Build Faith Foundations: The Blessings of God’s Presence

(5–8 minutes, easy setup)
Provide a dry erase board and black, red, and blue dry erase markers. Provide paper and pen for learners.

Divide learners into groups of three to four. Give each group a sheet of paper and a pen. Ask: What major events do you remember from David’s life? List responses on the board. (Answers could include defeating Goliath with a slingshot, being anointed the future king of Israel, hiding from Saul who tried to kill him, affair with Bathsheba, arranging Uriah’s death in battle.)

Instruct groups to work together to answer this question: Which of these events would have caused David to hide from his enemies? After one minute, encourage groups to share their answers. Ask: Why would David be comforted by the knowledge that God knew exactly where he was? (Even when David was forced into hiding—possibly completely alone—fearing someone might turn him over to Saul, David could trust God to care for him.)

Instruct groups to work together to answer this question: Which events in David’s life might have made him want to hide from God? After one minute, encourage groups to share their answers. Ask: Why do you think David was ultimately grateful that he could never escape God’s presence? (He knew God loved him, and that His love would confront his sons and would lead him to repentance and a restored relationship with God.)

Write these following questions on the board. Instruct learners to turn over their index cards, and then encourage them to answer these questions (answers will not be shared in groups).

Lead learners in prayer with the following prompts: