The Making of David

Learn the story of David in the Bible, and how he went from shepherd boy to Israel's king. A 6-week series.

Podcasts + Discipleship: Click to Learn How to Use PursueGOD

PursueGOD is a new kind of discipleship curriculum for an increasingly complicated world. We use podcasts on a variety of topics to offer no-nonsense answers to everyday questions. Then we organize these podcasts into series so you can use them to make disciples at church, home, or in the world. Here’s how it works:

  1. Pick a series from our homepage. There's plenty to choose from!
  2. Each series contains multiple lessons. Click on the numbered tabs to open each lesson.
  3. Start by listening to the podcast on your own, before you meet as a group. Take notes as needed, and listen again if it helps. Consider starting a discipleship journal to track what you're learning.
  4. Meet as a group to talk through what you learned from the podcast. Each lesson includes shownotes, talking points, and discussion questions. Click on the # tab to explore additional topics.
  5. Listen to the podcast above for more helpful tips or check out one of our many training series.

Lesson 1: A Heart after God

Lesson audio coming soon!

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DAVID: A HEART AFTER GOD

We’re kicking off a 6-week series on one of the most recognizable figures in the Bible—David. But before we meet the shepherd who became king, we have to meet the man who came before him: Saul, Israel’s first king. Saul looked like a king on the outside, but his heart drifted from God on the inside. His story reminds us that it’s possible to look the part but lack the power.

Israel wanted a king “like the nations.” God warned them it would bring problems, but they insisted. Saul looked the part—“a head taller than anyone else”—but he didn’t have the heart. 1 Samuel 13:14 (NLT) says, “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.” Sadly, that man wasn’t Saul.

Today we’ll contrast Saul’s heart and David’s heart to see what it takes to have a heart after God. Saul’s downfall exposes three spiritual drift patterns we all face: fear, expedience, and pride.

1. A heart after God moves from fear to trust.

When God doesn’t show up when or how we expect, will we still wait?
Saul couldn’t. Surrounded by enemies and losing soldiers, he panicked and offered a sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Samuel.

1 Samuel 13:12 (NLT) – “So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.” Fear always tries to justify disobedience. Saul’s math was simple: scattering soldiers + late prophet + looming enemy = act now, ask later.

Samuel’s response cut deep: “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you… The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:13–14) Every sin begins as a failure to trust. Faith waits when fear wants to rush. Trust trades the best I can do for the best God can do.

2. A heart after God moves from expedience to obedience.

Expedience means taking the convenient shortcut even if it’s not right. Saul did this when God told him to destroy everything from the Amalekites—but he spared what “appealed to them.”

1 Samuel 15:9 (NLT) – “They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.” Saul tried to spin his compromise as worship: “My troops brought in the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 15:21)

But Samuel said it plainly: 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT) – “Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”

God’s commands aren’t arbitrary; they’re descriptions of reality. Break them, and you break yourself. Saul had titles but no truth-tellers. He was surrounded by people who agreed, not people who corrected. You can only be as accountable as you make yourself. Integrity means doing what’s right even when no one’s watching.

3. A heart after God moves from reputation to repentance.

Saul confessed, but even his repentance was about saving face.

1 Samuel 15:30 (NLT) – “I know I have sinned. But please, at least honor me before the elders of my people.” Even after rejection, Saul cared more about appearance than obedience. His pride valued reputation over repentance.

True repentance isn’t saying “I was wrong, but…” It’s humbling ourselves before God without excuses. Like a band leader who turns his back to the audience, we must learn to lead our hearts by listening to one voice—God’s.

The Man of the Moment: God’s Heart in David

1 Samuel 16:1 (NLT) – “Fill your horn with oil… I have provided for myself a king.” God rejected Saul and raised up David. Saul had been anointed from a man-made flask; David was anointed from a God-made horn. The difference was divine. “The Lord was with David, but had departed from Saul.” (1 Samuel 18:12)

And centuries later, Jesus says in Revelation 22:16 (NLT), “I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne.” Jesus didn’t just come from David’s line—He was the source of David’s heart. The same grace that anointed David flows from Christ to us.

Saul represents human effort—trying to please God by our own strength. David represents grace—trusting the power of God’s Spirit. Every good thing that qualified David before God was rooted in Jesus.

