David as a Boy - secondchurch.org AND... · 2. Prepare a game board, game markers, and game cards for each group. Prepare a spinner or obtain a die or a spinner with numbers 1–6

Birthplace Word SearchNote to Leader: Print and/or photocopy this page for each older child.Materials: PencilDirections: No matter where David went, he never forgot his home place. Discover where David was bornby first finding the words listed below in the word search puzzle. Use the leftover letters in order fromleft to right, top to bottom, to fill in the blanks at the bottom of the word search to learn David’sbirthplace and a question. Figure out the answer to the question and discover the missing last five lettersof the puzzle.

Word Search Words:ANOINT, BROTHERS, DAVID, HEART, JESSE, MIGHTILY, OIL,SAMUEL, SHEPHERD, SPIRIT

David as a Boy1 Samuel 16—17 Games andResource 3 Puzzles Workshop

© 2006 Congregational Ministries Publishing, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 640002-5 11

B M E D E T H L S E

S H I S A S E R M W

H H S G A V E L A O

T E E M H H I N I E

J R U P T T O D S O

L E A O H I I P S E

L W R E N E I L A S

B B O T H R R R Y N

I N B E I T H D L E

H E M T __ __ __ __ __ !

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ?

“David: The Boy Who Would Be King” Game

Note to Leader:

1. The object of the game is to move through David’s boyhood, learning about his important events andeveryday happenings. Children play in groups of three. Children begin at the START space and movetheir markers along the board, stopping at symbols along the way that refer to game cards that willtell them things about David’s boyhood. The game continues until all players reach the FINISH spacewhere David is king.

2. Prepare a game board, game markers, and game cards for each group. Prepare a spinner or obtain adie or a spinner with numbers 1–6 for each group. You may want to make a game set (game board,markers, game cards, and spinner) for each child to take home.

• Print and/or photocopy “Game Board” (Resource 6, pages 15–18) on white card stock. Trim thepages and tape them together to make a game board for each group. Refer to “ ‘David: The BoyWho Would Be King’ Game Board Layout” (Resource 5, page 14).

• Print and/or photocopy “Game Markers” (Resource 7, page 19) onto white card stock. Cut outeach marker, fold it along the fold lines, and tape or glue the tabs in place to create standingpictures of David as a shepherd, a musician, and a faithful fighter. Make one set of markers foreach group.

• Print “Shepherd Cards (Front)” (Resource 8, page 20) and “Shepherd Cards (Back)” (Resource 9,page 21) and photocopy them onto green card stock to make one double-sided copy. Cut out thecards. Make one set of eight cards for each group.

• Print “Musician Cards (Front)” (Resource 10, page 22) and “Musician Cards (Back)” (Resource 11,page 23) and photocopy them onto yellow card stock to make one double-sided copy. Cut out thecards. Make one set of eight cards for each group.

• Print “Faithful Fighter Cards (Front)” (Resource 12, page 24) and “Faithful Fighter Cards (Back)”(Resource 13, page 25) and photocopy them onto tan card stock. Cut out the cards. Make one set ofeight cards for each group.

• Print “Spirit Cards (Front)” (Resource 14, page 26) and “Spirit Cards (Back)” (Resource 15, page 27)and photocopy them onto pink card stock to make one double-sided copy. Cut out the cards. Makeone set of five cards for each group.

• Print and/or photocopy “Spinner” (Resource 16, page 28) onto white card stock. Cut out the piecesand assemble the spinner. Make one spinner for each group or obtain a die or spinner withnumbers 1–6 for each group.

3. Read the game directions on this resource (next page) so that you can explain the game to thechildren.



“David: The Boy Who Would Be King” Game (continued)

Materials for each group:o Game board prepared from “Game Board” (Resource 6, pages 15–18)o One set of three game markers prepared from “Game Markers” (Resource 7, page 19)o One set of eight cards prepared from “Shepherd Cards (Front)” (Resource 8, page 20) and “Shepherd

Cards (Back)” (Resource 9, page 21)o One set of eight cards prepared from “Musician Cards (Front)” (Resource 10, page 22) and “Musician

Cards (Back)” (Resource 11, page 23)o One set of eight cards prepared from “Faithful Fighter Cards (Front)” (Resource 12, page 24) and

“Faithful Fighter Cards (Back)” (Resource 13, page 25)o One set of five cards prepared from “Spirit Cards (Front)” (Resource 14, page 26) and “Spirit Cards

(Back)” (Resource 15, page 27)o One die or spinner with numbers 1–6 or spinner made from “Spinner” (Resource 16, page 28)

Directions:1. Choose a game piece: Shepherd, Musician, or Faithful Fighter.

