Here are some ideas that you could do with your children at home, that link the children’s everyday experiences to the Bible. As you play or create, you can talk about what happened in the story of David and Saul.

You could watch these videos of the story:

TEACHING POINT

God can help us make good choices.

PROGRAMME

Let’s Pretend

Role play the story, make your own cave using items from your home. Act out cutting the robe of the king, just like David did.

Reflection bottles

Put some glitter in a bottle filled with water. Shake the bottle and watch the glitter settle. Talk about how when we get cross, we have a choice to stay angry or we can ask God to help us calm down.

Craft

Make a sword using card, foil, paint and jewels. You could write on the sword a word about remembering our choices and how we can ask God for help whenever we need it.

Feelings experiment

Put vinegar in one jar and water in another, add a spoon of bicarb to each jar and watch what happens. Explain that we can put a lid on some of our cross feelings with Gods help so we don’t hurt people, just like David did.

More info and source here.

MESSAGE AND PRAYER TIME

God can help us make good choices.

Up to 3 years old (Fruitshoots)

Thank you God, that you help us make good choices. Help us to be kind and helpful. Thank you that we can ask you for help when we need it!

From 3 years to Reception age (Acorns)

Thank you God, that you help us make good choices, just like you helped David make good choices. Help us to be kind and helpful. Help us to think about other people and when we get cross help us to think calm thoughts. Thank you that we can ask you for help when we need it!

School years 1-6 (Hive)

A question: What do you do when you have feelings you are not sure what to do with? Maybe they are cross feelings, jealousy, worry. Do you write about them, draw a picture or colour, find a quiet place like a tent to feel safe and calm, talk to a friend or family member, pray? God always understands and knows how we are feeling. He is always there to help us when we ask!

Thank you God, that you can help us with our choices, just like you helped David make good choices. Help us to be thoughtful, kind and to put others feelings first. Thank you that when we get cross or worried, you are calm. Help us to ask you when we need calming down. Thank you that we can ask you for help when we need it!

Pray!