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A Kingdom

Created

SUMMER 2013 PRESCHOOL WORSHIP GUIDE


Ed Stetzer General Editor
Trevin Wax Managing Editor

Kids

The Gospel Project for Kids:


Preschool Worship Guide
Volume 1 Number 4 Summer 2013
Eric Geiger
Vice President, Church Resources
Ed Stetzer
General Editor
Trevin Wax
Managing Editor
Tim Pollard
Publishing Team Leader
Landry Holmes
Manager, Kids Ministry Publishing
Lance Howerton
Director, Kids Ministry
Send questions/comments to:
Publishing Team Leader
Preschool Worship Guide
One LifeWay Plaza
Nashville, TN 37234-0172
or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com
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The Gospel Project for Kids: Preschool Worship
Guide (ISSN 2168-6033; Item 005508637) is published
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CONTENTS
Unit 10: Hints of Christ
Session 1: Ruth and Boaz............................................................................6
Session 2: Eli and Boy Samuel................................................................16
Session 3: The Ark Was Captured...........................................................26

Unit 11: Saul and David


Session 1: Israel Demanded a King.........................................................38
Session 2: God Rejected Saul as King....................................................48
Session 3: David Was Anointed and Fought Goliath..............................58
Session 4: David and Jonathan Became Friends....................................68
Session 5: God Made a Covenant with David........................................78
Session 6: David Sinned and Was Restored............................................88

Unit 12: A Kingdom in Trouble


Session 1: Solomon Asked for Wisdom................................................100
Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple...................................................110
Session 3: Solomons Sin Divided the Kingdom..................................120
Session 4: Poetry and Wisdom..............................................................130

Special Features
Using This Worship Guide.......................................................................2
Teaching with Creative Arts...............................................................140
Teaching Kids with ADHD...................................................................142

Using This Worship Guide


Leader Bible Study
This is a brief overview of the
Bible story, its place in the grand
narrative, and its connection to
Christ.
The Bible Story
The script of the Bible story video
includes a connection to Christ.
Show the video, use the video
script to tell the Bible story, or
tell the story in your own words
with the Bible open.
For younger preschoolers, use
the bolded portions of the Bible
story. The bolded portions will
also be helpful for review.
Large Group Worship
The worship session emphasizes
Bible teaching and praise.
Focus on praise, the Christ
Connection, the Big Picture
Question, the Bible story, and
prayer.
Six songs are provided for each
unit: a unit song, a key passage
song, a fun song, and three
other praise songs or songs
related to the Bible story. Teach
a few words or phrases to help
kids sing with understanding.

Remember that the Bible


teaches us to sing to the Lord!
Begin teaching kids to give at
church by collecting an offering.
Some kids may arrive with an
offering, which you may hold
for them at the door. Return
their offerings to them after the
Bible story; consider providing
coins for kids who did not arrive
with an offering.
Use the timeline to teach
concepts of before-and-after
and to look forward to the
coming of Christ. You may use
the Timeline Map or the Small
Group Visual Pack. You may
sometimes prefer to print the
digital Bible Story Picture.
The Key Passage is a portion of
Scripture to remember from the
unit. Repeat it frequently. Use
the key passage song to help
learn it.
Early Bible skills center on
learning the parts and the
purpose of the Bible. Emphasize
that God gave us the Bible to let
us know Him and His plan for
us. Everything in it is true.
The Big Picture Question is
designed to teach a truth related
Preschool Worship Guide

to the Bible passage. Ask the


question frequently during the
session and help kids learn to
respond with the answer.
Shorten or omit some of the
review questions for young
preschoolers.
Time estimates are estimates
only; determine when transition
times must occur to conclude
on time. Post the schedule. Trim
the plan if necessary.
Say suggests conversation that
supports the session. Use your
own words, but incorporate the
Christ Connection, Big Picture
Question, Key Passage, and
parts of the Bible story.
Use the countdown video or
another favorite method any
time you need to assemble your
group and move to the next
element in the session.
Small Group Activities
Fun activities provide a
springboard for talking about
the Bible story, the Big Picture
Question, the Key Passage, or the
Christ Connection.
In a self-contained classroom,
lead the small group activities
in a different area of the room

A Kingdom Created

from the worship area if


possible.
Preschoolers learn through
hands-on experiences,
interacting with other kids, and
talking with their teacher while
they work or play.
Select activities that work
for you, or supply your own
activities. Just remember to
include the conversation tips as
you do them.
Low Prep indicates at least
one activity that takes minimal
resources and planning.
Large Group Closing
Close by reviewing the session.
Extend the teaching to include a
missions story or ministry project.
Review to help kids remember
the Bible story, Big Picture
Question, and Key Passage.
Read or watch a missions
story. Once during each unit,
introduce and carry out a
ministry project.
Conclude with an open-ended
game while waiting for parents
or a new set of teachers to arrive.
For other articles and ideas, see the
kids blog at www.gospelproject.com.

Unit 10:Hints of Christ


Big Picture Questions
Session 1:
Who is our Helper? Jesus is our Helper.
Session 2:
Who spoke to Samuel? God spoke to Samuel, and Samuel listened.
Session 3:
Why was the ark of God important? The ark reminded Gods people that
God was with them.

Preschool Worship Guide

Unit 10:Hints of Christ


Unit Description:The Old Testament contains many stories with elements
that parallel the life and work of Christ. These three stories foreshadow
Christ as the perfect Redeemer, perfect King, and God with us.
Unit Key Passage:
1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection:
God used people and visual elements in history to give us pictures of
Christ.
Session 1:
Ruth and Boaz
Ruth 14
Session 2:
Eli and Boy Samuel
1 Samuel 13
Session 3:
The Ark Was Captured
1 Samuel 45

A Kingdom Created

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
Only two books in the Old Testament bear the name of a woman: Ruth and
Esther. Ruths story occurs at the time when judges ruled over Israel. Gods
people were characterized by rebellion and immorality. At a time when
the Israelites desperately needed a king to lead them back to God, Ruths
story of faithfulness points us to Jesus Christ, a coming Redeemer who will
make all wrong things right again.
Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi, a woman from Bethlehem
who settled in Moab with her husband and two sons to escape a famine.
Naomis husband died, and her two sons married Moabite women, Orpah
and Ruth. They lived in Moab for 10 years; then Naomis sons died.
Naomi heard that the Lord had provided His people food during the
famine, so she decided to go back to Judah. Naomi encouraged Orpah and
Ruth to return to their families. Orpah returned home, but Ruth clung to
Naomi. Ruth said, Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I
will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God
(Ruth 1:16). So Naomi and Ruth traveled back to Bethlehem together.
Naomi permitted Ruth to gather fallen grain in a field. The owner of the
field was Boaz, a relative of Naomis late husband and a family redeemer.
Boaz noticed Ruth and told her she could safely gather grain in his field.
At Naomis urging, Ruth sought to be redeemed by Boaz. Boaz bought
back the land Naomi and Ruth had lost when their husbands died, and he
married Ruth. They had a son named Obed, whose grandson would be
King David.
God gave Rutha foreignera special place in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
As you teach kids today, introduce them to Jesus, our Redeemer. He bought
for us salvation, paying the price with His very own blood.

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 10 Session 1

PreschoolBible study OVERVIEW


Session Title: Ruth and Boaz
Bible Passage: Ruth 14
Big Picture Question: Who is our Helper? Jesus is our Helper.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)..................................................................................Page 10
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)..................................................................................Page 12
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)......................................................................................Page 14

Hints of Christ

TheBIBLE STORY
Ruth and Boaz
Ruth 14
Naomi lived with her family in Judah. She had a husband and two
sons. Naomi and her family were hungry. There was not enough food in
their land for everyone. Naomis family decided to go to the land of
Moab. Moab had food.
While they were in Moab, Naomis husband died. Naomi and her
sons were sad. Naomis sons got married. Their wives names were
Orpah and Ruth. Then Naomis sons died too. Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth
were all alone. Naomi wanted to go back to Judah. Judah had food now.
Orpah and Ruth went with Naomi, but Naomi could not take care of them.
She told them to go back to their families in Moab.
The women were very sad to leave each other. Orpah went home, but
Ruth would not leave Naomi. Ruth said, Wherever you go, I will go,
and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your
God will be my God. Naomi and Ruth went to Bethlehem.
It was time for the farmers to gather what they had planted in their
fields. The people gathering the crops left some of the grain on the ground
for people who needed it. Naomi said that Ruth could go into the fields
and gather fallen grain. Ruth went to a field owned by a man named
Boaz. Boaz saw Ruth working. He had heard how kind Ruth was to Naomi.
Boaz told Ruth to stay in his field where she would be safe. Boaz made
sure Ruth had food.
Ruth gathered a lot of grain in the field. She took the grain home to
Naomi and told her about Boaz. Boaz is a close relative, Naomi said.
He is one of our family redeemers. A family redeemer was someone who
helped his relatives if they were in trouble. Naomi knew Boaz would take
good care of Ruth, so she told Ruth to stay in Boazs fields.
Naomi wanted to make sure Ruth had a husband to take care of her, so
she gave Ruth special instructions. Ruth put on her best clothes and did
everything Naomi told her to do. She showed Boaz that she wanted to be

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 10 Session 1

his wife. Boaz was surprised to see Ruth. You are a family redeemer, she
said.
Boaz promised to help Ruth. He agreed to marry Ruth and take
good care of her. Boaz gave Ruth grain and sent her back to Naomi.
Boaz married Ruth. Ruth and Boaz had a baby boy named Obed.
Naomi took care of Obed. When Obed grew up, he was the father of
Jesse, who was the father of King David.
Christ Connection: Boaz helped his close relatives. Boaz was a family
redeemer. He bought back what his relatives lost. Jesus is our Redeemer.
He bought our salvation from sin by dying on the cross.

* Use only the words in bold to review the Bible story or tell it to younger
preschoolers.

Hints of Christ

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: Ruth and Boaz
Bible Passage: Ruth 14
Big Picture Question: Who is our Helper? Jesus is our Helper.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.

Play Center of It
in the background
as you welcome
incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
The Stay-in-Place
Song
Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Faithful Priest
song
stalk of wheat or
picture of stalk

10

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
Welcome kids and ask, Which would you like to do first:
sing a song? Or say hello to a friend? Take an informal
vote, greet each other, and sing The Stay-in-Place Song in
the order kids choose.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Before the session, mark Ruth 1 with a wheat stalk (or a
picture of any grain stalk). Invite a child to open your Bible.
Say My Bible is open to the Book of Ruth. Ruth is the
eighth book of the Bible. Lets say the books of the Bible
from the beginning together: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth!
Listen to the key passage song, A Faithful Priest. Ask
whom the faithful priest reminds them of. (The faithful
priest reminds us of Jesus because He did what God
wanted Him to do.)

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 10 Session 1

Timeline Map
Ruth and Boaz
video (optional)
stalk of wheat

Big Picture Question


Poster (enhanced
CD)
Listen and Obey
song
Come and Praise
Him song
I Know song
offering basket

countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

Watch or tell the Bible story


Say A word in our story reminds me of Jesus Christ. It is
redeem. Redeem means to pay a price to get something
back. Thats what Jesus did for us when He died on the
cross.
Show the timeline map. Recall the period of time when
the judges ruled the Israelites. Mention that todays story
happened during that time. Show the stalk of wheat.
Say As you listen to the Bible story, think about why
grain was so important in our story. Naomi and Ruth
arrived in Bethlehem when it was time to pick the barley
crop, but they didnt have any barley of their own to pick.
They needed food.
Watch the Bible story video, or tell it with your Bible open.
Worship with song and pray
Sing Listen and Obey.
Say In todays story, Boaz helped Naomis family. He was
kind to them. He redeemed Ruth and married her. [Look
at the big picture question poster.] Who is our Helper?
Jesus is our Helper. Jesus helps us every day, doesnt He?
Pray. Thank God for giving us the best helper of allJesus.
Choose two kids to pass the offering basket as you play
Come and Praise Him.
Sing I Know.

Transition to small groups


Pretend to gather grain as kids move to their small groups.
To the tune of Skip to My Lou, sing:
Pick, pick, pickin up grain,
Pick, pick, pickin up grain,
Pick, pick, pickin up grain,
Pickin up grain like Ruth did.

Hints of Christ

11

Small GroupActivities
Session Title: Ruth and Boaz
Bible Passage: Ruth 14
Big Picture Question: Who is our Helper? Jesus is our Helper.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.

Tip: Select from the


activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.
music

LOW
PREP
newspaper or
packing peanuts
26-quart container
or smaller baskets
paper plates

masking tape or
packing tape
assorted boxes

12

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Follow the leader
Choose music provided with this unit or from another
source. Move around the room as kids copy the leader. Stop
the music, changing leaders often. Give each kid a turn.
Say Ruth loved Naomi. She followed Naomi to
Bethlehem, and there she helped Naomi in many ways.
Later King David and then Jesus were born in Bethlehem.
Gather grain
Place small wads of newspaper or packing peanuts in two
heaps on the floor. Invite some kids to gather the grain. Give
other kids paper plates to fan chaff away (winnowing).
Use a 26- to 28-quart container to show approximately how
much grain Ruth took home on her first day in the field.
Say Gleaning, threshing, and winnowing were hard work,
but Ruth took a lot of grain home to Naomi. God planned
for her to work in the field of Boaz. Boaz helped Ruth.
Pack and move
Tape packing boxes for moving. To help kids with tearing
pieces of tape, tear and stick the ends of tape pieces to a
table edge for them to use.
Say Ruth and Naomi moved from Moab to Bethlehem.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 10 Session 1

index cards, 6
spring-type
clothespins, 27
supplies

grass, plants, wheat


stalks
play dough
colored grains
(optional)
cotton swabs
glue
Allergy Alert
(enhanced CD)

baking mix or recipe


ingredients
mixing bowls, 3
electric skillet or
stove and skillet
cooking oil
spoons
paper towels
Allergy Alert
(enhanced CD)

countdown video
(optional)
I Know song

Match letters to make names


Print each nameNaomi, Ruth, Boaz, Obed, David, and
Jesuson an index card. Use capital letters; space them
far enough apart to clip a clothespin under each. Print each
letter of each name on a clothespin. Invite kids to clip the
clothespins under the matching letters. Consider putting
them in chronological order, as listed above.
Say God chose Ruth and Boaz, their son Obed, and their
great-grandson David to be a part of Jesus family.
Create with grain
Press plants, leaves, or wheat stalks into play dough. (You
can buy wheat stalks in the dried flower section at a craft
store.) You may rub the seed cases of wheat stalks between
your thumb and fingers to show how grain separates from
chaff (threshing).
Alternate idea: Buy two or three different colored grains;
spread glue on paper using cotton swabs; invite kids to
make colored grain designs.
Say Ruth harvested grain to help feed her family.
Make pancakes or flat bread
Use a baking mix or a recipe. Allow kids to mix dry and wet
ingredients in separate bowls. Add wet ingredients into dry
and stir until smooth. Adults do the cooking: Add oil to the
skillet, pour tablespoons of batter on the skillet, and cook
the bread or pancakes. Pat on paper towels and serve.
Say Ruth gathered grain to make flour so that she and
Naomi would have bread to eat.

Transition to large group closing


Call kids back to group time by singing I Know.

Hints of Christ

13

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: Ruth and Boaz
Bible Passage: Ruth 14
Big Picture Question: Who is our Helper? Jesus is our Helper.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


stalk of wheat
Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
I Know song

14

Review
Show the stalk of wheat again. Talk about some of the
things we can make with wheat. Briefly discuss threshing
(separating the part of the wheat that we can eat, the grain,
from the part that we cannot eat, the chaff).
Say In Bible times, stalks of wheat were pounded with a
tool called a flail. Then workers would toss the crushed
stalks of grain into the air, and the wind would carry
away the straw, or chaff. The good grain would fall to the
ground where it was gathered.
What do you remember about our story? Ill ask a
question, and you tell me who did itNaomi, Ruth,
Orpah, or Boaz.
Whose family left Judah and moved to Moab to live
because they were hungry? (Naomis)
Whom did Naomis sons marry? (Ruth and Orpah)
Whose husbands died while they lived in Moab?
(Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah)
Who decided to move back to Judah? (Naomi)
Which of her daughters-in-law went with her? (Ruth)
From whose field did Ruth gather grain? (Boaz)
Who was a close relative of Naomis family? (Boaz)
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 10 Session 1

Whom did Boaz redeem when he bought the land that


their husbands had owned? (Ruth and Naomi)
Who had a plan for Ruth to marry Boaz? (Naomi, God)
Who married Ruth? (Boaz)
Who had a baby boy named Obed? (Ruth and Boaz)
Say Boaz helped Naomis family. Who is our Helper?
Jesus is our Helper. Lets sing about why Jesus helps us.
Sing I Know.
Pray
Invite a volunteer to pray. Conclude by thanking God for
the story of Boaz that helps us know how Jesus helps us.

Ruth and Boaz


Bible Story Coloring
Page, 1 per kid
(enhanced CD)

cardboard tubes or
swim noodles
timer or stopwatch

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Missions project: Adopt a Grandparent


In todays story, Naomis friends told her that her grandson
Obed would take care of her when she was old. Begin an
Adopt a Grandparent project. Enlist a senior adult leader
from your church to speak to the kids about getting to know
an older adult. Mention some of the different things that
a child and a bonus grandparent can do together. Provide
kids families with the name(s) and address(es) of senior
adults in your church. Encourage kids to get started by
coloring the Bible story coloring picture of Naomi with
baby Obed to share with their newly adopted grandparent.
Play Carry the Sheaf
Provide a variety of cardboard tubes. Swim noodles will
work as well. Scatter them all over the floor.
Say A sheaf of grain is as much as a person can carry
under one arm. How many sheaves can we gather in
1 minute? In 30 seconds? [Use a stopwatch to time kids
as they work.]

Hints of Christ

15

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
Hannahan ordinary Israelite during the time of the judgeswanted
nothing more than to be a mother, but the Lord had closed her womb.
(1 Samuel 1:5) Each year when her husband went to Shiloh to worship and
to sacrifice to God, Hannah went up to the house of the Lord. One evening,
Hannah returned to present herself to the Lord. She wept and prayed,
asking God to give her a son and vowing to dedicate him to God. Hannahs
cries to the Lord were so fervent that Eli the priest rebuked her for being
drunk.
I havent had any wine or beer; Ive been pouring out my heart before the
Lord, Hannah explained. Eli blessed Hannah and said, May God answer
your prayers. God answered Hannahs prayers. Hannah had a son. She
named him Samuel, which means, requested from God.
When Samuel was old enough to be weaned, Hannah took him to Shiloh
and presented him to Eli. First Samuel 2 records Hannahs triumphant
prayer. Hannah glorified God for His sovereignty, then she went home with
her husband, leaving Samuel to serve God under the leadership of Eli the
priest. Samuel faithfully served God. Hannah visited Samuel each year and
brought him a robe.
Now Eli had two sons of his own who were also priests. Eli had trouble
controlling his sons. They were wicked men with no regard for God. Eli
rebuked his children, but they did not listen. So God rejected Elis family.
Review 1 Samuel 3. Note how Samuel responded to Gods call: Speak,
for Your servant is listening. Samuel was the prophet Israel needed to give
them Gods guidance. He became a prophet of God and was the last judge
of Israel. Help kids identify Samuels role as Gods messenger. Help them
connect Samuel to Jesus, who came to earth not only to tell what God is
like, but to show what He is like.

