David Fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

Dear families,

The name of the Lord is holy and set apart. For those who follow Christ, the name of God is one which ought to be held in high regard, above all other names.

In 1 Samuel 17, Goliath, the giant warrior of the Philistines, showed little regard for the God of the Israelites. He mocked not only the armies of Israel, but their God as well. Though Goliath had his own gods by whom he cursed David, he did not count the God of Israel to be of any value.

When Goliath mocked the name of the Lord by mocking David and the Israelites, the power of God was unleashed through the most unlikely of people. As the Philistines ran for their lives, they were reminded that there is more power in the youngest and weakest of God’s children than there is in the largest and strongest of the rest of the world.

The power of God is revealed in every instance in Scripture where the name of the Lord is used. When God-fearing prophets, priests, and ordinary people call on the name of the Lord God, we see time and again the power of God put on display.

When David encountered the giant, he said, “I come against you in the name of the LORD of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel” (1 Sam. 17:45). David knew the power of God’s name. And once again, God proved to be unwilling to be mocked and unshakable in power.

The power of the name of God is seen most notably in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote in Philippians 2:9-11, “For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus guarded God’s name in that even though He was tempted in every way, He was without sin. Jesus demonstrated the power of God’s name through His death, burial, and resurrection. That power will never fail or be defeated, and that power is yours in Christ.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: Jesus came to save us from sin and death.

  • Younger Preschool: The men in Israel’s army were afraid of Goliath, but God gave David power to beat Goliath. David reminds us of Jesus. Jesus came to save us from sin and death.

  • Older Preschool: The men in Israel’s army were afraid of Goliath, 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.

  • Kids: The Israelites were not strong enough to fight Goliath, the mighty Philistine warrior, on their own. God gave David power to defeat Goliath. David reminds us of Jesus, who came to save us from our greatest enemies: sin and death. Jesus, the ultimate hero, saves us from our sin and gives us eternal life.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: What is grace? Grace is when God gives us something good even when we do not deserve it.

  • Older Preschool: What is grace? Grace is when God gives us something good even when we do not deserve it.

  • Kids: What is grace? Grace is when God gives us something good even when we do not deserve it.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: God forgives our wrong choices. Ephesians 1:7

  • Younger Preschool: God forgives our wrong choices. Ephesians 1:7

  • Older Preschool: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7

  • Kids: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8

** Next week: God Made a Covenant with David (2 Samuel 6–7)

God Chose David to be King (1 Samuel 16)

Dear families,

One of God’s good gifts to us is the way He uses the most unexpected people in the most unexpected ways. We’ve all probably seen this happen at times. A young man or woman that rises to prominence in his or her vocation, but no one saw it coming.

We see this in sports, in business, and other arenas. But in the kingdom of God, it’s not just something you might see occasionally; it’s standard. 

Isaiah 55:9 says, “For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God has been in the business of bringing about surprising stories of unsung heroes since the beginning of time. In 1 Samuel 16, we find one more example of this. God chose to use David, a young boy with a shepherd staff and some musical ability, to lead Israel in a time of desperation.

Do you ever find yourself trying to hone the skills that God has used in others in hopes that He might use you too? Have you ever wished you were wired or gifted differently so you could do something specific for the Lord? Rest assured, God is not interested in only a specific set of gifts or a particular personality type. God desires to use you just the way He made you.

Find comfort in knowing that He didn’t mess up when He made you. He won’t waste a gift He has given you, and He wants you to grow in those ways so that at just the right time and in just the right way, your gifts can be used for His kingdom purposes.

Who would have thought that David’s ability to play the lyre would get him into Saul’s inner circle? God did. It was His plan all along. And it is His plan to use you in great ways too. He will not waste the gifts He’s given you. Be open and willing to serve Him for His glory and your joy.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.


FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: Jesus is the perfect King.

  • Younger Preschool: People were surprised God chose David to be Israel’s next king. When Jesus came to earth, He seemed like a surprising choice for a king. Jesus is the perfect King who saves us from our sin.

