Session 9: Courage to Go – Isaiah & David Livingstone

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1–8
Memory Verse: Isaiah 6:8
Mission Focus: David Livingstone (Scotland → Africa)
Theme: Courage to go

Series: https://truewaykids.com/missions-big-world-bigger-god/

Lesson Overview

Welcome to Session 9 of Missions: Big World, Bigger God—where children continue discovering that God’s big love reaches across the whole world.

In this session, children explore Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness and then step into the life of David Livingstone—a missionary, doctor, and explorer who followed God’s call to Africa with courage and determination.

This lesson helps children understand that God calls His people to go, and we can answer with courage and obedience.

• God is holy.
• God forgives.
• God makes us ready.
• God gives courage to go.

Through Isaiah and David Livingstone, children will see that courage does not mean everything is easy or safe. Courage means trusting God, listening to His call, and saying yes—even when the road ahead is unknown.

• Isaiah answered, “Here am I. Send me!”
• David Livingstone was ready to go forward.
• We can trust God wherever He leads.

What Children Will Learn

Children will learn that:

• God is holy and worthy of worship
• Isaiah saw God’s glory in the temple
• Isaiah knew he needed God’s forgiveness
• God made Isaiah clean and ready to serve
• Isaiah answered God’s call by saying, “Here am I. Send me!”
• God gives us courage to obey Him
• David Livingstone followed God’s call to Africa
• Courage means trusting God even when the journey is hard
• God can use us right where we are and wherever He sends us

📖 Bible Focus: Isaiah’s Call

This session begins with Isaiah’s vision from Isaiah 6:1–8.

Children discover that:

• God is holy and great
• we need God’s forgiveness
• God makes us ready to serve Him
• courage comes from trusting God
• we can answer God’s call with obedience
• God still calls His people to love, serve, and go

Isaiah shows us that God does not call perfect people. He forgives, prepares, and gives courage to those who say yes.

🌍 Mission Story: David Livingstone

Children are then introduced to David Livingstone, a missionary from Scotland who served in Africa.

Children will learn how David:

• worked hard from a young age
• kept learning even when life was difficult
• trained as a doctor to help others
• followed God’s call to Africa
• travelled through deserts, rivers, and thick bush
• cared for the sick and shared the gospel
• kept going through sickness, danger, hunger, and hardship
• spoke out against the slave trade
• trusted God when the journey was long and difficult

David Livingstone’s life helps children see that courage is saying yes to God, even when we do not know everything that will happen next.

His famous saying becomes a key thought for this lesson: “I will go anywhere, provided it be forward.”

🎥 Watch the Story Videos

Isaiah’s Call Bible Story (2:21)

David Livingstone Story Video (1:57)

David Livingstone Short Story Video (6:07)

Lesson Resources

Everything you need to teach this session in one place:

• Clear teaching guide with step-by-step lesson flow
• Interactive opening activity: Go When You Hear
• Group games including Find the Way and Build the Path
• Bible teaching from Isaiah 6:1–8
• Missionary focus on David Livingstone in Africa
• Memory verse activity for Isaiah 6:8
• Discussion questions and prayer prompts
• Printable worksheets and reinforcement pages
• Crafts including Send Me Compass Craft, African Sunset Scene, and Send Me Footprints
• Take-home challenge and reward badge

Printable Story Booklets Optional:

Includes fully illustrated David Livingstone comic booklet. Ideal for take-home use, review, and helping children retell the lesson.

FREE DOWNLOAD

Translations