This lesson teaches children that God is kind to us so that everyone in the world can come to know him and praise him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with room for a short activity.
Big Idea
God blesses us so that people all over the world can learn about him and join us in saying thank you. His goodness is meant to be shared with everyone.
Memory Verse
Psalm 67:3
Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
(WEB)
Stand up tall with arms stretched wide, then bring your hands together in front of your heart. Say the verse slowly as you do it, and ask the children to copy you. Repeat it three times, a little faster each time.
The Story: Psalm 67 for Kids
Long ago, a songwriter sat down to write a song to God. He wanted God to be kind to his people. He asked God to be gracious to them and to smile on them. He knew that good things come from God, and he wanted everyone to see how good God is.
The songwriter had an important hope. He wanted all the nations of the world to learn about God’s ways and God’s help. He pictured people from every land coming together to sing. Some were far away, and some were close by, but everyone would know God.
The songwriter said, “Let the peoples praise you, God.” He said it again to make sure it was heard. He wanted every family, every town, and every country to join in the praise. Imagine a huge choir with voices from every corner of the earth.
In the song, the people also thank God for the harvest. The fields had grown food, and the people were grateful. They knew that God was the one who gave them the good soil, the rain, and the sunshine. They said, “God will bless us,” and they trusted him to keep doing it.
The song ends with a bright promise. People everywhere will honor God, the way someone honors a good friend who has helped them. The whole world will one day be filled with respect for him.
Read It Together
Psalm 67:1-2
1 May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah. 2 That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations…
(WEB)
Point out that the psalm begins with asking God for mercy and blessing. Ask the children what they think it means for God’s face to shine on us. Explain that it is a picture of God looking on us with kindness and care.
Psalm 67:4
Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah.
(WEB)
Show the children the words about nations being glad and singing for joy. Explain that God is fair and that he takes care of every nation on earth. Let them know that gladness and singing are a good response to a God like that.
Psalm 67:6-7
6 The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us. 7 God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.
(WEB)
Point out the word “bless” and how it repeats. Explain that the earth gave its harvest, and that the people trusted God to bless them again. Help the children see that the ending of the psalm sends the blessing out to the whole world.
Talk About It
- What is one good thing God has given you this week?
- Why do you think God wants everyone in the world to know him?
- How can you tell someone else about God’s kindness?
- What would it look like for people from every country to sing praise together?
- How can you say thank you to God for the food you eat each day?
Activity Ideas
Draw a World of Praise
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple map or a circle representing the earth. Then have them draw people, animals, or houses from different places around the edge, with little music notes or hearts coming from them. Hang the drawings together to show that God’s praise reaches everywhere.
Harvest Freeze Dance
You will need some music you can play from a phone and an open space to move. Ask the children to dance like people celebrating a good harvest. When the music stops, they freeze and say one thing God has given them. Play a few rounds so everyone gets a turn to speak and move.
Blessing Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar, paper slips, and a pen or pencil. Have each child write or draw one blessing from God on a slip and place it in the jar. Encourage the family to add a new slip each week. Read them aloud together at dinner to remember God’s goodness.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 67 reflects a hope that God’s blessing on his people would lead to his way being known among all nations. It presents God as merciful, just, and the one who gives the harvest. The psalm invites worship that is wide enough to include the whole world, not just one group.
Avoid suggesting to children that blessings always come as visible rewards for good behavior. Keep the focus on God’s kindness and faithfulness, which is a gift and not a payment for being good.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank you for being kind to us and for smiling on us. We thank you for the food, the sunshine, and the rain. Help us tell others about your goodness so that people everywhere can praise you. We love you and trust you to bless us. Amen.
