2 Samuel 5
God had promised David he would be king. David waited patiently and honored King Saul. After Saul died, there came a time when the people were ready and they crowned David king! In this presentation we get to make a crown and learn more about King David. We learn God gave him many victories and established his kingdom. David conquered Jerusalem and made it his capitol. There he built a palace. We’ll have fun going thru tunnels and building too. God is strong! He strengthens us!
1 Samuel 24 and 26
David chose to always honor the king even when the king tried to hurt him. He knew that God had chosen the king. God wants us to honor authority over us, too. We start this presentation with a game of hide and seek tag outside. This is a great opportunity to honor those in authority, our leaders. The kids have an opportunity to make cards for leaders. The memory verse is Romans 13:1
Print on nice paper and have kids decorate. These envelopes would be perfect.
1 Samuel 27-30
David withdrew from Israel and Judah. He stepped back from Saul’s kingdom. There in Ziklag David found refuge and continued to extend the kingdom. Then the Philistines decided to attack and the king of Gath was included as an ally. David was under his authority, would he join the war? Yes, he had to, until…… God made a way out.
God had said that David would be king and He was directing David’s steps, keeping him safe: safe from the Amalekites, safe from fighting against Israel, and away from the battle that would cause Saul and Jonathan to die and make the way for David to be king.
Indeed God directs our steps on the way to His good and perfect plan! According to His perfect timing.
In this presentation, the kids have a fun zig-zag challenge and learn to work as a team and that it is God who directs our steps. You can preview the presentation below:
A thought just occurred to me that I didn’t include. Do you remember where Goliath was from? Gath — Which is the city Achish is king. Remember that Goliath said, “Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” (1 Samuel 17:8-9). Isn’t it amazing that it is to Achish that David seeks refuge (1 Samuel 21 and 27). I wonder if the thought crossed his mind that in reality that this city and it’s people should serve him. In reality, in a round about way, Achish did serve David by giving him Ziklag (1 Samuel 27) which David used as an outpost to continue to fight for Israel and defeat Israel’s enemies (which may also have been the enemies of Achish). Amazing how God establishes our steps!
Memory Verse Cards
1 Samuel 16
God tells Samuel to anoint David to be the new king, when it was time. David loved God with all of his heart and praised Him while playing his harp. For the craft, we make our own harps and then play them as we sing. God prepared David for kingship by giving him the Holy Spirit and giving him a job in the palace. God prepares us for what He prepares for us to do.
1 Samuel 17
There are 2 optional presentations. In the first we focus on the Bible story, watch a video of archeological evidence and focus on winning by God’s strength and having Faith over Fear.
In the second option, we watch a video of the story of David and Goliath and then do an Armor of God craft. One option is to make DIY armor the kids can wear. It is God who protects us. We win battles against evil and temptation by God’s strength alone. He is the Overcomer. God Wins!
David — Faith over Fear — Fortune Teller
Samson, the strongest man to ever live, was definitely strong. However he was also weak. God used his weaknesses, however to accomplish His goals. We can take comfort in this, that we are valuable despite or maybe even because of our weaknesses. We must remember that it is God who strengthens us! That strength might be physical strength, moral strength, emotional strength, or strength in any number of aspects of our daily lives.
In this PowerPoint lesson the story is presented in video, song, and in challenges. Push puppets are used to represent that though we are weak, it is God who lifts us up and strengthens us. God chose Samson, in fact created Samson to be physically STRONG and capable of breaking the controls of the Philistines. However, Samson’s weakness for Philistine women led him to give in to Delilah’s incessant pleas and break his Nazirite vow. He experienced God’s grace and a second chance. By God’s grace, we are STRONG.
Push Puppet Memory Verse Labels
Gideon saw himself as insignificant — the youngest from a small clan. God saw him as a mighty warrior! I wonder how God sees me? (Do you wonder too?) “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ” Ephesians 2:10. God took the time to calm Gideon’s fears, increase his faith, and demonstrate His Power.
You will find the story broken into two lessonsThese PowerPoints teach us about Gideon and how God enables us to work for Him.
In this PowerPoint lesson, children have an opportunity to complete the picture and think about how God might address them; tear down a pre-built (built by staff or children who come early) tower; and experiment with wool, water, and a sponge. Overall the lesson is that God has big plans for our lives. He takes time to increases our faith and gives us tasks to do.
Color Time: This picture has been revised from the Gallery
In this lesson, we learn that God does not need a large number of participants to win a war. He only needs a few good men. We each can be one of the few. It is not about trusting our ability, it is about trusting God’s ability! The battle is the LORD’s. Trust in the LORD! The children have the opportunity to make a trumpet and torch and act out the battle plan
Craft — Torch
Our Heavenly Father has given us many examples of great dads. He is the BEST Dad of all — gracious, generous, protector, provider, creative, present,….. the list goes on and on. He also made many examples of great dad — animals that are spectacular dads of the unborn, just born, and growing youngsters. This lesson looks at some of those examples and also examples from the Bible of fathers who were good dads. The videos are not mine, but I really appreciate the work that the author did.
The kids have opportunities to complete some challenges that give them a little idea of how dedicated these animal fathers really are.
Because of the persecution that began after Stephen’s death, many people left Jerusalem and scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Philip was one of these people. Philip was full of Holy Spirit and wisdom. He was one of the chosen first deacons to serve the Grecian widows and a powerful missionary. Philip went to Samaria.
There was in that city a man, Simon, famous for his sorcery. Many there called him “The Great Power.” However, when Philip came they got to know the true Great Power, Jesus. They saw what true miracles looked like and were converted and baptized. Even Simon was baptized.
This story reminds me of Jesus’ story of The Sower. The persecution had the affect of the sower sowing seeds. In effect, God scattered His people and they began scattering the seeds of God’s Word, the Good News (Gospel) about Jesus, to people far and wide. Some seed fell on good soil and some on shallow, weedy, or hard soil. Was Simon in this condition? Did he stay in this condition? Here in lies the lesson.
One of the activities is to prepare simple pamphlets to attach to seed packets and share with others.
Jesus had told his disciples that trouble would come, but that he would give them peace (John 16:1-4,33). We have peace knowing we have salvation! Stephen stood up for Jesus. He wanted everyone to know that Jesus died to save us from our sin and that He rose again to give us eternal life. No longer would lambs (or other animals) need to be brought for sacrifice. Jesus died once and for all and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). Jesus stood up for Stephen. He is with us too!
