David and Goliath: Preschool Sunday School Lesson (Ages 3-5)
Ages 3-5 · 30 minutes · free lesson plan · 1 Samuel 17:32-50
A lively preschool lesson on David and the giant, with story actions, a paper-ball toss, a stone craft and a simple memory verse about trusting God.
Memory verse
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. (1 Samuel 17:37, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Children will retell that David trusted God and faced the giant.
- Children will say that God is bigger than things that feel scary.
- Children will learn the key words "The LORD will deliver me" with motions.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Giant Stomps (4 min)
Say: Hello, friends! Today we hear about a brave boy named David.
Say: Let's stomp like giants! Stomp, stomp, stomp!
Say: Now tiptoe like a shepherd boy. Tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe!
Say: Sometimes things feel big and scary. But God is bigger!
Repeat the stomps and tiptoes twice, then have the children sit.
Say: Now let's hear what David did.
Bible Story: David Trusts God (5 min)
Hold up the Bible. Tell the story in order, with actions.
Say: David told King Saul he would fight the Philistine giant. (Stand tall.)
Say: David told Saul that a lion and a bear had come after his father's sheep. God helped David then. (Roar, growl.)
Say: David said, "The LORD will deliver me." Saul said, "Go, and the LORD be with thee." (Point up.)
Say: Saul gave David his armour. David said, "I cannot go with these," and took them off. (Shake head.)
Say: David took his staff, picked five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in his shepherd's bag. He held his sling. (Pretend to pick up stones.)
Say: David said, "I come in the name of the LORD." He ran toward the giant. (Run in place.)
Say: David put a stone in his sling and slung it. The stone hit the giant, and he fell down. (Whirl arm, then clap once.)
Say: David had no sword. God helped him!
God Is With Us (4 min)
Say: David was not afraid, because he trusted God.
Say: David did not trust big armour. He trusted God.
Say: God helps us when we feel small too. Later, God sent Jesus to love and rescue us.
Teach the memory verse. Read it aloud from the Bible, then teach the key words with motions:
"The LORD" (point up)
"he will deliver me" (hug yourself)
Say it together four times, getting faster, then softer.
Say: Now let's play a giant game!
Game: Giant Toss (5 min)
Setup: Tape the giant picture low on a wall. Place a tape line about 6 feet away. Give each child a paper ball.
1. Line up the children behind the tape line.
2. Say: David trusted God, and so can we!
3. Each child takes a turn tossing a paper ball at the giant picture.
4. After each toss, everyone says, "The LORD will deliver me!" with the hug motion.
5. Collect the balls and repeat if time allows.
Safety: Toss only at the picture, never at people. Wait behind the line. Do not make children take a turn if they would rather watch.
Time: 5 min.
Craft: My Brave Stone (5 min)
Setup: Pre-cut a gray paper stone for each child. Do not use scissors in class.
1. Give each child a stone and crayons.
2. Say: David picked smooth stones from the brook.
3. Let the children color and decorate their stones.
4. Help each child draw a heart or write their name on the back.
5. Say: When you feel scared, hold your stone and say, "God is with me."
Safety: Crayons only, and keep them off the floor. Stay near the children while they color.
Time: 5 min.
Talk Time (3 min)
Sit in a circle. Ask each question, then accept short answers.
1. Who did David trust? (God!)
2. What did David pick up from the brook? (Smooth stones.)
3. Who is bigger than anything scary? (God!)
4. What can we say when we feel scared? (The LORD will deliver me. God is with me.)
Say: Great listening, friends! Now let's thank God.
Closing Prayer and Goodbye (4 min)
Have the children hold their stones and close their eyes.
Say: Dear God, thank You for being bigger than anything scary.
Say: Thank You for helping David. Thank You for helping us.
Say: Help us trust You when we feel small. In Jesus' name, amen.
Stand and say the memory verse key words once more with the motions.
Say: Take your stone home and tell your family about David. Goodbye, brave friends!
Materials
- Bible
- Large paper with a giant drawn on it
- Crumpled paper balls (one per child)
- Masking tape
- Pre-cut gray paper stones (one per child)
- Crayons
Teacher notes
- The full memory verse is long for this age. Read it aloud and teach only the key words "The LORD ... he will deliver me" with motions.
- Safety: Paper balls go only toward the picture. Crayons only, with no scissors in class. Keep craft supplies away from children under 3.
- Adaptation: Offer a seated option for the toss, such as handing the ball to a buddy to place on the picture. Show picture cues for each story part.
- Do not describe the giant's size or David's feelings beyond what the text says. Keep the focus on trusting God.
Send it home with parents
Today your child heard how David trusted God and faced the giant (1 Samuel 17:32-50). David did not rely on armour. He trusted that the LORD was with him. We learned that God is bigger than anything that feels scary.
- Who helped David when he faced the giant?
- What can you say when you feel scared?
Keep the paper stone near your child's bed. At bedtime, hold it together and say, "The LORD will deliver me," then pray, "God, thank You for being with us."
When your child feels worried this week, pause and say the key words together: "The LORD will deliver me." Then pray a short prayer.
Make this lesson your own: change the age, length or language · Printables to go with this lesson · Printables for this story
More teaching resources
More free lessons
See all free lessons