In this lesson, children learn that God is good and his love lasts forever, so we can always give thanks to him, even when we feel scared or surrounded. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including a short story, a memory verse, and an activity.
Big Idea
God is good, his love never runs out, and when we are scared, we can thank him because he helps us. Even when things feel hard, God is always on our side.
Memory Verse
Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
(WEB)
Teach children to cup their hands together like they are holding a gift, then slowly open them wide, as if giving that gift to God. Say “Give thanks!” each time you open your hands. Repeat the verse together while doing the motion.
The Story: Psalm 118 for Kids
A man named David wrote a song about God. He was in a hard place. Enemies came close to him, like a swarm of bees buzzing all around. He felt frightened and did not know what to do. So he called out to God for help.
God heard David and set him free from his trouble. David knew that God was on his side. He said, “The Lord is on my side. I will not be afraid.” David did not have to fear what people could do to him, because God was his helper.
David also remembered that God is stronger than any powerful person. He wrote that it is better to trust the Lord than to trust even the mightiest kings. God was his strength and his song. God had become his salvation, which means he rescued him.
When David came back to the place where God’s people gathered to worship, he was full of joy. The people sang and celebrated. David said he would thank God forever, because God’s love lasts forever. The gates were open, and everyone went in to give thanks.
David talked about a stone that the builders threw away, but then it became the most important stone of all. He said this was God’s doing, and it was wonderful to see. Then he said, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it!”
The song ends the same way it begins: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his love endures forever.” God is good, and he can be trusted every day.
Read It Together
Psalm 118:5-6
5 Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom. 6 The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
(WEB)
Point out that David called out to God when he was in trouble, and God answered him. Ask children when they might call out to God for help, and remind them that God hears every prayer, big or small.
Psalm 118:14
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.
(WEB)
Show children that God is described as our strength and our song. Explain that God gives us courage to face hard things, and we can sing to him because he is faithful.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
(WEB)
Point out the word “day” and say that every day is a gift from God. Help children name something good that happened today and thank God for it together.
Talk About It
- What is something that makes you feel scared, and what can you say to God when you feel that way?
- How does David’s song show you that God is strong when we are weak?
- Can you tell about a time when you saw God help someone you know?
- Why do you think the builders’ rejected stone became so important, and what does that teach us about God’s plans?
- What is one reason you can give thanks to God today, and how can you show your thankfulness at home?
Activity Ideas
Thank You Stone Drawing
You will need plain paper, crayons or markers, and a few small smooth stones if you have them. Ask each child to draw a stone and write or draw one thing they are thankful to God for inside it. Explain that just like the stone in the psalm became very important, God can use every small thing to build something good in our lives. Let children share their stones with the class.
Ring the Gates Game
You will need a clear open space and some masking tape or string to mark two lines as “gates.” Have children walk toward the gates while calling out, “I will give thanks to the Lord!” When they cross, let them spin once and cheer. Repeat the game several times so children connect the psalm’s gates with joyful thankfulness. Keep the movement lively but safe.
Family Thank-You Jar
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen or pencil. Place the jar on the kitchen table or near the front door. Each day, ask every family member to write one thing they are thankful for and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips together and thank God as a family, just as David did when he remembered God’s goodness.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving written by someone who had been in serious danger and was rescued. It reminds the faithful that God’s steadfast love lasts forever and that trusting him is wiser than trusting human power. Many Christians also see in verse 22 a picture of the stone that God chose as the foundation of his people, which points forward to Jesus.
With children, avoid overstating the details of the psalm’s history or its specific enemies, since the text does not name them. Keep the focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness, and avoid promising that trusting God will always remove every hard circumstance. Teach that God is with us even in hard times.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are good and your love lasts forever. Help us remember that you are on our side when we feel scared. Thank you for being our strength and our song, and for helping us every day. Help us to give thanks to you with our whole hearts. Amen.