  • Older Preschool: God’s choice of David to be Israel’s next king was surprising. David was the youngest in his family, but God saw David’s heart for the Lord. When Jesus came to earth, He seemed like a surprising choice for a king. Jesus is the perfect King who saves us from our sin and reigns forever.

  • Kids: Samuel anointed David, setting him apart to be the next king. God’s choice for Israel’s king was surprising; David was the youngest in his family, but God saw David’s heart for the Lord. When Jesus came to earth, He seemed like a surprising choice for a king. Jesus is the perfect King who saves us from our sin and reigns forever.


BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: What is grace? Grace is when God gives us something good even when we do not deserve it.

  • Older Preschool: What is grace? Grace is when God gives us something good even when we do not deserve it.

  • Kids: What is grace? Grace is when God gives us something good even when we do not deserve it.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: God forgives our wrong choices. Ephesians 1:7

  • Younger Preschool: God forgives our wrong choices. Ephesians 1:7

  • Older Preschool: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7

  • Kids: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8

** Next week: David Fought Goliath (1 Samuel 17)


God Is Good to Judge Sin (Genesis 18)

Dear families,

There is something inside of each of us that longs for justice. When your family or community is impacted by an atrocity, there is an innate wiring to every person that desires to those responsible be punished. Where does this come from and what should we do with this?

Our desire for justice comes as a result of our being made in the image of God. We learn from Scripture that God formed each of us (Ps. 139:13) and created us in His image (Gen. 1:27). Being created in the image of God and by the hand of God leaves us with certain characteristics informed by our Creator.

So, what should we do? Should we respond to every act of sin with an act of justice? Should we point and scream when another image bearer demonstrates her sinful nature? Should we ignore evil acts and simply “let God take care of it”?

Genesis 18 speaks to some of this. As God began to unfold His plan to punish the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham stepped in. Abraham knew firsthand just how sinful these people were, how distorted their views of the world were, and how extreme their culture had turned as a result. Yet, he pleaded for God to show mercy.

It’s likely that there were people that Abraham knew and worried about. It’s clear that Abraham didn’t want those who followed God to be punished along with those who did not. But it seems there was something in Abraham that desired God to show mercy to other sinners because he knew his own great need for God’s mercy as well.

When we see that the ground is level at the foot of the cross, our desire for justice is often—at least in part—overcome by a desire for mercy. When we see ourselves in need of the same mercy as the offender we have in our sights, it may likely change how we think and pray.

Ultimately, God is the judge who discerns where there is mercy. Scripture reminds us, “What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not!  For he tells Moses, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Rom. 9:14-15)

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.


FAMILY TALKING POINTS


CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: Jesus took the punishment for our sins.

  • Younger Preschool: God is good to judge sin, and He always does what is right. Jesus took the punishment for our sin, and Jesus gives life to everyone who trusts in Him.

  • Older Preschool: God is good to judge sin. He is the Judge of all the earth, and He always does what is right. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus took the punishment our sin deserves, and Jesus gives His righteousness to everyone who trusts in Him.

  • Kids: God is good to judge sin. He is the Judge of all the earth, and He always does what is right. God will punish the guilty. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus took the punishment our sin deserves, and everyone who trusts in Him is declared righteous before God.


BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: Why does sin separate us from God? Because God is holy.

  • Older Preschool: Why does sin separate us from God? Because God is holy.

  • Kids: Why does sin separate us from God? Because God is holy, sin has broken our relationship with God.


KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: My eyes have seen the Lord. Isaiah 6:5

  • Younger Preschool: My eyes have seen the Lord. Isaiah 6:5

  • Older Preschool: I said: Woe is me ... because I am a man of unclean lips ... and ... my eyes have seen the ... LORD. Isaiah 6:5

  • Kids: Then I said: Woe is me for I am ruined because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Armies. Isaiah 6:5


** Next week: God Chose David to be King (1 Samuel 16)