Facing Giants: Finding Courage Through Faith

Welcome to a heartwarming journey into one of the Bible’s most inspiring stories, tailored for our youngest learners.

This lesson on David and Goliath aims to introduce the concept of courage and God’s help in a way that’s accessible and relatable to preschoolers.

Your role in making this story come alive will instill early seeds of faith and bravery in their tender hearts.

Hello Adventure!

Objective: To help preschoolers understand that being brave means doing something even when it might feel scary, and that God helps us be brave.

Materials Needed:

• Picture book version of David and Goliath or simple visual aids (illustrations or figures)
• Soft toy stones and a sling
• Craft materials for a simple activity (e.g., paper, crayons, stickers) 
• Music and song related to the theme of courage or the story of David and Goliath

Opening Prayer:

“Hold hands, everyone. Dear God, thank You for being with us today as we learn about David and how You helped him be brave. Help us listen and learn. Amen.”

Ice Breaker: “Show Me Brave”:

Gather the children in a circle and play a game of “Show Me Brave.” Ask the children to show you what they look like when they’re brave — perhaps standing tall, making a strong arm muscle, or putting on a determined face. Praise their efforts and introduce the idea that sometimes we need to be brave, just like David in the story we’re about to hear.

Introducing the Story:

“Today, we’re going to hear a special story from the Bible about a young boy named David. David was much smaller than the big giant he met, but he was very brave because he knew God was with him. Let’s find out how David showed courage.”

This introduction is designed to capture the preschoolers’ attention and prepare them for a storytime that is not just about hearing a story but experiencing and learning from it in a tangible way.

Hero Tales: David and Goliath

For preschoolers, storytelling is most effective when it is interactive, visual, and simple. Use a children’s Bible or storybook with colorful illustrations to help tell the story, and incorporate the soft toy stones and sling to bring the story to life.

Setting the Scene: “Once upon a time, there were two groups of people who were not getting along. One group had a very big, tall giant named Goliath. Everyone was scared of him because he was so big!”

Introducing David: “But there was a young boy named David. He wasn’t big; he was just like you! David was a shepherd and took care of sheep.”

David Meets Goliath: “One day, David heard the giant being mean and scaring everyone. But David wasn’t scared. Do you know why? Because David knew God was with him. He knew that with God, he could be brave.”

David’s Courage: “David decided to stand up to the giant. He didn’t wear armor; he just took his sling and some smooth stones, like these.” (Show the soft toy stones.) “David used one stone, swung it with his sling, and guess what? The big, scary giant fell down!”

God Helps Us Be Brave: “David showed us that even when we’re small, we can do big things with God’s help. Just like David, we can be brave because God is always with us.”

Interactive Elements:

Use the sling and soft stones to demonstrate (gently) how David might have used them, allowing each child a turn to hold the sling or a stone.

Ask simple questions during the story, like “Can you show me how big Goliath was?” or “How do you think David felt when he faced Goliath?”

Play & Learn

After the story, engage the children in a simple craft or activity that reinforces the theme of courage and God’s help.

Activity: “My Courage Stone”

Objective: For each child to create their own “courage stone” as a reminder that God helps them be brave.

Materials Needed:

• Smooth, palm-sized stones (one for each child) or cutouts of stones from construction paper
• Washable paints and brushes
• Glitter, stickers, and other safe, age-appropriate decorations

Instructions:

Decorate the Stones: “Now, we’re going to make our own courage stones, like the one David used. You can paint your stone any color you like and decorate it with glitter and stickers.”

Discussion While Crafting: As they work, talk to the children about times they might need to be brave and remind them that God is always with them, just like He was with David.

Share and Praise: Encourage the children to share their decorated stones with the group. Offer praise for their creativity and remind them to keep their courage stone somewhere they can see it and remember to be brave.

Jesus Connection

At this age, it’s essential to present the connection between Jesus and the story of David and Goliath in very simple, understandable terms. Highlighting the themes of love, protection, and being brave with God’s help can effectively bridge the Old Testament story to Jesus’s teachings and example.

