In this lesson, children learn that they can bring their sad, scared, and hurting feelings to God because he listens when they cry. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God hears us when we are sad and hurting, and we can always talk to him honestly about our feelings.
Memory Verse
Psalm 6:9
The LORD has heard my supplication. The LORD accepts my prayer.
(WEB)
Cup both hands together in front of your chest, as if you are holding something precious. Then open them up toward the ceiling, like you are giving the feeling to God. Say “The LORD hears me” while you do the motion.
The Story: Psalm 6 for Kids
King David wrote a song to God when he was very sad and sick. He felt so tired that he could hardly stand up. His bones hurt, and his heart was full of worry. Many enemies were against him, and he was lonely and afraid.
David did not hide his feelings from God. He cried so much at night that his bed was wet with tears. He told God, “I am tired from crying.” His eyes grew weak because he was so sad. He was not pretending to be fine.
David also remembered who God is. He asked God to be kind and to save him because God loves people so much. He said, “Go away from me, you who do evil, because the LORD has heard my crying.” David knew that God was listening to him.
Then David said that God had heard his prayer. He trusted God to answer. He also asked that his enemies would be turned back and made to feel ashamed. David finished his song knowing that God would take care of him, even though his trouble was not gone yet.
Read It Together
Psalm 6:2
Have mercy on me, the LORD, for I am faint. The LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
(WEB)
Point out that David told God exactly how he felt, that he was faint and his bones were troubled. Ask the children what they might tell God when they feel sick or worried. Remind them that God wants to hear about it.
Psalm 6:6-7
6 I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries.
(WEB)
Show the children that David wept so hard that his bed was soaked with tears. Explain that crying is a normal way to show feelings, and God is not upset when we cry. He sees our tears and cares about them.
Talk About It
- What is something that makes you feel really sad or scared?
- How do you think David felt when he cried all night long?
- What did David say to God when he was hurting?
- Why is it good to tell God how we really feel instead of hiding it?
- What is one thing you could pray to God about this week?
Activity Ideas
Tear Drop Pictures
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a few blue or silver pencils. Ask each child to draw a picture of something that makes them sad or worried. Then have them add small blue tear drops around the picture. As they draw, talk together about how God sees each tear and cares about it.
Hear Me Hands Game
Gather the children in a circle and have them stand up. Teach them a simple motion: cup both hands over their ears and say “The LORD hears me.” Call out different feelings like happy, tired, or scared, and have the children do the motion each time something sad is named. Keep the game short and cheerful.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper, and a pen. Help your child write or draw a worry on a slip of paper and fold it up. Place it in the jar and pray together, asking God to hear and help with each worry. Encourage your child to add a new paper whenever they feel sad, and open the jar together once a week to thank God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 6 shows that honest lament is a real and faithful way to pray. David is not pretending to be strong. He brings his pain, his physical weakness, and his fear directly to the LORD, and he trusts God’s steadfast love even while the trouble continues. The psalm moves from pleading to confident assurance that God has heard.
When teaching children, avoid overstating that God will always remove every hard feeling or problem right away. The lesson is that God hears us and we can trust him, not that our sadness disappears instantly. Be gentle about this so children feel safe rather than confused if their own troubles remain.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for listening to us when we are sad or scared. We can tell you everything we feel, and you always hear us. Help us remember that you are close to us in every hard moment. Amen.