2. Place your game piece on the START space.

3. Spin the spinner or toss the die to see how many spaces you can move. You have only one spin or toss per turn.

4. Move the indicated number of spaces, draw the appropriate card and follow the directions on the card.

• Each space has its own type of card with something to read aloud and sometimes a direction tofollow. The spaces are as follows: Sheep = Shepherd Card; Lyre = Musician Card; Staff, Sling, andFive Stones = Faithful Fighter Card; and Swirl = Spirit Card. Spirit Spaces are numbered 1–5 andeach has a corresponding card.

• You must stop and draw a Spirit Card whenever you get to a Spirit Space, no matter what thespinner or die indicates, and read the appropriately numbered Spirit Card.

5. Once a card is read, your turn is over, unless the card states otherwise.

6. The game ends when all players reach the FINISH space and David is king.



“David: The Boy Who Would Be King” Game Board LayoutNote to Leader: Print this page and use it as a guide when you assemble the game board on Resource 6(pages 15–18).



Game Board(continued)












Game MarkersNote to Leader: Print and/or photocopy this page onto white card stock. Cut out each marker along thesolid lines. Fold along the dotted lines. Overlap the top and bottom tabs and tape or glue them in placeso that the markers will stand. Make one set of three markers for each group of three children.Materials: White card stock, scissors, tape or glue



Shepherd Cards (Front)Note to Leader: Print this page and photocopy it onto green card stock along with “Shepherd Cards(Back)” (Resource 9, page 21) to make a double-sided copy. Cut out the cards. Make one set of eightshepherd cards for each group of three children.Materials: “Shepherd Cards (Back)” (Resource 9, page 21), green card stock, scissors



Shepherd Cards (Back)Note to Leader: Print this page and copy it onto the back of “Shepherd Cards (Front)” (Resource 8, page 20)to make eight double-sided shepherd cards.Materials: “Shepherd Cards (Front)” (Resource 8, page 20)



You’ve found a greenpasture and all thesheep are happy.

Take another turn.

One of your sheephas wandered away.

Go back 2 spaces andlook for it.

The sheep are thirsty.

Move ahead 2 spacesto look for a coolstream.

A lion scared yourflock and all yoursheep have run away.

Lose a turn while you run all over thepasture gatheringfrightened sheep.

A wolf appeared andyou had to kill it tokeep your sheep safe.

Move ahead 3 spacesand find a safegrazing field.

Several of your sheephave become sick.

Lose a turn while youcare for them.

David was theyoungest of eightsons and was left totend his father’s flock.

Go back 2 spaces tocare for the sheep.(1 Samuel 17:12–15)

In addition to caringfor the sheep, Davidhad to run errands forhis father.

Lose a turn while yourun an errand for yourfather.(1 Samuel 17:17–18)

Musician Cards (Front)Note to Leader: Print this page and photocopy it onto yellow card stock along with “Musician Cards(Back)” (Resource 11, page 23) to make a double-sided copy. Cut out the cards. Make one set of eightmusician cards for each group of three children.Materials: “Musician Cards (Back)” (Resource 11, page 23), yellow card stock, scissors



Musician Cards (Back)Note to Leader: Print this page and copy it onto the back of “Musician Cards (Front)” (Resource 10, page 22) to make eight double-sided musician cards.Materials: “Musician Cards (Front)” (Resource 10, page 22)



David’s music wassoothing to King Saul.(1 Samuel 16:23)

Move back 2 spaceswhile Saul listens toDavid play his lyre.

David’s ability to playthe lyre allowed himto live in King Saul’spalace.(1 Samuel 16:21–23)

Move ahead 2 spacesand enjoy fine living.

When I look at yourheavens, the work ofyour fingers, the moonand the stars that youhave established; whatare human beings thatyou are mindful ofthem, mortals thatyou care for them?(Psalm 8:3–4)

One of David’s songsproclaims God as theCreator. Name threethings that Godcreated.

May God grant youyour heart’s desire, andfulfill all your plans.May we shout for joyover your victory, andin the name of our Godset up our banners.(Psalm 20:4–5a)

David trusted in Godfor protection from hisenemies and wrotesongs about hisconfidence in theLord. Move ahead 1space.

I waited patiently for theLORD; he inclined to meand heard my cry. Hedrew me up from thedesolate pit, out of themiry bog, and set myfeet upon a rock, makingmy steps secure. He put anew song in my mouth, asong of praise to our God.(Psalm 40:1–3a)

Many of David’s songswere psalms ofthanksgiving. Moveahead 1 space. If yousing your own song ofpraise, move ahead 3spaces.

One of David’smost famous songscompares God to ashepherd who alwayscares for his sheep.

While the player to your right readsPsalm 23:1–2 fromthe Bible, make upactions to go with the words.

