Note to Parents: When we consistently use a “God-sized” lens to share God’s Word with our family, it broadens our children’s understanding of who God is and how He acts in our world. It also changes how our children view themselves, their blessings, and their purpose.

Sharing the Bible with our children through a “God- sized” lens does not have to be difficult. It just requires that we consistently frame every story with these truths:

• God is the main character of every story.
• God is always at work to make Himself known.
• God blesses his people for a greater purpose that includes others.

Bible Time Tip:

As your family explores God’s Word together, introduce Bible stories with phrases which reinforce that God is the main character. We often begin by saying “Let’s read a story about Peter” or “Today’s Bible story is about Mary.” What if we changed out wording slightly like this: “Let’s read another part of God’s story. I wonder how God will use Peter?” or “In this section of God’s story He uses a lady named Mary.” Being intentional and consistent with our wording helps focus our children on God as the one who moves His story forward in every generation.

Family Bible Activity:

Bible Story:

As a shepherd boy, David grew to love the Lord and understand God’s heart for all nations to worship Him. While carrying food to his older brothers on the battle lines of Israel’s army, David heard the taunts of the enemy’s giant warrior. Goliath boasted that the Philistines’ gods were greater than Israel’s God. David would not stand for God’s name being profaned. Too small to wear King Saul’s armor, he approached Goliath with a few stones. David declared that the battle was the Lord’s, and that through it, the whole world would know there was a God in Israel.

Grab your Bible and gather your family. Introduce the Bible story by saying something like this: “In this part of God’s story, He uses a young man named David.” Read these verses from 1 Samuel 17 together: 4-24, 32-40, 45-50. Then do the following related activity.

Family Activity:

You will need: measuring tape or ruler, small soft object

Explain that David was an average-sized boy and Goliath was 3 m (9 ft 9 in) tall. Measure or estimate this height. Let each person compare his height to Goliath’s. Discuss why, humanly speaking, it seemed impossible for David to defeat a giant. Include ideas about weapons and experience. Explain that God saw something in David that He could use for His purpose. David understood God’s sovereignty and power. David fought for God’s honor and he saw the outcome of the battle as the Lord’s. Choose one person to be Goliath and stand 2.5 m (8 ft) away. Have the others be David. Take turns tossing a soft object at Goliath. When Goliath is hit, he must fall down. Switch roles. Finish with this question and response: Parent: Why did David fight Goliath? Children (shout): So the whole world will know there is a God in Israel.

Use a “God-sized” lens to summarize. Ask your children to identify God’s greater purpose for blessing David with victory. Talk about others who saw the true God’s power that day. Then, pray that God would use your family, and your circumstances, to demonstrate who God is to others.

(This Bible story activity is framed with a “God-sized” lens. For more stories and activities shared through a “God-sized” lens, download One Big Story for free!)