The video clip from “David and Goliath" is a great example of David’s great faith in the Lord. This lesson, short story and fun activity will explore the idea of overcoming modern-day Goliaths; Also included is a quick and fun recipe your family will enjoy slinging into their mouths.
If you wish to print sheet music or have an online music file to accompany you click on the song link to visit: http://www.lds.org/churchmusic
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 17: 45-46
45. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
VIDEO CLIP
Watch chapter 10 from the Animated Complete Learning System, David and Goliath DVD or CLICK FOR CLIP
LESSON SUMMARY
For younger children, it may be helpful to summarize the following ideas:
Did David “Dare to Do Right”? (Discuss ideas.)
Why do you think David dared to fight Goliath when all of Israel’s warriors were afraid? (Discuss ideas.)
Discussion Ideas: Use as the Spirit and your family needs guide.
What was Goliath armed with that David didn’t have?
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield:” (1 Sam. 17:45)
What was David armed with that Goliath didn’t have?
“And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. ... I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand...” (1 Sam. 17:40, 45-46)
David dared to do right and was able to defeat the heavily armed Goliath. Like David, you also can defeat your Goliaths by daring to do right.
“There they are, Mom. There’s Grandma and Grandpa!” David said excitedly.
Grandma and Grandpa waved as they rode the escalator down to the baggage area. The children
scrambled to be the first to give their grandparents a hug before loading into the car for the ride home.
Tears swelled in Grandma’s eyes as they pulled into the driveway. “Oh, it is so good to be home!” she exclaimed. “The Holy Land was wonderful, but there is nothing like the Promised Land.”
“Nephi built a ship to come to the Promised Land,” James proudly stated.
“That’s right, James. How did you get so smart?” Grandpa asked.
“By watching the Book of Mormon movies you gave us,” James answered.
“What was the Holy Land like, Grandma?” Mary asked. “Did you really walk where Jesus walked?”
“We really did,” Grandma answered. “But, I didn’t have to go to the Holy Land to do that. I walk where Jesus walks every time I go to the temple.”
“I’m going to go to the temple, too, someday,” Mary said enthusiastically.
carefully held the little wooden fishing boat with cloth sails on his lap
Mary held Grandma’s hand as they walked into house.
“Put that green bag in the living room,” Grandma told Father. “It’s got all our surprises in it.”
Grandma and Grandpa spent the rest of the evening talking about their trip, showing pictures and
giving each child a souvenir, personally picked for each of them.
“This is for you David,” Grandpa said, handing David a small bag.
David anxiously opened the bag and took out the gift. “What is it?” he asked eyeing the braided strings.
“It’s a shepherd’s sling,” Grandpa explained. “Like the one David used to slay Goliath, but before I teach you how to use it, you have to learn the rules so you don’t hurt anyone.”
“Or anything,” Grandma added.
On the ride home, the children chatted happily about the souvenirs Grandma and Grandpa had brought them from the Holy Land. James
page 2
as he recalled Grandpa saying, “It’s the same kind of boat Jesus’ disciple James would have fished from.”
“I’m sure glad I was named James!” he told Mother and Father. “I love my souv-a, souv-a, um, my boat.”
Mary fingered the olive wood figurines. “Momma, do I have to wait until Christmas or can I have my nativity on my dresser all the time?” Mary asked. “It’s just so pretty!”
“You’re right. It’s much too pretty to be put away in a closet and only brought out once a year,” Mother answered. “But you’ll have to keep it dusted for it to stay pretty.”
When the family got home, David jumped out of the car. “I’m going to find some rocks,” he shouted as he dashed into the backyard.
David placed a rock in the pouch of his shepherd’s sling and swirled it around his head, like he had seen David do in their animated movie, but when he released the knot the rock shot sideways.
“What did I do wrong,” he wondered eying the diagram that came with his shepherd’s sling. “Maybe, I should try the overhand method.”
This time the rock hit the ground right in front of his feet. David kicked the rock and shoved the sling into his pocket. “How come I had to be named David? I can’t hit anything,” he mumbled out loud.
