David messed out — Redeemed by Grace

1. Story (based on 2 Sam 11-12)

• HOOK: Cover up
• Materials: Pile of dust/dirt, tissue paper/paper napkin, small dustpan/brush
• Put a pile of dust/dirt in the middle of a table.
• Kids, look, there’s a mess here. It’s really dirty. What should we do?
• How about we try to cover it up? I know, let’s use this napkin. If we put it over the dirt, no one will see it. <cover the dirt with the napkin>
• There. Does that work? <no>  
• Oh dear. What do you think we should do? I know. I’ll clean it up and throw away the dirt. <get a kid to help sweep away the dirt>
• See … clean and as good as new now!
• Sometimes in life, we will mess up and make mistakes. But covering the mess will not work because the mess is still there. So the only way to get rid of the mess is to clean it up nicely.

• Today, we’re going to learn about someone who messed up big time.  

David Danced before God

1. Story (based on 2 Sam 6)

• We’ve been learning about a person called David.
• What have we learnt about him so far?
• David was a shepherd.
• David was anointed king.
• Saul was jealous of him.
• Saul wanted to kill him.
• David ran away, and God protected him from all harm.

• Then one day, Saul and Jonathan were both killed in battle. David was then made king of Israel.
• David loved the Lord. He loved to sing and write songs of worship.
• One of the first things David did as king was to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem.

God was David’s protection

1. Story:

• Who was the shepherd boy who was anointed king of Israel? David
• Who was the king at that time? Saul 
• God was with David in all he did. And he had great successes. The women of Israel used to welcomed him with singing and dancing. What did they say? “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” 
• How did this make Saul feel? Very jealous of David. 

God's Favour gave David Success

 

1. Story: (based on 1 Sam 16, 18)

• The past 2 months, we've been learning Psalm 23. Can you remember it?
• Who wrote Psalm 23? David

• Who was David?
• What was David's occupation? Shepherd
• Yes, that's right. David was a shepherd boy. He was the youngest son in his family. While his brothers went to war as big, strong soldiers, David stayed in the fields to take care of the sheep. Quite unimportant in his family’s eyes.
• But God had a special purpose for David. He had chosen David to be king of Israel! David had a heart after God. So God sent His prophet, Samuel, to anoint David as king.
• There was one problem, however. Israel already had a king. Anyone knows his name? King Saul
• That’s right. King Saul was the first King of Israel, and he would rule Israel for 42 years. 

Psalm 23: My Good Shepherd is with me forever

1.    REVIEW: Memory Verse (Psalm 23) 

• The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
  He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
  your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,
  You anoint my head with oil
  my cup overflows.
  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
  And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

• As we choose to follow our Good Shepherd, we get to live and enjoy the benefits of His Kingdom, ie. His protection, His supply, His care, His guidance .. not just for today or tomorrow, not temporarily but forever, for always.

Psalm 23: My Good Shepherd overflows my cup

1. Lesson (based on Psalm 23:5b-6) 

• HOOK:

• Materials: An empty jar, a (larger) pouring jar with water, a cloth or napkin, a straw
• Put the empty jar on top of the cloth/napkin
• Tell the kids that the aim of the game is to pour as much water into the empty jar without it spilling over.
• For older kids, can get them to take turns pouring in water. For younger kids, the teacher can do it for them.
• The tricky part is when the water reaches almost to the brim of the jar. By then, can use the straw to drop water into the jar bit by bit.
• Game/illustration ends when the jar overflows.
• Conclusion:
• In this illustration, we see how much is really needed to make a cup overflow.  
• Do you know our lives are a cup too? A cup full of God’s life, goodness and blessings. 
• And do you know, our cups are not just half full or half empty. It’s not even full to the brim. It’s overflowing. Not by a trickle or a drop, but in abundance.
• Imagine holding your cup under a waterfall. What happens? The water is just gushing in and gushing out. It’s never ending. And never run out.
• That’s what life is when you have Jesus in you.