When we fail, Jesus offers forgiveness, transformation, and power. He alone gives us a heart after God.

Talking Points:
  • Today we’ll contrast Saul and David to see what it takes to have a heart after God. Saul’s downfall exposes three spiritual drift patterns we all face: fear, expedience, and pride.
  • Fear leads to disobedience. Saul acted out of panic instead of trust, showing that every sin begins as a failure to trust. 1 Samuel 13:8–14, Romans 14:23
  • Expedience takes shortcuts, but obedience honors God’s commands even when it’s costly. Saul chose convenience over integrity. 1 Samuel 15:9, 15:21–22
  • Pride values reputation over repentance. Saul confessed, but even his repentance was about saving face. 1 Samuel 15:30
  • Saul represents human effort—trying to please God by our own strength. David represents grace—trusting the power of God’s Spirit. Every good thing that qualified David before God was rooted in Jesus. Revelation 22:16
Discussion:
  1. Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
  2. “It’s possible to look the part and lack the power.” Explain this phenomenon in Saul’s life. Is it still true in politics today? Discuss.
  3. When have you acted out of fear instead of faith? What did that reveal about your trust in God?
  4. Why do shortcuts feel so tempting, even when we know obedience is better? Give an example.
  5. Saul wanted to “save face” after his failure. Share a time when you did this. 
  6. Read Revelation 22:16. What does it mean that “Every good thing that qualified David before God was rooted in Jesus”? 
  7. Where are you currently being tested in trust, obedience, or humility? What would it look like to respond with a heart like David’s?
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STUDENT GROUP GUIDE

David: A Heart After God — Week 1

Topic: Saul vs. David – What’s a Heart After God?
Audience: Middle School Students
Time: ~45 minutes

Instructions for Leaders

Take turns reading each section out loud, including the Bible passages. Pause to discuss the questions after each section. Keep it conversational and fun — students don’t have to have all the answers. The goal is to help them understand what it means to have a heart after God.

Icebreaker: “The Hidden Heart Challenge”

Setup:
Bring 3 boxes or bags — all look similar on the outside.
Inside one, hide something valuable (like candy or a small prize).
The other two can have random junk items (like a rock, crumpled paper, or a tissue).

How to Play:

  1. Have students take turns guessing which box they think has the “treasure.”
  2. Once all votes are in, reveal what’s inside each box.
  3. Celebrate the winner, then ask a few questions:
    • “Why did you pick that one?”
    • “Did the outside match what was inside?”

Connect it:

“That’s exactly what Israel did with King Saul. He looked like the perfect leader on the outside, but his heart wasn’t right with God. David didn’t look like much, but his heart was what God wanted. Today we’re going to learn what it means to have a heart after God.”

1️⃣ Fear vs. Trust

Read: 1 Samuel 13:8–14
Saul was surrounded by enemies, and he freaked out. Instead of waiting for Samuel like God told him to, Saul tried to handle things his own way. His fear made him disobey.

Discuss:

  • Why do you think Saul panicked?
  • What’s something that makes you panic or want to take control instead of trusting God?
  • How can you remind yourself to wait on God when you feel afraid?

Takeaway:

Fear rushes. Faith waits. Trusting God means letting Him lead, even when things feel out of control.

2️⃣ Shortcuts vs. Obedience

Read: 1 Samuel 15:9, 21–22
God told Saul to completely destroy the enemy’s stuff — but Saul kept what he liked and said it was “for God.” He took a shortcut instead of obeying fully.

Discuss:

  • Why do shortcuts feel easier than obeying sometimes?
  • What happens when we try to “sort of” obey God?
  • What’s one way you can choose obedience this week even when it’s hard?

Takeaway:

God doesn’t want our excuses or half-obedience. He wants our hearts — people who do what’s right because we love Him.

3️⃣ Reputation vs. Repentance

Read: 1 Samuel 15:30
Even after Saul messed up, he cared more about looking good than being real. He said, “Please honor me in front of the people,” instead of just saying, “I was wrong.”

Discuss:

  • Why do people (including us) care so much about what others think?
  • What’s the difference between saying “I’m sorry” and actually changing?
  • What does real repentance look like in your life?

