TEXT: 1 Samuel 17:17-51; Isaiah 26:3

“Who wants to fight me?” shouted the big, mean giant. “You’re all afraid!” he roared. “Come on out from your hiding places. I dare you! We’ll see who is the strongest!”

David, just a young shepherd, watched as the giant called to the people. He looked around expecting to see a brave soldier from the army of Israel rush out to fight Goliath, the giant. But no one moved.

David was surprised. He asked some nearby soldiers, “Who is this Philistine? Why does he make fun of Israel?” Goliath may be strong, thought David, but my God is stronger. Then David realized that everyone was afraid. “I’ll fight Goliath,” David said as he jumped to his feet. “God has always taken care of me. He will protect me now when I fight this giant.”

David was taken to King Saul. King Saul was surprised when he saw how young David was. He tried to talk David out of fighting Goliath, but David told Saul all about his God and how he knew that God would help him.

King Saul put his own armor on David. But David could not go out to meet Goliath dressed like that. He took it off because his trust was in God, not in the armor.

David ran down into the valley without any armor at all, his sling in his hand. He found a small stream of water and searched for some smooth stones. When he had found five stones he put them into his shepherd’s pouch. Then he went to fight Goliath.

Goliath was angry when he saw David coming! Why, Goliath was over nine feet tall and David was so much smaller! How Goliath raged!

David wasn’t afraid when he heard Goliath. He called out, “I come to you in the name of the Lord.” David told Goliath that God would win the battle. Then everyone would know how great the God of Israel was.

David put a stone in his sling. He ran toward the giant, swinging the sling around and around. Suddenly, David let the stone fly. THUD! The stone hit the giant right in the head. Down he went, flat on his face! God helped David defeat the giant.

David was right! His God was greater than a giant. His God was stronger than a giant. He didn’t have to be afraid.

God loves and helps all of us too. God’s people never have to be afraid.

This Bible story is one that is sure to stir the imagination of your child—the story of David confronting the giant, Goliath, and winning a mighty victory for the Children of Israel through his courage. The emphasis for this lesson is that God will be with those who trust in Him.

The Philistine champion was reported to be over nine feet tall. To illustrate to your child how high this is, measure that distance and have him stand beside it.

A simple shepherd’s pouch can be made by cutting a circle from a brown paper bag approximately 7″ in diameter. Punch small holes around the circle, about 1/2″ from the edge. Crumple the circle between your hands to make it resemble leather. Thread a cord through the holes and pull up to form a pouch. Let your child search for five smooth stones to put into the pouch.

FAMILY DEVOTIONS