16

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 10 Session 2

PreschoolBible study OVERVIEW


Session Title: Eli and Boy Samuel
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 13
Big Picture Question: Who spoke to Samuel? God spoke to Samuel, and
Samuel listened.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)..................................................................................Page 20
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)..................................................................................Page 22
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)......................................................................................Page 24

Hints of Christ

17

TheBIBLE STORY
Eli and Boy Samuel
1 Samuel 13
In a hilly country called Ephraim (EE fra ihm), a man named
Elkanah (el KAY nuh) lived with his wife, Hannah. Hannah was very
sad because she did not have any children. Hannah really wanted to have
a family.
Every year, Elkanah went to the tabernacle to worship God.
Hannah went with Elkanah. She cried and would not eat. Elkanah saw
that Hannah was upset. Whats wrong, Hannah? he asked. Dont I
make you happy? But Hannah was not happy. She wanted a baby.
Hannah prayed to God and cried some more. Hannah prayed, Lord,
if You give me a son, I will give him to You. He will serve You all of his
life. A priest named Eli was sitting near the doorpost of the tabernacle.
Eli watched Hannah pray. He couldnt hear her, but he saw her lips
moving. Eli thought there was something wrong with Hannah.
I am very sad, Hannah told Eli. Ive been telling God how I
feel.
Eli said, Go in peace. May God answer your prayers.
Hannah and Elkanah went home, and God did answer her prayers.
After some time, Hannah gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel
because, she said, I asked the Lord for him.
When Samuel was old enough, Hannah took him to Eli at the
tabernacle. God has answered my prayers! Hannah said. Hannah
worshiped God. Then she left Samuel with Eli to serve God, and she
went home. Every year, Hannah visited Samuel and brought him a
new robe. God gave Hannah many more children.
Eli was getting old. His sons were priests in the tabernacle. Eli heard
that his sons were not obeying God. Eli asked his sons, Why are you
doing bad things? But they did not listen to him.
Samuel grew older and obeyed God. One day a man of God came to Eli
and told him that God was not going to honor people who sinned against

18

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 10 Session 2

Him. God said He was going to choose a new priest who would serve Him
faithfully.
One night, Eli went to bed. Samuel was lying in the tabernacle when
he heard someones voice.
Here I am, Samuel replied. He ran to Eli. Here I am; you called
me.
God called Samuel three times. Each time, Samuel ran to Eli. Here
I am, he said. But Eli did not call Samuel. Who was calling Samuel?
Eli knew it must be God. Eli told Samuel what to say.
Samuel went back to his place. God called, Samuel, Samuel!
Speak, for Your servant is listening, Samuel said. God talked
to Samuel. God told him that He was going to punish Elis family for
disobeying Him.
The next day, Samuel was afraid to tell Eli what God had said. It was
bad news for Eli. Eli asked Samuel to tell him what God had said, so
Samuel did.
As Samuel grew, God did everything He said He was going to do. God
was with Samuel, and everyone in Israel knew that Samuel was Gods
messenger.
Christ Connection: Samuel told people what God is like. Jesus came to
earth as a human. His life showed the world what God is like.

* To tell the Bible story to younger preschoolers or for reviewing the story,
use only the Bible story words in bold.

Hints of Christ

19

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: Eli and Boy Samuel
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 13
Big Picture Question: Who spoke to Samuel? God spoke to Samuel, and
Samuel listened.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.

Play Center of It
in the background
as you welcome
incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
I L-O-V-E You,
Lord song
Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Faithful Priest
song

20

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
Greet newcomers, and ask kids to shake a friends hand
to say hello. Invite kids to tell something that makes them
happy, and sing I L-O-V-E You, Lord.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Show your Bible.
Say What is the name of this book? (the Bible) Who
wrote the Bible? (God) Did God use a pencil and paper or
a computer to write it? (No) He told some men who loved
Him what to write, and they wrote it down.
The words that God wrote in the Bible are true. They
tell us everything that God wants us to know about Him
and how to please Him. Thats why its important for
us to read it. Lets read a verse from the Bible. [Open
the Bible to 1 Samuel 2:35. Read the verse from the key
passage poster.] This verse is about a priest who told the
people what God is like. But it also reminds us of Jesus
because He showed the world what God is like.
Sing A Faithful Priest.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 10 Session 2

Timeline Map
Eli and Boy
Samuel video
(optional)
See videos of
American Sign
Language signs
online.

L hand sign

Big Picture Question


Poster (enhanced
CD)
Listen and Obey
song
Lord, Teach Me
song
I Know song
offering basket

Watch or tell the Bible story


Teach kids how to sign the words cry, pray, and sin.
CryBrush alternating pointer fingers from corners of
eyes downward to show tears falling. Look sad.
Praypraying hands, palms together, move toward body
and down
SinWith fists facedown, thumbs together, jerk hands up,
twisting wrists outward and apart; then strike right L
hand on left open palm, palms facing. (The combination
shows breaking the law. Explain and use this sign with
older kids only.)
Say Todays story is about a boy named Samuel, his
family, and a priest named Eli. Listen and make the hand
signs for the words cry, pray, and sin where they belong
in the story. (Hannah cried and prayed. Elis sons sinned.)
Tell the Bible story and remember to sign the words as they
appear, or watch the Bible story video.
Worship with song and pray
Play Listen and Obey as you pass the offering basket.
Show the big picture question poster.
Say Who spoke to Samuel? God spoke to Samuel, and
Samuel listened. Lets do the hand sign for pray and ask
God to help us listen to Him and understand what He
wants us to know.
Sing Lord, Teach Me and think about pleasing God. Sing
I Know and remind kids that Jesus loves them.

Transition to small groups


countdown video
(optional)

Briefly tell about the activity choices. Suggest kids say


Here I am! like Samuel when they arrive at a new activity.
Do activities as a group, all at the same time, in small
groups that rotate through each activity, or set up as centers,
allowing preschoolers to browse and choose.

Hints of Christ

21

Small GroupActivities
Session Title: Eli and Boy Samuel
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 13
Big Picture Question: Who spoke to Samuel? God spoke to Samuel, and
Samuel listened.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.

Tip: Select from the


activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP

paper towels or
cloth squares
yarn
mirror
We Bow Down
song

22

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Play Pop Up
Demonstrate cupping a hand to the ear to hear better. (It
blocks out some noises.) Invite kids to lie on the floor and
pop up, cupping a hand to their ear when they hear their
names. Start by saying one childs name at a time. Continue
by saying two or three names at a time.
Say Eli taught Samuel to listen for Gods voice.
Make headbands
Use strips of paper or lengths of yarn to secure paper
towels, making a head covering such as Samuel might have
worn. Provide a mirror for kids to admire themselves. Play
the song We Bow Down in the background.
As kids work, explain that people in the Middle East,
where Samuel lived, often wear head coverings. One kind is
a square of cloth held on the head by a rope woven of camel
hair. Sometimes they wear only the headband.
Say God speaks to people in different ways. Sometimes
in the Bible, God spoke to people in words. After he
learned to hear Gods voice, Samuel listened to God all
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 10 Session 2

of his life. One night in the tabernacle, who spoke to


Samuel? God spoke to Samuel, and Samuel listened.
baby care items
shopping basket
or cart
toy cash register or
calculator
Alternate idea:
baby doll, doll
clothing, blanket,
book, baby care
items
blindfolds
(optional)
paper bag
items that make
different sounds

swim noodle

countdown video
(optional)

Shop for baby items


Play shopping with a basket and various baby care items
such as clothing, diapers, bottles, and blankets. Allow kids
to use a calculator or toy cash register to be store clerks.
Alternate idea: Encourage kids to take care of a baby
dolldress, rock, feed, and put it to bed; read to it and sing.
Say Hannah prayed for a baby. God gave her Samuel.
Listen and identify
Ask kids to cover their eyes. Make sounds to identify such
as paper tearing, a door closing, or water running.
If kids are too tempted to peek, play a different game.
Show them different, small, sound-making items, such as
jingle bells, marbles or small stones, paper clips, crayons,
small blocks, or plastic spoons. Hide one kind of item in a
bag, shake it, and let kids guess which it is.
Say Eli taught Samuel to answer when God spoke to him:
Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.
Whisper through a swim noodle
Cut a swim noodle to 12-inch lengths. Place one end on a
kids ear and whisper God spoke to Samuel, and Samuel
listened. Or whisper each word to a different kid. Point
to the kids in order to say their word aloud. Repeat the
sentence. Let kids take turns whispering to one another.
Say Who spoke to Samuel? God spoke to Samuel, and
Samuel listened.

Transition to large group closing


Show the countdown video to gather kids.

Hints of Christ

23

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: Eli and Boy Samuel
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 13
Big Picture Question: Who spoke to Samuel? God spoke to Samuel, and
Samuel listened.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Faithful Priest
song

24

Sing, review the Bible story, and pray


Teach kids this song to the tune Are You Sleeping?:
Are you sleeping? [Repeat] Sam-u-el? [Repeat]
Samuel said to Eli, Here I am; you called me.
No, not I. No, not I.
Are you sleeping? [Repeat] Sam-u-el? [Repeat]
Eli said to Samuel, God is speaking to you.
Listen close. Listen close.
Say Pretend to be asleep. If what I say is not true, remain
sleeping. If what I say is true, pretend to wake up!
Hannah was sad because she didnt have a husband.
(didnt have children)
When Elkanah and Hannah went to worship, the priest
Eli watched Hannah cry and pray.
Hannah promised God that if she had a son, she would
give him to God so that he could serve Him.
When Samuel was old enough, Hannah took him to
live with Eli at a hotel. (the tabernacle or church)
Every year when Hannah visited Samuel, she brought
him a new toy. (robe)
Eli called Samuels name when he was resting. (God)
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 10 Session 2

God gave Samuel bad news about Elis sinful sons.


Samuel was Gods messenger.
Who spoke to Samuel? God spoke to Samuel, and
Samuel listened.
Ask a volunteer to point to the timeline picture that
goes with todays story. Sing A Faithful Priest.
Pray, and thank God that Samuel listened to God.

Note: You may


choose to show
the missions video,
Missionary Kid Is
My Day Job.

The Stay-in-Place
Song

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Missions story: A Letter from God?


Donald King knew that God had called him to be a
missionary when he attended Royal Ambassador camp in
South Carolina. He did not hear voices or receive a letter,
but he was sure that was what God wanted him to do. When
Donald returned home, he sent a letter to mission boards
explaining his call and asking where he should report for
duty. Each day, Donald walked down to the mailbox to look
for the letter. When it finally came, he was disappointed.
They did not have a place for a 12-year-old missionary.
Later Donald realized why God called him so many years
before he became a missionary. God called him so he could
prepare by doing the things a 12-year-old could do. Today,
Donald helps people God has called to missions, whether
they are young or old, understand what their calling is.
Pray for Donald King and the missionaries he helps
prepare for service. Ask God to help children understand
the plans He has for them now and in the years to come.
Play Listen Closely
Sit in a circle. The leader whispers a message to the person
to her right. That person whispers it to the next one,
continuing all the way around the circle. The last person
tells what she heard. Change leaders and repeat.
If theres time, sing The Stay-in-Place Song.

Hints of Christ

25

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
The ark of God (also called the ark of the covenant) was an incredibly
important symbol in the lives of Gods people. Not only was the ark
the original container for the Ten Commandments, it symbolized Gods
presence with His people.
God gave Moses instructions in Exodus 25 for creating the ark. It was
made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold. God forbade anyone
from touching the ark, so it was carried by two poles. God would speak to
Moses from between two golden cherubim on top of the ark, which was
called the mercy seat. (See Num. 7:89.)
The Philistines were a near-constant threat to Israel during the time of the
judges. Under the leadership of Samuel, the Israelites went out to fight the
Philistines. But the Israelites were defeated because of their sin.
The elders of Israel realized that it was God who allowed them to be
defeated. God hadnt fought for them against the Philistines. So they did
what seemed logical; they took the arkthe symbol of Gods presence
and carried it to the battlefield. But the ark was not a good luck charm. Not
only was Israel defeated, the Philistines captured the ark and killed Elis
sons. When Eli heard the news, he fell over and died.
With the victory, the Philistines concluded that their god, Dagon, was
better than the God of Israel. They moved the ark to Dagons temple, where
God showed His power over Dagon. (See 1 Sam. 5:1-5.) As the ark moved
between Philistine cities, God afflicted the people and made them sick.
Though the Philistines won the battle by capturing the ark, God afflicted
them to show His power over their god. God received glory through the
Israelites defeat. This points to the victory of Gods Son on the cross. The
people thought they had stopped Jesus by killing Him on the cross, but by
His death, Jesus saved the world and brought glory to God.

26

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 10 Session 3

PreschoolBible study OVERVIEW


Session Title: The Ark Was Captured
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 45
Big Picture Question: Why was the ark of God important? The ark
reminded Gods people that God was with them.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)..................................................................................Page 30
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)..................................................................................Page 32
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)......................................................................................Page 34

Hints of Christ

27

TheBIBLE STORY
The Ark Was Captured
1 Samuel 45
The people of Israel did not get along with the Philistines. The
Israelites fought a battle against the Philistines, but the Philistines won.
The Israelites were confused. If God was on their side, why didnt
they win? God had allowed them to lose. Instead of asking God what
they had done wrong, the Israelites decided to take the ark of God
the beautiful box from the tabernacle that reminded them God was
with themand carry it to the battle.
Some of the men went to talk to Elis sons. Elis sons were priests;
they were in charge of the ark of God. The men told Elis sons their plan to
win the battle. Elis sons thought the men had a good idea. They sent the
ark of God to the place where the Israelites were getting ready for battle.
When the army of Israelites saw the ark of God, they shouted because
they were happy. Surely they would win the battle now!
The Philistines heard the shout, but they did not know what was
happening. Why were the Israelites happy? They had just lost a battle.
Then the Philistines heard that the ark of God was with the Israelites,
and they were afraid! They could fight against men, but who could fight
against God?
The Philistines tried to be brave. The Israelites came out to fight, but
the Philistines won again! They killed many Israelitesincluding Elis
two sonsand they took the ark of God! When Eli heard the news, he
fell backward in his chair and died.
The Philistines took the ark of God to a temple. The temple was
where they worshiped Dagon (DAY gahn), a false god. They put the ark
next to a statue of Dagon. The next morning, the Philistines went into
the temple and saw that Dagons statue was facedown in front of the
ark of God. They set the statue back up. The next day, it was facedown
again. This time, the head and hands were broken off.
God punished the people living in the city where the ark of God

28

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 10 Session 3

was. God made them really sick. The Philistines wanted to get rid of
the ark. When they moved the ark to another city, everyone in that city
got sick. So they moved the ark to a third city. Then everyone in that city
got sick too.
The Philistines were afraid. They didnt want God to punish them
anymore, so they decided to send the ark of God back to the Israelites,
where it belonged.
Christ Connection: The ark of the covenant reminded the Israelites that
God was with them. God gave His people something even better to remind
them that He was with them. God sent His Son, Jesus. One of Jesus names
is Immanuel, which means God with us.

* Use only the words in bold to review the Bible story or tell it to younger
preschoolers.

Hints of Christ

29

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: The Ark Was Captured
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 45
Big Picture Question: Why was the ark of God important? The ark
reminded Gods people that God was with them.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.

Play Center of It
in the background
as you welcome
incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
The Stay-in-Place
Song
Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Faithful Priest
song

30

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
Welcome kids to worship time. Invite two or three kids to
lead the group in singing The Stay-in-Place Song.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Say [Show your Bible.] The Bible is divided into books.
There are 66 books in the whole Bible. Todays story
is from the Book of 1 Samuel. In the Bible, books are
divided into chapters. 1 Samuel has 31 chapters in it.
Lets read a verse from 1 Samuel chapter 2.
With your Bible opened to 1 Samuel 2:35, read the verse.
Show the key passage poster and sing A Faithful Priest.
Say Who does this verse remind us of? (Jesus Christ)
Jesus did what God wanted Him to.

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 10 Session 3

Timeline Map
The Ark Was
Captured video
(optional)
Note: The location
of the ark of the
covenant is a
mystery. Rumored
locations include
Mt. Nebo, Ethiopia,
Egypt, and Europe.
One archaeologist
claims it is in a cave
beneath the place
where Jesus was
crucified. Scholars
agree that we will
know its location
when God wants to
reveal it.
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Listen and Obey
song
Mighty, Mighty
God song
I Know song
offering basket
countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

Watch or tell the Bible story


Say The people of Israel kept a special box that reminded
them that God was with them. It was called the ark of the
covenant or the ark of God. Its the same special box that
the priests held when the Israelites crossed the Jordan
River on dry ground. [Point to the timeline.] Its the same
ark that they carried when they marched around Jericho
and the walls fell down. [Point to the timeline.] Listen to
todays story to hear what happened when the Israelites
enemies took the ark.
Watch the Bible story video or tell the story with
expression, conveying just how powerful God is.
Worship with song and pray
Sing Listen and Obey. Talk about what happened when
Elis sons did not listen and obey. Pass the offering basket
and softly play Listen and Obey again.
Sing Mighty, Mighty God and think about how God
showed His power to the Philistines. Talk about the big
picture question, Why was the ark of God important? The
ark reminded Gods people that God was with them.
Say The Israelites had the ark to remind them that God
was with them. Today, we dont need a special box to
remind us that God is with us. Why not? (Jesus came to
earth, died, and is alive today.) What better reminder that
God is with us than that!
Sing I Know. Pray and thank God for sending Jesus.

Transition to small groups


Describe the small group activities you have set up. Dismiss
kids to activities by making statements such as If your
shirt is the color of broccoli (carrots, blueberries, tomatoes,
cauliflower), you may choose an activity.

Hints of Christ

31

Small Groupactivities
Session Title: The Ark Was Captured
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 45
Big Picture Question: Why was the ark of God important? The ark
reminded Gods people that God was with them.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.

Tip: Select from the


activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.
foam or rubber ball
or beanbag

LOW
PREP
strips of gauze

32

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Play a tossing game
Stand in a circle. Explain that you will toss a ball to a kid
and ask one of two questions. She will respond with the
answer and return the ball. Questions:(1) Who is the one
true God? God is the one true God.
(2) Why was the ark of God important? The ark reminded
Gods people that God was with them.
Bandage sick people
Say God is powerful because He is the one true God. The
ark of the covenant reminded the Israelites that God was
with them. They took it out of the tabernacle and into
the battle; they thought that would help them win. Big
mistake! They were trusting in magic instead of God.
The Philistines won the battle and took the ark into the
temple of Dagon, their false god. God broke their idol
and made the Philistines sick with bad sores. God was
showing that He is the one true God.
Invite kids to pretend their friends became sick when the
ark of the covenant came to their town. Provide strips of
gauze to wrap sores on the arms and legs of their friends.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 10 Session 3

Philistine Puppet
Pattern, 1 per kid
(enhanced CD)
scissors
box to represent the
ark of the covenant
glue
round, red adhesive
labels
paper lunch sacks,
1 per kid

poster board

large sheet of paper


sticky notes
crayons (optional)

Make paper bag Philistines


Give each kid a lunch sack, folded flat. Older kids may cut
out the puppet face to glue to the base of the sack. Help
younger kids cut out the face. Glue the beard under the fold,
completing the face. Give each kid a few red circle stickers
to use later.
Designate three corners of the room to be Philistine
cities; send a few kids with their puppets to each city. Carry
a box (the ark) to the first city. When the Philistines
become sick, kids can stick the red circles on their puppets
to be the sores. Repeat at the second and third cities.
Say Why was the ark of God important? The ark
reminded Gods people that God was with them. It was
not made to use for good luck or as a magic charm.
Make and assemble a floor puzzle
Cut out a large 1 (one) from a piece of poster board. Cut it
into several pieces. Invite kids to assemble the floor puzzle.
Say There is only one God. The ark of the covenant
reminded the Israelites that God was with them. Later,
God gave His people something even better to remind
them that He was with them. God sent His Son, Jesus.
Think about a fish god
Sketch and cut out a large figure with arms. Ask kids to
place sticky notes all over the body like fish scales.
Say Dagon was an idola fish god. What could he do?
(nothing) God caused the idol to fall down before the ark.
It lost its face and hands. [Tear them off.] What did that
show the Philistines? (God is the one and only God.)

Transition to large group closing


countdown video
(optional)

Give kids a five-minute verbal alert or play the countdown


video.

Hints of Christ

33

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: The Ark Was Captured
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 45
Big Picture Question: Why was the ark of God important? The ark
reminded Gods people that God was with them.
Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35
Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history
to give us pictures of Christ.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Timeline Map
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Mighty, Mighty
God song

34

Review the Bible story, sing, and pray


Ask kids to tell you what happened first in the story.
Continue asking what happened next, using the Bible story
facts below, and clarify as needed.
The people of Israel fought a battle against the
Philistines, and the Philistines won.
The Israelites were confused about why God allowed
them to lose the battle.
Instead of asking God what they had done wrong, they
chose to take the ark of God into battle with them.
Even though the Israelites had the ark, the Philistines
won again!
The Philistines captured the ark.
A messenger told Eli the bad news; Eli fell backward in
his chair and died. [Point to the Bible story picture on the
timeline.]
The Philistines put the ark in a temple next to the statue
of Dagon, a false god. The next morning, the statue of
Dagon had fallen facedown in front of the ark of God.
The Philistines set the statue back up.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 10 Session 3

The following morning, Dagons statue was facedown


again, and the hands and face were broken off.
Wherever the Philistines took the ark, people got sick.
The Philistines sent the ark back to the Israelites, where
it belonged.
Say Why was the ark of God important? The ark
reminded Gods people that God was with them. God is
powerful! Lets sing about His power.
Sing Mighty, Mighty God. Invite a child to pray. Close by
thanking God that we can trust that He is always with us.
Missions story: Soldier Without a Gun
Army Chaplain (Maj.) Daniel Middlebrooks works in a
military hospital. A chaplain is like a pastor to the hospital
staff and wounded troops. Daniel serves with a unit known
as the Mountain Medics. Many wounded soldiers are
brought to this hospital.
Daniel visits with patients and hospital staff. He prays a
lot, too. He reads Bible verses to comfort wounded soldiers
who are far away from home. Sometimes, he can tell
soldiers who are not Christians about Jesus.
Daniel trusts in the Lord each day as he ministers to
people who are having hard times, and he shares this
message with hospital staff and wounded soldiers. Ask God
to keep Daniel strong as he cares for the soldiers each day
and helps point them to Christ. Ask God to bless all those
who serve our country in the military.

small block
music
Follow church
security rule for
dismissing children.

