Mission Briefing
A Bible hero mission for kids about leading with self-control.
Hero: David
Virtue: Leadership
Best for: Ages 6-12
Time: 10-15 minutes
You need: paper crown, pencil, and scissors if needed
Meet David
Saul was pursuing David and trying to kill him. While searching for David, Saul entered a cave where David and his men were hiding.
David’s men believed this was David’s opportunity to act against Saul. David crept forward and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe, but afterward his conscience troubled him.
David refused to attack Saul because Saul was the Lord’s anointed king. He also sharply rebuked his men and prevented them from attacking Saul.
David later showed Saul the piece of robe and explained that he had chosen not to harm him. He trusted God to judge between them.
David showed leadership by controlling his own actions and directing his men away from wrongdoing.
Leadership means using your influence to choose what is right and help others do the same.
Hero Skill: Lead Yourself First
Before we lead others, we must lead ourselves.
David had an opportunity to harm Saul, and his men encouraged him to take it. David controlled his own actions and stopped his men from attacking.
Children practise leadership when they pause, consider how their choice will affect others and use their influence to do what is right.
Your Mission Today: The Self-Control Crown
You will make a crown that reminds leaders to pause.
What You Need
- Paper crown or strip
- Pencil
- Scissors if needed
Step 1: Write The Leader Words
On the crown write: “Pause. Choose. Lead.”
Step 2: Name Influence Moments
Talk about places where a child has influence.
- Being the older sibling
- Leading a team or group
- Deciding whether someone may join a game
- Being stronger or more skilled
- Winning a competition
- Seeing someone make a mistake
Step 3: Practise The Pause
Put on the crown and practise:
- Pause: Stop before reacting.
- Choose: Ask, “Will my choice help or hurt? What is right?”
- Lead: Act on the right choice.
Say:
“I can use my influence to choose what is right.”
Step 4: Choose One Leadership Action
Choose one influence moment you may face this week. Decide beforehand how you can use it to include, protect, encourage or help someone.
Talk About It
Ages 6-8: What did David stop his men from doing?
Ages 9-10: How did David lead both himself and his men in the cave?
Ages 11-12: Why is refusing to misuse influence an important part of leadership?
Leadership Practice For This Week
When you have influence this week:
- Pause before reacting.
- Ask whether your choice will help or hurt.
- Choose what is honest, safe and right.
- Encourage others to do the same.
Leadership begins with leading your own choices.
Parent Note
Leadership is not limited to titles or positions. Children have influence when they are older, stronger, more skilled, included in a group or able to decide how someone else will be treated.
Praise moments when your child uses that influence to include, protect, encourage or help.
David’s restraint does not mean children should remain in danger or tolerate bullying, abuse or harmful behaviour. David did not attack Saul, but he and his men still returned to their stronghold rather than placing themselves under Saul’s control. Sometimes wise self-control includes creating distance and asking a trusted adult for help. See 1 Samuel 24:22
Mission Prayer
God, thank You for giving me opportunities to influence others. Help me pause before I act, control my own choices and use my influence to protect, include and encourage. Give me courage to choose what is right, even when others want me to do something wrong. Amen.
Free David Colouring Page
Keep the mission going with David’s colouring page.