My God, my God, whyhave you forsaken me?Why are you so far fromhelping me, from thewords of my groaning?O my God, I cry by day,but you do not answer;and my night, but findno rest.(Psalm 22:1–2)David sometimes wrotesongs of despair andlonging for God’spresence. Like David,sometimes we feel thatGod is far away, butGod’s presence is sureand steadfast. Stay hereon your next turn.

Some of David’ssongs were psalms of celebration thatencouraged dancingand instruments.

While the player on your left readsPsalm 150 from theBible, add your ownsound effects to gowith the words.

Faithful Fighter Cards (Front)Note to Leader: Print this page and photocopy it onto tan card stock along with “Faithful Fighter Cards(Back)” (Resource 13, page 25) to make a double-sided copy. Cut out the cards. Make one set of eightfaithful fighter cards for each group of three children.Materials: “Faithful Fighter Cards (Back)” (Resource 13, page 25), tan card stock, scissors



Faithful Fighter Cards (Back)Note to Leader: Print this page and copy it onto the back of “Faithful Fighter Cards (Front)” (Resource 12,page 24) to make eight double-sided faithful fighter cards.Materials: “Faithful Fighter Cards (Front)” (Resource 12, page 24)



David was not afraidto go up against thePhilistine army.(1 Samuel 17:37)

Move ahead 3 spacesfor bravery.

David could not walkor move in King Saul’sheavy armor andhelmet.(1 Samuel 17:38–39)

Go back 3 spaces tosearch for your staffand sling.

David killed the giantGoliath using only asling and a smoothstone.(1 Samuel 17:50)

Move ahead 2 spacesand do a victorydance to celebrate.

David was such asuccessful faithfulfighter that King Saul made him acommander in hisarmy.(1 Samuel 18:5)

Stand and give asalute in honor ofDavid.

David was well lovedin all of Israel andJudah for hisleadership in battle.(1 Samuel 18:14–16)

Give a shout in honorof David.

After David killedGoliath, he was sosuccessful in his armyleadership that KingSaul became jealousand wanted to kill him.(1 Samuel 19:1)

Go back 3 spaces andfind a hiding place.

Each time that thePhilistines came upagainst David, theywere defeated.(1 Samuel 19:8)

Go ahead 2 spaces in victory.

Whenever David wentinto battle, he went inthe name of the Lord.(1 Samuel 17:45)

Stand and give acheer for God’sawesome power bysaying “Go, God!”three times.

TitleNote to Leader: Print this page and photocopy it onto pink card stock along with “Spirit Cards (Back)”(Resource 15, page 27) to make a double-sided copy. Cut out the cards. Make one set of five spirit cardsfor each group of three children.Materials: “Spirit Cards (Back)” (Resource 15, page 27), pink card stock, scissors



1 2

5

3 4

Spirit Cards (Back)Note to Leader: Print this page and copy it onto the back of “Spirit Cards (Front)” (Resource 14, page 26) to make five double-sided spirit cards.Materials: “Spirit Cards (Front)” (Resource 14, page 26)



Goliath was big andscary but David saidthat God, who savedhim from bears andlions while tending hissheep, would savehim this time too.(1 Samuel 17:37)

Share something thatis big and scary inyour life. What canyou do to face this?

David sang songs toSaul to calm himwhen he was notfeeling well.(1 Samuel 16:23)

Read from a song of David.First player who lands

here, read Psalm 8:1.Second player who

lands here, read Psalm 61:1–3.

Third player wholands here, read Psalm 138:1–2.

The LORD said toSamuel, “Rise andanoint him; for this isthe one.” WhenDavid was anointedthe spirit of the LORDcame mightily uponhim from that dayforward.(1 Samuel 16:12b, 13b)

Say to the player toyour right, “Whenyou are called by God,God’s Spirit will bewith you always.”

God said to Samuel notto look on outwardappearances as peoplesometimes do, butlook at a person theway God sees them;God sees their heart.(1 Samuel 16:7)

Tell the player to yourleft one thing thatGod sees about them.For example, “Godsees that you arekind” or “God seesthat you are a goodlistener.”

The spirit of the LORDcontinued to be withDavid in everythinghe did.(1 Samuel 18:14)

Do a “spirit” cheersaying to the othertwo players, “I’ve gotthe Spirit, yes I do!I’ve got the Spirit,how ’bout you?” Theother players respondback with the samecheer. Do this cheertwice.

SpinnerNote to Leader: Print this page onto white card stock. Cut out the spinner and the spin arm. Use a brasspaper fastener to punch a hole in the spinner and spin arm where indicated. Loosely fasten the spin armto the spinner with the brass paper fastener so that the spin arm can rotate freely. Make a spinner for eachgroup of three children.Materials: White card stock, scissors, brass paper fastener



David as a Boy - secondchurch.org AND... · 2. Prepare a game board, game markers, and game cards for each group. Prepare a spinner or obtain a die or a spinner with numbers 1–6

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