Play Whos Got the Box?


Sit in a circle. Select one person to be It and stand in the
center of the circle. Play music as kids pass a small block
secretly around the circle behind their backs, stopping when
the music stops. It tries to guess who has the block. Once
discovered, that child becomes It, and play continues.

Hints of Christ

35

Unit 11:Saul and David


Big Picture Questions
Session 1:
Who was Israels first king? Saul was Israels first king.
Session 2:
Who is our perfect King? Jesus is our perfect King.
Session 3:
Who gave David power to defeat Goliath? God gave David power to
defeat Goliath.
Session 4:
Who is our friend? Jesus is our friend.
Session 5:
What did God promise David? God promised that Jesus would be part
of Davids family.
Session 6:
What happened when David sinned? God punished David, but He
forgave David.

36

Preschool Worship Guide

Unit 11:Saul and David


Unit Description:When Israel rejected God as their leader, He gave them
a king. God used the kingly line to bring forth the Redeemer Jesus
Christ, the last King. Despite Israels sin throughout history, God is still
faithful to the promises He gave His chosen people. God never changes.
Unit Key Passage:
Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection:
God provided the first kings to rule His people Israel; Christ, the final
King, rules over all people as Savior. Through Davids family, God sent
Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Session 1:
Israel Demanded a King
1 Samuel 810
Session 2:
God Rejected Saul as King
1 Samuel 13:1-14; 14:18-48; 15:1-35
Session 3:
David Was Anointed and Fought Goliath
1 Samuel 1617
Session 4:
David and Jonathan Became Friends
1 Samuel 18:1-12; 19:1-10; 20:1-42
Session 5:
God Made a Covenant with David
2 Samuel 7
Session 6:
David Sinned and Was Restored
2 Samuel 11:112:14; Psalm 51
A Kingdom Created

37

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
Todays Bible story picks up more than 20 years after the Philistines
returned the ark of God to the Israelites. During that time, Israel began to
seek God again, and Samuel led them to remove their foreign gods and
worship God only.
Samuel had judged Israel throughout his lifetime, but he was getting old.
So Samuel made his sons, Joel and Abijah, judges over Israel. But like
many sons before them, Joel and Abijah did not follow the example of their
father. They disobeyed God and caused problems for Israel.
Up until this point, Israel had relied on God to give them judges to lead
them. The elders of Israel spoke to Samuel about his sons and demanded
a king. All the other nations around them had kings, they pointed out.
Samuel knew their request was sinful, and he prayed to God.
Give them what they want, God said. They have not rejected you;
they have rejected Me as their King. Samuel explained to the Israelites
what rights a king would have over them; he warned them that when they
regretted asking for a kingand they would regret itGod would not help
them. The people insisted on having a king, so God told Samuel to appoint
a king.
Through a series of events, a young man named Saul came to Samuel. God
had chosen Saul to be the king, so Samuel explained to Saul what God had
said. Samuel anointed Saul by pouring oil on his head. Samuel presented
Saul to Israel. Long live the king! they replied.
God knew Israel would want a king, but the kind of king Israel wanted was
not the kind of king they needed. They wanted a king like the other nations.
The problem was that every human king would fail them. God had a plan
to give them Jesusa perfect King who would reign with justice and
righteousness forever. (Isa. 9:6-7)

38

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 1

PreschoolWORSHIP OVERVIEW
Session Title: Israel Demanded a King
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 810
Big Picture Question: Who was Israels first king? Saul was Israels first
king.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)..................................................................................Page 42
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)..................................................................................Page 44
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)......................................................................................Page 46

Saul and David

39

TheBIBLE STORY
Israel Demanded a King
1 Samuel 810
Samuel was getting old. He had been a judge in Israel for many
years. Samuel made important decisions and led Gods people. Now it
was time for his sons, Joel and Abijah, to be Israels leaders. There was one
problem, though: Joel and Abijah were not good judges like Samuel was.
They werent fair, and they didnt always tell the truth.
Some of the men in Israel went to talk with Samuel. You were a
good judge, they told Samuel, but your sons are not like you. We
dont want them to lead us. We want a king! The other nations in that
area had kings, and the people of Israel wanted a king too.
Samuel didnt know what to say, so he prayed to God. God said,
Samuel, give the people a king. Dont feel bad. They arent saying
they dont want you as their leader; they are saying they dont want
Me.
God told Samuel to warn the people about what having a king
would be like. Samuel told the Israelites that the king would have rights.
A king could make their sons serve in the army, he could make their
daughters work for him, or he could take away their fields and servants.
The Israelites didnt care. Give us a king! they said.
Around this time, a rich man named Kish was looking for some
of his donkeys. They had wandered off, and he didnt know where they
went. Kish told his son Saul, Go look for the donkeys. Take a servant
with you.
Saul and his servant looked everywhere! They could not find the
missing donkeys. They were just about to give up when the servant said,
Wait! Lets go talk to the man of God. Maybe he knows where we
could find the donkeys. Saul and his servant found the man of God
it was Samuel!
Dont worry about the donkeys, Samuel said. They have been
found. Samuel invited Saul to have dinner with him. The next morning,

40

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 1

Samuel told Saul that God had chosen Saul to be the king of Israel.
Saul was surprised. He wasnt from a big family. He was actually from
the smallest tribe in Israel. Why had God chosen him?
Samuel used oil to anoint Saul. You will be king! Samuel said.
Samuel gave Saul some instructions and sent him home. The Spirit of
God was with Saul. Some time later, Samuel gathered the Israelites and
introduced Saul, their new king. The Israelites got what they wanted.
Long live the king! they said.
Christ Connection: The Israelites wanted a king. They did not trust God.
God gave the Israelites a king, but He had a plan to send His Son, Jesus, to
be king over the whole world. Jesus would be the perfect King. Jesus would
bring peace and save people from sin.

* Use only the words in bold to review the Bible story or tell it to younger
preschoolers.

Saul and David

41

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: Israel Demanded a King
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 810
Big Picture Question: Who was Israels first king? Saul was Israels first
king.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Play the unit song
Generous King
in the background
as you welcome
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
Everybody Sing
song

Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song

Timeline Map
Israel Demanded
a King video
(optional)

42

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
Sing Everybody Sing to begin worship. Welcome
newcomers. Ask kids to share what they like most about
coming to church.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Open your Bible to the middle and show kids how to
quickly locate the Book of Psalms. Turn to Psalm 51:10.
Read the key passage poster and listen to the song.
Say Todays Bible story is from the Book of 1 Samuel.
First Samuel is the ninth book in the Bible. [Open your
Bible to 1 Samuel.] Is 1 Samuel in the Old Testament or
the New Testament? Say Old Testament with me.
Watch or tell the Bible story
Show the timeline and look at the pictures to review
Samuels life.
Say God talked to Samuel when he was a boy. Samuel
lived at the tabernacle with Eli and helped him. Samuel
became a judge who listened to God and made wise
decisions. When Samuel grew older, the Israelites were
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 1

unhappy. As you listen to the Bible story, pay attention to


hear what the Israelites wanted.
Watch or tell the Bible story with your Bible in your lap,
opened to 1 Samuel.

Big Picture Question


Poster (enhanced
CD)
We Bow Down
song
Mighty, Mighty
God song
Lord, Teach Me
song
offering basket

Review and worship with prayer and singing


Say What did the Israelites tell Samuel they wanted?
(They said, We want a king!) The Israelites stopped
trusting God to rule over them. God gave them Saul to be
their king, but Gods perfect plan was for Jesus to be their
King.
Pray, and thank God for our King, Jesus.
Ask for a volunteer to pass the offering basket as you play
We Bow Down.
Sing Mighty, Mighty God.
Sing Lord, Teach Me or another favorite worship song
that your kids enjoy.

Transition to small groups


countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

As kids are dismissed to go to their small groups, march and


chant what the Israelites told Samuel: We want a king! We
want a king! Saul will be our king. Long live the king!

Saul and David

43

Small GroupActivities
Session Title: Israel Demanded a King
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 810
Big Picture Question: Who was Israels first king? Saul was Israels first
king.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Tip: Select from the
activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP
small object

paper
child-size scissors
unsharpened
pencils
tape
markers
craft store jewels
(optional)

44

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Play Are You the King?
Form a circle. One kid, who is It, stands in the center, eyes
closed. Give someone in the circlethe kinga small
object to hide in one hand. When everyone chants We
have a king, we have a king, It may open her eyes; she has
three guesses to find who has the object. Regardless of how
successful the guesser is, the king becomes the next guesser.
Say The Israelites wanted a king. Who would it be? God
told Samuel whom to anoint. Who was Israels first king?
Saul was Israels first king.
Make a curly paper crown
Cut a 3-inch-wide paper strip for each kid, long enough
to go around the kids head. Cut an inch-deep fringe into
one long edge of the strip. Help kids roll sections of the
fringe around a pencil so that when the pencil is removed
the fringe will be curly. Tape the crown to fit. Kids may
decorate it with markers or craft store jewels.
Say Saul looked like a king. Who was Israels first king?
Saul was Israels first king.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 1

Donkey Pattern
(enhanced CD)
tape
supplies

clear plastic bottle


water
food color
oils: cooking, baby,
olive
ziplock bags
cotton balls

toy musical
instruments or
homemade rhythm
instruments
Everybody Sing
songs

Hunt for the donkeys


Print several donkeys, cut them apart, and tape them to
blocks, furniture, or walls in the room. Send kids on a
donkey hunt.
Say What was Saul hunting for? (donkeys) Whom did he
talk to for help finding them? (Samuel) Why did God send
Saul to Samuel? (so Samuel could anoint Saul as king)
Examine oil
Fill a bottle half full of water. Add drops of food color; then
add some cooking oil, leaving space in the bottle. Replace
the lid. Tilt the bottle back and forth, showing that the oil
and water do not mix.
Bring ziplock bags with cotton balls dipped in oils with
scents, such as baby oil and olive oil, for kids to smell.
Say Anointing with perfumed oil was used to set aside a
person or thing for a holy purpose. Samuel poured oil on
Sauls head to anoint him as king.
Celebrate the king
Distribute musical instruments to kids, or use body
instruments (claps, stomps, or pats). Talk about how happy
people were to have a king. They said, Long live the king.
Some people played harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres.
Say Who was Israels first king? Saul was Israels
first king. We have a better kingJesus. Lets play
instruments and sing Everybody Sing.

Transition to large group closing


countdown video
(optional)
I L-O-V-E You, Lord
song (optional)

Sing I L-O-V-E You, Lord to call kids to large group time.

Saul and David

45

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: Israel Demanded a King
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 810
Big Picture Question: Who was Israels first king? Saul was Israels first
king.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Generous King
song
Note: Even after
the Israelites asked
for a king, Samuel
remained a source
of encouragement.
In his final speech,
Samuel promised,
As for me, I vow
that I will not sin
against the LORD
by ceasing to pray
for you. I will teach
you the good
and right way
(1 Samuel 12:23).

46

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Review the Bible story, sing, and pray
Ask who remembers something that happened in todays
Bible story. Ask review questions about Samuels anointing
Saul as king of Israel.
Why didnt Samuels sons become judges over Israel?
(They were not good judges like Samuel was.)
Why did the Israelites want a king to lead them? (Other
nations in the area had kings. They wanted to follow a
king instead of God.)
What did Samuel tell the Israelites about having a king?
(A king would make the people do whatever he wanted.)
What was Saul doing when Samuel anointed him as
king? (Saul was looking for his fathers lost donkeys. )
What did Samuel do next? (Samuel told the Israelites
that Saul would be their king.)
Say Even though the Israelites asked for a king instead of
trusting God, God continued to love them, and gave them
Saul to be their king. [Point to the big picture question.]
Who was Israels first king? Saul was Israels first king.

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 1

Listen to or sing Generous King. Point to heaven when


you hear the words its all from You.
Pray that the boys and girls will begin to understand that
even when they make choices that dont please God, God
doesnt stop loving them.
Missions story: Popcorn with Hot Sauce
A Christian couple in Guerrero (geh REH roh), Mexico
likes to spend a lot of time with their friend, C, and his
family. The couple took cake and popcorn to their friends
house one day, and C put hot sauce on the popcorn!
Another time, Cs family served beans with pigs feet.
Christian workers in other countries really have to learn to
like different kinds of food.
Whenever the Christian couple spends time with C and
his family, they tell a Bible story. These families are really
good friends. The Christians would love to see their friends
accept Jesus. Pray for Cpray that he will accept Jesus and
that he will tell others that Jesus loves them too.

paper or toy crown


(optional)
The Stay-in-Place
Song (optional)

Play Follow the King


Play a follow-the-leader type game by selecting a child to
be the king or queen. You may allow the king or queen
to wear a crown during his or her turn. Use the crowns
made in Make a curly paper crown if you did that activity.
The king moves around the room, and the rest of the kids
follow and mimic the kings movements. Select a new king
periodically and continue to play as time permits.
If you have more time, sing The Stay-in-Place Song.

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Saul and David

47

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
By all appearances, Saul was a good king. He was handsome, taller than
most people, and God had blessed him. But Saul forgot that it was God
who gave Saul his throne.
First, Saul sinned by burning offerings in Samuels absence. That moment
was an important test for Saul. According to Samuel, the Lord would have
permanently established Sauls reign if Saul had obeyed. Instead, God
would appoint a king who was loyal to Him. (1 Sam. 13:13-14)
Then, before battle, Saul vowed that anyone who ate before sunset would
be cursed. When the battle was over, the Israelites were so hungry they ate
the livestock before the meat finished cooking. Sauls oath resulted in the
peoples sinning against God (Lev. 19:26), and it almost cost him his son
Jonathans life.
Finally, God told Saul to destroy the Amalekites completely. The
Amalekites were enemies of Gods people. (See Deut. 25:17-19.) But Saul
spared Agag the king and kept the best livestock and cattle. He destroyed
the worthless things.
Samuel arrived. I have carried out the Lords instructions! Saul said.
Samuel asked him about the sheep, the cattle, and King Agag. Saul still
insisted that he had obeyed; he planned to offer the sheep and cattle to the
Lord as a sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrifice Because you have
rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king! Samuel said.
(1 Sam. 15:22-23) After they returned to Israel, Samuel never visited Saul
again, and the Lord regretted making Saul king.
As you teach, help guide the children to understand that all earthly kings
like Saul are imperfect. But we can see how those kings point us to the
perfect King, Jesus, who carried out His Fathers instructions without fail.
Thank God for sending us the King we neededa King who loved us
enough to give His life for our salvation.

48

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 2

PreschoolWORSHIP OVERVIEW
Session Title: God Rejected Saul as King
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 13:1-14; 14:18-48; 15:1-35
Big Picture Question: Who is our perfect King? Jesus is our perfect King.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)..................................................................................Page 52
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)..................................................................................Page 54
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)......................................................................................Page 56

Saul and David

49

TheBIBLE STORY
God Rejected Saul as King
1 Samuel 13:1-14; 14:18-48; 15:1-35
Saul was a young man when he became king of Israel. As king, Saul
built an army. One day, Saul took troops with him into the hills. More
troops went with Sauls son, Jonathan, to a nearby city.
Jonathan and the army fought against some Philistines and destroyed
one of their army camps. This made the Philistines really mad! The
Philistines wanted to fight the Israelites. The Philistines had more
soldiers, more chariots, and more horses. The Israelites were afraid!
Some of them hid in caves.
King Saul wasnt sure what to do. He wanted to make a sacrifice to
ask God for help, but only Samuel was supposed to offer sacrifices to
God. Saul waited seven days for Samuel, but Samuel didnt come. Saul
made the sacrifice himself. Then Samuel came.
Saul, what are you doing? Samuel asked.
You werent here, and the army started to leave. I asked God for help
to fight the Philistines, Saul said.
You have disobeyed God by offering the sacrifice. You wont be
king for very long, Samuel said. God is going to find someone else to
be king, someone who obeys Him.
The Israelites and Philistines began to fight. Early that morning, Saul
had told the soldiers not to eat anything before sunset.
But the Israelites were hungry! They had been fighting all day. They
were tired and weak. When they found honey in the forest, they wanted to
eat it because it looked so good. But they didnt eat the honey.
Jonathan had not heard Saul say not to eat anything before the sun set.
So when Jonathan saw the honey, he ate some of it. He felt much better
right away.
You shouldnt have done that, one of the men told Jonathan. Your
father doesnt want us to eat.
That night, King Saul wanted to fight the Philistines again. He asked

50

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 2

God, Will You help us win? But God did not answer. Saul knew Gods
silence meant someone had sinned. Saul wanted to find out who had sinned
and punish him. Saul found out it was his son Jonathan who had sinned.
I tasted a tiny bit of honey, Jonathan said. Saul was ready to punish
Jonathan, but the Israelites stopped him. They didnt want Jonathan to be
punished; he had been such a good leader of the army. So Saul agreed not
to punish him, and they went back home.
One day, Samuel had a message from God for Saul. Go fight the
Amalekites, God said. God even told him what to do when he won:
destroy everything, even the animals. Saul and his army fought the
Amalekites. They won. But Saul did not do what God wanted him
to do. He kept the best cattle, sheep, and animals. The army only
destroyed the things nobody wanted.
If Saul doesnt obey Me, God told Samuel, I dont want him to
be king. Samuel told Saul that God was angry with him.
Saul was sad that God was going to give Israel a new king. Saul
wanted to be king, but God was not going to let him be king anymore
because he had not obeyed God.
Christ Connection: God told Saul to obey Him and everything would
go well. But Saul did not obey God. God rejected Saul as king. God would
give His people a better king. Jesus is Gods Son, and He is our perfect
King. He will rule over His people forever.

* To tell the Bible story to younger preschoolers or for reviewing the story,
use only the Bible story words in bold.

Saul and David

51

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: God Rejected Saul as King
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 13:1-14; 14:18-48; 15:1-35
Big Picture Question: Who is our perfect King? Jesus is our perfect King.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Play Generous
King in the
background as you
welcome incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
Listen and Obey
song
countdown video
Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song

52

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
Play the countdown video and welcome newcomers
individually as they arrive during the transition. Invite a
volunteer to lead the group in singing Listen and Obey.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Show the timeline and mention how quickly you are
moving through the Bible.
Say God told some men who loved Him what to write
in the Bible and they wrote it down. Todays story is
from the Old Testament book 1 Samuel. [Show the Book
of 1 Samuel.] How many of you brought your Bibles to
church today?
Provide Bibles for kids and show them how to open the
Bible to the center to find Psalms. Challenge older kids to
find Psalm 51. Read the key passage poster and sing A
Clean Heart.

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 2

God Rejected
Saul as King video
(optional)

Big Picture Question


Poster (enhanced
CD)
Generous King
song
We Bow Down
song
offering basket

countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

Watch or tell the Bible story


Say When the Israelites rejected God by asking for a king,
God chose Saul to be their king. At first, Saul obeyed God
and God was pleased. But we will hear in todays story
that Saul began to make choices that did not please God.
Listen to hear what God did when Saul did not obey.
Tell the Bible story or watch the video. Emphasize that no
earthly king could be a perfect king.
Worship with song and pray
Say Was Saul a good king? (No, he disobeyed God.)
Gods people needed a king who would love and obey
God. Even though Saul said he was sorry for the choices
he made, God took away his kingship. Can you think of
someone from the Bible who could be a perfect King?
[Point to the big picture question.] Who is our perfect
King? Jesus is our perfect King.
Pray for kids prayer requests. Thank God for sending Jesus
to be our perfect King.
Softly play Generous King as you pass the offering
basket. Tell kids to listen for the words All that we need
Your hand provides.
Tell kids to listen for the words King of all kings in
the song We Bow Down. Sing the song. Talk about the
meaning of King of all kings. Who is the King of all
kings?

Transition to small groups


Briefly introduce each small group activity. Remind kids
that theyll need to take turns so that everyone will have a
chance to participate.

Saul and David

53

Small GroupActivities
Session Title: God Rejected Saul as King
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 13:1-14; 14:18-48; 15:1-35
Big Picture Question: Who is our perfect King? Jesus is our perfect King.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Tip: Select from the
activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP

plastic place
settings
collections of similar
items

54

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Move seven times
Ask kids to count to seven as they hop back and forth from
foot to foot, jump up and down, do jumping jacks, spin
around seven times, clap, slap their legs, and so forth.
Say Samuel told Saul to wait seven days, and he would
come offer burnt offerings. [See 1 Sam. 10:8.] Saul was
afraid and did not wait. He disobeyed God.
Play Whats Wrong with This Picture?
Set a table with plastic plates, cups, napkins, and flatware.
Put some pieces where they clearly do not belong, such as
balancing a plate on the cup. Ask kids what is wrong. Give
them opportunities to set up a place incorrectly for others
to guess. You could also do the same with collections of
similar items: piles of crayons, blocks, craft sticks, and so
forth. Mix one or two wrong things into each pile.
Say God told King Saul to obey Him, and everything
would go well, but something was wrong with this king.
He didnt obey. Who is our perfect King? Jesus is our
perfect King.

