Youth Group Activity for David and Goliath Story

Study Questions for Bible Account of Shepherd Boy and Giant

Jul 18, 2009 Stella Walsh

A discussion of the Bible story of David and Goliath will help Christian youth to understand that faith in God is important and that He will provide for His people.

The story of David and Goliath clearly demonstrates that faith in God to deliver is far more important than size and brute strength. The way things look on the outside is not always the way God sees them for His purposes.

Bible Story – David and Goliath (1 Samuel 16; 17)

This is the story of David, a shepherd boy, who finds favor with the king of Israel, Saul. When the Philistine army comes to fight with Israel again, a giant-sized warrior, named Goliath, calls for an Israelite to come out and fight with him.

When none of the Israelites is willing to fight with Goliath, trusting in God to protect them, David offers to go. He refuses the usual armor and weapons, carrying his staff and sling instead. He kills Goliath by hitting him in the head with a stone from his sling.

Questions for Youth Group Study of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 16; 17)

The following questions can be used in a general discussion of the story, or the group can be divided into smaller groups, comparing their views in the larger group when everyone is finished.

  1. Why are the Israelite soldiers afraid of Goliath?
  2. Why does Saul say that David cannot fight Goliath?
  3. What argument does David use to convince Saul that he is capable of fighting against Goliath?
  4. What does Saul do for David to try and help him in the fight?
  5. Why doesn’t David accept the help that Saul gives him?
  6. By the world’s standards, does it make sense that David is able to defeat Goliath?
  7. Why is David able to defeat Goliath?
  8. Describe a personal Goliath type of life experience that was defeated by faith in God.

Activity in Creating Guidelines for Youth Group Discussion on David and Goliath

The group will work together to create a list of guidelines to follow during the small group discussions. The list will be displayed in the room for all to see. One person in each group will be responsible for reminding the group to stay on track, watch the time and follow the guidelines.

The group should be guided to include some version of the following guidelines in their list:

  • The group is a safe place – all answers and members are treated with respect.
  • If members disagree, they are to do so in a polite and respectful manner, without getting personal.
  • Time should be allotted for each question. When all members have had a chance to speak, the group moves on.
  • Only one member speaks at a time. Every member is given the opportunity to speak before the group moves on.
  • Members choose whether or not to share details of their personal lives. No member is to be pressured to share personal information.

The story of David and Goliath is a good resource for teaching that one should not assume that God’s plan has anything to do with the way things appear by the world’s standards.

For other articles related to youth Bible study see Children of the Bible for Youth Group Activities, Devotion on Negative Peer Pressure and Youth Group Activity for Naaman’s Healing.

The copyright of the article Youth Group Activity for David and Goliath Story in Protestantism is owned by Stella Walsh. Permission to republish Youth Group Activity for David and Goliath Story in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
David Killed Goliath with a Stone, Stella Walsh David Killed Goliath with a Stone
   
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