This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises even when His people forget Him, and that we can always come back to Him. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses and one activity.
Big Idea
God is faithful and kind, even when we forget Him. When we turn back to Him and say sorry, He welcomes us home with love.
Memory Verse
Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands over their hearts on “Give thanks,” then open their arms wide on “his loving kindness endures forever.” Repeat it together three times, getting a little louder each time.
The Story: Psalm 106 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people, the Israelites, were slaves in Egypt. God heard their crying and sent Moses to lead them out. God made a way for them through the Red Sea, and the water stood up like walls so they could walk across on dry ground. When the Egyptian army chased them, the sea closed over the enemies, and no one was left.
Right after that, the people sang God’s praise. But it did not last long. In the desert they were hungry and began to complain. “We want meat, not this plain bread!” they said. God gave them the food they asked for, but they were still so far from Him that their hearts felt empty.
Some people got jealous of Moses and Aaron, the leaders God had chosen. Others turned away from God and made a golden calf to worship. They traded the glory of the true God for a statue that could not see, hear or save them. God was very sad and angry, but Moses prayed for the people and asked God not to destroy them.
Over and over, the people forgot God, and over and over, life got hard for them. Each time they cried out, God heard them. He remembered His promise to them and showed mercy. Then the people prayed, “Save us, Lord our God, and gather us together so we can thank you.” God always loved His people, even when they wandered away.
Read It Together
Psalm 106:7-8
7 Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea. 8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known.
(WEB)
Point out that the people forgot what God had done for them in Egypt. Then show the children that God saved them anyway, for His own name’s sake. Ask them to notice that God’s power was still strong even when His people were not.
Psalm 106:44-45
44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry. 45 He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
(WEB)
Show the children that God hears us when we cry out to Him. Point out the word “remembered” and explain that God never forgets His promises, even when we forget Him.
Psalm 106:47
Save us, the LORD, our God, gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise!
(WEB)
Read this as the people’s prayer. Point out how they asked God to save them and gather them together. Explain that God invites us to come back to Him and give Him thanks.
Talk About It
- What is one good thing God did for us that we might forget to thank Him for?
- How do you think the people felt when they saw God part the Red Sea?
- Why do you think it is easy to forget God when we are hungry or tired?
- What can you do when you realize you have wandered away from God?
- How does it feel to know that God still loves you even when you make mistakes?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Sea Walk
You will need paper plates, blue crayons or markers, scissors and a piece of cardboard. Draw a path of waves on the plates, cut them into two walls of water, and stand them on the cardboard so there is a dry path through the middle. Let the children walk small toy figures through the path and talk about how God made a way for His people.
Thank You Walk
Set up a short path in the room using masking tape on the floor. Call out “Thank God for…” and have the children take a step forward for each thing they name, such as food, family or the sun. End by standing together and saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.”
Home Again Card
You will need a sheet of paper, crayons and a sticker or two. Ask each child to draw a picture of a time they felt far from God and then a picture of a time they came back to Him. Let them take the card home and show it to a family member, and invite the family to talk about God’s kindness together.
Teacher Notes
Psalm 106 looks back at Israel’s history and admits their repeated failures, yet it rests on God’s steady faithfulness. Adults can see that the psalm does not excuse sin, but it also does not leave God’s people without hope. God’s mercy meets human rebellion again and again, and that pattern points to the deeper grace found in Christ.
Avoid suggesting that God punished the people only for small mistakes or that you can earn His love by being good enough. Children may take that idea home. Keep the focus on God’s kindness and His willingness to forgive, not on fear of punishment.
A Prayer to Close
Lord God, thank you that you never stop loving us, even when we forget you. Help us remember all the good things you have done. When we wander away, bring us back to you with open arms. We thank you for your kindness every day. Amen.