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 2

Tracing Pictures
(enhanced CD)
markers or crayons
construction paper
and tracing paper

Draw or trace
Print and distribute the tracing pictures. Suggest that kids
look at the picture and draw it on construction paper, or put
it under tracing paper and trace it. Talk about whether they
like to follow another artists plan or their own.
Say Sometimes you can draw whatever you want in the
way you want; sometimes you have to follow the rules. To
lead his people, Saul needed to follow Gods plan exactly.
When he did not, God chose someone else to be king.
What would break?
Ask kids to predict whether an item would break if you
dropped it on the floor. (You dont need to have the items;
just name them.) Mention things such as a rubber ball, egg,
piece of paper, juice glass, stuffed animal, and cell phone.
Say King Saul made some foolish decisions and broke
Gods law. What do you think God did when Saul did
not obey Him? God was angry, and He gave Israel a new
king. Who is our perfect King? Jesus is our perfect King.

large sheet of
dark-colored paper
or sheets of dark
construction paper
colored chalk

Draw with chalk


Spread a large sheet of dark colored paper on a table, or
give each kid a sheet of dark construction paper. Print in
large letters O-B-E-Y in the center of the page. Encourage
kids to copy the word, using colored chalk. They may draw
around the word to illuminate it.
Say God expects us to obey Him. Saul did not obey God.
He was not a good king.

Transition to large group closing


countdown video
(optional)

Teach this tongue-twister and have fun saying it together:


Samuel said Saul should serve God.
Sad Saul was sorry he sinned.

Saul and David

55

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: God Rejected Saul as King
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 13:1-14; 14:18-48; 15:1-35
Big Picture Question: Who is our perfect King? Jesus is our perfect King.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
I L-O-V-E You,
Lord song
Note: Saul stood
a head taller
than anyone else.
No wonder the
Israelites readily
accepted Saul as
their king. But
Sauls choices
remind us that God
is not impressed
by outward
appearances. God
looks at the heart.

56

Review the Bible story


Show todays big picture question poster as you review.
Say God wanted a king who would obey Him. Saul
disobeyed God. Wave to me like a king or queen if you
know the answers. Answer when I call on you.
Who was the first king that God gave the people? (Saul)
Who were the Philistines? (enemies of the Israelites)
Why was Saul waiting for Samuel before starting the
battle? (Samuel would offer sacrifices to God.)
Who told Saul that he wouldnt be king for very long
because he disobeyed God? (Samuel)
Who were the Amalekites? (other enemies of Israel)
Did Saul obey Gods instructions after the battle with the
Amalekites? (No!)
Who decided to give Israel a new king? (God)
Who is our perfect King? Jesus is our perfect King.
Sing I L-O-V-E You, Lord. Invite kids to pray, thanking
God for Jesus, our perfect King.

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 2

Missions story: Good or Bad


A believer stood in a crowd and talked with a group of
young boys in a Southeast Asian town. What do you
want to be when you grow up? One boy wanted to be a
policeman. An adult spoke up to say that the boy was good,
not because he wanted to be a policeman, but because he
wore a special hat, a peci (pronounced phe-CHEE).
When the believer asked if wearing a certain hat makes
a person good, the crowd said yes. Then they talked about
other people who wear a hat almost the same as the peci;
the crowd did not think of those people as being good.
We know that a special hat, robe, or piece of jewelry
does not make a person good or bad. Believing in Jesus
and obeying Him is how we learn to be truly good. Our
goodness is all because of Jesus. Pray that these young
boys in Southeast Asia will grow up to be good and honest
citizens and believe in Jesus. Ask God to help all of them
learn that He is the only way to salvation.
Say Saul wore the crown, but he did not obey God. The
crown did not make him good.

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Play IfThen
Play a rule-following game. Give If, then statements to
kids and encourage them to do what you ask if they meet
the criteria. For example, If you have an older brother, then
pat your head. If you like to eat bananas, then hop on one
foot. If your favorite color is green, then turn around.
Remind kids that Saul knew if he did not do what God
said, then he would not continue to be king. Saul didnt
follow Gods rules, and God made someone else king
instead.

Saul and David

57

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
Samuel had anointed Saul as king over Israel, but it wasnt long before
Sauls disobedience led God to reject him as king. God sent Samuel to
Bethlehem to meet Jesse and his sons. God had chosen one of Jesses sons
to be Israels king.
Jesse had many sons. Eliab was Jesses oldest son. When Samuel saw
Eliab, he thought, This must be the one God has chosen! Eliab was likely
tall and good-looking. Why wouldnt God choose someone like that? But
God doesnt make decisions like people do. Read what God said to Samuel
in 1 Samuel 16:7.
Jesses sons took turns passing before Samuel, one by one. Samuel was
probably eager to hear which son God had chosen to be Israels next king!
Abinadab? No, not him. Shammah? No. The Lord hasnt chosen this one
either.
Jesse had one more son; his youngest, David, was out tending the sheep.
David came in and God said, This is he. Samuel anointed David, and the
Spirit of the Lord took control of David.
David was still a youth and was not yet king when he found himself at the
battle where the Philistines had gathered to fight the Israelites. The story
of David and Goliath is one of the most well-known accounts in the Old
Testament. When the Israelites cowered in fear, David stepped up and
defeated the enemy with just a sling and a stone.
As you teach this week, help the kids relate to the Israelites. Apart from
Christ, we are powerless before our enemies of sin and death. David
reminds us of Jesus, the greatest hero, who came to save us. When we look
to Jesus, He gives us salvation and eternal life.

58

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Unit 11 Session 3

PreschoolWORSHIP OVERVIEW
Session Title: David Was Anointed and Fought Goliath
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 1617
Big Picture Question: Who gave David power to defeat Goliath? God
gave David power to defeat Goliath.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)..................................................................................Page 62
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)..................................................................................Page 64
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)......................................................................................Page 66

Saul and David

59

TheBIBLE STORY
David Was Anointed and Fought Goliath
1 Samuel 1617
Saul was not going to be king of Israel anymore. He had disobeyed
God, and it was time for Israel to have a new kinga better king. God
told Samuel to visit a man in Bethlehem named Jesse. Jesse had eight
sons. One of Jesses sons would be Israels king.
Samuel did what God told him to do. He went to Bethlehem to meet
with Jesse and his sons. Jesses oldest son was tall and handsome.
This must be the one God chose to be king, Samuel thought.
Samuel, hes not the one, God said. Do not pay attention to what
he looks like. You look at what you can see on the outside, but I see the
heart.
One by one, Samuel met Jesses sons, but God had not chosen any
of them.
Do you have any more sons? Samuel asked.
Yes, Jesse said. My youngest son, David, is in the field taking
care of the sheep. Jesse sent for David. When David arrived, God told
Samuel, Hes the one!
Samuel poured oil on Davids head to show that God had chosen
David to be the next king. Then Samuel went home.
King Saul was bothered by an evil spirit. Sauls servants told Saul
to find someone who could play the harp. Hearing beautiful music might
make Saul feel better. One of Sauls helpers knew just the person to play
the harpDavid, son of Jesse. Whenever Saul felt sad, David played his
harp and Saul felt better.
At this time, King Sauls army was getting ready to fight their
enemies, the Philistines. The Israelites camped on one hill while the
Philistines camped on another. There was a valley between them.
The Philistines had a great warrior named Goliath. He was 9 feet
9 inches tall! He towered above the other men. Goliath picked on the
Israelites. He wanted someone to fight him one-on-one. But none of the

60

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 3

Israelites wanted to fight Goliath. They were afraid of him.


Davids three oldest brothers were with the Israelite army. David went
to check on them and bring them some food to eat. David heard Goliath
making fun of the Israelites, and he saw that everyone was too afraid to
fight. Even though David was young, he volunteered to fight Goliath.
You dont stand a chance against Goliath, King Saul said.
I have killed wild animals, David said. God will keep me safe.
King Saul let David fight Goliath. David didnt even wear any armor
because it was too heavy. He chose five smooth stones from a nearby
stream and met Goliath with only the stones and a slingshot. Goliath
saw David and made fun of him because he was just a boy.
You come to fight with a spear and sword, David replied, but I
come to fight in the name of God! God always wins His battles!
David ran toward Goliath. He slung a rock at Goliath, and the rock
hit Goliath in the forehead. Goliath fell facedown, and David killed
him.
Christ Connection: The men in Israels army were afraid of Goliath, the
mighty Philistine warrior. Nobody would fight him. But God gave David
power to beat Goliath. David reminds us of Jesus. Jesus came to save us
from our biggest enemies: sin and death. Jesus is the hero who saves us so
we can live with Him forever in heaven.

* Use only the words in bold to review the Bible story or tell it to younger
preschoolers.

Saul and David

61

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: David Was Anointed and Fought Goliath
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 1617
Big Picture Question: Who gave David power to defeat Goliath? God
gave David power to defeat Goliath.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Play Generous
King in the
background as you
welcome incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
I L-O-V-E You ,
Lord song
Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song

Timeline Map
David Was
Anointed and
Fought Goliath
video (optional)

62

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
As newcomers arrive, thank parents for bringing their kids
to church. Have fun together and sing I L-O-V-E You,
Lord.
Review the key passage and practice a Bible skill
Sing the key passage song and review the key passage from
the poster. Talk about what it means to have a clean heart.
Say Who knows how many books are in the whole Bible?
(66) What are the two main parts of the Bible? (Old
Testament and New Testament) The Bible is a special
book. God gave us the Bible so we could learn what we
need to know about Him.
Watch or tell the Bible story
Look at the timeline picture God Rejected Saul as King.
Remind kids that because Saul disobeyed, God told Samuel
that Saul wouldnt be king much longer. Show todays
picture on the timeline.
Say Todays Bible story is one that youve probably heard
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 3

before. Look at the picture and tell me what story you


think this is. (David and Goliath) You might have heard
how God helped David use a sling and a stone to kill the
giant Goliath. But listen closely. Todays exciting Bible
story is about much more.
Watch the Bible story video, or tell this action-packed story
with enthusiasm.
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
We Bow Down
song
Mighty, Mighty
God song
Lord, Teach Me
song
offering basket

countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

Worship with song and pray


Talk about the big picture question. Point to the poster and
ask Who gave David power to defeat Goliath? God gave
David power to defeat Goliath.
Play We Bow Down and ask two kids to pass the
offering basket.
Sing Mighty, Mighty God and Lord, Teach Me.
Say David rescued the Israelites from the giant Goliath.
That makes me think of Jesus Christ, who came to save us
from sin and death. He died on the cross and became alive
again!
Pray. Thank God for sending Jesus to save us from sin and
death.

Transition to small groups


Take giant-sized steps as kids move to small-group activity
centers.

Saul and David

63

Small Groupactivities
Session Title: David Was Anointed and Fought Goliath
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 1617
Big Picture Question: Who gave David power to defeat Goliath? God
gave David power to defeat Goliath.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Tip: Select from the


activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP
masking tape or
rope

rocks
shallow tub of
water
towels
washcloths or clean
toothbrushes

64

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Take giant steps
Place two masking tape strips or pieces of rope on the floor.
Invite kids to see how many baby steps, regular steps, and
giant steps it takes to get from one side to the other.
Say David fought Goliath, who was a giant. Who gave
David power to defeat Goliath? God gave David power
to defeat Goliath.
Wash rocks
Place some rocks in a shallow tub with an inch or two
of water. Set the tub on a towel. Provide washcloths or
brushes for scrubbing rocks. Talk about how David chose
five smooth rocks from the wadi to fight Goliath. A wadi
is a dry stream bed except during rainy season. The stones
David chose had probably been smoothed by the water.
Smoothness would make them fly straighter than jagged
stones. The stones were probably as big as a tennis ball.
Say Who gave David power to defeat Goliath? God gave
David power to defeat Goliath.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 3

rulers, yardsticks, or
tape measures

cotton balls
craft sticks
blocks

empty boxes
beanbags
markers

Measure items in the room


Use rulers, yardsticks, or tape measures to compare the
length of items in the room such as blocks, craft sticks,
crayons, tables, people. The Bible says Goliath was 9 feet 9
inches tall. Decide whether he would fit in your classroom
without bumping his head.
Say Goliath was bigger than David, but God is stronger
than anyone, and He protects us.
Herd sheep
Scatter cotton balls on the floor; make a pen using blocks.
Invite kids to move the sheep to the pen using craft sticks.
Say David was a shepherd who took care of sheep before
Samuel anointed him to be king. David learned to do
useful things while he watched over the sheep. He played
the harp; later, he played the harp to make Saul feel better.
Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb
from the flock, David killed it and rescued the lamb. He
knew that God had rescued him from lions and bears, and
God would rescue him from Goliath, who was making
fun of God and Gods army.
Knock down Goliath
Build a Goliath from a few empty boxes with lids or flaps
taped down. Draw a face with markers. Allow the children
take turns knocking down Goliath with beanbags.
Say God knew that David had a heart that loved God.
David trusted God, and God gave David success.

Transition to large group closing


countdown video
(optional)
Mighty, Mighty
God song

Ask kids to continue to take giant-sized steps as they return


to large group time. Ask if they know a song to sing about
David and Goliath, or sing Mighty, Mighty God.

Saul and David

65

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: David Was Anointed and Fought Goliath
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 1617
Big Picture Question: Who gave David power to defeat Goliath? God
gave David power to defeat Goliath.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Mighty, Mighty
God song
.

66

Review the Bible story and worship


Say Todays story was more than the story of David
fighting the giant Goliath. We also learned some other
things. Since Goliath was over nine feet tall, lets name
nine things that we heard in todays exciting story. [Count
on your fingers from 19 as you review. Challenge kids to
think of nine more Bible facts. Use these or others.]
1. Saul wasnt going to be king of Israel much longer.
2. God told Samuel that one of Jesses sons would be
Israels new king.
3. God chose Jesses youngest son, David, to be king
after Saul.
4. David served King Saul and played the harp for
him to help him feel better.
5. During a battle against the Philistines, David took
food to his older brothers who were fighting.
6. The Philistine giant Goliath was 9 feet 9 inches tall,
and the Israelites were afraid to fight him.
7. David volunteered to fight Goliath. When he tended
sheep, he had fought wild animals. He knew
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 3

Suggested items:
backpacks, spiral
notebooks, pocket
folders, composition
books, notebook
paper, sticky notes,
tape, white glue,
washable and
permanent markers,
highlighters, dry
erase markers,
pens and pencils,
pencil cases,
colored pencils,
crayons, copy paper,
construction paper,
rulers, erasers, tissue
boxes, blunt-tipped
scissors, hand
sanitizer, gift cards
Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

God would keep him safe against Goliath as God


had kept him safe agains lions and bears.
8. David took five smooth stones and a sling with him
to fight Goliath.
9. God helped David shoot a rock at Goliath that hit
him in the forehead. David killed Goliath.
10. Who gave David power to defeat Goliath? God
gave David power to defeat Goliath.
Sing Mighty, Mighty God or another favorite song. Talk
about Gods power.
Invite kids to pray. Then thank God for giving us the best
hero, Jesus.
Missions story: Help school children
Some kids and schools do not have enough school supplies
Help a nearby elementary or preschool by collecting school
supplies to donate. Check with your chosen school for a
specific list.
David clearly expressed his confidence in God for all
to hear. You may choose to show the video, Cattle Call,
about new believers in Madagascar who said clearly for all
to hear, I believe in Jesus.
Play David or Goliath?
Ask review questions. If the answer is David, kids pretend
to twirl a sling. If the answer is Goliath, kids pretend to be a
mighty, 9-foot tall warrior. Ask questions such as
Who was going to be the new king of Israel? (David)
Who was 9 feet 9 inches tall? (Goliath)
Who was a Philistine? (Goliath)
Who played the harp? (David)
Extend the game by asking kids to take turns playing out
the David and Goliath story while waiting for parents.

Saul and David

67

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
Following Davids slaying of Goliath, the Philistine warrior, King Sauls
son Jonathan dedicated himself to David. He loved David as much as he
loved himself. Jonathans gifts to Davidthe robe, tunic, sword, bow, and
beltindicated that Jonathan recognized David as Gods choice for the
next king, a position Jonathan could have rightly expected as Sauls son.
David got a lot of attention for striking down Goliath, and King Saul was
jealous. Saul unsuccessfully attempted to kill David. Saul instructed his
servants and his son Jonathan to kill David. But Jonathan loved David, and
he pleaded with his father not to kill him.
As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed, Saul told Jonathan.
With this promise, David returned to serving King Saul. But it wasnt long
before Saul was again troubled and attempted to kill David. This time,
David fled.
In 1 Samuel 20, David came to Jonathan in a desperate situation. What
have I done? What did I do wrong? How have I sinned against your father
that he wants to take my life? David asked.
Jonathan had a hard time believing his father would want to kill
David, so Jonathan and David came up with a plan to determine Sauls
intentions. Through his interactions with Saul at the festival of the New
Moon, Jonathan determined Saul did want to kill David. He relayed the
information to David, and the two friends departed with great sadness.
As you teach the story of David and Jonathan, help kids recognize what
Jonathan did for David. He laid down his rights as king and interceded on
his behalf. Jonathans life gives us a glimpse of Jesus, the mighty friend of
sinners. Jesus left His position in heaven to come down to us. He gave up
His life to save us and intercedes for us before God.

68

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 4

PreschoolWORSHIP OVERVIEW
Session Title: David and Jonathan Became Friends
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-12; 19:1-10; 20:1-42
Big Picture Question: Who is our friend? Jesus is our friend.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)..................................................................................Page 72
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)..................................................................................Page 74
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)......................................................................................Page 76

Saul and David

69

TheBIBLE STORY
David and Jonathan Became Friends
1 Samuel 18:1-12; 19:1-10; 20:1-42
David was the youngest son of Jesse from Bethlehem. Now he was
a hero! With a sling and a stone, David killed Goliaththe strongest,
meanest, tallest man in the Philistine army.
David lived at King Sauls palace. King Saul had a son named
Jonathan. Jonathan became best friends with David. Jonathan gave
gifts to David: his robe, coat, sword, bow, and belt.
Whenever King Saul asked David to do something, David did it.
And David did a good job! But Saul didnt love David like Jonathan
loved David. King Saul was jealous! He wanted to kill David. Saul even
asked Jonathan to kill David! Kill his best friend? Never! He told David,
My father wants to kill you. Go hide in a safe place until I can talk to
him.
The next morning, Jonathan talked to his father about David. Why
would you want to kill David? Jonathan asked. He has done nothing but
help you. Saul promised not to kill David. Jonathan told David the good
news, and David returned to serve Saul as he had done before.
But King Saul did not keep His promise very long. One day, when
David was playing the harp for Saul, Saul threw a spear at David.
But he missed, and David escaped. David told Jonathan what had
happened.
Thats not true! Jonathan said. My father tells me everything,
and he hasnt told me he wants you dead.
It is true, David said. He didnt tell you because he knows we are
good friends. He didnt want to make you sad.
How can I help? Jonathan asked.
David came up with a plan to figure out how Saul felt about David.
Theres a special meal tomorrow, David said. Im supposed to be
there, but Im not going. If Saul asks where I am, tell him Ive asked
you if I could go to Bethlehem. If he gets angry, you will know he wants

70

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 4

to kill me.
Jonathan told David that he would give him a signal to tell David what
Saul planned to do.
So Jonathan went to the New Moon festival with his father. When
Saul sat down to eat, he asked, Wheres David?
David is in Bethlehem. I told him he could go, Jonathan said.
Saul became very angry. David deserves to die! he yelled.
Why? Jonathan asked. What has he done wrong?
Saul threw his spear at Jonathan, and Jonathan left the table. He was sad
that his father wanted to kill David.
The next morning, Jonathan went to the field where David was
hiding. Jonathan gave David the sign that Saul wanted to kill him.
Jonathan sent his servant away, and David came out from where he
was hiding. David fell to the ground because he was so sad. David and
Jonathan cried and said their good-byes.
Take care of yourself, Jonathan said. David and Jonathan parted
ways knowing that no matter what, they would always be friends.
Christ Connection: Jonathan was a very good friend to David. He
reminds us that Jesus is the friend of sinners. Jesus showed His friendship
to us by leaving heaven to come to earth. Jesus died to save us, and He
talks to God for us.

* Use only the words in bold to review the Bible story or tell it to younger
preschoolers.

