In this lesson, children learn that God is pleased when brothers and sisters, and friends too, get along and live together in peace. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God loves it when people who belong together get along, and that kind of friendship is a good and happy thing to see.
Memory Verse
Psalm 133:1
See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!
(WEB)
Have children sit with their hands in their laps, then slowly stretch both arms wide like they are giving a big hug to everyone in the room. Say “How good and pleasant!” as the arms open, and bring them back to the heart as you say “together.” Repeat it three times so the hands and words stay together.
The Story: Psalm 133 for Kids
Long ago, a king named David wrote a short song about God’s family. He knew that people who live close together can sometimes fight, so he wanted everyone to remember what it looks like when they get along. In his song, David said that when brothers live together in peace, it is a very good and happy thing to see.
David wanted people to think about something special that was poured on a priest named Aaron. Aaron was the high priest, the leader who helped the people worship God. A special oil was poured on his head, and it ran down his beard and onto the edge of his fancy robes. The oil was rich and sweet, and it covered him from top to bottom.
David also thought about the dew that falls on the hills at night. The dew comes down gently on the hills near Jerusalem, and it helps the land stay fresh and green. David said that the blessing of God comes down in the same gentle way on the people who live together in unity.
So David’s song is like a picture. Unity is like the oil that covers everything, and like the dew that makes the land grow. When God’s people live in peace, God gives them His blessing, and that blessing is life that lasts forever.
Read It Together
Psalm 133:2
It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard; that came down on the edge of his robes…
(WEB)
Point out how the oil flows down from the head to the beard and the robes, so everything is covered. Ask children to notice that the oil reaches all the way to the edges, just like good peace reaches everyone in a family or class.
Psalm 133:3
Like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion: for there the LORD gives the blessing, even life forever more.
(WEB)
Show children how the dew falls softly on the hills and makes them fresh. Explain that God’s blessing comes to His people in a gentle, life-giving way when they live in peace with one another.
Psalm 133:1-3
1 See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard; that came down on the edge of his robes; 3 like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion: for there the LORD gives the blessing, even life forever more.
(WEB)
Read the whole psalm slowly once more, pausing at each picture. Remind children that all three pictures point to one truth: God is pleased when His people live together well.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you can do this week to help someone in your family feel happy and included?
- When you and a friend disagree, what can you say to start making things peaceful again?
- Why do you think David compared peace to oil running down a beard?
- How does the dew falling on the hills show us how God blesses people?
- Who is someone at church or school who might need a kind friend to sit with them today?
Activity Ideas
Oil and Dew Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a cotton ball. Have each child draw a simple outline of a person and a hill with a few drops of dew. Dab a cotton ball lightly in a little watery paint to make soft dots for dew and let children paint a smooth line of oil flowing down from the head. Talk about how everything in the picture is connected and covered.
Hug the Circle Game
You will need an open space and enough room for children to stand in a circle. Have everyone hold hands and walk slowly around while singing or saying Psalm 133:1 together. Each time you say “together,” everyone squeezes the hands of the people beside them. End by letting each child give a gentle hug or high five to the person next to them.
Peace Reminder Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a few stickers or crayons. Help each child write “How good and pleasant!” on one side of a card and draw a small picture of two friends smiling on the other. Encourage them to take the card home and place it where the family eats together. Ask them to share with a parent what it means to live in peace at home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 133 celebrates unity among God’s people as a precious gift that God Himself delivers. The oil and dew images show that such unity is abundant, life-giving, and reaches to every part of the community. The psalm reminds us that living together well is not a small matter but a sign of God’s presence and blessing.
Avoid overstating to children that living in peace is always easy or that conflict means someone is bad. Children should understand that peace takes effort and forgiveness, and that God’s blessing is a gift rather than a reward they earn by getting along perfectly.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for our families, our friends, and our church. Help us to live together in peace and to be kind when we disagree. Pour Your blessing on us like the oil and the dew, and help us love one another every day. Amen.
