ParentsConnect

God’s Unfolding Story

Unfolding God’s Story for

ParentsFor the next few weeks we will look at God’s leadership in the life of David. David trusted God as he fulfilled his roles as shepherd, giant fighter, as friend, and as king. We can learn much from David’s life, and so can your preschooler. Today’s story is about David’s reliance on God in the early years of life. We will see in the weeks to come that David continued to trust the Lord throughout his life.

Talk with your child about times that he or she has trusted you as a parent to take care of and protect him or her.Say: “In our true story from the Bible today we will learn about how a shepherd boy could trust God so much that he was able to do amazing things. Listen for what this young shepherd could do with God’s help.”

Open your Bible to 1 Samuel 16 and tell the story.

Bible StoryDavid Was a Shepherd Boy

(1 Samuel 16:6-12; 17:12-15, 34-36)Long ago, during the days of King Saul and the prophet Samuel, there lived a young boy named David. David lived in Bethlehem with his father, Jesse, and his seven older brothers. Three of his brothers were soldiers in Saul’s army. David, however, stayed home and helped his father. One of David’s jobs was to care for the sheep. Men who did this were called shepherds. A shepherd moved his sheep from place to place so the animals always would have green grass and fresh water. On nights when the flock was far from the shepherd’s home, the shepherd would sleep on

the hillside to watch over it. Probably there were many nights when David looked at the stars and the moon and thought about the beautiful world God had made. He may have learned to play his harp on the hill, and he probably wrote many songs as he watched the sheep. A shepherd also protected the sheep from wild animals. When a lion carried

off one of David’s sheep, David ran after it! God gave him strength to rescue it. Another day David ran after a bear! Again God helped David. If the lion or bear fought back, David struck it and killed it. David loved God, and God helped David to be strong and brave.

After the story, ask: “What was the shepherd’s name?” (David) “What did God help him do to protect his sheep?” (kill a lion and a bear)Tell about some times that you might have been frightened but were comforted knowing that God was with you.

Activity SuggestionMake a Lion’s Head

Use whatever you have around the house with a round shape (paper plate, construction paper, etc.) Cut the edges into strips and curl them just a bit for the lion’s mane. Glue on wiggly eyes or just draw the eyes. Color or glue on a fabric nose and mouth. Explain that lions are very dangerous, but God helped David protect the sheep from the hungry lion.

God’s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright © 2014 - SundaySchoolZone.com OT10 Lesson 1

1. God created everything.

2. People disobeyed God.

3. God chose a special people.

4. God sent Jesus to help us.

5. Jesus began the Church.

6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us.

Bible Story: David Was a

Shepherd Boy (1 Samuel 16:6-12; 17:12-

15, 34-36)Bible Phrase: “God will help

me” (Isaiah 50:7).Bible Truth: God will

help me.