Saul and David

71

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: David and Jonathan Became Friends
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-12; 19:1-10; 20:1-42
Big Picture Question: Who is our friend? Jesus is our friend.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Play Generous
King in the
background as you
welcome incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
Everybody Sing
song

Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song

72

Welcome and sing


Welcome kids and talk about what makes a good friend.
Ask kids to share names of their friends and whether
anyone has invited a friend to come to church. Instruct each
child to find a friend and say, Im glad youre my friend.
Have fun together and sing Everybody Sing.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Say Weve learned a lot about the Bible. We know that
the Bible is a special book. It has two main parts and 66
books altogether. It tells us everything that God wants us
to know about Him. But who made God? (nobody) Was
He ever born? (No!) He was there before anything else in
the whole universe, and He lives forever! God will always
be alive, and we can trust in Him to care for us.
Remind kids how to open the Bible to the middle and easily
find the Book of Psalms. Locate Psalm 51 and read the key
passage poster. Sing A Clean Heart.

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 4

Timeline Map
David and
Jonathan Became
Friends video
(optional)

Big Picture Question


Poster (enhanced
CD)
Shout to the Lord
song
I Know song
I L-O-V-E You,
Lord song
offering basket

Watch or tell the Bible story


Look at the timeline picture David Was Anointed and
Fought Goliath.
Say Who remembers an exciting thing that happened
in last weeks Bible story? God gave David the power
to defeat the giant Goliath with just a stone and a sling.
Today we will hear things that happened to David after he
killed Goliath. Listen to hear the name of one of Davids
best friends.
Watch the Bible story video, or tell the story with your
Bible opened in your lap to 1 Samuel 18.
Review the Bible story and worship
Say David became friends with one of King Sauls sons.
What was his name? (Jonathan) David and Jonathan were
best friends. Do you have a friend like that?
Talk about friendships. Guide the conversation so kids
begin to understand that Jesus wants to be their very best
friend. He died on the cross for their sins. When they are
sorry for their sins and decide to begin trusting God, they
become friends of Jesus. Look at the big picture question
poster and ask: Who is our friend? Jesus is our friend.
Ask for two volunteers to pray. Close the prayer by
thanking Jesus for being our very best friend.
Invite two other friends to pass the offering basket while
Shout to the Lord plays. Sing I Know and I L-O-V-E
You, Lord.

Transition to small groups


countdown video
(optional)

Kids may do activities at the same time, rotate from one to


the next in groups, or browse and choose an the activity.
Briefly describe each small group activity. Encourage kids
to take turns with their friends in each activity.

Saul and David

73

Small GroupActivities
Session Title: David and Jonathan Became Friends
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-12; 19:1-10; 20:1-42
Big Picture Question: Who is our friend? Jesus is our friend.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Tip: Select from the


activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP
paper plates, 2
tape
marker

masking tape
confetti, colored
sand, or foam
shapes

74

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Choose friendly actions
Draw a happy face (friendly) on one paper plate and a
sad face (not friendly) on another. Tape them to opposite
walls. Determine how to move (hop, slide, tiptoe). Make a
statement, and kids move to the face that belongs with it.
Alternate idea: Print statements on strips to pull from a bag.
Sample statements: I get mad if I cant go first; I help my
sister pick up toys that I didnt get out; I always try to cut in
line; I throw my trash on the ground and let the wind blow
it away; I help my mom carry in the groceries even when
it is super hot outside; I dont like to watch some shows on
TV that my sister does, but I dont gripe; I get mad when I
need the scissors and someone else is using them.
Say David and Jonathan were friends.
Make friendship bracelets
Place tape, sticky side out, around each childs wrist. Ask
kids to roll the tape in confetti, colored sand, or foam
shapes. Friends can help each other.
Say David and Jonathan stuck together. They were
friends. Who is our friend? Jesus is our friend.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 4

Bodyguard (mirror) game


Explain that famous and important people have bodyguards.
They concentrate on the person they are guarding. Play a
mirror game. Pairs of kids must choose a leader and watch
each others eyes while the follower copies the leaders slow
arm or head movements. Their goal is to make it hard to tell
who is the leader. Swap leaders and try again.
Say For a while, David was Sauls armor-bearer. He
helped protect Saul, the king. Surprisingly, Jonathan, the
kings son, helped protect his friend David, the armorbearer! Who is our friend? Jesus is our friend.
Friend Outlines
(enhanced CD)
paper
crayons or markers
stapler or hole
punch and binder
rings

Make a prayer journal


Make a prayer journal so that kids may pray for their
friends and family. Make copies of the friend outlines, cut
them apart, and encourage kids to color the clothing and
hair to match some of their friends. Print the names under
the pictures. Staple pages together or use binder rings.
Say Ask God to show how you can be a good friend.
Thank God that Jesus loves you and your friend.
Make up friendship handshakes
Group kids into pairs; encourage them to make up a
friendship handshake. Suggest beginning with shake
pull aparthigh five. Add in snaps, fist bumps, spins, and
double high fives. Let each pair show their handshake.
Say Jonathan was a good friend to David. He showed his
friendship by his actions. Jesus showed His friendship to
us by leaving heaven to come to earth. Jesus died to save
us, and He talks to God for us. Jesus will be our friend
when we are sorry for our sins and trust Him.

Transition to large group closing


countdown video
(optional)

Play the countdown video as kids complete the activities.

Saul and David

75

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: David and Jonathan Became Friends
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-12; 19:1-10; 20:1-42
Big Picture Question: Who is our friend? Jesus is our friend.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Note for leaders:
It is suggested
that by giving his
robe, coat, sword,
bow, and belt to
David, Jonathan
acknowledged
Davids place as
the future king of
Israel. Traditionally,
a kings son is the
kings apparent heir,
but Jonathans gifts
indicated that he
was ready to submit
to Davids authority
as Israels future
king.

76

Review the Bible story and worship


Ask kids to sit next to a friend while you talk about David
and Jonathans friendship. Ask questions such as
Who was a hero after he killed Goliath? (David)
Who was Sauls son and Davids best friend? (Jonathan)
What gifts did Jonathan give David? (He gave his robe,
coat, sword, bow, and belt. Look at the gifts in the
activity page picture if the page is available.)
Why did Saul want to kill David? (He was jealous of
David. He thought people liked David better than they
liked him. That made him mad.)
What was Jonathans plan? (Jonathan would find out
whether Saul wanted to kill David; he would tell David.)
Who is shown on todays timeline picture? (Jonathan
and his servant) After Jonathan sent his servant away,
David came out of hiding. What did they say to each
other? (goodbye)
Say Wouldnt you like to have a friend like that? We have
a friend who is even better. He died for our sins. When we
are sorry for our sins and begin to trust God, Jesus calls
us His friends. Who is our friend? Jesus is our friend.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 4

Pray. Thank God for friends and especially for Jesus.


Missions story: Your Best Friend, Jesus
Sri Lanka is a nation where most of the people are
Buddhists. Buddhists do not believe in Jesus Christ. A
Christian Sri Lankan pastor has a house church in a village
called Wahuda (wah-HOO-duh). Some people in the village
arent very happy about the Christian church. They want to
scare the Christians so they will stop telling villagers about
Jesus. The Christians have been a little nervous, but they are
not ashamed of Jesus Christ.
A young boy goes to that house church. He took an
end-of-term test recently where he wrote about the subject
Who is your best friend and describe your relationship.
The young boy was very courageous and wrote about his
best friend, Jesus. Please pray for the boy that he will grow
in his love for Jesus and that he will tell others about Jesus.
Pray for all of the Christians in Wahuda and other cities
and villages in Sri Lanka to be strong in their faith and not
be afraid of empty threats.

The Stay in-Place


Song

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Play a clapping game


Invite kids to find a partner. Practice clapping their own
hands together and then both hands with their partners.
Begin with a slow, steady beat and clap to a rhyme about
David and Jonathan. Use the rhythm of patty-cake. Younger
kids may simply clap the rhythm. Older kids may form a
circle and clap hands with friends to either side.
Sauls son Jonathan, David, too,
Best friends, best friends, just we two.
Gifts for David, and danger, too.
Best friends, best friends, just we two.
If you have more time, sing The Stay-in-Place Song.

Saul and David

77

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
Things were not looking up for David. King Saul had tried multiple times
to kill him, and he had to flee for his life, leaving behind his good friend,
Sauls son Jonathan. But God had appointed David to be king, and God
was faithful to him. Leading up to 2 Samuel 7, Jonathan was killed in battle
against the Philistines. Saul fell on his own sword, and David became king
of Israel. Then David moved the ark of God to Jerusalem.
David settled into his palace, and God gave him peace from his enemies.
When David looked around, something didnt seem right. He was living in
a majestic palace while the ark of God was in a tent! David determined to
build God a temple. That night, God gave the prophet, Nathan, a message
for David. Have I ever asked you to build Me a house? God said. Since
I brought the Israelites out of Egypt, I have dwelled in a tent.
God continued, reminding David that he used to be a shepherd, but God
had made him a king! I have always been with you, and I have defeated
your enemies, God said. God promised to give the Israelites a place to
stay so they wouldnt need to move around anymore. God promised to give
them rest from their enemies so they could stop fighting.
Though God denied Davids desire to build God a house, God promised to
make a house for David: a dynasty of his descendants and an everlasting
kingdom. Nathan told David what God said, and David was amazed.
As you teach kids about Gods covenant to David, help them understand
the significance of Davids everlasting kingdom. Gods promise to David
was ultimately fulfilled by his most significant descendant, Jesus Christ:
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord
God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the
house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end (Luke 1:32-33).

78

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Unit 11 Session 5

Preschoolworship overview
Session Title: God Made a Covenant with David
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 7
Big Picture Question: What did God promise David? God promised that
Jesus would be part of Davids family.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)..................................................................................Page 82
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)..................................................................................Page 84
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)......................................................................................Page 86

Saul and David

79

Thebible story
God Made a Covenant with David
2 Samuel 7
God chose David to be king of Israel. When David was young,
he played the harp for King Saul, and God gave him power to defeat
Goliaththe strongest, meanest, tallest man in the Philistine army. Saul
had been king, but now David was king. God gave His people a time of
peace.
One day, David was talking with Nathan the prophet. I live in
a palace of nice wood, David pointed out. But the ark of God sits
inside a tent!
God is with you. Do what you want! Nathan said. But God didnt
want David to do whatever he wanted. That night, God talked to Nathan.
God gave Nathan a message for David. This is what God wanted Nathan
to say to David:
David, are you going to build a house for Me to live in? Think about
what I have done for My people. I brought them out of Egypt. I gave
them leaders to guide them. The entire time I have been with them, My
house has been a tent. Did I ever ask anyone to build a temple for Me?
Remember, you used to be a shepherd, David. But I made you a king.
I helped you win your battles, and My people now live in their own
land. There is no more fighting. I promise you, David, that you and
your descendants will be kings. When you die, one of your sons will be
king. He will be a strong king. He will build a house for Me. I will love
him, and I will never leave him. When your son dies, his son will be
king. The king will always be someone in your family.
When God was finished speaking, Nathan told David everything
God said. David went into the tent he had set up for the ark of God. God
was right. God had never asked anyone to build Him a temple. Even
though David wanted to build a temple for God, David chose to listen
to God and obey Him instead. David sat down and prayed.
Lord God, I dont deserve anything You have done for me, and You

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Unit 11 Session 5

promise to do so much more! God, You are so great! There is no one


like You! You chose the Israelites to be Your own people. You rescued
them from slavery in Egypt.
God, please keep Your promises to me and my family. I am sure
You will keep Your promises because You always do.
Christ Connection: God made a promise to David. God told David
that every king of Israel would come from Davids family. God kept His
promise. God sent His Son, Jesus, to be part of Davids family. Jesus is our
King. Jesus is alive, and He will be King over Gods people forever.

* Use only the words in bold to review the Bible story or tell it to younger
preschoolers.

Saul and David

81

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: God Made a Covenant with David
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 7
Big Picture Question: What did God promise David? God promised that
Jesus would be part of Davids family.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Play Generous King
in the background
as you welcome
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
I Know song
streamers or ribbons
Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song

Timeline Map
God Made a
Covenant with
David video
(optional)
bookmark

82

Welcome and sing


Warmly greet new arrivals, and gather kids together to
sing I Know. Provide streamers or strips of ribbon and
encourage kids to move to the music as it is played.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Select a volunteer to open your Bible to Psalms. Remind
kids how to easily find Psalms since it is in the center of the
Bible. Point to Psalm 51:10 and read the key passage poster.
Emphasize that you are going to sing the words that David
prayed in this Psalm. Sing A Clean Heart.
Say Some of the Psalms, like this one, help us know
what we can talk to God about. Why did God give us the
Bible? (So we can learn everything that we need to know
about Him.)
Watch or tell the Bible story
Look at the timeline. Who is on the throne? (King David) If
there is a Nathan in your classroom, say that the man in the
picture has the same name as a person in the room.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 5

Say The Bible is full of promises that God has made to


His people. When we read the Bible, we can see promises
that God has made to us! In todays story, we will hear
about a wonderful promise that God made to David.
Listen closely to hear what that special promise was.
Before the session, place a bookmark in your Bible at
2 Samuel 7. Ask a child to open your Bible. Tell the Bible
story, or show the Bible story video.

Big Picture Question


Poster (enhanced
CD)
We Bow Down
song
Shout to the Lord
song
offering basket

Worship with song and pray


Say What did Nathan say God had promised David? (A
member of Davids family would be king forever.) Did
you know that the Bible tells us that Jesus was in Davids
family? David was Jesus great-(28 times)-grandfather.
What did God promise David? God promised that
Jesus would be part of Davids family. God always keeps
His promises. Jesus is our King. Lets worship Jesus now.
Sing We Bow Down.
Play music while you collect the offering. Invite a child to
pray and thank God for His promises.
Sing Shout to the Lord.

Transition to small groups


countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

Ask kids to count the number of people in their families.


Dismiss kids to small group activities by calling out a
number. If you say the number of people in a childs family,
that child may choose a small group activity. Overlook kids
who miscount!

Saul and David

83

Small Groupactivities
Session Title: God Made a Covenant with David
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 7
Big Picture Question: What did God promise David? God promised that
Jesus would be part of Davids family.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Tip: Select from the


activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP
signs, 7
tape

colored blocks
colored paper scraps
that match colors of
blocks
sack or gift bag

84

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Play a family game
Place fun signs in each corner of the room to represent
family membersmom, dad, grandma, grandpa. Kids run
to the corner that answers each question you ask. They may
stay in the center if no corner has the answer. (For example,
no family member may drive a car.)
Say Who cooks in your family? drives a car? likes to
sing? does the laundry? brings you to church?
Change the signs to David, Davids son, and Jesus.
Say Who was king after Saul? Who defeated Goliath?
Who wanted to build a temple for God? Who got to build
the temple for God? Whose descendants would always be
king? Who is the last and perfect king in Davids family?
Who will be king forever?
Play Match and Build
Put out a box or pile of colored blocks at one end of the
room and put colored scraps of paper in a bag at the other
end of the room. Place a block near the blocks to begin a
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 5

stack of blocks. Kids draw a color from the sack, run to


find a matching colored block, and add it to the stack until
finally the blocks all fall down. Remind kids that David
wanted to build a house for God, but God said no.
Say God said one of Davids sons would build the house.

round objects
markers or crayons
stamp pads
(optional)
paper

fabric
chair
crown
dress-up clothes
(optional)
camera (optional)

fabric swatches
wooden blocks
scale (analog or
balance)
measuring tape

Trace around circles


Using cardboard tubes, plastic cups, or other round objects,
trace circles on paper, or use stamp pads and stamp circles.
Guide each kid to draw a face in each circle to represent a
member of her family.
Say What did God promise David? God promised that
Jesus would be part of Davids family.
Pose a picture
Decorate a chair to look like a throne; drape fabric over it.
Make a crown out of colored paper and invite kids to pose
like the Bible story picture. Take their pictures, if possible.
Say God sent Nathan to tell David that every king of
Israel would come from Davids family. What did God
promise David? God promised that Jesus would be part
of Davids family.
Measure wood and fabric
Use a scale to measure how much wooden blocks weigh.
Compare the weight to swatches of fabric.
Say David lived in a house made of wood, and the ark
of the covenant stayed in a tent made of curtains. David
wanted to build a temple for God, but God said to wait.

Transition to large group closing


countdown video
(optional)

Invite kids to tell about special people in their families.


Say What did God promise David? God promised that
Jesus would be part of Davids family.

Saul and David

85

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: God Made a Covenant with David
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 7
Big Picture Question: What did God promise David? God promised that
Jesus would be part of Davids family.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Lord, Teach Me
song
Mighty, Mighty
God song
Note: Jesus Father
is God. The Book
of Matthew gives
the genealogy
through His earthly
father, Joseph;
28 generations
separate David and
Jesus. The Gospel
of Luke records
Jesus lineage back
to Adam. Scholars
believe Lukes
account is through
Marys family, and it
includes David, too.

86

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Review the Bible story and worship
Sing Lord, Teach Me and ask kids to think about Jesus as
they sing. Show the picture of David and Nathan from the
timeline.
Say David wanted to build a building where the ark of
God could stay, but God told Nathan the prophet to give
David a different message. [Show past pictures from the
timeline as you review the story.] Can you remember
some things that God wanted David to remember? (God
brought His people out of Egypt. God was always with
them. David was a shepherd, but God made him a king.
God helped David win battles.) Who did God say would
build a house for Him? (Davids son) [Show the big
picture question poster.] What did God promise David?
God promised that Jesus would be part of Davids
family.
Sing Mighty, Mighty God because Jesus is our perfect
King. Pray, thanking God for His promises, just as David
did.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 5

Missions story: Guinea Pigs and Rabbits


N and L are new Christians and are studying the Bible, but
their neighbors dont like it. Most people in the town where
N and L live dont want anyone to change their religion.
N and L are Pa people from Colombia. They had 40
guinea pigs and 18 rabbitsthat was their life savings!
Some angry people came and stole the guinea pigs and
rabbits when they heard that N and L werent following the
traditions of the community. N and L lost all they had saved
because they follow Jesus. This is called persecution.
God showed His love to N and L through two other
Christian families. These Christians gave N and L a pair of
guinea pigs and rabbits to breed. Doesnt it make us happy
to hear about Christians helping each other!
Pray for these Pa families who want to study the Bible
and follow Jesus. Pray that they will be strong and tell
others about Jesus even when facing persecution.

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Play Daddys Sleeping


Sit in a circle. Select a volunteer to be Daddy (or
Mommy). Daddy lies on the floor in the center of the
circle with his eyes closed, pretending to sleep. Kids sitting
around Daddy take turns trying to make him laugh by
making silly sounds (no touching). The child who wakes
Daddy by making him laugh becomes the next sleeping
parent.
Say David was the daddy of kings and the great-greatgreat-granddad of Jesus. What did God promise David?
God promised that Jesus would be part of Davids
family.

Saul and David

87

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
The Ammonites were no strangers to the Israelites. They often fought over
the region of Gilead, which stretched east of the Jordan River. David had
tried showing kindness to the Ammonites, but they humiliated the Israelite
ambassadors. (See 2 Sam. 10:1-5.) Thus began a war between the Israelites
and Ammonites. This context sets the scene for the story of Davids sin and
restoration.
One evening, David looked from his rooftop and saw Bathsheba bathing.
He inquired about her and found out that she was the wife of Uriah, one
of Davids elite soldiers. Her married status alone made her off-limits to
David, but he nevertheless called for her and slept with her.
David probably assumed his sin would go unnoticed, until Bathsheba
told him she was pregnant with his child. With Uriah gone to war, it was
obvious the baby was not his. But David had a plan. He called Uriah home
from the battle and encouraged him to be with his wife. But Uriah refused.
Uriah didnt think it was fair for him to be with his wife while other men
were at war.
So David moved to plan B. He instructed the commander of the army
to position Uriah in the most violent part of the battle so he would be
killed. This time, Davids plan worked. Uriah was killed, and David took
Bathsheba as his wife.
God knew Davids sin and sent Nathan the prophet to confront David.
David realized he had sinned against God. God issued a punishment:
Davids son died.
Davids confession is recorded in Psalm 51. David knew making sacrifices
would not be enough to please God and pay for his sin. God wanted
Davids heart to change so he would not want to sin again. Like David, we
need more than a changed lifestyle to be made right with God; we need
new hearts. Jesus died to satisfy Gods wrath against sin so that we could
be made alive in Him.

