Lessons Archives - Page 11 of 112 - Jesus Without Language

David has finally become king, he’s leading his new army with the crown on his head to the city of Jerusalem, intent on making it his home base. These games tie into different parts of the story, David’s crown as king, the crawling through the water shaft and the strategic position of Jerusalem.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

King of the tower

Ages 7+

Any size group

Requires setup time

Noisy game

Can be seated

The aim of this game is to get your ‘king’ (ideally a piece from a board game) higher than anyone else’s. Give each student the same number of “building blocks” and a time limit of 1 minute. Building blocks can be anything, not just blocks! (piece of paper, cup, sticky tape…)
Link: David was king of his new capital city.

Pin the crown

All Ages

Small group

Requires setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

This “Pin the tail on the donkey” spin off sees kids pin the crown on David’s head… or not! All you need for this game is to draw a picture of David’s head and a crown shape with some sticky tape on it!
Link: David was finally king

Through the hoop

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

Kids link hands, and a hula-hoop is given to the person at one end, who then must pass it down the line without the kids’ hands letting go of their neighbour.
Link: David’s troops climbing through the tunnels.

Obstacle course

All Ages

Any size group

Requires setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

The journey through that water-shaft can’t have been easy, or the Jesubites would have considered it to be a weakness. Similarly, get your kids to squeeze through spaces by setting up a classic obstacle course with whatever you have on hand.
Link: David’s troops climbing through the tunnels.

Battle ships

Ages 7+

Any size group

Requires setup time

Quiet game

Can be seated

If you have access to this game to play as a group on the big screen, it’s a great one to think about why Link: David was strategic in choosing Jerusalem.

These are the Character resources provided for: David’s City (2 Samuel 5) | Character Images

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

For each passage, there is a collectable card alongside high-quality character images and a colouring page. All other graphics are extra’s!

Click on the images below to see a larger version. Save the images by right click + ‘save image as’ (computers) OR long press + ‘save image’ (mobile).

These images are NOT copyright free.

These resources are provided for personal/classroom use only.
Use can use them for teaching, games, publicity, decorations, big screen presentations, flannelgraphs, stickers, or any other non-commercial activity in your church, school, home, or organised group.
You may not use them in products you are going to sell (both printed and digital). Nor may you upload the original images online, on websites, social media or in YouTube videos.
Any questions, please reach out to me using the contact page link at the end of the page.

In this sessions’ story, David climbs the water shaft with his men to attack the city. This climbing David craft uses a loop of string or ribbon to raise our David up the water shaft!

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, and some paper glue.

Cut out the shape.

Fold the two sides behind the image to create a funnel shape.

Either glue or tape the two sides together to form a flat tube.

Thread a loop of ribbon or string through your funnel, so the looped end is at the narrow end of the tube.

Hook the loop around something firm and pull alternating sides to have David climb.
(Or, pull the two strings apart to see David move quickly!)

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A4 size
(210 x 297 mm)

Download colour Download no colour

US letter size
(8.5″ x 11″)

Download colour Download no colour

David’s story is truly a saga. That young teen or boy that was called in from tending sheep to be anointed by Israel’s holy prophet, is now a thirty-year-old man in his prime. Anointed now as King, David recognises the squabbling between the tribes and knows he must unite them. Dwelling within anyone would lead to issues, and so he seeks a central place, controlled by none and yet flanked by Israelite’s — the stronghold of the Jebusites is perfect.

This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.

Main Passage : 2 Samuel 5
Other passages : 1 Samuel 15 + 17.

A Biblical retelling of David's City (2 Samuel 5) for youngsters.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

Saul had died. It was the time God had been preparing David for since Samuel had come to his house many years before. It was time for David to be King.

The leaders of the tribes of Israel met David at Hebron. They made speeches. They praised the things David did. They talked about how, even when Saul was alive, it was David that they followed. They knew the Lord had called David to be a shepherd to the Israelite people, to guide them and fight for them. Then they took oil, just like the oil that had once anointed David king-in-waiting, but this time the oil would anoint him KING!

David looked at his army, men from different tribes, men who wanted something to unite them. He would unite them today, but he needed a place too. Somewhere in the middle of all the tribes. Somewhere he could build a city rule from. He knew just the place.

David led his men, the smell of the oil still on his forehead, to the city of the Jebusites. Their city was strong. It was on a hill with a big wall all the way around. The wall was thick and strong, and many armies had failed to get through. To the north, the tribe of Benjamin lived and to the south, the tribe of Judah, but neither claimed this city for they could not take it. It was perfect for David’s capital, but the Jebusites didn’t think so.

