Praising God Through the Psalms-Week 3~Psalm 3 (9/27)

                     “Praise God Through the Psalms”

Week 3: Psalm 3

Main Idea: God is described as a shield who protects His people. Through this lesson, the passage shows that the ultimate way that God shields His people is through Jesus’ death on the cross in place of us which shields His people from His anger...anger towards sin.

Bible Reading: Psalm 3

Introduction: “Needs vs. Wants”– – Put a large piece of paper up in the room or on the table. Divide it in the middle and write “needs” on one side and “wants” on the other side. Have your child fill the page with words or pictures that describing things that are either needs or wants. After they have finished, chat with them about how they decided what was a need and what was a want. Help them out by suggesting other things that they may not have put on the page and have them decide if those things are needs or wants.

1. Read: Psalm 3
2. Discuss the Passage: After reading the passage, ask what they

heard in these verses about who God is and what He does. Point out that 2 of the major truths that this Psalm points out about God is that He is a shield who protects His people and He sustains or provides for His people.

• Reread verse 5. What does God do while you’re sleeping? Have them lie on the floor with their eyes closed. Ask them to tell you what they are doing. Help them by pointing out things like breathing, heart beating, blood pumping, etc. 

What do you have to do to make those things happen? Help them to see that this is one of the things we mean when we say that God sustains...He keeps our heart beating, He keeps our lungs working so we can breathe, etc.

3. Cross Connection: Read Acts 17:24-25. God sustains (and even gives in the 1st place) physical life. We wake up each more because He is sovereign (in charge) over all things and He chooses for us to wake up. We breathe because He chooses for us to be able to breathe. Ask, “This is what God does for all people, but how does He sustain (or keep) the life of His chosen people?”

4. Discussion:

• God gives new life through Christ and sustains the spiritual life of His people as well. Remind them that on our own we are all sinners who deserve to die for our sin (Romans 3:23 & 6:23), but through faith in Jesus and believing that He died for our sins God gives His people eternal life (John 3:16). Salvation is a FREE gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that we don’t deserve it, we can’t do anything to earn it, but God gave His children the gift of eternal life.

5. Make a “Praise Shield” Activity: Read through Psalm 3 again and point out what David says about God in verse 3 – that God is a shield who protects Him. Hand out the paper plates and explain that you want them to fill the bottom (not the side you put food on) of the plate with words or pictures that describe who God is or what He is like. Then, give each kid a strip of paper that can be stapled onto the top (the food side) of the plate to form a handle. As kids work, talk about how God acts as a shield protecting His people physically, but also the knowledge of Him protects us in various situations.... For example, knowing that God heals is a comfort to someone who is sick, or knowing God is sovereign (in control) is a comfort when things seem to be in chaos and out of control around you, etc.

  

6. Take Away: Remind them that the ultimate way that God protects His people is protecting them from His own wrath by sending Jesus to die on the cross in our place.

Prayer: Ask about the truths that they see about God from this passage...the things they drew on their praise shields, the things they drew or wrote on their pages, etc.
Close in prayer time by praising God for the truths that you see about Him in this Psalm and praying that they would really get to know the character of God through this study on Psalms.

Application: Print Psalm 3 on one side of a piece of paper and on the back print “I should praise God because He is ____________” (leave the rest of the page blank for drawing.

1. write a verse from the passage that they want to remember
2. write a reason to praise God that they see in the Psalm
3. draw of something from the passage that they think is important.

Coloring Pages:

1. God’s Love Has No Limits

Click here to download & print coloring page.

2. Shield of Faith Protects Me

Click here to download & print this coloring sheet.

Lesson adapted from https://ministry-to-children.com/psalm-3-lesson/

Praising God Through the Psalms-Week 2~Psalm 2 (9/20)

 “Praise God Through the Psalms”

¯ Week 2: Psalm 2

 

Main Idea: Through the book of Psalms and the worship of the people of Israel, we get to see who God is; His character and how we should respond to and worship Him. In Psalm 2 we see God described as a refuge or shelter. One of the greatest problems we all experience in our lives is sin, yet Jesus is the refuge sinners can run to for forgiveness.

***Parents, this is an intense chapter. Talking about God's wrath and hatred of sin. It is up to you how you would like to discuss it with your child. You can incorporate Psalms 18 and 23 to help you lighten the content. 

