Splink | Courageous Faith

Make a sling similar to the one David might have used (with a strip of leather or cloth). Let kids try throwing a stone using the sling.

To read more about and see a picture of a sling similar to the one David might have used, visit this website. Ancient hand slings generally consisted of a single long strip of leather or woven wool, with a central “pocket” for the stone. The best method of releasing a stone from a sling is by an underhand motion.

Act out the story (leave the stone out when acting out the story) of David and Goliath. Depending on the number of people in your family, choose a Narrator and David and Goliath. If you have more people, you could choose David’s brothers, King Saul, and members of the army.

Read the story from 1 Samuel 17 or from a Children’s Bible Storybook and ask the characters to act out what you read.

God was faithful to help David when he faced a hard situation. God can be trusted to help us in hard situations.

The best way for kids to learn how to face their fears and gain courage is by watching their parents face their fears and be courageous. We can help our kids learn strategies and Bible verses (which are important) but they will more likely DO what we DO. When they see you trust God during a hard time, it will make an impression. When they see you admit your fears but do what needs to be done, they will imitate that.

Find three rocks and write each of the following truths on one. Decorate the rocks if you like. Hide them for others to find and build their faith.

• God is with me!
• God is for me!
• God will help me!

Talk about what each means – at dinner or maybe choose one and talk about it at bedtime (a time when kids are usually eager to stay awake and talk).

1. God is with me! (Read Psalm 27:1)

How would you feel if you were walking late at night and met up with some robbers? (scared!)

How would you feel if you were walking late at night and met up with some robbers, but you were surrounded by 10 strong policemen? (not afraid)

What’s the difference? (who is with you)

We can be brave because God is with us! He has promised to never leave us. (Hebrews 13:5b)

2. God is for me! (Read Psalm 124:1-5)

The psalmist could not even imagine what it would be like if God was not on his side? Why, if God hadn’t been on his side, his enemies would have swallowed him up. God is all powerful. No one or nothing is greater than Him. David had courage because God was on His side. This means that we can have great confidence no matter what we face, because God is for us!

3. God will help me! (Read Psalm 121:1,2)

Where did this writer, probably David, say his help came from? (from the Lord, from the creator, etc.)

David knew that he could call out to God for help no matter where he was and he could count on God to help him. It pleases God when we rely on Him for help. We can cry out to God for help. It does not have to be a long prayer, it can simply be one word to Him, “Help”! God promises that He will help us.

These three BIG truths can give us courage!