This lesson teaches children that when we feel scared, God is still with us, even when we make a choice that is not the best one. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
When we are afraid, we can remember that God is always with us and can take care of us, even when we are tempted to run and do things our own way.
Memory Verse
1 Samuel 27:1
David said in his heart, “I will now perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel. So shall I escape out of his hand.”
(WEB)
Ask the children to put one hand on their heart, then slowly move both hands up and out like they are opening a door, as if they were making a scary feeling go away. Say the words together, moving your hands with every phrase so the motion helps them remember.
The Story: 1 Samuel 27 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 Saul kept chasing David everywhere. David was tired of running and he was afraid. One day he said to himself, “Maybe the best thing is to go to the land of the Philistines. Saul will give up looking for me there.”
So David left with his six hundred men and their families, and they went to Achish, the king of Gath. Achish was a Philistine king. David asked Achish, “Would you please give us a town of our own to live in?” Achish gave David a city called Ziklag. David and his men lived there for a year and four months.
While they were living in Ziklag, David and his men went out and attacked some enemies who lived nearby. They took sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing. When Achish asked where they had been, David told him a made-up story so that Achish would not find out the truth. Achish believed him.
David did not trust God in this choice. He thought that running away and telling lies would keep him safe. But God had promised David that he would one day be king, and God was still in charge of everything, even when David was not making good choices.
This chapter reminds us that when we are scared, we might want to make choices that are not right. Fear can make us run from God’s way. But God does not stop loving us, even when we make mistakes.
Read It Together
1 Samuel 27:5-6
5 David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” 6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: therefore Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day.
(WEB)
Show the children that David asked Achish for a place to live, and that Achish gave him Ziklag. Remind them that God can provide for us in ways we do not expect.
1 Samuel 27:11-12
11 David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, “Lest they should tell about us, saying, ‘David did this, and this has been his way all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” 12 Achish believed David, saying, “He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him. Therefore he will be my servant forever.”
(WEB)
Explain that David did not tell the truth about where he had been. Tell the children that lying can make things worse and that God wants us to be honest even when we are scared.
Talk About It
- What did David feel when he was running away from Saul?
- Why do you think David decided to go to the land of the Philistines?
- What is one thing you can do when you feel scared instead of running away?
- How do you think God felt when David told lies to Achish?
- Who can you talk to when you are afraid, and how does talking to them help?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Safe Place
Give each child a sheet of paper and crayons or markers. Ask them to draw a picture of a place where they feel safe, and then add a small drawing of God in the picture to show that He is always with them. Let them share their pictures with the class.
Follow the Leader Run
Play a simple game where the children follow you around the room. Each time you stop, ask them to freeze and then say one thing they can do when they feel scared instead of running away. This helps them practice calm choices in a fun way.
Safe Place Bracelet
Give each child a piece of yarn and a few colorful beads. Ask them to thread the beads while you talk about how God is with us when we feel afraid. Tie the bracelet on their wrist and encourage them to look at it whenever they feel scared at home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that fear can lead even faithful people to make choices that go against God’s way. David trusted that God would protect him, yet he still chose to run and deceive others. The passage invites us to see that God’s promises do not depend on our perfect behavior, and He remains faithful even when we stumble.
Be careful not to suggest to children that lying is a clever way to stay safe. Emphasize that David’s choices caused trouble and that God wants us to be honest. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness rather than on David’s mistakes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are with us when we feel scared. Help us to trust You instead of running away, and help us to tell the truth even when we are afraid. Thank You that You never stop loving us. Amen.
