Leader Guide

Leader Introduction

Welcome students as they arrive with their parents.
OPTIONAL: As they arrive, play the song “Friendship.”

Today’s Bible story reinforces and expands the lesson from Lesson 1 about David and Jonathan. These two men loved God, and they developed a life-long friendship through good times and adversity.

*Scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation unless noted.            

Optional Opening Game

Friendships are made up of two or more people. You are going to work together as friends to build a tower together.

For each team, one player will sit on the floor next to a pile of items. The other player will sit at a table.

Each team player plays a different role. One player will walk back and forth, bringing one item at a time to the player at the table. They must use the same type of item to build their tower (all dominoes or all blocks, etc.)

The player at the table will stack each item to build a tower.

Begin the game and have all teams build a tower. Once the tower is built, clap and celebrate each team’s success. Return the items to a pile on the floor and have the players switch roles to build a second tower.

When the towers are completed, discuss how both players needed to work together and help each other to complete the task.

Each builder trusted his/her partner to bring the items to complete the tower. The other player trusted the builder to do his/her part to build the tower.

Friends trust and help each other to do all kinds of things in good and bad times.

Video Lesson

In this lesson, we will learn the importance of friendship. Let's watch our Bible story to see what it takes to have a good friendship, even in tough times.

Play Video (Bible story)

David and Jonathan

David and Jonathan

Teaching Time

David and Jonathan
Text: 1 Samuel 18–20

Encourage children to participate as much as possible as you tell the Bible story from the bullets. Emphasize the words in bold text. The words correspond to an action you model that the children will imitate. Vary your facial expression, voice, and volume level to hold children’s attention and interest.

● David was a man who loved God with all his heart. Place both hands over heart and look up.

● David was a brave and strong soldier who won many battles. His strength and success came from God. Point to the sky with one hand and flex muscle on the other arm.

● God’s people loved David and often celebrated his victories. Cheer, clap, and dance.

● A young man named Jonathan became best friends with David.

● Jonathan loved David so much that he gave him his robe, belt, bow, and sword. Grasp shirt sleeve, put hands on waist, then hold up one arm and make a fist as if grasping a sword.

● David and Jonathan promised to always be best friends. Hold a hand in front of you and imitate a handshake with someone.

● David served King Saul, who wore a crown on his head. Hold an imaginary crown in both hands and place it on your head.

● King Saul often heard the people cheer and dance for David. Cheer, clap, and dance.

● This made the king angry and jealous. Make an angry face and clench fists.

● He wanted everyone to love him—not David! Point to self and nod head "yes."

● Saul had a son named Jonathan—David’s best friend! Put hands on cheeks and open mouth in surprise.

● This meant that Jonathan should be king one day. Place imaginary crown on your head.

● But this was not God’s plan. Shake head "no."

● God had chosen David to be king instead. Place imaginary crown on your head.

● David was Jonathan’s best friend for life. So, instead of being angry, he trusted God’s plan and was happy for David. Smile and jump up and down for joy.

● David was a musician. He often sang and played the harp for King Saul when the king was sad. Make a strumming motion and imitate singing.

● Saul became more and more angry about God choosing David to be king instead of Jonathan. Make an angry face.

● Saul became so angry that he threw his spear at David. Do throwing motion with one arm.

● David quickly jumped, and the spear missed him. Jump sideways.

● David told Jonathan what King Saul did. At first, Jonathan couldn’t believe it. Shake head "no."

● But Jonathan trusted David. He knew that David was his best friend, and best friends don’t lie to each other! Shake head "no!"

● Jonathan promised to help David escape and always to be his friend. Hold a hand in front of you and imitate a handshake with someone.

● David promised that when he became king, he would always take care of Jonathan’s family. Place imaginary crown on your head.

● David hid and ran from Saul for many years. Crouch, look around, stand up, and run in place.

● One day, David did become king, just like God planned. Place imaginary crown on your head.

● David remembered his promise to take care of Jonathan’s family. Hold a hand in front of you and imitate a handshake with someone, smile, and shake head "yes."

David and Jonathan were best friends in good and bad times. The good news is that we have an even better friend—actually, a perfect friend—who loves us, forgives us, and will never let us down! Can you tell me His name? Jesus! (God)

Optional Review Questions

Who did God choose to be king after Saul? Jonathan or David? David.

What did the people do that made King Saul angry? They danced and sang for David. They loved David.

What did David do for King Saul when he was sad? He played the harp and sang for him.

Who was Jonathan’s father? King Saul.

How did Jonathan show his friendship to David when King Saul was trying to hurt him? He helped him escape from King Saul.

After David became king, how did he demonstrate his friendship to Jonathan? He kept his promise to take care of Jonathan’s family.

Object to Go

Hold up the watercolor set or show the image. Lead a short discussion with the following comments and questions:

● Raise your hand if you have used watercolor paints. Children respond.

● What color paints do you see? Children respond.

● Is your favorite color in this set? If so, what is it? Children respond.

