David and Goliath is an iconic biblical narrative about bravery and faith. But it’s not just for little kids! Teens, who face plenty of challenges, will gain mightily from its lessons.
So move beyond a surface-level retelling of David and Goliath. Instead, help teens learn practical applications from David’s reliance on God.
David and Goliath for Teens
First let’s meet this mismatched pair. In 1 Samuel 17, a young shepherd steps up to face the Philistine giant Goliath. While the Israelite army cowers in fear, David stands confident. His courage is rooted not in physical strength or military experience but in his faith in God.
This biblical battle is super-relevant today. With God’s help, teens can overcome “giants” such as anxiety and insecurity. For youth, this account resonates on many levels:
- Facing personal giants. School, self-image, and relationships often feel overwhelming.
- Embracing God-given identity. David wasn’t the typical hero. He was young, inexperienced in battle, and underestimated—even by his own family. But he is proof that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
- Trusting God, not the world. Saul offered David his armor. But David chose to rely on what God had already given him—a slingshot and faith. Teach teens to trust God’s plan, not the world’s.
6 Teen-Friendly David and Goliath Ideas
Here are some fun, interactive ideas for youth group. Use them to help teens apply Scripture to life:
1. Giant Journals
Objective: Identify and confront personal giants.
Begin by giving each student a journal or some paper. Ask them to list some giants they face. After sharing (if they feel comfortable), discuss how David’s trust in God helped him face his giant. Then teens can write a prayer or Scripture that addresses their challenges.
2. The Armor of Authenticity
Objective: Embrace God-given strengths and identity.
Bring in props like helmets, shields, and armor pieces. (Funny, oversized clothes work too!) Have a volunteer try on the “armor” while attempting a simple task, like throwing a ball into a basket. Then have them remove the armor and try again.
Discuss how Saul’s armor didn’t fit David. Likewise, teens may feel pressured to “wear” things that don’t fit them—whether those are societal expectations or peer pressure. Tie this back to trusting in our God-given skills and identity.
3. Slingshot Challenge
Objective: Demonstrate the power of small actions when God is involved.
First set up a safe “slingshot” challenge using rubber bands and paper balls. Create targets labeled with different giants (bullies, doubt, etc.). Let students take turns aiming at the targets.
The point? When you have faith, even small tools can make a big impact. Follow this by discussing how faithful actions that may seem small (prayer, kindness, standing up for what’s right) have major effects.
4. Modern-Day Goliaths
Objective: Apply the Scripture to contemporary issues.
Form small teams and assign each a modern Goliath issue (injustice, addiction, etc.). Ask teams to create a short skit showing a David-like response. This helps teens think critically about applying biblical principles.
5. Faith Over Fear Art Project
Objective: Express faith creatively.
Provide art supplies like markers, paint, and posterboard. Have students create visual representations of choosing faith over fear. These can be abstract or literal. Then display the artwork as reminders to face giants with God’s help.
