TRUST GOD WHEN AFRAID
Bible Text: 1 Samuel 17:1–50
Main Truth: Trust God When Afraid
Memory Verse: “For the battle is the Lord’s.” — 1 Samuel 17:47
Age Group: 3–10 years
Lesson Length: 35–40 minutes
Lesson Goal
Children will learn that when they feel afraid, they can trust God to help them. Through David’s courage in facing Goliath, they will discover that God is greater than every fear and that trusting Him gives us courage to do what is right.
✨ This free lesson is 1 of 8 ready-to-teach lessons included in the July Faith & Courage Kit.
1. Welcome, Opening Prayer & Worship (5 min)
Teacher Welcome Script
Teacher Say:
“Good morning, boys and girls!
I am so happy you’re here today!
Have you ever felt afraid?
Maybe you were afraid during a storm...
Maybe you felt nervous on your first day at school...
Or maybe you were afraid to try something new.
Today we’re going to learn about a young shepherd named David. He teaches us that no matter how big our fears may seem, we can always trust God because He is greater than every fear we face.”
Teacher Tip
As you teach today’s lesson, remind children that everyone experiences fear sometimes. David wasn’t courageous because he was the strongest person. He was courageous because he trusted God. Encourage children to see that God is the true hero of today’s story.
Opening Prayer (Repeat After Me)
Dear God,
Thank You for loving me.
Thank You for always being with me.
Help me trust You.
Help me remember that You are greater than every fear.
Give me courage to do what is right.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Worship Songs
Song 1: My God Is So Big
Motions:
• Stretch arms wide on “My God is so big.”
• Make strong muscles on “so strong and so mighty.”
• Point to heaven on “There’s nothing my God cannot do.”
Song 2: Our God Is So Strong and So Mighty
Motions:
• Make strong muscles.
• Point to heaven.
• Raise both hands in victory on “There’s nothing my God cannot do.”
Engagement Cue
Encourage children to sing loudly and do the motions together as they praise God’s greatness and power.
2. Lesson Starter (2–3 min)
Teacher Prep: Bring one small smooth rock.
Teacher Say
(Hold up the rock for everyone to see.)
“Look at this little rock.
It’s so small!
Let me ask you something...
Do you think someone could defeat a strong lion or a big bear using just this little rock?”
Allow children to answer.
Then ask:
“Do you think it would be possible for someone to defeat a giant with this little rock?”
Allow children to share their ideas.
Then say:
“Today we’re going to learn about a young shepherd named David.
He trusted God so much that God helped him do something everyone thought was impossible.”
3. Bible Story — David and Goliath (10 min)
David was a young shepherd who loved God.
One day, his father asked him to take food to his brothers who were soldiers in Israel’s army.
When David arrived, he heard a giant named Goliath shouting at God’s people.
Goliath was over nine feet tall.
He wore heavy armor and carried a huge spear.
Every day he challenged Israel to send someone to fight him.
But all the soldiers were afraid.
Pause & Ask
How do you think the soldiers felt when they saw Goliath?
Allow children to answer.
David couldn’t understand why everyone was so afraid.
Then he remembered something important.
When David was taking care of his father’s sheep, God had helped him protect them from lions and bears.
David knew that if God had helped him before, God would help him again.
So David courageously told King Saul,
“I will fight the giant.”
King Saul offered David his armor.
But David tried it on and realized it was too heavy.
David said,
“I can’t fight wearing this.”
Instead, David picked up five smooth stones from a nearby stream and placed them inside his shepherd’s bag.
He carried only his sling because his confidence was in God—not in weapons.
As David walked toward Goliath, the giant laughed when he saw the young shepherd boy.
But David wasn’t afraid.
He looked at Goliath and boldly said,
“You come against me with sword and spear, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.”
Let’s Say It Together!
Teacher Say
“David wasn’t trusting in his own strength.
He was trusting God!
Let’s all say David’s powerful words together.”
Children Repeat
“You come against me with sword and spear, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.”
Then say:
“When we trust God, He helps us face our fears too!”
David placed one smooth stone into his sling.
He swung the sling around and released the stone.
The stone flew through the air and struck Goliath on the forehead.
The giant fell to the ground.
God gave David the victory.
Everyone saw that the battle truly belonged to the Lord.
That day everyone learned that no giant is greater than God.
Teacher Emphasis
David wasn’t trusting his sling.
David wasn’t trusting the stone.
David was trusting God.
When we trust God, He gives us courage to face our fears.
Pause & Ask
• Why were the soldiers afraid?
The soldiers were afraid because Goliath was a huge, strong giant.
• Why wasn’t David afraid?
David wasn’t afraid because he trusted God and remembered how God had helped him before.
• Who gave David the victory?
God gave David the victory.
• What can we learn from David?
We can learn to trust God when we feel afraid because God is greater than our fears.
4. Heart Connection (5 min)
Just like David trusted God when he stood in front of the giant, we can trust God every day too.
When David looked at Goliath, all he could see with his eyes was a giant.
But David knew something even more important.
He knew that his God was greater than the giant standing in front of him.
Sometimes we have giants in our lives too.
Maybe your giant is:
• feeling afraid at night.
• starting a new school.
• taking a test.
• visiting the doctor.
• being afraid to tell the truth.
• worrying about something at home.
Those fears can seem very big.
But remember...
Our God is always bigger than our fears.
Just like God helped David, He promises to be with us every day.
When you feel afraid, you don’t have to face your fears alone.
You can pray. You can trust God.
You can remember that He is always with you.
Leader Moment
Ask the children:
“What is something that sometimes makes you feel afraid?”
(Allow a few children to answer.)
Then say:
“No matter what your fear is, God is greater than that fear.”
Reflection
Think quietly for a moment.
What is one fear you would like to trust God with today?
Challenge
Will you choose to trust the great God you have, knowing that He is always with you?
Truth
God is greater than every fear, and I can trust Him every day.
Want more lessons like this? This lesson is part of the July Faith & Courage Kit, with 8 ready-to-teach Bible lessons, crafts, games, and memory verse activities for children ages 3–10.
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