This lesson teaches children that when people say unkind or untrue things, they can talk to God about it, and God hears them. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the discussion and one activity.
Big Idea
When people use mean or lying words, we can cry out to God, and He always hears us. We can also choose to be peaceful people ourselves.
Memory Verse
Psalm 120:1
In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me.
(WEB)
Hold both hands up in front of your chest, palms facing out, like a little bowl. Then lift them up toward the ceiling as you say “He answered me.” Lower your hands slowly and repeat the words together three times.
The Story: Psalm 120 for Kids
Long ago, a man who loved God was having a very hard day. People around him were telling lies and saying cruel things about him. He felt scared and sad, and he did not know what to do. So he did the best thing he could think of: he prayed.
He called out to the LORD, and he told God all about his trouble. He asked God to rescue him from the lying words and the deceitful tongues that were hurting him. The man was not pretending everything was fine. He was honest with God about how he felt.
The man said to the liars, “What good will your lies do you in the end?” He was saying that words like that cannot hold up forever, and that God sees what is true. He also said that living among people who hated peace was tiring, like a long stay in a place where you do not feel at home.
The man had a peaceful heart. He said, “I am for peace,” which means he wanted people to get along. But when he tried to speak kindly, others only wanted to argue and fight. Even so, he kept his heart calm and kept trusting God.
In the end, the man could say with confidence that God had answered him. God heard his prayer, and that gave him strength to keep going, even while the trouble was still around him.
Read It Together
Psalm 120:2
Deliver my soul, the LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
(WEB)
Point out that the writer brings his hurt straight to God. Ask the children what it means to be rescued, and remind them that they can ask God for help with unkind words too.
Psalm 120:6
My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates peace.
(WEB)
Explain that “hates peace” means someone who likes to stir up trouble. Show how the writer felt tired of being around such people, and talk about how important it is to choose friends who are kind.
Psalm 120:7
I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
(WEB)
Help the children see that the writer wanted peace even when others did not. Ask them how they can be a peacemaker on the playground or at home when someone starts a fight.
Talk About It
- What kinds of words make you feel sad or scared, and what do you usually do when someone says them?
- Why do you think the writer told God about his trouble instead of keeping it inside?
- What does it look like to be a peaceful person at school or at home?
- How can you remember that God hears you when you are upset?
- What is one kind thing you could say to someone who has been unkind to you?
Activity Ideas
Peace Dove Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace one hand on the paper and cut out the shape, then draw a small dove on the palm. Write the words “God hears me” on the back. Children can take the drawing home as a reminder that God listens.
Calm Voice Freeze Game
Gather the children in an open space. Call out an example of a mean word and have them freeze and then whisper a calm reply, like “I want peace.” Repeat a few times, cheering when they respond gently. This helps children practice choosing peaceful words in a fun way.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Ask your child to write down one hurtful thing that has happened or one worry, then fold it and place it in the jar. Once a week, read a few slips together and pray over them. This gives children a simple habit of bringing their hard feelings to God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 120 is a prayer from someone surrounded by deceit and hostility who turns to God for rescue and keeps a peaceful heart. It shows that honest lament before God is faithful prayer, and that God answers even when the trouble continues. The passage also reminds us that we are called to pursue peace, not merely endure conflict.
Avoid suggesting to children that prayer always makes people stop being unkind or that God will always remove hard situations right away. Speak instead about God hearing us and giving us strength, and be gentle when a child shares a painful situation that has not been resolved.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for hearing us when we are upset. Help us use kind words, even when others are not kind to us. When we feel scared or sad, help us remember that You are listening. Help us be peacemakers every day. Amen.
