David and Jonathan: A Faithful Friendship: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · 1 Samuel 20:1-42
An interactive 45-minute lesson on 1 Samuel 20 in which children act out the story, play an arrow-signal game and make a friendship bookmark. They learn from Jonathan how to be a loyal friend, and they see Jesus as the best friend.
Memory verse
Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. (1 Samuel 20:4, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell how Jonathan helped David with the arrow signal in 1 Samuel 20.
- Explain that a true friend stays loyal, tells the truth and helps, even when it costs something.
- Choose one way to show loyal friendship this week.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: The Friend Handshake (5 min)
Setup: Greet each child at the door.
Say: "Good morning! Today we learn about two best friends. Turn to a buddy and invent a secret handshake with three moves. You have one minute."
Give one minute. Let a few pairs show theirs.
Say: "Great handshakes! Friends often have secret signals. Today a secret signal helps save someone's life."
Say: "David was in big trouble. King Saul wanted to hurt him. His best friend was Saul's own son, Jonathan. What would Jonathan do?"
Transition: "Now let's hear what the Bible says."
Bible Story: The Arrow Signal (9 min)
Tell the story in order. Children do the actions. Read key verses from the KJV.
1. David asks Jonathan, "What have I done?" Jonathan says, "God forbid; thou shalt not die" (v.1-2). Action: shake your head no.
2. Jonathan promises to help: "Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee" (v.4). Action: hand on heart.
3. David will hide in the field during the new moon feast. Jonathan will watch how his father Saul reacts (v.5-7). Action: hands over eyes like a lookout.
4. David's seat is empty. The first day Saul says nothing. The second day Saul asks where David is (v.25-27). Action: point to an empty chair.
5. Saul gets very angry at Jonathan, and he throws a javelin at him (v.30-33). Action: gasp.
6. Jonathan is angry and sad. He eats nothing because of how his father treated David (v.34). Action: sad face.
7. In the morning Jonathan shoots arrows. The signal: "Is not the arrow beyond thee?... make speed" (v.35-38). Action: shoot pretend arrows.
8. David and Jonathan kiss, weep and say goodbye. Jonathan says, "Go in peace" (v.41-42). Action: wave.
Say: "Jonathan chose David over his own safety."
Transition: "Let's see what Jonathan teaches us."
What Makes a Loyal Friend? (6 min)
Say: "Jonathan was a prince. He might have become king one day. But he did not choose power. He chose to help his friend."
Hold up three fingers and teach three things Jonathan did:
1. He listened. He took David's fear seriously (v.4).
2. He told the truth, even to his father (v.32).
3. He acted. He sent the signal that kept David safe (v.35-40).
Say: "Loyal friends do not just say nice words. They help, even when it costs them."
Background: Jonathan and David made a promise before the LORD to be faithful to each other (v.42).
Gentle link to Jesus: Say: "Jesus is the best friend of all. He said, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends' (John 15:13). Jesus did that for us."
Transition: "Now let's play a signal game!"
Game: Near or Beyond? (7 min)
Setup: Put one tape line on the floor for 'David's hiding place' and a second line about 3 meters away. Make a pile of crumpled paper balls.
Steps:
1. Choose one child to be Jonathan and one to be David. David stands behind the hiding line and looks away.
2. Jonathan gently tosses a paper ball underhand along the floor. Short of the second line means 'Come, it is safe.' Past it means 'Go, run away!' (walk only).
3. David turns, reads the signal and walks the right way.
4. The rest of the class cheers softly and calls out 'Near' or 'Beyond.'
5. Swap roles every turn until everyone has played.
Time: 7 minutes.
Safety: Toss only on the leader's count, along the floor and never at people. Walking only. No child has to play a role they do not want.
Say: "Jonathan's signal was a secret message of love."
Transition: "Now let's make something for a friend."
Craft: Friendship Promise Bookmark (8 min)
Setup: Pre-cut cardstock strips. Put out crayons and glue sticks. Teacher handles scissors.
Steps:
1. Take a strip. Write 'Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. 1 Samuel 20:4' along it, or copy the short version: 'I will help you.'
2. Draw an arrow and a heart near the top.
3. Write a friend's name and one way you will help them this week.
4. Decorate the edges with patterns.
5. Fold or glue a second strip behind it to make it sturdy, if you wish.
Time: 8 minutes.
Safety: Check for allergies to markers or glue. Supervise glue use. Scissors are for the teacher only.
Say: "Give your bookmark to a friend or family member this week."
Talk Time: Friends Like Jonathan (6 min)
Sit in a circle and ask these questions:
1. How did Jonathan show he was a good friend to David? (He helped him, told the truth and sent the signal.)
2. Why was it hard for Jonathan to help David? (His father was angry and he could have been hurt.)
3. What is one way you can be loyal to a friend at school? (Include them, tell the truth, stand up for them.)
4. How is Jesus the best friend? (He loves us and gave his life for us.)
Say: "Good friends help each other do right things."
Transition: "Let's finish by talking to God."
Memory Verse and Prayer (4 min)
Memory verse: Say the verse line by line and have the children repeat it. Then say it again, clapping on each word.
Say: "Jonathan promised to help David. We can make that same promise to our friends."
Prayer points (children repeat after you):
- "Thank You, God, for good friends."
- "Help me to be loyal and tell the truth."
- "Thank You, Jesus, for being our best friend."
- "Help me to be kind to someone who needs a friend this week."
Say: "Go in peace, friends! See you next week."
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Scrap paper to crumple into soft 'arrow' balls
- Masking tape for floor lines
- Cardstock strips, pre-cut (about 5 x 18 cm)
- Crayons or markers
- Glue sticks
- Scissors (teacher use only)
Teacher notes
- Read 1 Samuel 20 beforehand. Stay with the text; do not add feelings or dialogue that are not there. The passage tells us Saul was angry and threw a javelin. Keep this brief and calm for young children.
- Safety: the game uses only soft paper balls tossed along the floor. Crafts use scissors, glue and markers, so check for allergies and supervise closely.
- Adaptation: for children with special needs or mixed ages, pair buddies, use picture cards for 'Near' and 'Beyond,' and offer a quieter option, such as being the 'signal caller.'
- If a child's friend situation is painful, avoid pressure to share in discussion. Allow 'pass' and talk with them privately afterward.
Send it home with parents
Today we learned from 1 Samuel 20 how Jonathan helped his friend David, who was in danger. Jonathan told the truth, kept his promise and sent an arrow signal to warn David. Children learned that true friends stay loyal and help each other, and that Jesus is the best friend of all.
- How did Jonathan show he was a good friend to David?
- When is it hard to be a loyal friend?
- How can we be a good friend to someone who feels left out?
Make a family 'secret signal' for a kind message, such as two taps on the shoulder that mean 'I'm here for you.' Use it during the week, and say the memory verse together.
Do one loyal thing for a friend this week. Include them, tell the truth for them or help them. Share the bookmark from class.
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