88

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 6

PreschoolWORSHIP OVERVIEW
Session Title: David Sinned and Was Restored
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 11:112:14; Psalm 51
Big Picture Question: What happened when David sinned? God punished
David, but He forgave David.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)..................................................................................Page 92
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)..................................................................................Page 94
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)......................................................................................Page 96

Saul and David

89

TheBIBLE STORY
David Sinned and Was Restored
2 Samuel 11:112:14; Psalm 51
David was king of Israel. One of the things David did as king was lead
the army. Each spring, kings went to war with their armies. One spring,
David sent the army out to fight. He put a man named Joab in charge of
the army, but David stayed at his palace.
One evening, David was walking on the roof of his palace. From the
roof, he saw Bathsheba. Bathsheba was a beautiful woman. She was
the wife of Uriah, one of the best men in Davids army. David sent his
messengers to get Bathsheba, and she came to Davids house. Later,
Bathsheba told David that she was going to have a baby; the baby would be
Davids son.
David knew what he had done was wrong. Bathsheba was married to
Uriah. David should not have a baby with someone who was not his wife.
David did not want to get into trouble, so he had a plan to make sure no
one found out that Bathshebas baby was his.
David told Uriah to come home from the battle. Go spend time with
your wife, he said. You deserve it. But Uriah didnt think it was fair for
him to relax at home while the other men were at war. He slept on Davids
doorstep and would not see his wife. No matter what David did or said,
Uriah did not go home.
Davids plan was not working, so he made up another plan. This time,
he instructed Joab, the leader of the army, to send Uriah into the
hardest part of the battle. David hoped Uriah would be killed.
Joab did what David wanted. He sent Uriah to the place where the
fighting was most dangerous, and the enemy army killed Uriah. When
Bathsheba heard that her husband was dead, she was very sad. David
took Bathsheba into his house to be his wife.
It seemed as though David had gotten away with his sin, but God knew
what David had done. God was not happy with David, and He sent
Nathan the prophet to talk to David. Nathan told David a story. The

90

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 11 Session 6

story was about a man who took something that did not belong to him.
The story made David angry, but Nathan said the story was about
David. David took something that did not belong to him. David had
taken Uriahs wife. Nathan told David that God was not happy about
what he did. David realized he had sinned against God.
After Nathan spoke to David, David wrote a psalm. He told God he
was sorry and asked God to forgive him, and God did.
Christ Connection: God forgave David for his sins, but sin always has a
price. God let David live, but Davids son died. When we sin, God forgives
us because Jesus died for our sins. Jesus paid the price for our sins.

* To tell the Bible story to younger preschoolers or for reviewing the story,
use only the Bible story words in bold.

Saul and David

91

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: David Sinned and Was Restored
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 11:112:14; Psalm 51
Big Picture Question: What happened when David sinned? God punished
David, but He forgave David.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Play A Clean Heart
in the background
as you welcome
preschoolers. Follow
security procedures.
The Stay-in-Place
Song
Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song
Tip: Kids may be
unaware of personal
sin. Todays purpose
is not to bring about
conviction, but to
present what sin is.

Timeline Map
David Sinned and
Was Restored video
(optional)

92

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
Welcome newcomers to the group. Sing a song like The
Stay-in-Place Song so kids can get their wiggles out.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Say What is sin? (disobeying God; all the bad things
we do) Name some of the bad things that we do. (lying,
not obeying parents, taking things that dont belong to
us, being unkind to others; answers vary) Who sins?
(everyone)
Ask a child to open your Bible to Psalm 51. Read the key
passage poster. Sing A Clean Heart.
Watch or tell the Bible story
Say Have you ever done something you shouldnt have
and tried to make sure no one found out? Did you lie to
cover up what you did? [Allow kids to share briefly their
experiences.] In todays Bible story, we will hear about a
time when David sinned. Instead of saying he did wrong,
David came up with a plan to hide his sin. But God knew.
We can never hide our sins from God.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 6

Watch (or tell) the Bible story. Answer difficult questions


about the sensitive nature of the story as simply as possible.
Use the printed Bible story script as a guide.

Big Picture Question


Poster (enhanced
CD)
We Bow Down
song
Lord, Teach Me
song
Generous King
song
offering basket

Worship with song and pray


Say What happened when David sinned? God punished
David, but He forgave David. Isnt it wonderful that God
forgave King Davids sin? God forgives our sin too. We
can believe that because God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay
the price for our sin.
Praise God by singing We Bow Down.
Sing Lord, Teach Me because we want to know how to
please God.
Pray. Tell God how thankful you are that He made a way
for our sins to be forgiven.
Play Generous King, and invite two kids to collect the
offering.

Transition to small groups


countdown video
(optional)

Do small group activities one of these ways:


as a group, all at the same time
in small groups that rotate through each activity
set up as centers, allowing preschoolers to browse and
choose
Describe choices for small group activities. Encourage
kids to make good choices as they enjoy each activity. But
remind them that even if they make bad choices, they can
know that they can be forgiven because of Jesus.

Saul and David

93

Small Groupactivities
Session Title: David Sinned and Was Restored
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 11:112:14; Psalm 51
Big Picture Question: What happened when David sinned? God punished
David, but He forgave David.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Tip: Select from the
activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP
large red paper
double-sided tape
paper scraps

clear glass of water


food color
bleach
medicine dropper
(optional)
Allergy Alert
(enhanced CD)

94

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Tape on a heart
Cut a heart shape from a large piece of paper. Place doublesided tape strips on one side of the heart. Invite kids to tear
bits of paper and stick them to the heart. Explain that this
reminds us of our hearts with sinnot clean. Turn the paper
over to the clean side.
Say God forgave David for his sins, but sin always has a
price. When we sin, God forgives us because Jesus died
for our sins. Jesus paid the price for our sins.
Demonstrate forgiveness
Place a drop of food color into a glass of water to represent
sin. Drop bleach into the glass to represent forgiveness.
Kids may drop food color into water, but only an adult may
use the bleach. Repeat with different kids and different
colors.
Say God really does give us clean hearts when we ask. He
doesnt reach inside of us and wash our hearts with soap.
He cleans hearts in His own special and very best way.
When He looks at us, He sees people with clean hearts.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 6

purchased or
homemade dry
erase boards
dry erase markers or
crayons

vegetables
vegetable brushes
shallow tub
towels
water
Allergy Alert
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song

index cards

countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

Play with dry erase boards


Purchase dry erase boards or make them by covering
cardboard or heavy paper with contact paper. You may also
put coloring sheets inside clear report folders, taping all but
one side of the folder shut (like a picture frame).
Invite kids to draw or trace with dry erase markers or
crayons on the board and then erase.
Say God forgives people when they sin and ask Him for
forgiveness. Its a little bit like erasing!
Scrub vegetables
Place a shallow tub with an inch of water on a towel. Scrub
vegetables with brushes. Talk about how sin makes us feel
sad and not clean. God cleans our hearts when we ask Him
to forgive us, and that makes us feel better. Talk about the
key passage, where David asks God for a clean heart after
he had sinned. Sing A Clean Heart.
Play Crawl and Match
Print the key passage on index cards, one word or short
phrase per card. Make two identical sets. (For younger kids,
print matching words or phrases with matching colors of
ink or on matching card colors.) Spread one set of cards in
order against a wall. Place the second set in scrambled order
several feet away. Invite a child to choose a card, crawl to
the wall, and put the card with its match. Read the verse
aloud when all the cards have been matched.
Say What happened when David sinned? God punished
David, but He forgave David.

Transition to large group closing


Invite everyone to pat their heads, slap their knees, jump up
and down, clap their hands, turn around, and then sit down.

Saul and David

95

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: David Sinned and Was Restored
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 11:112:14; Psalm 51
Big Picture Question: What happened when David sinned? God punished
David, but He forgave David.
Key Passage: Psalm 51:10
Unit Christ Connection: God provided the first kings to rule His people
Israel; Christ, the final King, rules over all people as Savior. Through
Davids family, God sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
A Clean Heart
song
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Timeline Map
I L-O-V-E You,
Lord song

96

Review the Bible story and worship


Ask questions to review the story. Keep answers factual, but
simple.
One day, Nathan, the prophet, told David a story about a
man who took something that didnt belong to him. How
did David feel when he heard the story? (angry)
Why did Nathan tell David the story? (because David had
taken something that didnt belong to himUriahs wife)
What had David done so people wouldnt know he had
done wrong? (He sent Uriah into the most dangerous part
of a battle, and Uriah was killed.)
Who knew what David had done, and how did He feel?
(God knew what David did, and God was not happy.)
What did David do next? (David wrote the psalm that we
our key passage is from. David asked God to forgive him,
and God did.)
Read the key passage poster. Sing A Clean Heart.
Say Even though God forgave Davids sin, the Bible
says that David was still punished. [Read the big picture
question poster together.] What happened when David
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 11 Session 6

sinned? God punished David, but He forgave David.


Look at todays timeline picture and talk about what David
is doing in the picture. (talking to God) Briefly ask kids
to share prayer requests. Pray for each and thank God for
always forgiving our sins when we ask.
Sing I L-O-V-E You, Lord.
Missions story: Chewing Gum Business
A little boy stands on a street corner near the home of a
Christian. Every day is the same for that little boy. He
stands there selling chewing gumevery day.
Our Christian friend says that he has the sweetest and
most beautiful eyes. But he looks so tired and hungry. He
cant be more than 10 years old, but he works all day. He
wears the same dirty old clothes every day.
Many poor children live in Northern Africa and the
Middle East. Some of them dont have moms and dads
who take care of them, so they sell chewing gum or beg for
money. Ask God to help these poor children by providing
for their needs. Pray for the children that they will come to
know Jesus as their Father and Protector.
picture of a baby cut
out of a magazine,
or a stick figure
image of baby
(optional)

Play Whos Got the Baby?


Kids will stand in a circle with hands behind their backs.
Show the small picture of a baby. Walk around the outside
of the circle and secretly place the baby picture in a kids
hand. Continue to move around the circle so no one knows
who has the baby. Ask: Whos got the baby? Whoever
guesses correctly becomes the new leader.

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Saul and David

97

Unit 12:A Kingdom in Trouble


Big Picture Questions
Session 1:
What did King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God for
wisdom.
Session 2:
What did King Solomon build? King Solomon built a temple for God.
Session 3:
How should we love God? We should love God with all our hearts.
Session 4:
Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God.

98

Preschool Worship Guide

Unit 12:A Kingdom in Trouble


Unit Description:Even though Solomon possessed the greatest wisdom
ever granted, he still did little to use that wisdom to honor God.
Ultimately, as Solomon lost his focus on God, the kingdom split,
and God used the Southern Kingdom of Judah to fulfill His plan of
redemption.
Unit Key Passage:
1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection:
Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the eternal reign of Christ.
Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs perfect Kingdom is
forever.
Session 1:
Solomon Asked for Wisdom
1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15
Session 2:
Solomon Built the Temple
1 Kings 6:18:66
Session 3:
Solomons Sin Divided the Kingdom
1 Kings 1112
Session 4:
Poetry and Wisdom
Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

A Kingdom Created

99

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
Davids sin with Bathsheba yielded difficult consequences, but God
showed David and Bathsheba that He still loved them. After the death of
their first son, Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon. Nathan, the prophet whom
God had used to confront David concerning Uriah, gave Solomon a special
name: Jedidiah, which means Beloved of the Lord. God chose Solomon
to be king. (See 2 Sam. 12:24-25; 1 Chron. 22:9-13.)
Early in Solomons life, God appeared to him in a dream. What should I
give you? God asked. Solomons response set him apart from many other
kings. His God-honoring qualities were apparent.
First, Solomon humbly acknowledged his lack of experience in leading
Gods people. Then he said, Give Your servant an obedient heart to judge
Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge
this great people of Yours? (1 Kings 3:9).
If you were a king or queen and God offered to give you anything you
asked for, what request would you make? Ask the kids you teach what they
would ask for if they could receive anything their hearts desired.
One might assume that a king would ask for power, to be victorious over
his enemies. Perhaps he would ask for riches or to live a long life. Solomon
asked for none of these. Instead, he asked God to make him wise. God was
pleased with Solomons request, and He agreed to give Solomon a wise and
understanding heart.
Solomons heart was surrendered to God. When we know and love Jesus,
God gives us the same promise He gave to Solomon: Now this is the
confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to
His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14).

100

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 1

PreschoolWORSHIP OVERVIEW
Session Title: Solomon Asked for Wisdom
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15
Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon ask from God? King
Solomon asked God for wisdom.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)................................................................................Page 104
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)................................................................................Page 106
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)....................................................................................Page 108

A Kingdom in Trouble

101

TheBIBLE STORY
Solomon Asked for Wisdom
1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15
David was an old man. He had been king over Israel for many,
many years. Now his son Solomon had become king. Everyone was
happy that Solomon was king.
David was going to die soon, so he gave Solomon special
instructions.
Be strong and brave, Solomon, David said. Obey God, and you
will be a good king. God will keep His promise to us. Every king of
Israel will come from our family.
David told Solomon to make wise choices. He told him to be friends
with people who were friends with King David. David told Solomon how
to treat his enemies. Then David died, and he was buried.
Solomon married Pharaohs daughter, the princess of Egypt. He built his
palace and the wall that went around the city of Jerusalem.
One night, God talked to Solomon in a dream. God said, Solomon,
ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you.
Anything? What would you ask for if you could have anything?
A king might have asked to live a long life or to be very rich.
Solomon could have asked God to take away all his enemies. But
Solomon didnt ask to be rich or to live a long time. He asked for
something even better.
Solomon said, God, You were so good to my father, David. He
loved and obeyed You, and You made meHis sonthe next king.
Then Solomon said, I am young, and I dont know very much
about being a king. Please make me wise and help me obey You. Help
me know the difference between right and wrong. Help me be a good
leader.
God said to Solomon, I am happy you have asked for wisdom. I am
going to make you more wise and understanding than anyone who has
ever lived. No one in the future will ever be as wise as you, Solomon.

102

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 1

But God wasnt finished. Because you asked for wisdom, I will also
give you what you did not ask for: long life, riches, and honor. Youll be
greater than any other king during your lifetime.
Solomon woke up. God had spoken to him in a dream! Solomon
thanked God and praised Him.
Christ Connection: King Solomon asked God to give him wisdom. He
wanted to be a good leader for Gods people and do what was best for
them. God wants people to do His plan. Jesus trusted God and wanted to
do His plan. Jesus did Gods plan when He died on the cross for our sins.

* To tell the Bible story to younger preschoolers or for reviewing the story,
use only the Bible story words in bold.

A Kingdom in Trouble

103

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: Solomon Asked for Wisdom
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15
Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon ask from God? King
Solomon asked God for wisdom.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Play Me Without
You in the
background as you
welcome incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
I Know song
Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Devoted song

Timeline Map
Solomon Asked
for Wisdom video
(optional)

104

Welcome and sing


After welcoming new arrivals, sing I Know. Ask kids to
count the number of people in class. How many boys? How
many girls? How many adults?
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Show kids how to find 1 Kings 2 in the Bible. Review that
the Old Testament tells about the time before Jesus was
born. The New Testament begins when Jesus was born.
Say Do you think 1 Kings is in the Old or New
Testament? (Old)
Show the key passage poster and read 1 Kings 8:61. Talk
about what devoted means in this passagebeing faithful,
true, and committed to Him; letting God be in charge of
your life. Listen to the song Devoted.
Watch or tell the Bible story
Say How many people did you count in class today?
(Take answers.) What a smart group of kids you are! You
figured out how many people are here today! Whats the
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 12 Session 1

difference between being smart and being wise? Smart is


being able to think well and know a lot of things. Wisdom
is making good choices and understanding what is true
and right. As you listen to todays Bible story, see if you
can discover what King Davids son Solomon asked God
to give him.
Watch the Bible story or tell it with expression. Keep your
Bible open to 1 Kings 2 as you tell it.

Big Picture Question


Poster (enhanced
CD)
Lord, Teach Me
song
I Will Trust in You
song
Shout to the Lord
song
offering basket

countdown video
(optional)

Worship with song and pray


Say King Solomon could have asked God for anything.
He could have asked to be rich, but he didnt. He asked
for wisdom so that he could lead Gods people. What did
King Solomon ask from God? King Solomon asked God
for wisdom.
Ask a volunteer to pray, asking God to help us make wise
choices.
Softly play a song of your choosing as you pass the
offering basket.
Talk about how we can trust God. Sing I Will Trust in
You.
Sing Shout to the Lord. Talk about a promise that God
made to Solomon. Read 1 Kings 3:12-14.

Transition to small groups


Do activities one of these ways:
as a group, all at the same time
in small groups, rotating through each activity
set up as centers, allowing preschoolers to browse and
choose
After describing each activity, ask kids which ones they
will choose first. Ask them to make wise decisions as they
work together.

A Kingdom in Trouble

105

Small GroupActivities
Session Title: Solomon Asked for Wisdom
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15
Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon ask from God? King
Solomon asked God for wisdom.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Tip: Select from the


activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP
beanbags
various objects in
the room
masking tape

construction paper
tissue paper
glue

106

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Play Follow the Obstacle Course
Place objects in a simple obstacle course. Take a beanbag
through the path, calling out the path it is taking as you go.
For example, under the chair, over the toy teapot, around
the stack of blocks, along the tape line, across the puzzle,
past the elephant, back to the beginning. A couple of other
kids must then follow the path as best they can, using their
beanbags and saying the path aloud as they go. Give kids
turns to set a new path for their friends. For young kids,
limit the path to three or four obstacles.
Say Solomon asked for wisdom because he wanted to do
the right thing and follow God.
Decorate a bedspread
Invite each kid to tear small pieces of tissue paper and
glue them onto a piece of colored paper to make a quilt or
bedspread.
Say Solomon was asleep when God appeared to him in
a dream. What did King Solomon ask from God? King
Solomon asked God for wisdom.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 12 Session 1

index cards
yarn
hole punch
basket or box

2-liter or 16-ounce
plastic bottles, 6
sign with WISDOM
(or GOD or BIBLE)
printed on it
letters of sign
printed on cards
ball or beanbag

picture books about


nature
Bible

Choose the best card


Print each of these words on a separate index card: wisdom,
money, health, life, love, fame (honor). You may want to
add cards with other things kids might ask for. Punch a hole
in the corner of each card; attach a 2-foot length of yarn
to each. Lay the cards facedown in a basket; hang the yarn
over the edge. Spin the basket around and invite kids to
pull out the yarn. Help kids read the cards until they find
the card that says wisdom. Kids may take as many turns as
needed to find the correct card.
Say Solomon asked God for wisdom when he could have
asked for anything. God helps His people make wise
choices.
Bowl over a word
Use empty plastic bottles, each with a letter of the word
WISDOM taped to it. (Younger kids might need to play with
a shorter word: GOD or BIBLE.) Display a sign to help kids
arrange the bottles to spell WISDOM (or GOD or BIBLE).
Kids may take turns bowling over the bottles using a ball or
beanbag.
Say What did King Solomon ask from God? King
Solomon asked God for wisdom.
Look at books
Read Proverbs 30:24-28. Ask kids to find a picture of
something that interested Solomon. Among things Solomon
studied were ants, hyraxes (rabbits), locusts, and lizards.
Say In the Bible, Solomon wrote about many things that
he watched and learned about.

Transition to large group closing


countdown video
(optional)

Play the countdown video to alert kids to make their final


activity choices.

A Kingdom in Trouble

107

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: Solomon Asked for Wisdom
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12; 3:1-15
Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon ask from God? King
Solomon asked God for wisdom.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Mighty, Mighty
God song

108

Review the Bible story, pray, and sing


Say If what I say is correct, nod your head up and down
and say wise! But if what I say is incorrect, shake your
head from side to side and say not wise.
Use the following statements or come up with your own.
King Sauls son was named Solomon. (King Davids
son)
David told Solomon to obey God, and God would keep
His promises to their family.
God talked to Solomon on the phone. (in a dream)
[Show the timeline picture to help kids remember.]
God told Solomon to ask for anything he wanted.
Solomon asked God to make him rich and famous. (give
him wisdom to lead the people)
God made Solomon wiser than anyone who had ever
lived. He also gave Solomon long life, riches, and honor.

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 1

Say Solomon trusted God to give him wisdom to rule His


people. Jesus trusted God, too, and carried out Gods plan
so that our sins could be forgiven.
Pray. Thank and praise God just like Solomon did. Sing
Mighty, Mighty God.
Missions story: Four-year-old G
In Japan, a little boy called G is turning 4 years old. His
mom is a Christian, but his dad is not. Soon, G will start
going to a Christian pre-kindergarten five days a week. His
mom hopes G will learn more about Jesus at school and
become a Christian. She hopes his dad will hear G and the
other children talk about Jesus too.
G just made a new friend, M, the 4-year-old son of
missionaries. G and M like to play together. Sometimes, Gs
parents go with him when they play. Ms parents tell them
the stories of Jesus. Pray for Gs whole family to hear about
Jesus! Pray that his dad will want Jesus to be his Savior.
You might have some friends who dont know about
Jesus. Can you tell them this week that Jesus loves them?
Im praying with you for your friends and for G in Japan.

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Play a Keep Thinking game


Announce a category. Guide kids to think of items in
that category and take turns saying them aloud. Say,
keep thinking as kids continue, and play until the list
is exhausted. Choose another category and begin again.
Suggested categories include vegetables, animals, people
from the Bible, instruments, girls names, colors, and
holidays. Kids may take turns thinking of new categories to
consider. Continue play until parents arrive.

