“Today, we’re not just telling the story of David and Goliath—we’re stepping into it! Imagine you’re standing in the Valley of Elah, the sun beating down, the armies of Israel and the Philistines shouting across the valley, and the giant Goliath towering in the distance. Are you ready to experience this incredible story from 1 Samuel 17?”
Materials Needed:
- A simple sling or a homemade replica for demonstration
- Five smooth stones or paper cutouts labeled 1-5. Maybe wadded-up brown construction paper.
- Large cutout or illustration of Goliath (or use a tall teacher/volunteer for a fun comparison)
- Pictures or visual aids for David, the battlefield, and the armies
- A prop shepherd’s staff (a stick or broomstick works)
- Optional: A crown to represent King Saul
Interactive Narrative Guide:
1. Setting the Scene
“Let’s close our eyes for a moment and imagine… The Israelites are on one hill, the Philistines are on another, and in the valley between them stands a GIANT named Goliath. Goliath isn’t just big—he’s huge, over nine feet tall! He’s covered in armor, holding a massive spear, and his voice booms as he challenges the Israelites: ‘Who will fight me?’
Now open your eyes! Look at this picture of the battlefield (show visual) and imagine being there. Can you feel the tension? Who would want to fight someone like Goliath?”
Engage the kids: Ask for a volunteer to stand next to a Goliath illustration or tall person to compare sizes. Let the kids gasp and laugh—it makes the moment real!
2. Introducing David
“Meanwhile, on a hillside not far away, there’s a boy named David. He’s not at the battlefield—he’s taking care of sheep. But David isn’t just any shepherd. He’s brave, kind, and most importantly, he loves God with all his heart. Let’s imagine David tending to his sheep, using his sling to protect them from wild animals. David knows that God has helped him defeat lions and bears before. And today, God is about to do something even bigger through David.”
Engage the kids: Ask them, “Have you ever felt like you were too young to do something important? David might have felt that way too, but he trusted God to guide him.”
3. The Challenge
“Every day, Goliath comes out and shouts, ‘Who will fight me?’ The Israelites are terrified! No one dares to step forward. But one day, David arrives at the battlefield to bring food to his brothers. When he hears Goliath’s taunts, he isn’t afraid. He’s upset because Goliath is insulting God!
David tells King Saul, ‘Don’t worry about Goliath. I’ll fight him!’ Imagine King Saul’s face—David is just a boy! Saul tries to give David his armor, but it’s way too big. Instead, David picks up five smooth stones from a stream (hold up the stones), grabs his sling, and gets ready to face the giant.”
Engage the kids: Let a child hold the “stones” or demonstrate how a sling might have worked.
4. The Battle
“David steps onto the battlefield. Goliath laughs when he sees him. ‘Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?’ he roars. But David is calm and brave. He says,
‘You come to me using a sword and spear. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful!’ (1 Samuel 17:45, ERV).
David puts one stone in his sling, spins it around (demonstrate or pretend), and lets it fly. SMACK! The stone hits Goliath right in the forehead, and he falls to the ground! David, the young shepherd boy, has defeated the giant!”
Engage the kids: Act it out! Have one child pretend to be David, another as Goliath, and reenact the scene.
Engaging Follow-Up Discussion Questions
- “How do you think David felt when Goliath laughed at him?”
- “What made David so sure he could win?”
- “Have you ever faced a challenge that felt like a ‘giant’? What helped you get through it?”
Bringing the Story Home
“David’s story shows us that no problem is too big for God. It doesn’t matter how small we feel or how big the challenge seems—God can help us, just like He helped David.
Think about the giants you face—maybe it’s a fear, a tough subject at school, or standing up to someone unkind. Remember David’s courage and the words he spoke:
‘The battle belongs to the Lord.’ (1 Samuel 17:47, ERV).
Just like David, you are never too small or too young to make a big difference when you have faith in God!”