This lesson teaches children that God takes care of us even when we feel scared and alone, and that we can always pray to Him when we are afraid. It is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we are scared, we can run to God, and He will take care of us. We do not have to be brave on our own, because God is with us.
Memory Verse
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart and say the verse slowly with the children. Each time you say the word “trust,” lift both hands up high like you are reaching toward God. Do this together three times until the motion feels natural.
The Story: 1 Samuel 21 for Kids
David was a young man whom God had chosen to be the next king of Israel. But King Saul was jealous and wanted to hurt him, so David had to run away and hide. One day David came to a town called Nob, where a priest named Ahimelech lived. Ahimelech saw David and was surprised, because David was all alone.
David told a little fib to the priest. He said the king had sent him on a secret job, and he asked for some bread to eat. The priest did not have ordinary bread, but he had special holy bread that was kept in the Tabernacle for God. He gave David some of that bread, because David was hungry and needed help.
David also asked if the priest had a weapon. The priest said, “The sword of Goliath is here, wrapped up in a cloth.” This was the same sword David had used long ago when he defeated the giant. David said, “There is none like that. Give it to me.” He took the sword and felt a little safer.
But David was still afraid. He ran away to the land of Gath, to a king named Achish. The servants of Achish recognized David and said, “Isn’t this the man they sing about, the one who killed his ten thousands?” David became very scared that Achish would hurt him.
So David acted in a strange way. He pretended to be crazy, scribbling on the gate and letting spit drip into his beard. King Achish looked at him and said, “Why would you bring this man here? I have enough crazy people already!” So Achish sent David away, and David was able to escape.
Read It Together
Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
(WEB)
Point out how David says he sought the Lord and was delivered from all his fears. Explain that David was not perfectly brave here, but he still knew where to turn when he was frightened. Help children notice that God rescued him even when his plan was not perfect.
1 Samuel 21:13
He changed his behavior before them, and pretended to be insane in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down on his beard.
(WEB)
Show children that David acted in a way that was not truthful and was not a good example. Explain that God still cared for David even when he made mistakes. This helps children understand that God is patient and loving toward us when we fail.
1 Samuel 21:9
The priest said, “Behold, the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you would like to take that, take it; for there is no other except that here.” David said, “There is none like that. Give it to me.”
(WEB)
Point out that God had kept the sword of Goliath safe for David, even though David was far away. Tell children that God knows where everything is and cares about every detail of our lives. Remind them that God was still watching over David.
Talk About It
- What is something that has made you feel scared before?
- Where did David go when he was afraid of King Saul?
- What can we do when we feel frightened, like David did?
- Why do you think God still took care of David even when he did something wrong?
- How can you remember that God is with you when you feel alone?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Safe Place
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of a place where they feel safe, such as their bedroom, a park, or their grandmother’s kitchen. Then have them draw a small figure of God or a heart somewhere in the picture to show that God is always with them.
Run to Safety Game
You will need an open space and a few chairs or cones. Set up a “safe place” at one end of the room, such as a chair with a blanket. Call out “Scared!” and have the children run to the safe place. Explain that just as they ran to a safe place, we can run to God when we are frightened.
Prayer Pebble Take-Home
You will need small smooth stones, a marker, and a small bag or envelope. Let each child write or draw a simple word like “God” or a heart on a stone. Tell them to keep the stone in their pocket or on their nightstand. When they feel scared, they can hold the stone and pray a short prayer to God.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God’s people can be afraid and can even make poor choices, yet God still watches over them. For adults, it reminds us that God’s care does not depend on our perfect behavior. It also shows that fear often pushes us to run to God or to our own schemes, and God invites us to trust Him in those moments.
Avoid suggesting to children that pretending to be crazy or telling a fib is a good idea. Be clear that David’s actions were not an example to copy, even though God still protected him. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness rather than on David’s cleverness.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being with us when we feel scared. We know we can always run to You and talk to You. Help us to trust You every day, and remind us that You are always near. Thank You for loving us and taking care of us. Amen.