“Hey, Sport,” Father said kneeling down in front of David. “It’s not always easy living up to your
namesake. Is it?”
David wiped a tear from his cheek and shook his head.
“Well, I hope you’re not going to give up,” Father said. “You know, David had to practice for years, before he was really good with his shepherd’s sling,” Father added. “Did you know that I had one of these when I was a boy and I had to practice everyday for a whole summer before I was any good at it.”
“Really?” David asked.
“That’s right,” Father answered. “Like everything we do, David, the more we practice the better we get. Of course Satan would have us think differently. He would even want you to believe that you weren’t good enough to be named after King David.”
David hung his head.
Father gently took David’s face in his hands and looked in his eyes. “Satan’s wrong, David! You are a precious child of God, just like David of old was and He loves you. Remember that David had faith in Heavenly Father and in himself,” Father added.
David had a warm feeling inside. He knew the Holy Ghost was telling him that the things his Dad had
said were true. David gave Dad a big hug. “Thanks, Dad. I will practice using my shepherd’s sling and I’m going to practice listening to the Holy Ghost, too!”
Combine the marshmallow cream and white chocolate chips.
Heat in microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir and heat an additional 30 seconds.
Heat chocolate chips in microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1-1/2 cup white chocolate chips
7 oz. jar marshmallow cream (7 ounces)
1 package marshmallows
Tooth picks, skewers or fondue forks
Treat Time:
Give each family member 5 marshmallows to dip in white chocolate mixture. Place on a waxed paper lined tray. Then drizzle the chocolate over the marshmallows. Cool before eating.
“And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:40)
ACTIVITY
Younger children will need help from an older sibling or parent.
Activity: YoYounger children will need help from an older sibling or
1. Explain: The oldest written reference to a sling is in the Bible, “Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling
stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.” (Judges 20:16) The most famous slingshot story is the battle between David and Goliath from The First Book of Samuel.
The sling was the weapon of choice for shepherds in the field due to its usefulness for fending off other animals. The sling was a low-status weapon among the
Philistines but it was a perfect weapon for the Israelites because it required little resources and was easily produced.
2. Ask: Did David have to practice using his sling in order to become skilled enough with it to slay Goliath? (Discuss ideas.)
3. Ask: What else did David need to slay Goliath? (Discuss ideas. Emphasize: faith, truth, prayer, scriptures and listening to the Holy Ghost.)
4. Ask: What are some of the modern-day Goliaths that we need to fight against? (Discuss ideas.)
5. Explain: There will be battles against these modern-day Goliaths throughout our
entire lives. Some times we will lose a fight, but through the atonement of Jesus Christ and our constant practice using the weapons Heavenly Father has given us
we will win the battle and return to live with Him.
6. Ask: What are some “stones” that Heavenly Father has given us to fight against modern-day Goliaths? (Faith, truth, prayer, scriptures, the Holy Ghost, etc.)
7. Ask: Do we need to practice using these weapons, like David did, to become better
skilled in fighting against modern-day Goliaths? (Discuss ideas. Emphasize that the
more we practice the better we will get.)
A copy of the “Modern-day Goliaths” activity (artwork included with this lesson), scissors, tape, 3” x 3” piece of pliable material (leather, felt, denim, etc. We used a piece of plastic from the cover of an old binder) and yarn or string.
Preparation:
Cut out Goliath target. Overlap sections to match up. Tape together.
Roll each stone piece into a circle and tape to hold.
Make shepherd’s sling. (See printed instructions.)
1. Sing: Children’s Songbook #158, “Dare to Do Right”
2. Read: 1 Samuel 17: 45-46
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”
3. Watch: chapter 10 from The Complete Learning System, David and Goliath DVD.
4. Did David “Dare to Do Right”? (Discuss ideas.)
5. Why do you think David dared to fight Goliath when all of Israel’s warriors were afraid? (Discuss ideas.)
_08.jpg){kind=small}
