📖

Showing the Robe

David Shows Mercy

Day 78of 180
Week 16of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand what mercy means

2

Learn how David chose kindness over revenge

3

Recognize God's love through David's actions

📖 Scripture Connection

1 Samuel 24:8-11

“David also rose afterward, and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, saying, 'My lord the king!' When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and showed respect.”

— 1 Samuel 24:8-11 (WEB)

Shows how God wants us to treat others with respect and kindness

📦 Materials Needed

  • Piece of fabric or robe
  • Crown picture
  • Stuffed animal representing David
  • Stuffed animal representing Saul
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather children and ask about times they could choose to be kind when someone is mean to them

💭 Review Question: What does being nice to someone who is not nice to you look like?
2Teaching (10 min)

Retell the story of David and Saul in the cave, using stuffed animals to act out the scene

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • David could have hurt King Saul, but he chose not to
  • David trusted God to take care of him
  • Mercy means being kind when someone doesn't deserve it
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why do you think David didn't hurt Saul?
  • How can we show mercy to others?
3Activity: Mercy Moment Roleplay (7 min)
hands-on

Children practice showing mercy in small scenarios

📝 Instructions:
  1. Create simple pretend situations where children can choose kindness
  2. Use stuffed animals or puppets to demonstrate
  3. Discuss kind choices after each scenario
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Adult demonstrates mercy scenarios

Challenge: Children create their own mercy scenarios

4Closing (3 min)

Remind children that Jesus teaches us to love everyone

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did David do that was kind?
  • How can we show mercy this week?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, help us to be kind like David and show mercy to others.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn more about why David respected King Saul

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 23:1-3

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”

— Psalm 23:1-3 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Shepherd and Sheep Game

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

David's choice to show mercy to Saul demonstrates trusting God's plan

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple language about mercy
  • Emphasize God's love through David's actions
  • Help children understand mercy is a choice
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may not understand complex ideas of forgiveness

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Moments when child considers being kind instead of retaliating

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Draw a picture of David showing mercy
  • Act out the story with family members
  • Practice saying kind words this week

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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