This lesson teaches children that God remembers His promises and that they can thank Him by remembering the wonderful things He has done. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises, so we can thank Him, tell others about Him, and remember what He has done for us.
Memory Verse
Psalm 105:1
Give thanks to the LORD! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples.
(WEB)
Have children stand up, cup their hands near their mouths like a megaphone, and call out “Give thanks to the Lord!” together. Then have them clap twice on every word of “Call on his name” so the verse becomes a song they can remember.
The Story: Psalm 105 for Kids
Long ago, God made a promise to a man named Abraham. God said that Abraham’s family would become a great nation and would one day live in a land of their own. Abraham trusted God, even when he was old and had no children for a long time.
Abraham’s son Isaac had a son named Jacob, and God repeated the same promise to him. Jacob’s family grew, but for a while they were strangers in a foreign land. God protected them and did not let anyone hurt them, even when kings were nearby.
Then came a boy named Joseph, whom his own brothers had sold as a slave. Joseph was thrown into prison, but God was with him the whole time. Joseph was later set free and became an important ruler in Egypt. Through him, God saved many people from a great famine, and Joseph’s family was able to come to Egypt for food.
Years went by, and Jacob’s family grew into a large people. The king of Egypt became afraid of them and made them work very hard. But God heard their cries. God sent His servants Moses and Aaron to speak to the king. Moses said, “Let God’s people go!” The king said no, so God sent many signs, including frogs, flies, and hail, to show His power.
At last, God led His people out of Egypt. He guided them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When they were thirsty, He brought water out of a rock. When they were hungry, He sent quail and bread from heaven. God kept every promise He had made.
The story ends with joy. God brought His people out with singing, and He gave them the land He had promised to Abraham. The people were thankful, and they praised Him for His faithful love.
Read It Together
Psalm 105:4-5
4 Seek the LORD and his strength. Seek his face forever more. 5 Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth…
(WEB)
Point out the words “seek” and “remember.” Ask children what it means to look for God every day and to think about the good things He has done. Show them that remembering helps our hearts stay thankful.
Psalm 105:8-9
8 He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, 9 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac…
(WEB)
Point out that God “has remembered his covenant forever.” Explain that a covenant is a promise, and that God never forgets His promises. Let children name a promise God has kept in their own lives.
Psalm 105:41-42
41 He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. They ran as a river in the dry places. 42 For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant.
(WEB)
Point out the water flowing from the rock in the desert. Remind children that God gave His people what they needed in a dry, hard place, and that God remembers His people in every season.
Talk About It
- What is one thing God has done for you that you want to thank Him for today?
- Why do you think God wants His people to remember His wonderful works?
- How did God keep Joseph safe and bring good out of a hard time?
- What did God give the people when they were thirsty and hungry in the desert?
- How can you tell someone else about what God has done?
Activity Ideas
Thank-You Rock Painting
You will need small smooth rocks, washable paint, and a paintbrush for each child. Have each child paint a picture or word that reminds them of something God has done, such as a rainbow, a river, or a bread shape for the manna. Let them set the rocks on a windowsill as a daily reminder to remember God’s works.
Remember-the-Wonders Relay
Clear a space in your room and place small cards around it with pictures from the story: a cloud, a frog, a rock, a quail, and a crown. Divide children into two teams. Each child runs to a card, hops or walks like the creature or item, and then says one thing God did in the story. Keep the energy high and cheer for each correct answer.
Thankful Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each day for a week, have your child write or draw one thing God has done for them and drop it into the jar. At the end of the week, open the jar together and read each slip aloud while thanking God for each gift.
Teacher Notes
Psalm 105 is a song that calls God’s people to remember His faithful promises and mighty acts, from Abraham through the exodus. For adults, it shows that God’s faithfulness spans generations and that remembering His works strengthens our trust in Him, especially in hard seasons.
Avoid overstating how God works in every moment as a simple formula for children. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and character rather than suggesting that obeying always brings easy results, since the story itself includes long waiting and suffering.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You for keeping every promise You have made. Help us remember the wonderful things You have done, and help us tell others about You. Fill our hearts with thankfulness today and every day. Amen.