Explanation:

“David was brave because he knew God was with him, helping him. Jesus tells us that He is always with us too, like a very best friend. Jesus wants us to be brave and to do good things, and He helps us just like God helped David.”

Engaging with the Concept:

• Use a picture of Jesus with children to visually demonstrate Jesus’s love and care for us.
• Sing a simple song about Jesus’s love and presence that reinforces the message of being brave and kind.

Creative Expressions

Objective: To create a “Bravery Shield” that reminds children of David’s courage and how Jesus helps us be brave.

Materials Needed:

• Heavy paper or cardboard cut into shield shapes
• Washable paints, crayons, or markers
• Stickers or stamps with crosses, hearts, or other simple symbols
• Glitter glue or child-safe glue and glitter for decoration (optional)
• Yarn or ribbon (to attach to the shield for hanging)

Instructions:

Shield Decoration: Begin by explaining the craft: “Today, we’re going to make our very own Bravery Shields, like the one David might have had. This will remind us that Jesus helps us be brave.”

Allow children to choose their decorating materials. Encourage them to paint or color their shields in bright colors, symbolizing bravery and courage.

Assist them in using stickers, stamps, or glitter glue to decorate their shields with symbols that remind them of bravery and Jesus’s love.

Discussing the Shield: As the children work on their shields, engage them in conversation about what makes them feel brave and how they think Jesus helps us be brave, keeping the discussion light and encouraging.

Finishing Touches: Help each child attach a piece of yarn or ribbon to the top of their shield, creating a loop for hanging. This allows them to display their Bravery Shield at home as a reminder of their courage and Jesus’s constant presence.

Sharing Time: Invite the children to share their shields with the class, describing their choice of colors or symbols if they wish. Offer praise and encouragement for their creativity and remind them of the lesson’s message.

Parting Thoughts

Wrap up the lesson with a simple summary and a closing prayer, emphasizing God’s presence and our ability to be brave with His help.

“David was brave because he knew God was with him, and we can be brave too because God is always with us. Let’s thank God for being with us and helping us be brave.”

“Dear God, thank You for being with David and helping him be brave. Please help us remember that You are with us too, and You help us be brave every day. Amen.”

Keep Exploring

To extend the impact of the lesson beyond the classroom and into the homes of the preschoolers, here are some follow-up activities that parents can do with their children. These activities aim to reinforce the themes of courage and God’s support in a practical, everyday context that resonates with young children.

1. Bedtime Story Recap:

Objective: Reinforce the day’s lesson at home through storytelling.

Materials Needed:

• A children’s Bible or picture book of the David and Goliath story

Instructions for Parents:

• At bedtime, read the story of David and Goliath again with your child. Use this as an opportunity to discuss the story’s themes in a calm, comforting setting.
• Ask simple questions like, “What was brave about David?” and “How can we ask God to help us be brave?”

2. “Courage in My Day” Drawing Activity:

Objective: Encourage children to recognize and express moments when they felt brave or needed courage during their day.

Materials Needed:

• Paper and crayons or washable markers

Instructions for Parents:

• Invite your child to draw a picture of a time they were brave or a situation where they might need to be brave. It could be something as simple as trying a new food, playing with a new friend, or sleeping in their own bed.
• Discuss the drawing with your child, highlighting how God helps us be brave in many different situations, just like He helped David.

3. Prayer Together:

Objective: Instill a habit of turning to prayer for courage and thanking God for His presence.

Materials Needed:

• None

Instructions for Parents:

• Teach your child a simple prayer for bravery that they can say when they feel scared or need courage. For example, “Dear God, please help me be brave like David. Thank you for being with me. Amen.”
• Encourage your child to say this prayer with you at specific times, like before a new activity or at bedtime.

4. “Courage Stone” Story Sharing:

Objective: Use the “courage stone” created in class as a springboard for storytelling and sharing.

