This lesson teaches children that God hears us when we are scared and that He is always stronger than the people who try to hurt His people. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Psalm 83 is a prayer for hard times, so it gives you a chance to talk honestly with children about being afraid and about trusting God anyway.
Big Idea
God hears us when we pray, and He keeps His people safe even when enemies make plans against them. We can bring our worries to Him and trust Him to act.
Memory Verse
Psalm 83:1
God, don’t keep silent. Don’t keep silent, and don’t be still, God.
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands around their mouths, then lower them slowly as they whisper “God, don’t keep silent.” Then have them put both hands over their ears and nod, to show that God is listening. Repeat it three times together.
The Story: Psalm 83 for Kids
A long time ago, the people of Israel were God’s special people. Many nations around them did not like them at all. These nations got together and made a plan. They wanted to wipe Israel off the map so that nobody would remember their name.
The enemies were confident. They said to each other, “Come, let’s destroy them as a nation.” They made a secret alliance, meeting together with one mind. Some of these nations were close neighbors, and some were far away. All of them wanted the same bad thing.
Israel was scared. So the writer of this psalm did something brave. He did not hide his feelings. He went straight to God and prayed, “God, don’t keep silent. Don’t stay still. Please act.” He asked God to scatter the enemies like tumbleweed blowing in the wind.
The writer remembered how God had won battles long ago. He asked God to do the same thing again. He wanted the enemies to see that God is the one true King over all the earth. The prayer asks God to make these enemies know that His name is the LORD.
The psalm ends with a hopeful wish. The writer prays that the enemies would turn to God and seek His name. He asks that they would know that God alone is the Most High. Even in a scary story, God is the one who holds the power.
Read It Together
Psalm 83:1-3
1 God, don’t keep silent. Don’t keep silent, and don’t be still, God. 2 For, behold, your enemies are stirred up. Those who hate you have lifted up their heads. 3 They conspire with cunning against your people. They plot against your cherished ones.
(WEB)
Point out how the writer starts by talking to God directly. Ask the children to notice that he tells God exactly what is wrong. Explain that it is okay to tell God our worries in our own words.
Psalm 83:16-18
16 Fill their faces with confusion, that they may seek your name, the LORD. 17 Let them be disappointed and dismayed forever. Yes, let them be confounded and perish; 18 that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.
(WEB)
Show the children that the writer’s big hope is that people would come to know God. Point out the phrase “that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High.” Explain that God wants everyone to know Him.
Psalm 83:13-15
13 My God, make them like tumbleweed; like chaff before the wind. 14 As the fire that burns the forest, as the flame that sets the mountains on fire, 15 so pursue them with your tempest, and terrify them with your storm.
(WEB)
Use this passage to talk about the picture the writer uses, like tumbleweed and fire. Explain that these pictures show how completely God is able to protect His people. Let the children act out blowing wind and crackling fire with their hands.
Talk About It
- What is something that makes you feel scared sometimes?
- What did the writer of this psalm do when he was scared?
- How can you tell God about your worries, even the ones that feel big?
- Why do you think God wants people to know His name?
- Who is someone you can pray for this week who needs God’s help?
Activity Ideas
Tumbleweed Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and cotton balls or yarn scraps. Ask each child to draw a simple desert scene, then glue a few cotton balls or yarn bits onto it to look like tumbleweeds blowing away. As they work, remind them that God can blow away every fear that is bigger than us.
Wind and Fire Movement Game
Clear a space in the room and call out “wind” or “fire.” When you say wind, children wave their arms and spin like tumbleweeds. When you say fire, they crouch low and wiggle their fingers like flames. After a few rounds, call out “God is with us” and have everyone freeze and stand tall.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper, and a pencil. Have the child write or draw one worry on a slip of paper and fold it into the jar. Each evening, the family can pull out a slip and pray about it together. Explain that the jar is a reminder that God hears every worry we bring to Him.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 83 is an honest prayer written during a time of real danger. The writer does not pretend everything is fine. He brings his fear and anger to God and asks God to act, trusting that God rules over every nation. It shows that faithful people can be honest with God, even when the situation is hard.
Be careful not to overstate the violence in this psalm to children. The language about enemies being scattered and destroyed is strong. Focus on the main truth, that God hears His people and is in control, rather than on the harsh images of destruction.
A Prayer to Close
God, we know that you hear us when we are scared. Help us bring our worries to you and trust that you are stronger than anything that hurts us. Thank you for keeping us safe and for being the Most High over all the earth. Amen.