Bible Reading: Psalm 2


Object Lesson Materials (optional): a printout of “Psalm 2” for each child, markers, a couple of bed sheets, some rope, packing tape

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Opening Activity (optional): 

Play “Name the Bible Character”- give clues for them to guess who you’re thinking of from the Bible. Try to think of Bible characters that you know children might be familiar with and some that will make them think. You can encourage them to guess after each new clue is given.
Example: “I’m a man. I’m in the Old Testament. You can read about me in the book of Genesis. I had a twin brother. I was the youngest of the twins. My father is Isaac. I lied to trick my brother out of His birthright…. I am Jacob.” 

Introduction: God shows who He is in the Psalms. Each week, we’ll look at a different Psalm and see what that Psalm teaches us about God and there will be opportunities to praise God based on what you see in the Psalm.

1.    Read: Psalm 2

2.   Discuss the Passage: Hand out printouts of the text and markers and have kids underline names/ titles/ characteristics of God that they see in this passage. Name the things in Psalm 2 that are talking about God and then underline them in the passage.
God is the King over the whole earth, the Judge over the whole world, and the One His people can take refuge in.

 

3.   Personal Stories: Ask kids to share stories of times they’ve been scared and where (or to whom) they went for refuge (shelter). Be prepared with your own story to share.

4.   Cross Connection: Read verse 12 again. What does it mean to take refuge in God? Think of what a fort does. What is the purpose of a fort? It is a safe place. A place to rest and take refuge, a place to hide and be protected.

o   Read Psalm 18:2- is another reminder of taking refuge in God. What do people need protection from? 

o   Read Romans 6:23 as a reminder of what all people deserve. How can God protect us from His own wrath?

o   Read Romans 5:8- remind kids that even though we all deserve the wrath of God, we can take refuge in Him instead because Jesus took the punishment that each of us deserve when He died on the cross in our place.

Prayer: Ask your child to share the truths that they see about God from this passage. Before you pray, name 3 things you praise God for. Pray that they would really get to know the character of God through this study this year.

Game/Activity (optional): 

If you have any extra time at the end, play “Gospel 4 Corners”
Assign the 4 corners of the room as being Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. Explain to the kids in the group that the whole Bible teaches us about Jesus, but that those 4 books of the Bible talk about the years that He lived on earth. Choose one kid to stand against a wall (or outside of the room) with their eyes closed. The rest of the kids will choose one of the corners of the room and stand there. The kid with his eyes closed will name one of the Gospels and everyone in that corner is out. Continue play until all kids have been caught ‘out.’ If time allows, let another child be the caller.

Application: Print the text of Psalm 2 on one side of a piece of paper and on the back print “I should praise God because He is ____________” (leave the rest of the page blank for drawing.

 

Adapted from: https://ministry-to-children.com/psalm-2-lesson/

Coloring & Activity Pages:

 

1.    Psalm Coloring Page 

Click here to download & print the coloring page.

       

2.   Fall Harvest Word search 

Click here to download & print the word search.

Psalm 2

¹ Why do the nations conspire^[a]
    and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
³ “Let us break their chains
    and throw off their shackles.”

⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ He rebukes them in his anger
    and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
⁶ “I have installed my king
    on Zion, my holy mountain.”

⁷ I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;
    today I have become your father.
⁸ Ask me,
    and I will make the nations your inheritance,
    the ends of the earth your possession.
⁹ You will break them with a rod of iron^[b];
    you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise;
    be warned, you rulers of the earth.
¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear
    and celebrate his rule with trembling.
¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in

NEW FALL SERIES: Praise God Through the Psalms-Week 1~Psalm 1

 September 13, 2020

 

“Praise God Through the Psalms”

¯ Week 1: Psalm 1

 

Main Idea: Through the book of Psalms and the worship of the people of Israel, we get a glimpse into the character of God and how we should respond to Him in worship. In Psalm 1 we see the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Only because of the blood of Jesus that anyone is made righteous.

 

Bible Reading: Psalm 1

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Introduction: We will be working through the Book of Psalms and getting to know God as He is reveled in the Psalms. each week, we’ll look at a different Psalm and see what that Psalm teaches us about God and that you’ll have an opportunity to praise God based on what you see in the Psalm.

1.   Read: Psalm 1

2.  Discuss the Passage: After reading the Psalm, talk through the passage.  Talk about the differences between “those who are blessed” and “the wicked.” 

i)    What things do you see in the passage that describes the difference between God’s people and the people in the world? 