Materials Needed:

• The “courage stone” crafted during the lesson

Instructions for Parents:

• Ask your child to tell you the story of their “courage stone” and remind them of the story of David and Goliath. Encourage them to keep their stone in a special place where they can see it and remember God’s help.
• Share stories from your own life or family history about times when courage and faith were important. Relate these back to the idea that God helps us all be brave.

By engaging in these follow-up activities at home, families can deepen the understanding and application of the lesson’s themes, making the biblical story of David and Goliath a meaningful part of children’s lives.

These activities encourage not just learning but living out the values of courage, faith, and reliance on God in everyday situations.

“Let’s remember, just like David, we can face big challenges with courage because God is always with us. And every day, in big and small ways, we can be brave with God’s help.”

Additional Tips for Teachers and Parents

To ensure that the lessons on courage, faith, and reliance on Jesus are not just limited to the classroom but are woven into the fabric of daily life, here are some additional tips for teachers and parents.

These suggestions aim to create an environment where the biblical principles are lived out and discussed regularly, fostering a deeper understanding and personal growth in children.

For Teachers:

Reinforce Lessons with Visuals: Keep visual reminders of the story of David and Goliath in the classroom, such as posters or children’s artwork. Refer back to these visuals in future lessons to remind students of the courage David showed with God’s help.

Encourage Questioning: Create a safe space for children to ask questions and express their fears or doubts. Use these moments to discuss how faith can help us face our “giants.”

Incorporate Prayer: Start and end each class with a short prayer, specifically asking for courage and faith in daily challenges. This reinforces the idea that we can turn to God in every situation.

Share Personal Experiences: When appropriate, share your own stories of facing challenges with courage and faith. Hearing real-life applications of the lesson can deeply impact young minds.

For Parents:

Daily Debriefs: Spend a few minutes each day talking with your child about their “giants” and how they faced them. Use these discussions to reinforce the lesson of David and Goliath and the importance of trusting in God.

Model Courage and Faith: Let your child see you dealing with your own challenges through prayer and faith. Modeling this behavior is one of the most powerful ways to teach.

Create a Prayer Corner: Set up a small area in your home where you and your child can pray together for courage and guidance. Decorate it with items that remind you of stories of faith and courage from the Bible.

Use Media Wisely: Choose books, movies, and TV shows that highlight themes of courage, faith, and trust in God. Discuss these themes after watching or reading, relating them back to the story of David and Goliath and the Christian life.

As we wrap up this lesson about courage and faith through the story of David and Goliath, let’s remember the impact that these biblical lessons can have on young hearts and minds. The story is not just a historical account but a source of inspiration and guidance for facing our own challenges.

“Dear Lord, thank You for the example of David and his unwavering faith in You. Help us to teach our children to be courageous, to face their giants with faith, and to always trust in Your strength. Give us wisdom to guide them, patience to listen to their fears, and creativity to make these lessons engaging and impactful. May we model faith and courage in our own lives, showing our children the way to live boldly for You. Amen.”

Joyful Noises

“Only a Boy Named David”

A simple and catchy song that tells the story of David and Goliath, emphasizing David’s bravery and trust in God.

“My God Is So Big”

This song focuses on God’s power and might, perfect for reinforcing the lesson that with God’s help, we can face any “giant.”

“If You’re Happy and You Know It (Trust in God)”

Adapt the classic “If You’re Happy and You Know It” to include verses about trusting in God and being brave, making it relevant to the story’s themes.

These songs have been chosen to complement the themes of courage, faith, and reliance on God, reinforcing the lessons learned through the story of David and Goliath across different age groups.

They can be integrated into Sunday school lessons, worship times, or as part of the follow-up activities at home.

As you prepare to share the story of David and Goliath with your students, remember that you are not just telling a historical account but are imparting a lesson of immense faith and courage.

This story provides a perfect backdrop to discuss facing fears, standing up for what is right, and the strength that comes from faith in God.

Hello Adventure!