Takeaway:

God doesn’t want perfect people — He wants humble people who admit when they’ve messed up and turn back to Him.

❤️ The Man After God’s Heart

Read: 1 Samuel 16:1, 18:12 & Revelation 22:16
God replaced Saul with David — a man after His heart. But the real secret wasn’t David’s strength or skill. It was God’s Spirit working in him. And that same Spirit works in us through Jesus!

Discuss:

  • What made David different from Saul?
  • How does Jesus help us have a heart like David’s?
  • What’s one way you can show a heart after God this week?

Takeaway:

Having a heart after God means trusting Jesus, obeying His Word, and staying humble when we fail.

Closing Thought

Saul looked like a king, but David lived like one — because he let God lead his heart. God still looks for people like that today. You don’t have to be perfect — just willing to trust and follow Him.

Challenge

This week, when you feel afraid, rushed, or tempted to take a shortcut — pause and pray:

“God, help me have a heart after You.”
Then do the right thing, even if it’s hard. That’s what real faith looks like.

Lesson 2: The Making Of

Lesson audio coming soon!

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DAVID: THE MAKING OF

God’s promises always come with a process. The making of a man or woman of God happens long before the moment of recognition — in hidden places, through faithful obedience, and in God’s perfect timing.

The Development Process

Like an old photograph developed in the darkroom, God shapes His people in unseen places. The image is already there on the negative, but if it’s exposed too soon, it’s ruined. David’s greatness began long before his battle with Goliath — in the ordinary routines of shepherding and serving.

1 Samuel 17:17–20 (NLT) records David running errands for his father: “Take this cheese to your brothers.” His big moment started with a small act of obedience. The kingdom of God grows through faithfulness in little things. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.” Matthew 25:21.

If you’re too big to serve, you’re too small to lead. The world celebrates promotion; God celebrates obedience. Every “cheese run” assignment is part of God’s shaping process.

Takeaway: This week, identify one “inglorious” assignment and do it as worship. Be faithful in the unnoticed moments—because that’s where God develops His leaders. Colossians 3:23.

Private Victories Protect Public Callings

When Saul doubted David’s ability to face Goliath, David replied, “Your servant has killed both lion and bear… The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” 1 Samuel 17:34–37 (NLT).

David didn’t stumble into courage by accident—it was forged in solitude. Faith grows in private battles. Those unseen victories prepared him for public triumphs.

Life doesn’t change that much — the stakes just get higher. The lions and bears in our lives represent private temptations and struggles we must conquer before facing public challenges. Hidden obedience produces visible power.

James 1:15 warns, “These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” Proverbs 28:13 reminds us, “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”

Takeaway: Identify your “lions and bears” — pride, envy, deceit, or lust — and bring them into the light. Confess and seek accountability. James 5:16; 1 John 1:7.

Learn to Walk in Your Own Armor

Saul tried to outfit David with his own armor, but David refused: “I cannot go in these… because I’m not used to them.” 1 Samuel 17:38–40 (NLT). David knew that his sling was better than a sword that didn’t fit.

If you don’t walk in it, you can’t war in it. God equips each of us uniquely. Your tools may look different from others, but they’re exactly what God has given you for your calling.

Interestingly, David picked up five smooth stones — not because he doubted God, but perhaps because he was ready for more. 2 Samuel 21:22 tells us Goliath had four relatives who were also giants. David’s faith said, “God, I’m ready for them too.”

Takeaway: Clarify what’s in your hand. Discover your spiritual gifts and use them faithfully. 1 Timothy 4:14–16.

God Prepares the Worker and the Work

David’s triumph over Goliath mirrored God’s earlier victory over the false god Dagon. 1 Samuel 5:1–4 (NLT) describes how Dagon fell before the Ark of God, his head and hands broken off. Years later, David cut off Goliath’s head — a prophetic echo of God’s supremacy.

God was preparing this moment for David — not just David for this moment. The same pattern is seen in Abraham, Moses, Nehemiah, and the disciples. God’s preparation always runs ahead of our participation.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) declares, “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” God isn’t improvising your story — He’s orchestrating it.

Takeaway: Look for divine appointments this week—open doors, timely conversations, and small nudges. God is always one step ahead of you.