3.  Compare this passage to the story of the wise and foolish builders from Matthew 7:24-27. Help the kids see that the foundation of the rock that the wise builder built on is the truth of God. A foundation is what holds a building together and helps the building stand tall and strong. God needs to be the foundation of our life. To build your life on God, you need to know God. Name things that they know to be true about God.

 

4.  Cross Connection: Reread Psalm 1:5-6. Who are “sinners/ wicked” and who are the “righteous”? Read Romans 3:10-12 as a reminder that we are all sinners and we are all wicked. Remind kids that the only way to be counted as one of the righteous is through the blood of Jesus (Romans 3:22, Romans 4:5 & Romans 5:18). 

 

5.   Take Away: The righteous man mentioned is not righteous because of anything He has done, but only because of faith in Jesus.

Closing Prayer: Remember to praise God for the truths that you see about Him in this Psalm. Pray that your children would really get to know the character of God through this study.

 

Application: 

1.   What is one verse from the passage that you want to remember?

2.  What is a reason to praise God that you see in the Psalm?

3.  Print the text of the Psalm verse you want to remember on one side of a piece of paper and on the back print “I should praise God because He is __________.”

 

 

Coloring & Activity Pages: 

1.   Psalm 1 Coloring Page

Click here to download & print coloring page.

2.  Psalm 1 Word Search

Click here to download & print wordsearch.

 

Derived from: https://ministry-to-children.com/psalm-1-lesson/

PreK-5th Grade Lesson: God is Faithful~Story of Hosea (9/06)

 GOD IS FAITHFUL

• Key Verse: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.”

~Deuteronomy 7:9

 

• We are talking about the story of Hosea and how it’s a picture of God’s faithfulness to unfaithful people, people who don’t deserve rescuing. 

 

• Additional Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 7:9, 32:4, Psalm 25:10, Psalm 33:4

 

 

Main Idea: GOD IS FAITHFUL-Story of Hosea

Read the key verse for the week; Deuteronomy 7:9 and help define what faithful means. God is faithfulmeans that He keeps His promises and always does what He says He will do. 

Tell the story of Hosea in your own words using the following outline:

1. Hosea was a prophet of God during a time when the people of Israel were particularly unfaithful to God.
2. God had continued to be faithful to His people (as He always is), but His people weren’t being faithful to Him~ they were worshipping false gods and turning their back on God.
3. In order to teach the people of Israel about God’s faithfulness and their unfaithfulness, God told Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer who wouldn’t be faithful to him~ someone who wouldn’t keep her marriage promises to him and would leave him to love another man.
4. God told Hosea that every time his wife left him and broke her promises to him that he should take her back and forgive her.
5. God wanted Hosea & Gomer’s marriage to be a picture of God’s love for His people. God wanted the people to see that even when they are unfaithful and follow other gods that He is always faithful.  
6. Over and over in the book of Hosea, God sends Hosea to the people of Israel to tell them to repent of their unfaithfulness and come back to Him. Then, He tells Hosea to tell the people that He will punish their unfaithfulness, but that He will still be faithful to His promise to rescue His people and will forgive them when they repent.

 

 

Remember:

FAITHFUL = RELIABLE, TRUSTED, TRUE TO HIS WORD, KEEPS HIS PROMISES 

Ask…. “How did we see God being faithful in this story?” 

Read the additional verses that show of God being faithful. (Deuteronomy 7:9, 32:4, Psalm 25:10, Psalm 33:4)

 

Connection:

The truth we see in the Bible is that all of us are like Hosea’s wife. We have all sinned and are all unfaithful to God.  The story of Hosea and his wife is the story of all of us and God. The story of the Bible though is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Read 1 John 1:8-9. That’s the good news. God promised long ago to rescue His people and He is faithful and will do what He said He would~ and He fulfills this promise through His son, Jesus.

 

Pray:

Pray that you will remember and see God’s faithfulness in their life knowing that He will always do what he has promised.

 

 

Application:

Grab a blank piece of paper and provide markers or colored pencils. Write the word faithful somewhere on the paper. Parents, you write or draw something to help them remember this attribute of God. They could write the definition for faithful or the memory verse or draw any of the passages you read about God being faithful. 

 

Coloring & Activity Pages:

1.    God is Faithful 

 

Click here to download & print coloring page.

 

2.   Hosea Word Search 

 

Click here to download & print activity.

 

 

 

 

Lesson derived from Ministry-To-Children (https://ministry-to-children.com/god-is-faithful-lesson-2/)