This lesson teaches children that God is good and that we can show our thankfulness to him by singing, praising, and shouting for joy. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. Use it on any Sunday, or as a family devotion during the week.
Big Idea
God is our Maker and our Shepherd, he is good, and he loves us forever. So we can be happy and thankful to him every day.
Memory Verse
Psalm 100:1
Shout for joy to the LORD, all you lands!
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand up tall, lift both arms high, and shout “Hooray!” together on the word “joy.” Then have them cup their hands around their mouths and call out the first part of the verse as loudly as they can. Repeat it three times, getting a little louder each time, so the children can remember it through the motion.
The Story: Psalm 100 for Kids
Long ago, a man named David wrote a happy song to God. He wanted everyone on the whole earth to know how wonderful God is. David was a shepherd when he was young, so he knew all about sheep and fields.
In his song, David said, “Know that the LORD, he is God.” He wanted people to remember that God made us, and that we belong to him. David compared us to sheep, and God to the Shepherd who watches over every one of his sheep.
David told everyone to come into God’s courts with thankful hearts. He said, “Give thanks to him, and bless his name.” That means we say kind things about God and thank him for all he has done for us. Think of a family coming home from a long trip, and running to hug the one who waited for them at the door.
Then David gave the best reason of all. He sang, “For the LORD is good.” God’s love does not stop. It lasts forever, and God is faithful to every family, every generation, and every person who trusts him. David’s song ends with joy because God never changes.
Read It Together
Psalm 100:2
Serve the LORD with gladness. Come before his presence with singing.
(WEB)
Point out the two ideas in this verse: serving God and singing to God. Ask the children what they might do to serve God at home, such as helping a parent or sharing a toy. Then explain that singing to God is one way we can show him our gladness.
Psalm 100:3
Know that the LORD, he is God. It is he who has made us, and we are his. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
(WEB)
Show the children a picture of a shepherd with a flock of sheep, or use toy animals. Point out the words “we are his people,” and explain that God takes care of us the way a shepherd cares for each sheep. This verse helps children feel safe and known by God.
Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations.
(WEB)
Read this verse slowly and emphasize the word “forever.” Explain that God’s love never runs out, even on hard days or when we make mistakes. Ask the children to hold up their fingers and count how many days they can think of when God was with them, to show how faithful he is.
Talk About It
- What is one thing God has made that you enjoy seeing every day?
- How does a shepherd take care of his sheep, and how do you think God takes care of you?
- What is a song you like to sing, and how does singing make you feel?
- When is a time you felt happy and thankful to God, and what did you say or do?
- Why do you think God’s love lasts forever, even when we forget to thank him?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Sheep Craft
You will need paper plates, cotton balls, glue, black construction paper, and markers. Have each child glue cotton balls onto a paper plate to make a sheep’s wool, then cut out black paper ears and feet and glue them on. As they work, talk about how the Shepherd takes care of every sheep. Children can write “God is good” on the back of their sheep.
Shout for Joy Game
Play a simple game of Freeze Dance. When the music plays, the children dance, sing, and clap for God. When the music stops, they freeze and shout “The LORD is good!” as loudly as they can. Play several rounds, and let each child take a turn choosing the music. End with everyone cheering together.
Thankful Jar at Home
Give each child a clean jar, some slips of paper, and a pen. Ask them to write one thing they are thankful to God for each day and put it in the jar. At the end of the week, open the jar together and read every note out loud. Thank God together for each good gift you find.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 100 is a call to worship that moves from joyful shouting to quiet confidence. The psalm reminds us that God is the Creator and Shepherd of his people, and that his covenant love and faithfulness last from one generation to the next. It invites believers to approach God with thanksgiving, not fear, because he is good.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that God will always make us feel happy or that thankfulness guarantees good things will happen. Keep the focus on God’s character: he is good, he cares for us, and his love lasts forever. Let children understand that some days feel hard, and God is still faithful on those days too.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank you for making us and for being our Shepherd. We are glad that you love us forever and that you are always faithful. Help us to sing, thank you, and shout for joy to you every day. Amen.