The Making of a Man or Woman of God

David’s greatness wasn’t built in a day—it was built in the darkroom of faithfulness. 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) says, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” Everything needed for your destiny is already within you through Christ.

Like a child growing into their DNA, God’s image in you is still developing. The process takes time, but the picture is forming. Stay faithful in the hidden places—because that’s where God does His best work.

God’s promises always come with a process. Let Him bring your life into focus.

Talking Points:

● God develops His people in hidden places, not the spotlight. Like a photograph in a darkroom, His image forms over time. 1 Samuel 17:17–20.

● Destiny often arrives disguised as ordinary assignments. Faithfulness in “cheese runs” reveals true leadership. Matthew 25:21.

● Private victories protect public callings. David’s courage came from years of unseen faithfulness. 1 Samuel 17:34–37.

● Small private compromises lead to public collapse. Confession and accountability preserve your calling. James 5:16; Proverbs 28:13.

● God calls you to walk in your own armor — not to copy someone else’s. 1 Samuel 17:38–40.

● God prepares both the worker and the work. Every divine appointment is part of His design. Ephesians 2:10.

● Spiritual maturity means trusting God’s timing in the process, not rushing His promises. 2 Peter 1:3.

Discussion:
  1. Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
  2. Why do you think God develops leaders in hidden seasons before public ones? Can you think of a time He prepared you quietly before a big moment?
  3. What are some “cheese run” moments in your life — small acts of obedience that revealed your heart?
  4. How can you win your “private battles” so you’re ready for public callings? What practical steps help with accountability?
  5. Why is it important to walk in your own armor instead of copying someone else’s calling?
  6. How does it encourage you to know that God prepares both you and your circumstances in advance?
  7. Which part of “the making of” process do you find hardest right now — waiting, trusting, or staying faithful? What truth from this lesson helps you persevere?
Click for Student Edition

David: The Making Of — Student Lesson

Intro

Today we’re talking about how God develops His people — not in the spotlight, but in secret. David became a hero because of years of unseen faithfulness. God’s promises come with a process, and He uses ordinary moments to make extraordinary people.

Icebreaker: “The Cheese Run Challenge”

Bring slices of cheese or wrapped snacks labeled with tasks (like “take this to your teammate”). Have students deliver them quickly around the room. Afterwards, ask:

  • How did it feel doing something simple and unnoticed?
  • Would you do it if no one thanked you?

Connect it: That’s exactly what David did. Before he faced Goliath, he ran errands for his dad. God often tests us with small things before big things.

1. Faithfulness in the Ordinary

Read: 1 Samuel 17:17–20
David’s big moment began when he was doing something small — delivering food. God notices when we serve quietly.

Discuss:

  • Why do you think God cares about small acts of obedience?
  • What’s something “ordinary” you can do this week for God?

Takeaway: If you’re too big to serve, you’re too small to lead.

2. Winning in Private

Read: 1 Samuel 17:34–37
Before David fought Goliath, he fought lions and bears. Those private victories gave him courage later.

Discuss:

  • What are your “lions and bears” — things you need to overcome privately?
  • How can you build trust in God when no one’s watching?

Takeaway: Private victories protect public callings.

3. Walk in Your Own Armor

Read: 1 Samuel 17:38–40
Saul tried to make David wear his armor, but it didn’t fit. David used what God had given him — his sling and stones.

Discuss:

  • What’s your “sling” — a talent or skill God has given you?
  • Why is it dangerous to compare yourself to others?

Takeaway: God made you unique — use what He’s given you.

4. God Prepares the Worker and the Work

Read: Ephesians 2:10
God was preparing David for the battle and the battle for David. The same is true for you.

Discuss:

  • How does it change your attitude to know God is already preparing your future?
  • What can you do today to stay ready?

Takeaway: God is always one step ahead of you.

Outro

David’s story reminds us that greatness grows in secret. God is developing you right now — through school, chores, friendships, and faithfulness. Be patient with the process; the image is forming.

Closing Thought: Everything you need for godly living is already in you through Christ. Let Him bring your story into focus.

Challenge: This week, look for one ordinary way to serve others faithfully — even if no one notices. Do it for God.

This lesson is coming soon. 

This lesson is coming soon. 

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