A Kingdom in Trouble

109

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
When David was king, he wanted to build a temple for God, but God did
not allow him to. When your time comes and you rest with your fathers,
I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body,
and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My name, and
I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Sam. 7:12-13). God
said King Davids son would build the temple.
King Solomon began to gather materials to build the temple. He ordered
cedar and cypress timbers from Lebanon. He gathered 30,000 men from
all of Israel as laborers to excavate stone and prepare the timbers for the
temples construction.
The temple was impressive. The entire interior was cedar. King Solomon
had everything covered with gold. In all, it took seven years for the temple
to be completed. Inside the temple were furniture and accessories. (See
1 Kings 7:48-50.)
It came time to dedicate the temple. All of the Israelites gathered in
Jerusalem. The priests brought the ark of the Lord to the most holy place,
and a cloud filled the house of the Lord. Gods glory filled the temple.
Solomon prayed to God. He praised God for keeping His covenant with
David. Solomon recognized that God is not confined to a temple. Even
heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I
have built (1 Kings 8:27). Solomons prayer and speech to the Israelites
were followed by a great offering to God.
The temple was where God met with His people, and it gave Gods people
a more permanent place to worship Him. The priests followed specific
instructions to approach God on behalf of His people. Jesus changed
everything when He died for our sins on the cross. By taking our sin upon
Himself, Jesus made the way for sinners to come to God.

110

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 2

PreschoolWORSHIP OVERVIEW
Session Title: Solomon Built the Temple
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6:18:66
Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon build? King Solomon
built a temple for God.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)................................................................................Page 114
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)................................................................................Page 116
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)....................................................................................Page 118

A Kingdom in Trouble

111

TheBIBLE STORY
Solomon Built the Temple
1 Kings 6:18:66
David had been king over Israel for many years. Now it was Solomons
turn to be king. God made Solomon a very wise king.
Solomon had been king for four years when he began to build a
temple for God. Ever since God had saved the Israelites from Egypt,
God had been with them in a tent. The tent had been where God met
with His people for hundreds of years! King David wanted to build a
temple for God, but God did not allow him to. God said Solomon would
build him a temple.
Building a temple wasnt easy. It was a very big job! King Solomon
had many, many men helping build the temple for God. The workers cut
cedar logs and big stone blocks. They worked hard and laid the bottom of
the temple. They built the outside of the temple.
God was happy with the temple. He made a promise to Solomon. If
you obey Me and do what I say, I will keep the promise I made to your
father, David. I will live among the Israelites, and I will not leave My
people.
The builders kept working very hard to build the temple. They worked
for seven more years, and they did a very good job! There were many
rooms, and inside the temple were wood panels with flowers carved on
them. King Solomon covered everything on the inside of the temple
with pure gold. He hired some men to make bronze furniture for the
temple, like bronze bowls for holding water.
Finally, the temple was ready! It was time for Solomon to move the
ark of God into the new temple. King Solomon gathered the leaders
of Israel. As the priests moved the ark and the tent of meeting, King
Solomon and everyone who was there sacrificed sheep and cattle to
God. There were so many sheep and cattle! No one could count them!
When the priests came out of the temple, the temple was filled by
a cloud. Gods glory was in the cloud. Solomon said to the Israelites,

112

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 2

Praise God! He also said, God promised David that his son would
build a temple. We did it! God kept His promises!
Solomon prayed with his hands spread out toward heaven. There
is no God like You! Solomon prayed. When Solomon was finished
praying, he turned toward the Israelites and encouraged them to love
God and to do what He says. When the people went home, they were
happy because God was good to them.
Christ Connection: God is holy. Only the priests could go into Gods
special place in the temple, and they had to follow special rules because
they were sinful. Jesus took away our sin when He died on the cross. When
we know and love Jesus, we talk to God on our own.

* Use only the words in bold to review the Bible story or tell it to younger
preschoolers.

A Kingdom in Trouble

113

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: Solomon Built the Temple
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6:18:66
Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon build? King Solomon
built a temple for God.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Play Me Without
You in the
background as you
welcome incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
The Stay-in-Place
Song
Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Devoted song

114

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
Say hello to newcomers and sing an active song like The
Stay-in-Place Song.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Invite a child to help you locate 1 Kings 8:61 in your Bible.
Read the key passage poster and sing the song. What does it
mean to be completely devoted to the Lord? (to really want
to do what God wants)
Say Does the Old Testament tell about things that
happened before Jesus was born or after Jesus was
born? (before) There are 39 books in the Old Testament.
What are the names of the first five books of the Bible?
(Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
Todays Bible story is in the Old Testament Book of
1 Kings.

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 2

Solomon Built
the Temple video
(optional)
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)

Timeline Map
Everybody Sing
song
We Bow Down
song
Come and Praise
Him song
offering basket

countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

Watch or tell the Bible story


Say King David told the prophet Nathan that he wanted
to build a home for God. For hundreds of years, the ark of
God had stayed in a tent. It was Gods house on the earth.
God told David that he would not be the one to build a
house for Him, but Davids son would. King Solomon
would be the one to build a house for God.
Look at the big picture question poster and ask: What did
King Solomon build? King Solomon built a temple for
God. Watch (or tell) the Bible story. Challenge kids to listen
for the different kinds of materials that were used to build
the temple.
Worship with song and pray
Show todays timeline map and point out the picture.
Say How beautiful the temple must have been! The
people praised God, and Solomon prayed. Lets sing and
praise God together!
Sing Everybody Sing. Then sing We Bow Down and
explain that the phrase pavilioned in splendor gives us a
picture of God on a wonderful throne in a beautiful tent.
Pray and thank God for keeping His promises to His
people. Ask Him to help us remember to show love to Him.
Invite kids to pass the offering basket as you play Come
and Praise Him or another song you choose.

Transition to small groups


Since the people used tools to build the temple, say the
names of different kinds of tools. Dismiss kids to small
groups depending upon whether they have ever used a
particular kind of tool: screwdriver, hammer, saw, pliers,
wrench, or crowbar.

A Kingdom in Trouble

115

Small GroupActivities
Session Title: Solomon Built the Temple
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6:18:66
Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon build? King Solomon
built a temple for God.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)

LOW
PREP
plastic cups
heavyweight paper
Note: The temple
complex was
largenot the
largest temple
in the world, but
probably the richest.
Its cost today would
be in the billions.
(See Ps. 48:2 and
2 Chron. 9:22-23)

brown paper
cupcake liners or
foam shapes
crayons or markers
glue sticks

116

Select from the activities those you can staff and which
your class will enjoy.
Build with cups and paper
Invite kids to place cups upside down in a design. Guide
them to place a piece of heavyweight paper on top of the
cups and to add a second layer of cups, then more paper.
Build several layers.
Say Solomon built a beautiful temple for God. Solomon
was very rich. People came from all over to see the
famous temple and to hear the wisdom of Solomon. [See
1 Kings 10:23-24.]
Decorate with flowers
Use small paper cupcake liners or foam shapes to make
flowers on brown paper. Invite kids to draw stems and
leaves on the paper.
Say Solomon decorated wood panels with carvings of
flowers in the temple. He covered the carvings with gold.
What did King Solomon build? King Solomon built a
temple for God.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 12 Session 2

book about kinds of


clouds
cotton
coarse sandpaper

cardboard boxes
tape
markers and
crayons
paper

Talk about clouds


Read books about clouds. Pull apart cotton to represent
Gods filling the temple. Invite kids to stick the cotton on
coarse sandpaper to help it stay in place.
Say A cloud of Gods glory filled the temple. It showed
God was present. God kept His promise to David to let
someone in his family build a house for God.
Build a cardboard temple
Build a temple using cardboard boxes of various sizes
appliance boxes, shoeboxes, file boxes. Use tape, markers,
crayons, and other supplies to decorate it.
Say What did King Solomon build? King Solomon built
a temple for God.
Tour your church
Take a field trip through your church. Point out different
areas of the church and relate them to the parts of the
templelampstands, anything that church members have
made themselves, beautiful wood, fabric, metal, or glass
things. If your kids have not attended worship services,
explain what happens in church.
Explain that God is holy. People did not go to church
services inside the temple, but they went to the temple
courtyards to worship. Only the priests could go into Gods
special place in the temple, and they had to follow special
rules because they were sinful. Jesus took away our sin
when He died on the cross. When we know and love Jesus,
we can talk to God on our own.

Transition to large group closing


countdown video
(optional)
I L-O-V-E You,
Lord song

Welcome kids back to large group time by singing I


L-O-V-E You, Lord.

A Kingdom in Trouble

117

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: Solomon Built the Temple
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 6:18:66
Big Picture Question: What did King Solomon build? King Solomon
built a temple for God.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Devoted song
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Shout to the Lord
song
Note: The temple
that Solomon built
was built for Gods
namewhere
people could go
to worship Him. It
was a good place
to hold the ark of
God. After Jesus
came to earth to
take away our sins,
we can worship
God anywhere and
anytime!

118

Do a finger play, review, and worship


Teach a finger play (tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat):
Build, build, build it up, (Alternate pounding fists to the
beat, one on top of the other.)
Build the temple walls. (Hold both arms up with palms
facing each other. Bring arms down.)
Stones, and gold, and cedar logs, (Open fingers and
wiggle them to indicate sparkling gold.)
Solomon built it tall. (Stand tall with hands on hips.)
Ask review questions.
Say How many workers helped build the temple?
(thousands) What materials did they use? (cedar logs,
stone blocks) How was it decorated inside? (with flowers
and gold overlay; bronze furniture)
After the ark of God was moved into the new temple,
what did King Solomon and the people do? (They offered
sacrifices and worshiped God.)
Sing Shout to the Lord because there is no god like our
God!
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 12 Session 2

Say Ill say something that King Solomon said to the


people. You repeat it after me. Praise God! [kids repeat]
God keeps His promises! [kids repeat] There is no god
like You! [kids repeat]
Invite a child to lead the group in prayer like King
Solomon did. Tell God how wonderful He is.

Recycling
Project Handout
(enhanced CD)
Note: You may wish
to show a video
about a church in
Vermont, Extreme
Church Makeover.

masking tape
foam swim noodle
timer (optional)

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Ministry project: We Can Collect Cans!


Select a ministry of your church to donate money to. Show
kids the project handout and explain how recycling works.
Tell about the ministry the project will benefit, or invite
someone involved with the ministry to visit and talk with
your kids. Explain that when kids bring empty aluminum
cans to church, the class can stomp on them to crush them,
put them into bags, and then a teacher will take them to a
recycling facility. Any money made from recycling will be
donated to people who will use it to tell others about Jesus.
Play Carry the Cedars
Use masking tape to mark an obstacle course path. Place
simple obstacles for kids to maneuver around throughout
the course. Ask kids to choose a partner, and give the first
pair a foam swim noodle, a log. Together they will carry
one log through the obstacle course. Once they complete
the course, the next pair will take a turn.
Vary the game by suggesting different ways for kids to
carry the log: over their shoulders, on top of their heads,
between their knees, and so forth. Challenge kids by timing
them to see how long it takes to complete the course. Talk
about how difficult it must have been for the workers to
carry heavy cedar logs to build the temple.

A Kingdom in Trouble

119

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
King Solomon loved God. He received wisdom from the Lord and was
dedicated to building His temple. But early on, we see hints that Solomons
heart was not completely devoted to God. He married foreign wives who
turned Solomons heart away from God. (1 Kings 11:4)
Solomon abandoned what he had believed. Israel had a history of turning
away from God, and Solomon was no exception.
God was angry with Solomon. He had warned him twice not to turn to false
gods. God planned to punish Solomons sin by taking the kingdom away
from his family. God was going to take the kingdom from Solomons son
Rehoboamevery tribe except for one. God graciously left one tribe for
Rehoboam, keeping the promise He made to David. (See 2 Sam. 7:16.)
God raised up enemies against Solomon. God set apart one of Solomons
servants, Jeroboam, to become leader over 10 tribes of Israel. When
Solomon died, all of Israel gathered to make Rehoboam their new king.
They asked Rehoboam to lighten the burden of service Solomon had given
them, but Rehoboam refused. In fact, he promised to make their work even
harder.
Israel rebelled against Rehoboam and made Jeroboam king. Only the
tribe of Judah stayed with Rehoboam. So the kingdom was divided into
two kingdomsthe Northern Kingdom was called Israel and was ruled
by Jeroboam; the Southern Kingdom was called Judah and was ruled by
Rehoboam.
Every king failed to lead Gods people perfectly. God had a plan to send
them a better king, a perfect king. God would use the house of Davidthe
single tribe He reserved for Rehoboamto bring into the world His Son,
Jesus, to become King over all of Gods people forever and lead them back
to God.

120

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 3

PreschoolWORSHIP OVERVIEW
Session Title: Solomons Sin Divided the Kingdom
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 1112
Big Picture Question: How should we love God? We should love God
with all our hearts.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)................................................................................Page 124
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)................................................................................Page 126
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)....................................................................................Page 128

A Kingdom in Trouble

121

TheBIBLE STORY
Solomons Sin Divided the Kingdom
1 Kings 1112
King Solomon loved God, but he did not love God with his whole
heart. Some of the things he did were not what God wanted him to do.
For example, God told the people of Israel not to marry people from other
nations. God knew they would lead His people away from Him, the one
true God.
Solomon had a wife from Egypt, and he had other wives. Solomons
wives turned him away from God. Solomon did not love God like his
father David did. Solomon began to worship the false gods that his
wives worshiped.
This made God angry. God told Solomon not to worship false gods,
but Solomon did not listen. God said to Solomon, Since you have done
this, I will take away the kingdom from you. You will be king the rest
of your life, but when your son becomes king, he will only be king over
one tribe.
Jeroboam (JER uh BOH uhm) was one of Solomons servants,
and God planned to make him king over most of Israel. God allowed
Solomon to have enemies. Jeroboam turned against Solomon and was
his enemy.
When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam (REE huh BOH uhm)
became king. The people told Rehoboam, Your father Solomon made
us work too hard. We will be happy to serve you if you make our work
easier.
Rehoboam thought about it, and he asked his friends for advice.
Then he replied, My father Solomon didnt make you work hard
enough! Ill make you work even harder! This was bad news for the
people. They didnt want to serve a king like Rehoboam, so they made
Jeroboam king. Now Rehoboam was king over only one tribe, the tribe
of Judah in the south.
Rehoboam didnt like being king of only one tribe. He planned to attack

122

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 3

the Northern Kingdom of Israel, but God sent a prophet to stop him. The
prophet had a message from God. Dont fight them; the people of Israel
are part of your family. I am the Lord, and I am in control of what is
happening. So Rehoboam went home.
Jeroboam was now king of Israel. Jeroboam wanted to make sure
the people never returned to their old king. Instead of letting them go to
Jerusalem to worship God at the temple, Jeroboam made two golden
calves for the people to worship.
Look! he said. These golden calves are the gods who saved your
families out of Egypt. You can worship them.
What Jeroboam did was a sin! Those calves did not save Gods
people. God led His people out of Egypt. Jeroboam tried very hard to
make Israel seem like a better place to live than Judah. Jeroboam led all
the people in worship to the false gods.
Christ Connection: No king led Gods people perfectly. Solomon sinned,
and Israel was divided between two kings. Gods people needed a perfect
king. God would send His own Son, Jesus, to be King. Jesus is a perfect
King.

* To tell the Bible story to younger preschoolers or for reviewing the story,
use only the Bible story words in bold.

A Kingdom in Trouble

123

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: Solomons Sin Divided the Kingdom
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 1112
Big Picture Question: How should we love God? We should love God
with all our hearts.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Play Me Without
You in the
background as you
welcome incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
Everybody Sing
song
Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Devoted song

124

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
Greet newcomers and collect aluminum cans kids have
brought. Kids may enjoy stomping on cans that havent
been crushed. Sing a welcome song like Everybody Sing.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Say Last week we talked about the Old Testament. Do
you remember how many books are in the Old Testament?
(39) The New Testament contains 27 books. The New
Testament is the part of the Bible that was written after
Jesus came to earth. The first four books of the New
Testament are called the Gospels. They are Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John. [Repeat those together.]
Our key passage is 1 Kings 8:61, and it is in the Old
Testament. [Play Devoted and read the verse from the
key passage poster.] What does it mean to have your heart
completely devoted to God? (answers vary)

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 3

Solomons Sin
Divided the
Kingdom video
(optional)
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)

Timeline Map
Shout to the Lord
song
Lord, Teach Me
song
The Bible Is Gods
Word song
offering basket

countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

Watch or tell the Bible story


Say King Davids heart was completely devoted to
God. His son King Solomon loved God, too. God even
made Solomon the wisest man who had ever lived. But
Solomon did not love God with his whole heart. Listen
to todays story for ways Solomon showed that he didnt
love God like he should.
[Point to big picture question poster.] How should we
love God? We should love God with all our hearts.
Tell the Bible story (or watch the video) with your Bible
in your lap. Emphasize what happened because Solomon
didnt love God with all his heart.
Review and worship
Say King Solomon did not do what God wanted him to
do. He married women from other nations and began to
build places for his wives to worship their false gods. To
please his wives, Solomon even began to worship their
false gods too! [Look at the timeline.] What do you think
is happening in this picture? (Solomon is looking out
at all the places he built to worship false gods.) Gods
people needed a better king. The only perfect king there
has ever been is King Jesus!
Worship together by singing Shout to the Lord. Sing
Lord, Teach Me.
Remind kids that in the Bible we learn what pleases God.
Pass the offering basket as you listen to The Bible Is Gods
Word.
Pray and thank God for sending Jesus, our perfect King.

Transition to small groups


Give instructions for activities that require explanation or
restrictions.

A Kingdom in Trouble

125

Small Groupactivities
Session Title: Solomons Sin Divided the Kingdom
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 1112
Big Picture Question: How should we love God? We should love God
with all our hearts.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Tip: Select from the


activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP
swim noodle

Door Hanger
Template
(enhanced CD)
heavyweight paper
markers
stickers
computer address
labels (optional)

126

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Play an options game
Present a number of either/or choices such as, Which is
better: Drinking water or a soda? Watching TV or reading
a book? Cleaning your room or leaving a mess? Being
friendly to a visitor or only playing with friends? Talk
about the choices. For each choice, two kids stand in front
of the group holding the ends of a swim noodle. They make
a smile or a frown to show the better or worse choice.
Say Some choices are right or wrong because God has
told us what to do. Some choices, such as whether to wear
a green shirt or a blue shirt, are different. Solomon made
some choices that God had said were wrong choices.
Make reminder door hangers
Cut a door hanger for each kid to decorate with stickers
and place on a door at home. Print the big picture question
or the key passage on each door hanger, or print them on
computer address labels to stick onto the door hanger.
Say People who love God want to obey His rules because
they help us know Him better. Obeying makes us glad.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 12 Session 3

How should we love God? We should love God with all


our hearts.

blocks or ziplock
bags filled with a
half-pound of rice
or sand, taped shut

colored paper
child-size scissors

cotton balls
tongs
large plastic
bowls, 3
OR
soft rubber balls or
beanbags
baskets or boxes

sturdy box
markers

countdown video
(optional)
I Know song

Lift weights
Distribute weights, one per hand, to each kid. Show
how to lift weights with palms up, arms extended to the
sides. Count five lifts on each side; repeat with eight lifts.
Continue until everyone is tired.
Say You worked hard! Rehoboam said he would make the
people work really hard. People didnt want to do that!
The kingdom became divided, and Rehoboam ended up
with a very small kingdom.
Practice cutting skills
Draw curvy, zigzag, and straight lines on colored paper.
Invite kids to cut along the lines.
Say The Israelites did not love God with all their hearts:
they sinned and the kingdom split apart. How should we
love God? We should love God with all our hearts.
Move cotton balls or toss beanbags
Dump cotton balls into a bowl. Invite kids to use tongs to
place cotton into one or the other of two bowls.
Alternate idea: Provide an assortment of balls and
beanbags. Kids may toss them into two baskets.
Say Remind kids that the kingdom was all together, but
Solomons sin caused it to become divided.
Decorate a box
Kids may decorate a box to collect aluminum cans for the
ministry project. Label the box.

Transition to large group closing


Call kids back to large group time by singing I Know.