● In today’s video, two robot friends are wearing colorful clothes to a sports game. Can you guess which two colors in this watercolor set they are wearing? Children guess.

I heard some correct colors! We will find out the answer when we watch the video!

Leave the question unanswered until it is revealed in the video.

Today we are going to see two good robot friends who discover that they think differently about something very important to them. Let’s see if it is a problem that they can fix!

Play Video (Friendly Rivalry)

Friendly Rivalry

Video Discussion

● Friends enjoy doing things together. What do Gizmo and Widget do together? Watch sports.

● Why did Gizmo and Widget get into an argument? Gizmo and Widget were fans of different teams (rivals).

● What did Miss Tina say about real friends, even when they like different things? They are still kind to each other.

● In the song Miss Tina sang, who told us to keep it kind? God the Creator.

● What team did Miss Tina want to be a fan of? The purple team.

Hold up the watercolor set or image. Who guessed the correct colors that Gizmo and Widget were wearing? What were the colors? Blue (Gizmo) and orange (Widget).

God made each of us different and special. That means we will not always like the same things and agree on everything. In those times, it is important to be kind, patient, and respectful of each other to keep our friendships strong.

Verse to GO!

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

In this Bible verse, a brother means a family member. God made families to stick together and support each other. God is our Father, and we are God’s children—so we are sisters and brothers! Together, we are all family, so we should love one another and help one another in good times and bad times.

This verse uses the word “adversity,” which means troubles, problems, or hard times.

Stand facing the children and lead them in repeating phrases and imitating the motions.

A brother is born… Hold arms in front of you to cradle a baby.

For a time of adversity… Place hands on cheeks and open mouth wide to show surprise or shock.

Repeat two times.

Note: In Lesson 3, the first and second parts of the verse will be connected. Optionally, you may choose to learn the entire verse now.

Last time we learned the first part of the verse, “A friend loves at all times.”

Let’s say it together. “A friend loves at all times.”

Say the verse slowly and demonstrate the motions for the children to repeat.

A friend… Have children do a “high five” with the person next to them. You can do a high five with the child at one end.

Loves… Form a heart with fingers of both hands.

At all times… Point to an imaginary wristwatch and circle it with your index finger.

Repeat slowly one more time, then add the second part of the verse with motions as described above to do the entire verse.

A true friend loves and sticks by you in good times and difficult times, just like David and Jonathan’s friendship. They loved and trusted each other at all times.

One friend that we will have forever is Jesus. He is not only a friend but the best friend we could ever have. He will never leave our side, and we can talk to Him anytime!

Note: Preschool children may not be able to memorize the entire verse. They may simply repeat it with you. Be sure all children understand its meaning.

Prayer Time

Close the lesson with a simple prayer to encourage the children to be a good friend and spend time with their best friend, Jesus.

For example: Dear Jesus, thank You that we are all brothers and sisters because we are part of God’s family. Help us to look for ways to be good friends to others. Thank You for dying on the cross to save us from our sins and for being our best friend who loves us no matter what and Who we can talk to any time, day or night. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Music Time

Friendship

The lyrics and chords for this song are found in Resources.

Create your own motions or use the suggested motions as seen in the Quantum Karaoke “Friendship” under Resources or under “Extras! in the DVD main menu.

Play the video song “Friendship” for your students.

Friendship

Encourage the children to dance and move to the music. Optional: lead children in saying and doing actions to specific parts of the song below:

Verse 1

Line three: hold fingers up and shout, “One, two, three!”

Line four: hug self when at “friendly hug.”

Line four: cover your eyes at “and hide-and-go-seek!”

Verse 2

Line two: point to the sky and shout, “firmament!”

Line three: hold arms up and make big muscles at “stronger than cement.”

Chorus 1

Line three: sing “oh, oh, oh, oh.” (x3)

Verse 3

Line two: shout “your very self.”

Chorus 2

Line four: sing, "Love, love, love, God’s love. Love, love, love, God’s love."

Verse 4

Lines two and four: hold palms together at “prayer.”

Take-Home Coloring Page

As children color, review today’s lesson using the discussion points below: 

● Who is playing an instrument? David.

● What instrument is David playing? The harp (kinnor).

● Does King Saul look happy or angry? Angry.

● Why is he angry? He is jealous of David and doesn’t like him. He knows God chose David to be king instead of Jonathan.

● Why wasn’t Jonathan angry at David like his father, King Saul? Jonathan loved David more than he wanted to be king. David was his best friend, and he trusted it was God’s plan.

OPTIONAL TAKE-HOME TRADING CARD:

Optional: Hand out GizmoGO! trading cards for WIDGET, one per child. These are available for purchase under Products. Explain to the children that there is a different trading card for each of the three lessons, so if they come back to Sunday school each week, they can collect all three! (Last time was the DAVID AND JONATHAN card, and the next time will be the FRIENDSHIP/CASE OF THE MISSING PROTONATRON card.)