David Became King

Teacher note: FIRST: set Teams to 1 — the whole class together. No competition today; every point cheers the whole room. Welcome (the guide’s idea, our version): sit in a circle and pass “God keeps His promises” around, one word per child, then say it all together. Then everyone walks like kings and queens to the story spot. Before pressing play, read the three spy questions aloud. After the video, read each one again, let the whole class call out the answer, then cheer. If the clip skips one, just tell the answer and cheer anyway. Not used today: the guide’s play-dough crowns and crown snack (crossed out).

Teacher note: Read each line slowly, press Space for the cue card, read the cue aloud, and do it WITH the kids. Everyone stays at their seat (standing in place is fine). Repeat any echo twice if they love it. The guide’s idea, our version: wear a paper crown and pass it to a different child at each picture. Grace, not moralism: the hero is God, who keeps His promises. David simply believed God and praised Him. Facts if a child asks: David was made king at Hebron first (5:3–5), then moved to Jerusalem. The ark (God’s special box) was in a tent (7:2). Nathan first said “go ahead,” and that same night God told him otherwise (7:3–5). God said David’s son would build the house (7:12–13); for this age we just say God would do even greater things for David’s family. At the praying picture, everyone kneels or sits and bows their head, like David sitting before God (7:18). Keep it quiet for a moment. Big question to end on: Is anyone as great as God? No! Nobody is as great as God.

Teacher note: Read each line aloud (twice is fine) and point at the picture. Everyone shows a thumbs up or a thumbs down. Then press Space, read the answer together, and cheer the whole class. Nobody is ever out. The guide’s review idea, our version: if you have a paper ball and a toy crown, a child can toss the ball into the crown before each line. Talk questions for after the last picture: Which picture did you like best? What promise did God give David? Who is the greatest? God is! Then say the last one together: God keeps His promises!

Teacher note: A wiggle break. Kids stand by their seats. Read the line, show the cue, and do each move together for about 10–15 seconds. Pinky promises (the guide’s idea, our version): kids find a partner, hook pinkies and say “God keeps His promises.” If you have time, play music while kids walk around; when it stops, they pinky-promise with the nearest friend. Build a house: no tools or blocks, just pretend (hammer, saw, stack the bricks). David wanted to build God a house, and God gave David an even bigger promise.

Teacher note: Pre-readers learn the verse by echoing: YOU say a few words and the class says them back. Start with Voices: spin a silly voice, say a chunk, the class echoes it in that voice. Then Vanish: hide a few words and see if the class can still say it together. Motions: “No one is like you” = cross your arms in an X, then sweep them out; “LORD” = point up; “great” = thumbs up; “mighty in power” = flex an arm. Throne chair turns (the guide’s idea, our version): put one chair at the front as the “throne.” Kids take turns sitting on it as a king or queen and saying the verse with your help (you whisper the words, they say them out loud). Cheer every one. Wording heads-up: we use the NIV (“mighty in power”). The song may sing slightly different words; both mean God’s name is full of power.

Teacher note: Just sing and move with the verse motions (arms X, point up, thumbs up, flex). If the song carries on into verse 7, put on a pretend crown when it sings about the King. Play it twice if they love it.

Teacher note: Before the video (the guide’s missions story, in our words): some families move to a new home from far-away countries. Near the city of Atlanta, a ministry center helps them: classes to learn English, a place for kids after school, and help for grown-ups to find jobs. The people there hope to open even more ways to help. After the video, read the prayer one short line at a time; kids fold their hands and repeat after you. Closing prayer (the guide’s, our wording): thank God for always keeping His promises, for being greater than everything, and for sending Jesus.

⚠ Verify: Missions details (a ministry center in the Atlanta area; English classes, after-school programs, job training; plans for more services) come from the 2026 leader guide; we haven’t checked them anywhere else.