“You can’t take our city!” they jeered as they saw David’s army coming. “This city is so strong that even if we only let the blind and lame fight they would still defeat you!” they laughed. But David had been laughed at before. David was the boy who faced Goliath, not by his strength but by God’s. He knew there was a way to defeat this city. Soon he discovered it. Under the city, there were tunnels that were used for water. If the water could get out, then David could get in! David returned to his generals to let them into the plan. “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who despise David.” He told them, a smile playing on his lips.

Once the army got inside the city, their feet wet and hands dirty from climbing, the victory was easy. David threw out the Jebusites and built himself a new palace there. He set apart a place for the Ark of God to live and would eventually make plans for a temple to be built. He renamed his part of the city “the city of David;” the rest of the city was called Jerusalem. David became the most beloved king the Israelites ever had.

This is the third craft for Goliath on-site, it captures the hands of David as he prepares to face the giant. The other two crafts are both quite involved and so this is your simple print and go option for younger kids or if you are in a rush.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, and some foam spacers (or small pieces of card and glue).

Cut out all the pieces. You can do this roughly or exactly, as you can see, I’ve grouped the pebbles.

The pieces are added to the background using foam spacers. This gives it depth, though it can be excluded if you wish.

Use the shadows to place the pieces. The pebbles go on top of the hands.

Your creation is done.
Extension ideas:
— Add colour to the words.
— Glue some rope or lace to the sling strings.
— Use a hole punch and some string to hang it up.
— Make a border from thick card.

Help keep the free items on this site free by donating. This site supports my family as we live by God's great economy.

Donate in UK pounds

Donate in US dollars

Donate in euros

A4 size
(210 x 297 mm)

Download colour Download no colour

US letter size
(8.5″ x 11″)

Download colour Download no colour

The story of David is a perfect example of God turning our expectation on its head. The shepherd boy, too lowly even to remain at the house for the most important of guests, is anointed king!

Main Passage : 1 Samuel 16

Biblical retelling of David Anointed (1 Samuel 16) for youngsters.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

David lived in the town of Bethlehem with his seven older brothers. One evening, David’s father Jesse told the boys that a great man of God was coming to Bethlehem, the prophet Samuel. Everyone knew that Samuel had the job of choosing the king. He had chosen King Saul. But Saul had disobeyed God, and people thought Samuel was looking for a new king. Then, Jesse told them something even more amazing: Samuel had asked to come to their house. The brothers got super excited and started to talk about what they would do if they were king.

The oldest brother suddenly pulled out his sword, “I’ll be a strong king! Samuel will see that I have my sword ready.” A brother laughed and shouted, “You want to protect, not fight. I’ll take a shield!” By morning prayers the next day, all the brothers stood ready to greet Samuel with their chosen object. Jesse looked at his sons, “Tell me, why do you have all that stuff?”

Starting with the oldest brother, they each showed their father their choice.

“If Samuel sees me with this sword, he will know that I will fight for the people.”
“If Samuel sees me with this shield, he will know that I will protect the people.”
“If Samuel sees I have gold, he will know that I will provide for the people.”
“If Samuel sees how strong I am, he will know that I will rule the people.”
“If Samuel sees me sharing food, he will know that I will feed the people.”
“If Samuel sees me with scripture, he will know that I will pray for the people.”
“If I take nothing, then I shall act like a King; for a king does not give but receive.”

Right on the end of the line stood David. He was not dressed in his house robe but in his work clothes. In his hands was his little harp and his slingshot. When Jesse came to David to ask what he would take, the other brothers laughed. David smiled and said, “Today I take my sling and my harp and go to watch the sheep. I will play songs to the lambs and throw stones at the wolves and bears.” Then he opened the door and headed out. But it wasn’t long before somebody was sent running across the fields to bring him home.

When David got home, the prophet Samuel was waiting for him. “Your sons look like kings,” he said to Jesse, “but God has told me that he does not look at the appearance but the heart. This young boy David may not look like a king now, but God has told me to pour my oil on his head, for he has a good heart and will one day be a great king.’ Everyone was shocked! Seven strong, young men and Samuel chose their smaller, weaker, younger brother. The next day, David went back out to the sheep, but everyone could see God was with him. David did become a king, but that’s another story.

Samuel was faced with a choice, 7 young men, any of whom could have made great kings, but God said no repeatedly. This spinner is a simple reminder that the choice was God’s and that we can’t judge by what we see.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, a split pin (brad), craft knife and scissors. (optional: awl or sharp pencil for making the hole)