goliath would have been compared to them.
Bible Learning Center: Link to the Bible Story: Use this last activity to talk about
Home Living Center:
Picture Search Role Play
the Bible story. Say something like, “In our Bible story
Supplies: Copies of Activity Page: Supplies:
today a big man named Goliath wanted to fight
Picture Search, “David and the Giant “ • Small rocking chair, sink and stove
against the Israelites. He even asked that one
(Reproducible, 1 per child) unit and small table and chairs;
Israelite fight him in a special battle. Goliath
• Washable markers or crayons plastic dishes, child pots and pans;
was a giant of a man, and every Israelite
What to Do: Encourage each child to search the pretend food items; doll, doll bed, and
soldier was afraid of him. Even though
large picture to find each of the smaller pictures at doll accessories
he was small, David knew God would
the bottom of the page. The boys and girls should What to Do: Home living items naturally
help him fight the giant.”
circle the objects when they find them. encourage children to act out roles and
Link to the Bible Story: As children work, talk about activities they observe at home.
the Bible story. “In our Bible story a man named Link to the Bible Story: As children work, listen
Goliath wanted to fight the Israelites. He challenged for opportunities to talk about the Bible
any Israelite to fight him one-on-one. Goliath story. Say, “In our Bible story today, David’s
was big; in fact, he was a giant! The Israelite father Jesse sent him to take bread
soldiers were afraid to fight him. A young man and cheese to his brothers and their
named David knew God would help him commander. They were fighting in a
fight Goliath. David was able to knock him battle with the Philistines.”
down by hitting him in the head using a
slingshot and one small stone.”
God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT10 Lesson 3 Hour B Page 2
 Clean-up Time
Encourage chosen David as king, but it would be a while before he did not need the armor because God would
preschoolers to David was ready to take the throne. God wanted to help him fight.
help at clean-up time. prepare David for that special time. While David was David bent down and picked up 5 smooth stones
Assign specific tasks for waiting, he continued to watch his father’s sheep. and put them in his small bag. With his sling in
preschoolers to do such as David also played beautiful music on his harp. hand, he went toward Goliath. Goliath approached
Sometimes he would play his harp for King Saul. One David and laughed. Goliath made fun of David and
placing all the crayons in the
day God helped David do something really amazing. of God, but David was not afraid. He told Goliath
basket, throwing away the trash, Listen to hear how God used David.” that God would help him fight. He reached in his
gathering all the glue sticks, little bag and pulled out a stone. He placed the
etc. Guide children to the
Bible Story stone in his sling and swung it around. The stone
Bible Story Time area. David and the Giant (1 Samuel 17) flew toward the giant and landed right in the
In our story today, the Philistines were fighting middle of his forehead! Goliath fell down with a
Israel. Three of David’s brothers were soldiers in huge BANG! The Philistine army ran away in fear.
Bible Story King Saul’s army. David’s father, Jesse, asked David God helped David win the battle against Goliath

Time to take some cheese and bread to his brothers

and their commander. David arrived at the camp
and the Philistines. It was a great day for Israel!

Supplies: • Bible and delivered the food. Suddenly, David heard a Talk Time
• Teaching Picture “David and man shouting! He ran to see who was making all 1. Show the teaching picture for today’s Bible story.
the Giant” (Reproducible) the noise. David looked and saw a giant! The man Review by using these or similar questions. “Why
• God’s Unfolding Story Cube
stood heads above all the men in the camp. He was were King Saul’s soldiers afraid of Goliath? Why
(Reproducible/Cardstock)
over 9 feet tall! He wore armor all over his body, was David not afraid? What did David use to
and he carried a very large sword. The man’s name knock down Goliath?”
was Goliath. He was saying terrible things about the
God of Israel. The giant wanted somebody to fight 2. Read the Bible phrase on the teaching picture.
against, but all the soldiers in King Saul’s army were Say the phrase together, “The Lord is my strength
Introduction afraid. No one wanted to fight him. and my shield” (Psalm 28:7). Explain, “Even
• Show the God’s Unfolding Story Cube. Express to though Goliath was a big and powerful man,
David wasn’t afraid of the giant. He was was mad
the boys and girls that even though we find many David knew God was bigger and stronger than
at Goliath because of his unkind words about God.
stories in the Bible, the Bible really tells one big story, Goliath. God gave David the power to beat
David said he would fight Goliath, so he was taken
and all the little stories are a part of the big one we Goliath with a slingshot and one little stone.
to King Saul. Saul looked at David and said, “You
can call God’s Unfolding Story. Tell children that We probably will not have to fight giants, but
are only a boy, and this man has been fighting a
each picture represents a chapter in God’s Unfolding sometimes we have to do things that seem to
long time.”
Story. Turn the cube and talk about each chapter in hard to do, or things that we might be afraid to
David told the king how God had helped him
the story. (Refer to page 1.) Express that every story do. Remembering that God is our strength can
fight the lions and bears that attacked his sheep.
from the Bible is from one of the chapters in God’s help us do what we need to do.”
David said he would fight the giant just as he had
Story. Today’s story is from the third one, God chose
fought the wild animals.
a special people. 3. Close the Bible Story Time by inviting children
King Saul agreed that David could fight but said
• Introduce the Bible story. You might say, “We have to join you in prayer. Say a prayer asking God to
he should wear the king’s armor. David tried it on,
been learning about a boy named David. God had help each individual believe that He is his or her
but the armor was way too big for him. David knew strength and protector.

