“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
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
2. Fall Harvest 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.”
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
