This lesson teaches children that God is the one who always helps, and that we can trust Him more than any person. It is designed for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the reading and the activity.
Big Idea
God is always good and always helps the people who need Him most. We can trust Him with our whole heart, every day, because He never stops caring for us.
Memory Verse
Psalm 146:2
While I live, I will praise the LORD. I will sing praises to my God as long as I exist.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands up high as they say the verse together, then bring them down to their hearts on the last word. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time, so the words stay with them.
The Story: Psalm 146 for Kids
A man named David wrote a happy song to God. He was not singing because everything was easy. He was singing because he knew that God was strong and kind. David said, “I will praise the LORD while I live.” He wanted to sing to God every single day of his life.
David also knew that people can let us down. Even kings and princes are only people, and they cannot keep us alive forever. So he told his friends, “Do not put all your trust in people who cannot save you.” He reminded them that God is different. God made the sky, the land, the sea, and everything inside them.
Then David told about the many ways God helps. God gives food to hungry families. God sets prisoners free. God opens the eyes of people who cannot see. God lifts up people who feel sad and heavy. God takes care of strangers in a new land, and He takes special care of children who have no father and of women who have lost their husbands.
David ended his song by saying that God will rule forever. Long after David was gone, God would still be king. So David said, “Praise the LORD!” He wanted everyone who heard the song to join in and praise God too.
Read It Together
Psalm 146:5
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD, his God…
(WEB)
Point out that David calls the person happy when God is their help. Ask the children what it feels like to have someone they can count on, and explain that God is that kind of helper for us every day.
Psalm 146:7-8
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD frees the prisoners. 8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD raises up those who are bowed down. The LORD loves the righteous.
(WEB)
Show the children the list of things God does for people, and ask them to name the kinds of people God helps. Point out how God cares for hungry people, prisoners, and people who cannot see or who feel bent low with sadness.
Psalm 146:9
The LORD preserves the foreigners. He upholds the fatherless and widow, but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
(WEB)
Explain that God takes care of people who are alone or far from home, like strangers and children who have no father. Tell the children that God notices everyone, and that they are never forgotten by Him.
Talk About It
- Who is someone who helps you when you need help, and what do they do for you?
- Why do you think David said not to put all our trust in people?
- What is one thing God made that you think is amazing?
- How can you show God that you are thankful for the people He helps?
- What is one way you can help someone who is hungry, sad, or alone this week?
Activity Ideas
Helping Hands Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace their hand on the paper, cut it out, and draw a picture of someone God helps inside the outline. Let them talk about who they drew and why God cares for that person.
Lift Up the Bowed Down
Ask the children to stand tall and then slowly bend over like someone who feels heavy and sad. Call out, “The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down!” and have them stand up slowly together. Repeat the motion a few times, then close by saying the memory verse while standing tall.
Thankful Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pencil. Each day this week, ask your child to write one thing God has done to help them or someone they know, and fold it into the jar. On Sunday, read the slips aloud together as a family and thank God for each one.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 146 is a call to put our hope in God rather than in human power, wealth, or status, because human help is limited and God’s help is steady and just. The psalm also shows that God’s care reaches the weak, the poor, the imprisoned, and the vulnerable, and that praising Him is a daily choice rather than a one-time event.
Be careful not to suggest to children that trusting God guarantees that every problem will disappear right away. Keep the focus on God’s faithful character and His love for people in need, and let children know that God is with us even when life is hard.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we praise You with our whole hearts. Thank You for being our helper and for caring for people who are hungry, sad, or alone. Help us trust You every day and show Your love to the people around us. Amen.
