This lesson teaches children that God wants us to choose kind, honest, and good behavior, even when no one is watching. It suits children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a memory verse, and one simple activity.
Big Idea
God wants me to choose kind and honest things, at home and everywhere I go. He helps me do what is good, even when no one is looking.
Memory Verse
Psalm 101:2
I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart.
(WEB)
Place one hand on your heart as you say the verse, then tap your hand on your chest twice. Then point to the ceiling with both hands, showing that your home is a place where God is with you.
The Story: Psalm 101 for Kids
King David wrote a song to God about how he wanted to live. He was a king, and he had a big house and many helpers. He knew that a king’s choices matter to everyone in the land. So he decided he would be careful about what he looked at, what he said, and how he treated people.
David said he would sing about God’s love and fairness. He said he would walk in his house with a good heart. He wanted nothing bad to sit in front of his eyes. He did not want to be around people who lied or cheated.
David also said he would not be mean to his neighbors. He would not whisper bad things about others behind their backs. He would not put up with people who thought they were better than everyone else. He wanted to be around people who were faithful and kind.
David knew he could not be good on his own. So he asked God to help him, and he said that God is the one he wanted to serve. He wanted his house and his kingdom to belong to God. He made up his mind to work hard at doing right.
In the song, David even says that every morning he will work to get rid of wrong in his land. He wanted his city to be a place where God’s people could live safely and happily. He chose to be a leader who loved what was good.
Read It Together
Psalm 101:1
I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, the LORD, I will sing praises.
(WEB)
Point out that David starts by singing about God’s love and fairness. Explain that praising God comes first, before any promises about how David would act.
Psalm 101:3-4
3 I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me. 4 A perverse heart will be far from me. I will have nothing to do with evil.
(WEB)
Show children that David decided what he would look at and what he would keep away from him. Ask them what kinds of things they could choose to stay away from, like TV shows, games, or unkind words.
Psalm 101:6
My eyes will be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he will serve me.
(WEB)
Point out that David wanted to spend time with faithful people who walk in God’s ways. Talk about the friends and family members who help you choose what is right.
Talk About It
- What is one thing David said he would choose to do every day?
- Why do you think David wanted to stay away from people who told lies?
- How can you be kind to someone who is sitting alone at school?
- What does it feel like when someone whispers something mean about you?
- What is one good choice you can make at home this week?
Activity Ideas
Heart Window Craft
You will need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a large heart on paper and cut it out. Then they can cut a small window in the middle and draw one good thing they want to look at, like a family, a pet, or a flower. Hang the hearts on a window to remind children that God helps them choose what they see and do.
Choose the Good Game
You will need two bowls, a handful of dry beans or pieces of paper, and a list of simple actions. Place some pieces of paper that say things like “say something kind” or “help a friend” in one bowl, and pieces that say “tell a lie” or “be unkind” in the other. Let children take turns picking a card from the good bowl and doing the action, while they say, “I choose what is good.”
Morning Promise Card
You will need an index card, a pen, and a pencil for each child. Help each child write or draw one good choice they will make tomorrow morning, such as sharing a toy or saying thank you. Let them take the card home and place it on the breakfast table or by their bed. Encourage them to look at it each morning and ask God to help them keep their promise.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 101 is a leader’s pledge to live with integrity, both in private and in public. David ties his personal choices to the health of his whole community, which reminds us that our everyday habits shape the people around us. The psalm also shows that a commitment to goodness begins with turning to God, not with self-confidence alone.
Avoid suggesting to children that being good will make God love them more or that they can earn his favor by behaving well. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and help, so children understand that they choose good because God is good and helps them.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, help us choose kind and honest things every day. Help us to keep bad things away from our hearts and to be good friends to the people around us. Thank you for loving us and helping us do what is right. Amen.