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT10 Lesson 3 Hour B Page 3
 Craft Time: Bible Story Pouch
Supplies:
• Copies of “Bible Story Pouch” (Reproducible, 1 copy for every child)
• Crayons or markers, glue
• Brown lunch sacks – (1 for each child)
What to Do: Cut out each pouch and sets of stones. Cut off the top four inches of the
lunch sacks. Give each child a pouch and set of stones to color. Each child can glue
his or her pouch to the front of the paper sack and place his or her stones inside the Snack Time
sack. Be sure to wash hands or use
Link to the Bible Story: As children color, talk about the pictures on each stone and hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you
how they relate to the story. Invite children to use their Bible Story Pouches to share prayer to God for the snack.
the story with a friend or family member. When snack time has ended,
encourage preschoolers to
help with cleaning up.

Game Time / Dismissal: “David and the Giant”

Teach the following song to the children. Sing it to the tune of “Turkey in the Straw”
(just verses, no chorus). You might simply sing the song, or you can sing it and teach
the children the motions that go along with the verses.
David and the Giant David saw the giant but he did So he flung his sling with all his
Goliath was a giant who wanted not fear. (Cup right hand over eye might. (Make a slinging motion
to fight. (Hold up fists.) and move your head from side to with arm.)
He scared the Israelites out of side.) The stone knocked Goliath right
sight! (Make a frightened facial He gathered up some stones and off his feet. (Swish palm of hand
expression, arms crossed over took up his gear. (Bend down and against the other palm.)
chest and shaking.) pretend to collect stones.) And God got the victory short
David knew God would help him and sweet! (Point to the sky.)
fight. (Point to sky.)

After the activity, remind the boys and girls that God gave David the courage
and the ability to fight the giant. God also wants to give us courage and strength
to do the things that He asks us to do.
Dismiss children as parents arrive. Be sure to follow the security procedures of
your church.

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT10 Lesson 3 Hour B Page 4
 Hour B

Resources and Supplies Old Testament Unit 10: David

Lesson 3: David and the Giant

Standard Art Supplies Standard Equipment

(Supplies that are generally in the room) (Equipment that is generally in the room)
Washable markers Bible
Crayons Small beanbag for Bible Story Time
Child scissors Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles
Playdough and accessories Set of wooden blocks
Drawing paper Small cars and trucks
Easel (optional) Doll bed
Glue/glue sticks Baby doll (soft plastic)
Tempera paint, 4 colors Stove/sink unit
Tape/masking tape Play dishes/pots and pans
Pencils/colored pencils Small table and chairs
Hole punch Small carpet for block area
Teacher scissors Play food items
Stapler/staples Storage shelf for blocks
Permanent markers Tables and chairs for art, puzzles,
Watercolors and Bible Learning Center
Paintbrushes CD player/Children’s Worship CDs
Yarn

Reproducibles
(Included with the lesson plan downloads)
Activity Page: Picture Search “David and the Giant (1 per child)
“Bible Story Pouch” (1 copy for every child)
Teaching Picture: “David and the Giant” (1 copy per class)
God’s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock—1 copy per class)
Parent Page (1 copy per child)
Coloring Page, “David and the Giant”

Additional Art Materials

Paper plates for paint

Additional Block Materials

Optional: Blue painter’s tape or masking tape,
Yarn, Measuring stick

Additional Craft Materials

Brown lunch sacks – (1 per child)

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT10 Lesson 3 Hour B
Activity Page: Picture Search: “David and the Giant”
Instructions: One copy per child. Search the larger picture to find the smaller objects at the
OT10 Lesson 3 Hour B Bible Learning Center
bottom of the page. Circle the objects with a crayon or marker when they are found. God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com
 The
Lord
is my
strength
and my
shield.
Psalm
28:7
Craft Time: “Bible Story Pouch”
Instructions: One copy for every child. Cut out the pouch and
the stone pictures. Color the pictures. Cut 3 or 4 inches from
the top of a lunch sack. Glue the pouch picture to the front of
the lunch sack. Place the stones inside the sack. OT10 Lesson 3 Hour B Craft Time
God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com
 God’s Unfolding Story Cube
Instructions: Cut out on dotted
lines, fold on solid lines. Glue or
tape to form a cube.

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2015- SundaySchoolZone.com

The Lord is my strength and my shield. Psalm 28:7
Coloring Page OT10 Lesson 3 Optional
David and the Giant God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com