Jonathan Warns David (1 Samuel 18:1-5; 19:1-7) Sunday School Lesson

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Lesson: Jonathan Warns David to Flee (1 Samuel 18-20)

After defeating Goliath, David become a part of the king’s court. Everyone grew to love David which caused King Saul to become more and more jealous. Even though God had anointed David as King, Saul was not quick to give up his crown. He sought to kill David so that he could remain king. Jonathan, Saul’s son, was close friends with David and helped him escape. Without Jonathan’s help David could have been killed by Saul. Today our class will look at the power of friendship and learn that God wants us to help our friends.

Lesson Title:  Jonathan Warns David to Flee

Bible Reference: 1 Samuel 18-20

Learning Context: Children’s Church

Target Time Frame: 1 ½ hour

Learning Aim:  God wants us to help our friends.

Materials Needed:

  1. Poster Board
  2. Finger Paint
  3. Paint brushes
  4. Hula hoop
  5. Ball
  6. Dry erase board and markers

You say the Italicized words.  Non-italicized words are directions.

Lesson Opener

Spend a few minutes talking about friends.

Say, Who is your friend? Why is _____ your friend? What do you like to do with your friends? How do you help your friends?

Today we are going to learn about how Jonathan helped his friend David.

Bible Story : Jonathan Warns David (1 Samuel 18:1-5; 19:1-7) Sunday School Lesson

Open your Bible to 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 19:1-7, 20:1-42.

Every time you hear the name David I want you to put your arms over your head like you are hiding. Whenever you hear the name Jonathan I want you to give a classmate a high five because Jonathan was a good friend.

Say, Whenever David was a boy he was chosen by God to be the next king of Israel. Whenever David was a young man he defeated the giant, Goliath. As he got older the Israelites began to look up to David more and more.

Saul was the King of Israel and he became jealous of David’s popularity. He wanted to hurt David.

Jonathan was King Saul’s son. Jonathan was David’s best friend. Even though Jonathan could have been jealous because he should have been king after Saul, he was not jealous. Jonathan wanted to help David escape from King Saul.

David found a good hiding place and Jonathan would send 3 arrows into the sky if it was not safe and David needed to get away.

Jonathan was a good friend to David. God wants you to be a good friend and help others just like Jonathan. 

Helping Hands

You will need a poster board and finger paint. Paint each child’s hand and make hand prints on the board. Let each child (or teacher to avoid a mess) write their name by their hand print. Write ‘Friends Help Each Other’ on the board and hang it up in the classroom as a reminder that God wants us to help our friends.

Say, Jonathan was a good friend to David. How can you help your friends? Each time that you see this poster remember to help your friends.

Friends Stick Together Hula Hoop Pass

Have all the kids stand in a line and hold hands. They must pass the hula hoop from person to person without letting go of their friend’s hand.

Say, God wants friends to stick together. While playing this game everyone had to stick together to get the hula hoop to the other end of the line.

You Are My Friend Ball

Stand in a circle and play catch. Say, ‘_____ is my friend’ and then throw the ball to that child. They then say another child’s name and pass it on. Make sure everyone has a turn to catch and throw the ball.

Say, We are all friends here. Isn’t that wonderful? You can be a good friend just like Jonathan.

What is a Good Friend?

Ask the class to share things that a good friend would do. Write them on the board or a sheet of paper. Here are some examples: give high fives, help then when they fall, give them a toy, work together to play a game, pray for their friend, take turns, etc. Once you have the list written play charades. You will say one of the things that a good friend does and the kids will act it out.

Say, Jonathan was a good friend when he helped David escape. You can be a good friend by doing these things each and every day. Remember that God wants you to be kind to your friends.

Closing the Lesson

Say, Think of one friend that you can pray for today. What is their name?

Close in prayer. Let each child pray for their friend.

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