A Kingdom in Trouble

127

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: Solomons Sin Divided the Kingdom
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 1112
Big Picture Question: How should we love God? We should love God
with all our hearts.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Devoted song
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
I L-O-V-E You,
Lord song

128

Review the Bible story and worship


Say King Solomons sin divided the kingdom. Solomon
married wives who worshiped false gods. How did God
like that? (God was angry.)
God divided Solomons kingdom. Solomons son
Rehoboam became king after Solomon died. Did the
people like having Rehoboam as their king? (No; he made
the people work harder than ever.) God made Rehoboam
king over only the tribe of Judah.
Solomons servant Jeroboam became king over all the
rest of the tribes. Did Jeroboam worship God? (No, he
made idolsgolden calves.)
Did the two kings love God with all their hearts? (no)
Were they perfect kings? (no) Who is the only perfect
King? (Jesus)
Sing I L-O-V-E You, Lord because God alone is worthy
of our worship. Ask the big picture question, How should
we love God? We should love God with all our hearts.
Pray and ask God to help us learn to love Him with all
our hearts.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 12 Session 3

Missions story: Do Not Worship Idols


God says, Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in
the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth
below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow
down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God,
am a jealous God (Exodus 20:4-5a).
Once a year, South Asian Hindus will celebrate Krishna
Janmashtami (KRISH-nah JAHN-mahsh-THAM-ee). They
believe this is the day that one of their gods, Krishna, was
born. At midnight on that day, they will bathe and dress
an idol of Krishna. The next morning, women will draw
patterns of childrens footprints leading to the house to
represent Krishna walking into their home.
Please pray that Hindus will learn to not worship idols but
to worship Jesus who died for their sins. Jesus wants to live
in their hearts and homes and be their Savior.

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Play Jeroboam, Rehoboam


Jeroboam and Rehoboam were names of the kings of the
northern and southern kingdoms of Israel. The names sound
very similar, almost like a rhyme.
Play a rhyming game with kids. Say a word and challenge
kids to think of as many words as they can that rhyme with
that word. Use words like hat, star, block, fish, bed, catch,
and black.
Expand the game by letting kids choose a word to rhyme,
or see if they can think of words that rhyme with their
names.

A Kingdom in Trouble

129

LeaderBIBLE STUDY
Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are three books spanning nearly 200
chapters of the Bible. This weeks study follows the stories of David and
Solomon, the primary writers of these books. While three books of the
Bible are certainly a lot to cover in one session, this brief overview will
reveal the wisdom of God for His people as He works out His wise plan for
our salvation.
The Book of Psalms, a collection of 150 songs meant for prayer and praise,
has helped believers throughout history express themselves in worship.
Kids will find this is still true today.
Wisdom comes from God. (See Prov. 2:6.) Solomon could have asked God
for anything, and he asked for wisdom. God made Solomon the wisest man
who had ever lived, and people came from all over to listen to his wisdom.
(See 1 Kings 4:29-34; 10:1-9.) He also wrote the Book of Proverbs, which
offers practical advice for living wisely. Solomon ruled Israel with great
wisdom, but he still turned away from God and pursued His own desires.
Israel needed someone greater than Solomon. Gods plan included
someone greater than Solomon. Something greater than Solomon is
here! (Matt. 12:42; Luke 11:31). Jesus not only taught Gods wisdom, He
displayed it perfectly.
Finally, the Book of Ecclesiastes also works to provide wisdom and
knowledge to Gods people. Ecclesiastes addresses the reality of fearing
God in a world heavily affected by sin.
When reading Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, remember that these
books are the inspired words of God. The wisdom offered is not merely
a suggestion for living; it is part of Gods plan for our sanctification. God
wants us to be like Jesusin how we live, how we speak, and how we
think. We attain wisdom by knowing and loving the One who became Godgiven wisdom for us, Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1:30)

130

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 4

PreschoolWORSHIP OVERVIEW
Session Title: Poetry and Wisdom
Bible Passage: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
Big Picture Question: Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes
from God.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.
Large Group Worship
(1520 minutes)................................................................................Page 134
Small Group Activities
(2530 minutes)................................................................................Page 136
Large Group Closing
(10+ minutes)....................................................................................Page 138

A Kingdom in Trouble

131

TheBIBLE STORY
Poetry and Wisdom
Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
King David loved God. He wrote many songs about his love for
God. The Israelites collected the songs David and other people wrote
and put them in the Bible. The songs are called psalms. The songs are
in the Book of Psalms.
David wrote psalms when he was happy. He wrote songs when he
was glad. David sang, God, Your name is so magnificent! Magnificent
means wonderful or great. God had done very good and powerful
things for David. God deserved to be praised.
When David was sad or afraid, he still sang praises to God. One
time David was hiding from King Saul. King Saul did not like David,
and David was afraid. David wrote a song to God. He sang, When I
am afraid, I trust in You. I will trust God and not be afraid.
When David did something wrong, he was sorry he sinned against
God. David wrote songs to God to say he was sorry. I sinned against
You, God, David said. Give me a clean heart and please forgive me.
God forgave David, and David praised God.
David thought about Gods Word all the time. He taught his son,
Solomon, to love and follow Gods Word, too. When Solomon became
king, he asked God for help to be a good leader. God told Solomon to
ask for anything he wanted. Solomon could have asked for money or to live
a long time, but he asked for wisdom. God was happy! He gave Solomon
great wisdom.
Solomon wrote down wise ideas called proverbs. Like his father
David, Solomon wrote songs too. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon
told Gods people how to make wise choices. Solomon wrote about
getting along with others, having good manners, telling the truth, being a
good friend, and many other things.
Trust in God with all your heart, Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3:5.
Watch how hard an ant works. Work hard too; this is the wise thing

132

Preschool Worship Guide


Unit 12 Session 4

to do. (See Proverbs 6:6.)


Some people do not always listen to Gods words. Solomon wrote
another book in the Bible called Ecclesiastes. The Book of Ecclesiastes
also has wisdom for people. Solomon wrote about money and work and
how to live a good life. The most important thing, Solomon said, was to
love and obey God.
Solomon even wrote a poem. He taught that there is a time for
everything: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a
time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a
time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a
time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:2-4).
Christ Connection: God gives us wisdom in the Bible. Wisdom comes
from knowing and loving God. (Proverbs 1:7) Wisdom teaches us how to
live. God wants to change people who know and love Him to become like
Jesus.

* Use only the words in bold to review the Bible story or tell it to younger
preschoolers.

A Kingdom in Trouble

133

Large GroupWorship
Session Title: Poetry and Wisdom
Bible Passage: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
Big Picture Question: Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes
from God.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Play Me Without
You in the
background as you
welcome incoming
preschoolers.
Follow your churchs
security procedures.
tear sheet or dry
erase board
The Bible Is Gods
Word song

Bible
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Devoted song

Timeline Map
Poetry and
Wisdom video
(optional)

134

Large Group Worship(1520 minutes)


Welcome and sing
Print Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, 39, and 66 on a large
tear sheet or whiteboard as a reference. Provide several
Bibles. As kids arrive, challenge them to locate the Book of
Psalms in the Bible. (in the center of the Bible; begins with
P) Challenge older kids to find Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Sing The Bible Is Gods Word together.
Practice the key passage and a Bible skill
Say Are Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes in the Old
Testament or the New Testament? (Old Testament) How
many books are there in the Old Testament? (39) And
how many books are there altogether in the Bible? (66)
Look at the key passage poster and say the verse together.
Sing Devoted.
Watch or tell the Bible story
Refer to previous pictures on the timeline as you discuss
Davids and Solomons lives.
Say What do you remember about David and his son
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 12 Session 4

Solomon? (David killed Goliath, played the harp for King


Saul, was Jonathans best friend, became king after Saul,
and made mistakes but loved God with his whole heart.
Solomon was Davids son, became king after David,
built the temple, married many wives, and worshiped
false gods to make his wives happy.)
While all of these things were happening, David and
Solomon wrote down what they felt and thought. We can
find their words in the Old Testament books of Psalms,
Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes.
Watch the Bible story, or tell it. Stress that when we read
what David and Solomon wrote, we can learn more about
how to praise God and obey Him.

Big Picture Question


Poster (enhanced
CD)
Listen and Obey
song
The Bible Is Gods
Word song
offering basket

countdown video
(optional)
Tip: Do activities
one of these ways:
as a group, all at the
same time
in small groups that
rotate through each
activity
set up as
centers, allowing
preschoolers to
browse and choose

Worship with song and pray


Say Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes
from God. To be truly wise, we must love and trust God.
God wants us to be wise so we can be more like Jesus in
everything we do. David and Solomon wrote words that
help us know more about God and how He wants us to
live. We can read them in the Bible.
Sing about being more like JesusListen and Obey.
Play The Bible Is Gods Word and collect the offering.
Remind kids what the church does with the offering money
that is collected.
Sing Lord, Teach Me.
Pray. Ask God to teach us how to be wise and thank Him
for giving us the Bible to help us know what to do.

Transition to small groups


Dismiss kids to small groups individually after they tell you
the names of the Bible books in todays session.

A Kingdom in Trouble

135

Small GroupActivities
Session Title: Poetry and Wisdom
Bible Passage: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
Big Picture Question: Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes
from God.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Tip: Select from the


activities those you
can staff and which
your class will enjoy.

LOW
PREP
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
construction paper
tape
marker
hula hoops
(optional)
Devoted song

tempera paint
cotton swabs
paper
paper plates or cups
for paint

136

Small Group Activities(2530 minutes)


Jump the key passage
Print words or short phrases from the key passage verse on
sheets of construction paper and tape them to the floor in a
circle, but not in order. Or you may place each page in the
center of a hula hoop on the floor. Invite kids to jump from
one to the other in the verse order. After several kids have
jumped, sing the key passage song Devoted.
Say Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes
from God. How do we learn from God? We learn if our
hearts are devoted to _________. (Complete the sentence
with the last words of the key passage song: the Lord
our God.)
Write with a cotton swab
Invite kids to dip a cotton swab into paint and write on a
large piece of paper.
Say Solomon wrote the words to Proverbs and
Ecclesiastes. He wrote much about wisdom. Where does
wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God.
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 12 Session 4

paper plates
rice, beans, or beads
clear packing tape
worship music or
Everybody Sing
song

See online videos


of American Sign
Language words
love and forever.

Word Fish
(enhanced CD)
toy fishing pole or
dowel, string, and
magnet
paper clips
paper
hat
chair
table

Make instruments
Place rice, beans, or small beads between two paper plates.
Seal the edges with clear packing tape. Play worship music;
encourage kids to shake their instruments with the music.
Say Many of the psalms are songs for praising God. Who
wrote many of them? (King David)
Practice a responsive reading
Read Psalm 136:1-16,23-26 responsively. Talk about the
word eternal or forever. Kids say the response: His love is
eternal or His love endures forever. To add hand signs,
make a forever circle with the forefinger near the head
for eternal; end the motion with little finger and thumb out,
middle three fingers folded, hand moving away from the
body. Cross hands over the heart in a hug for love.
Say Solomons grand kingdom lasted for a few years, but
Christs perfect kingdom is forever.
Fish for rhymes
Assemble a fishing pole using a dowel, string, and strong
magnet. Print and cut apart rhyming words; attach a metal
paper clip to each. Set a table on its side, put fish on one
side; set a hat, a chair, and the fishing pole on the other side.
Let kids fish for words. Read a word and help decide
whether it rhymes with hat or chair. Place the word by the
object it rhymes with. Make up funny rhymes if you like.
Say When people write songs, they think about the
best words to use. When David wrote psalms, he chose
wonderful words carefully.

Transition to large group closing


countdown video
(optional)

Play the countdown video. When kids reassemble, repeat


the names Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes together.

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137

Large Groupclosing
Session Title: Poetry and Wisdom
Bible Passage: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
Big Picture Question: Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes
from God.
Key Passage: 1 Kings 8:61
Unit Christ Connection: Solomons grand earthly reign is a picture of the
eternal reign of Christ. Solomons sin divided his kingdom, but Christs
perfect Kingdom is forever.

Large Group Closing(10+ minutes)


Bible
Timeline Map
Key Passage Poster
(enhanced CD)
Big Picture Question
Poster (enhanced
CD)
Listen to Muffin
Man online to recall
the tune.

138

Ask the big picture question and review


Say Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes
from God. David and Solomon wrote down things God
wanted us to know. Ask the following review questions.
Which is a book of songs to God? (Psalms)
Which is a book of wise ideas to help us make good
choices? (Proverbs)
Which is a book that has a special poem about how
there is a time for everything? (Ecclesiastes)
Which book did David write a lot of? (Psalms)
Which book(s) did Solomon write? (Proverbs and
Ecclesiastes)
Look at the timeline map. Talk about how for thousands of
years God has used Davids and Solomons words to teach
people all over the world about wisdom.
Teach kids a simple song to the tune of Do You Know
the Muffin Man? to help them remember Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in God with all your heart,
with all your heart, with all your heart,
Preschool Worship Guide
Unit 12 Session 4

 rust in God with all your heart,


T
Hell show you where to go.

Shout to the Lord


song

* Names have been


changed.

Follow church
security rules for
dismissing children.

Pray and sing


Pray and ask God to teach us how to make wise choices.
Say Davids words from Psalms are in many of the songs
that we sing today! Tower of refuge and strength are
words from Psalms and Proverbs.
Praise God and sing Shout to the Lord.
Missions story: A Brush with Destiny
Frank and Jennifer Anderson* are missionaries in
Louisville, Kentucky. Their friends Amera* and
Muhammad* are Muslim. They do not believe the truth
about Jesus. Frank asked God to give him a chance to spend
time with them to talk to his friends about Jesus.
One day, God answered Franks prayer. Amera and
Muhammad needed help painting their house. It would take
Friday and Saturday to finish. Frank had a busy week. By
the time the weekend came, he thought, I am too busy.
But Frank knew that God had provided this opportunity
so he could talk to his friends about Jesus. They worked
hard and had a lot of fun. Frank also spoke with his friends
about his faith in Jesus. Ask God to bless the Andersons in
sharing His love in Louisville. Pray that God will help us to
show Christs love through serving others.
Play 1-2-3, Think of Three
Since we discussed three books of the Bible today, lets play
a game of threes. Select a category. Say, One-two-three,
think of three (name the category). Use categories like
flavors of ice cream, kinds of big cats, pizza toppings, songs
about Jesus, family members, flowers, kinds of vehicles,
places, and books of the Bible.

A Kingdom in Trouble

139

Teaching with Creative Arts

Educators and scientists tell


us that all people benefit from
experiencing creative arts. Brain
research and multiple intelligence
theories suggest that the arts are
crucial for brain development and
thinking. They may help connect
with kids who do not respond
to other methods. Arts also have
potential benefits for Bible study.

to be honest about their feelings


and to display their knowledge
Encourages original and
independent thinking
Can build self-confidence and
pride in accomplishment
Provides opportunities for
social interaction and participation
in groups and can deepen a childs
sensitivity toward others
Can help kids learn that their
ideas are acceptable, valuable, and
important to others
Gives teachers insights into the
kids they teach
Offers teachers an avenue to
evaluate learning. Talking with
kids about their work lets teachers
know if kids understand the Bible
story. This helps teachers decide
what to do next.
Allows kids to make choices,
to practice planning, to carry out
responsibilities, and to practice
principles of Christian living

Using creative arts


Makes learning more enjoyable,
lasting, and meaningful
Can relieve periods of physical
restlessness with meaningful
activity
Provides opportunities for kids

Evaluating activities
For all these reasons and more, The
Gospel Project for Kids regularly
suggests creative arts activities in
Bible study and in worship. So
which activities should you choose?
Consider these questions to help

Creative arts include music,


drama, drawing, painting,
sculpting, building, creative
writing, and more. In Bible study
we use creative arts to teach
Bible truths and provide a way
for kids to express what theyve
learned and what is important
to them.

140

Preschool Worship Guide

find the answer for your


adaptations that will
Kids
learn
best
girls and boys.
help your kids succeed
Does the activity have when learning
with the activity.
value for the child? Does
Have you tried the
is fun and
it help the child learn?
activity before doing
interesting.
Can the kids
it with kids? Trying
experience success with
the activity before
the activity? Is it appropriate for
class will help you discover trouble
the abilities of the kids you teach,
spots.
or will it cause frustration and
Remembering why
feelings of failure?
Creativity and fun are not reasons
Can the activity be completed
enough to select an activity. Can
in the time available? When kids
you relate the activity to the Bible
cannot finish, they may become
story, big picture question, key
frustrated.
passage, or Christ connection for
Is the activity challenging? If
the session? Teachers have limited
the work is too simple, it will not
time. Choose activities that will
be enjoyable or valuable.
help you use your time to reinforce
Is the activity fun? Kids learn
the Bible study.
best when learning is fun and
Remember, too, that the
interesting.
process
is more important than
Are the kids doing as much
the product. As the kids work,
as they can do themselves? A big
guide the conversation. Know the
mistake teachers make in creative
arts is doing too much for the kids. biblical material well. Let the kids
express themselves.
Does the activity allow a child
Ask focused questions. Listen
to express herself? Where possible,
to
the kids answers. Answer their
let kids use their own ideas.
questions, keeping answers to the
Will kids have choices as they
point and on the kids level of
do the activity? Choices as simple
understanding. Help kids clarify
as which color to use or what size
their ideas and their thinking. And
paper help girls and boys have
above all, always be encouraging.
ownership in the activity.
Do you need to modify the
Adapted from Bible Teaching for Kids.
activity for the kids you teach?
Think through and prepare
A Kingdom Created

141

Teaching Kids with ADHD


Talk with any group of leaders
who work with children, and
invariably the subject of a
hyperactive child will arise.
Hyperactivity can have a
negative impact on both
the individual child and the
classroom as a whole. This
hyperactivity may be attributed
to a medical condition called
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder.

A child with ADHD will


have problems in two major
areas: 1) inattentiveness and 2)
hyperactive-impulsive behavior.
He will behave inconsistently with
his developmental age, and his
behavior will consistently impair
daily life.
It is also important for leaders
to understand that controversial
issues surround ADHD, including
environmental influences, diet,
medication, and whether a child
can outgrow ADHD. The result of

142

a non-professional diagnosis can be


an unwanted label that follows the
child for years. If childrens leaders
blame poor parenting, the entire
family acquires a negative label.
Recognize challenges for
kids with ADHD
Listening even when being
talked to directly
Remembering things
Staying focused
Finishing tasks
Following detailed instructions
with multiple steps
Restating sentences or
paragraphs in their own words
Sharing or taking turns with
other children in the class
Relationships with other
children, depression, other
emotional issues
Remaining still without
fidgeting, tapping, or squirming
Create a welcoming
environment
The first thing every child
should feel when entering the
room is that you are glad she has
come.
Dont allow your frustrations to
carry over from week to week.
Preschool Worship Guide

Plan independent times for all


children to interact with each other
and build relationships.
Identify and put away resources
that may cause the child to get
in trouble. Head off potential
problems for the child.
Give positive and affirming
comments when the child is
successful.
Keep rewards tangible.
Provide a place for a child to go
if inappropriate behavior requires
removing him from a situation.
Manage activities
successfully
Provide a consistent class
schedule from week to week.
Make sure you have the childs
attention before giving important
directions.
Post simple rules that are easy
to understand.
Keep transition times to a
minimum, or do something active
as you move.
Plan lessons and activities with
step-by-step instructions; include a
plan for organizing finished work.
Plan to do difficult work
requiring greater attention early in
the class schedule.
Enlist an extra helper for the
child, or assign a leader in the class
to help the child when needed.
A Kingdom Created

Work closely with parents


Meet with parents as needed
to discuss common strategies to
use consistently at home and at
church. Cue in on key words,
phrases, and rewards that have
proven successful with the child at
home, church, or school.
Talk with parents to learn what
the child knows and understands
about his ADHD.
Evaluate discipline measures
with other leaders and the childs
parents. Use a team mentality to
change ineffective discipline. Be
positive and sensitive to everyone
involved.
Plan for long-term
success
Maintain a positive attitude;
encourage patience. Some kids will
improve dramatically with a little
bit of support while others may
improve more slowly.
Communicate strategies and
progress to new leaders when
kids promote to a new class.
Many times, the greatest change
for the child is in relating to
new leaders in a new classroom
location. Strategies that have been
established at home and church
can usually remain the same.
If needed, identify a person
who is willing to promote with

143

the child to maintain


finding successful
Maintain
a
consistency and guide
intervention strategies.
progress. This will also
Some parents will
positive attitude
help parents in the
choose to do nothing.
and encourage
transition to new leaders.
Some children will be
patience from
Be an advocate
wrongly labeled by
for the child and the
church leaders.
everyone.
parents. Comments
Many suggestions in
regarding a child with
this article will result
ADHD should be respectful and
in effective teaching for all kids.
confidential.
Regardless of the diagnosis, leaders
During the initial time that a
can create a learning environment
child is being diagnosed or new
that encourages all children to
intervention strategies are being
learn and feel accepted.
tried, parents are under a great deal
Adapted from article posted on
of stress. Recognize these critical
www.lifeway.com.
times when parents and their
child will need more patience and
understanding.
Intervention approaches for kids
with ADHD include behavioral
strategies and medication. If the
sole intervention is behavioral, it is
often because parents do not want
to medicate their child. It is very
important for kids on medication
to take it at prescribed dosage
and times, whether at home or at
church.
Leaders who work with children
will inevitably face the challenge of
a hyperactive child. Some children
will be diagnosed by a professional
as having ADHD. Some will have
proactive parents who engage in

144

Preschool Worship Guide

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