In this lesson, children learn that God is good and his love lasts forever, so we can always thank him. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is good, and his love never runs out. Because of that, we can always give him thanks, even on hard days.
Memory Verse
Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart and say the verse slowly. Then open both arms wide on the words “forever” and “good” to show how big God’s love is.
The Story: Psalm 118 for Kids
Long ago, a singer wrote a happy song to God. He called out to the whole family of God’s people and said, “Let Israel say it now!” He wanted the priests, the family of Aaron, and everyone who loves God to join in. Their voices filled the tents with joy.
The singer had been in trouble. He was scared, and he called out to God for help. God answered him and set him free. The singer said, “The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid.” People tried to hurt him, but he trusted God more than anyone else.
Many enemies crowded around him, like a swarm of bees. But the singer did not fight by himself. He said, “In the LORD’s name, I push them away.” He knew that God was the one who really saved him, not the strength of any king or person.
Then the singer thought about a special gate at the temple. He said, “Open the gates of righteousness for me. I will go in and give thanks.” The people who loved God walked through that gate together, singing and celebrating.
The singer then said something surprising. “The stone the builders threw away has become the most important stone of all.” God can take what people think is useless and make it the very thing that holds everything up. The singer said, “This is the day the LORD has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it!”
The song ends the same way it began. The singer said once more, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his loving kindness endures forever.”
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 the singer called out to God when he was in trouble, and God answered him. Ask the children what they might say to God when they feel scared, and remind them that God hears every prayer.
Psalm 118:14
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.
(WEB)
Show the children that God is described as our strength and our song. Talk about how God gives us courage to face hard things and gives us a reason to sing.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
(WEB)
Explain that this verse is about the day God gives us, which is a gift. Point out that we can choose to be glad and rejoice in the day, even if it has some hard moments.
Talk About It
- What is one thing God has done for you that made you feel safe or happy?
- When you feel scared, what can you remember about God that helps you stay brave?
- Why do you think the singer wanted everyone to join him in giving thanks?
- How can you show God you are thankful when you are at home, at school, or at church?
- What is something people might throw away or ignore that God can use in a big way?
Activity Ideas
Thankful Stone Painting
You will need smooth stones or large pebbles, washable paint or markers, and a paper towel to dry them. Have each child paint or draw one thing they are thankful to God for on a stone. Let the stones dry, then place them in a basket or bowl as a reminder that God’s love is a solid foundation.
Gate of Thanks Relay
Set up two chairs at one end of the room to be the “gate” and mark a starting line. Children take turns running to the gate, saying “Thank you, God, for being good!” and then running back to tag the next person. Keep the game lively and cheerful, and remind them the point is giving thanks together.
Thankful Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper, and a pencil or crayons. Each day for a week, have your child write or draw one thing they are thankful for and drop it into the jar. At the end of the week, open the jar together and read the notes aloud, thanking God for each gift.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving rooted in God’s steadfast love, which lasts forever. The psalm moves from trouble to deliverance, and it points to God as the one who saves, not human strength. Its image of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone is one Christians have long connected to Jesus, so the psalm can deepen their sense of God’s faithfulness.
For children, avoid overstating the idea that God always removes every trouble right away. The psalm celebrates God’s help in hard times, but it does not promise that bad things will never happen. Keep the focus on God being good and near, even when life is difficult.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for being good and for loving us forever. Help us to trust you when we feel scared, and help us to sing and rejoice in the day you have made. Thank you for always hearing us. Amen.
