Your Grace Kids resources for the week of August 17
Read 1 Samuel 17 or Watch Bible story video:
Discuss:
- When you first hear the story, you might think that the story of David and Goliath is about how we should be brave like David. God is the real hero of the story — and that is good news for us — and for your children!
- Talk with your kids about their fears and when we don’t feel brave? Aren’t we often more like the Israelites and feel terrified because we focus on those things that scare us and our own limitations.?
- Did David defeat Goliath because David was an excellent soldier? Did he keep his sheep safe from wild animals because he was a professional shepherd? No! God did that! God gave David power. “…all the world will know that Israel has a God, and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s. He will hand you over to us.” I Samuel 17:46b-47
- Can God give us power like He gave David? Yes! God gives us power against our greatest enemy—sin. God gives the Holy Spirit to those who trust in Jesus. By His power, we can resist temptation. Apart from Jesus, we are weak and afraid. None of us would step up like David. Even if we tried, we would fail on our own. David reminds us of Jesus, the greatest hero, who came to save us. When we look to Jesus, He gives us salvation and eternal life.
Practice Psalm 19:1-4B, 7-13
We’re almost finished memorizing Psalm 19! Spend extra time this week reading through the Psalm, reciting it together as a family and praying through the verses.
Help your kids understand that the stories of the Bible are true and happened in real places in history.
See where one of the most well known Bible stories actually took place. Jeremy and Barry visit the Valley of Elah and discuss the powerful words of David, a young shepherd boy, as he showed overwhelming faith against a warrior giant.
Pray together asking God for His Holy Spirit to have faith to trust in the midst of difficulty times.
LESSON 12: HOW WILL THEY HAVE HOPE? (continued)
Read 2 Kings 4:1–7.
Discuss how your family can “Experience It”. Take a family drive or walk through one of the poorest areas in your community. Pray specifically for the things you see (e.g. a homeless man, a dilapidated house). Begin asking God to show your family ways to get involved that will start to transform lives and bring living hope to people in this neighborhood.
Finish up with the “Map It” section.
Have fun with your family playing a Minute to Win it — Goliath-themed ping pong game!
David was not a big or strong warrior, but he trusted God. God gave David power. Our victories do not come by our own strength; God empowers us through His Spirit. Most of all, we already have the ultimate victory through His Son, Jesus. We are like the Israelites who were afraid to fight. Jesus did not look like a strong winner, but He won the victory for us. But by dying on the cross and coming back to life, Jesus showed His power to save sinners.
