This lesson teaches children that God forgives His people, makes them new, and brings peace when they come back to Him. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with time for a story, a memory verse, a few questions, and a short activity.
Big Idea
God forgives us and makes us new, and He gives us peace when we turn back to Him. We can always come back to God because He is kind and faithful.
Memory Verse
Psalm 85:10
Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out flat, palms up, then bring them together slowly in front of their chest as they say the verse. This shows how mercy and truth come together, and how peace and goodness meet in God.
The Story: Psalm 85 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Israel had a hard time. They had done many wrong things and had turned away from God. Their land had been in trouble, and their hearts felt heavy and sad. They knew they needed God to help them.
The people of Israel remembered that God had been kind to their land before. They prayed to God and asked Him to turn toward them again. They said, “Turn us, God of our salvation.” They wanted God to stop being angry with them.
God heard their prayer. He had forgiven their wrongs and covered up their sins. He had turned away from His anger. The people could feel that God was being good to them again, and their hearts were glad.
The writer said, “I will listen to what God will say.” He knew God would speak peace to His people. Peace means calm and whole, with no fighting inside. God wanted His people to stay close to Him and not go back to doing foolish things.
In the story, mercy and truth came together, and goodness and peace kissed each other. That means God is kind and He always keeps His promises. The land grew good things again, and the people had plenty. God made them new.
Read It Together
Psalm 85:1-2
1 The LORD, you have been favorable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people. You have covered all their sin. Selah.
(WEB)
Point out that the people started by remembering what God had already done for them. Ask the children to find the words that show God forgave His people and covered their sins.
Psalm 85:8
I will hear what God, the LORD, will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, his saints; but let them not turn again to folly.
(WEB)
Show the children that the writer chose to listen before speaking. Explain that God speaks peace to His people, and that listening to God helps us stay close to Him.
Psalm 85:12-13
12 Yes, the LORD will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps.
(WEB)
Point out that God gives good things, and that righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way. Help the children see that God is always leading the way for His people.
Talk About It
- What did the people of Israel do when they felt sad and far from God?
- How do you think it felt for the people when God forgave them?
- What is one thing you can say to God when you know you have done something wrong?
- Why do you think God wants His people to stay close to Him instead of doing foolish things?
- What good thing has God given you recently that made you feel peaceful?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Peace Picture
You will need a paper plate, crayons or markers, glue, and some scraps of paper or yarn. Ask each child to draw a picture of a calm place, like a sunny field or a quiet lake. Then have them glue on a small heart or a sun to show God’s peace and kindness. Talk together about how God brings peace to His people.
Hands Together Mercy and Truth
Gather the children in a circle and teach them the memory verse with the hand motion. Then play a simple game where one child says “mercy” and the group repeats it while bringing their hands together, then says “truth” and brings their hands together again. Keep it lively and short, and finish by reminding the children that God always keeps His promises.
Peace Reminder Card for Home
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a marker. Have each child write or draw one way they can come back to God this week, such as saying sorry or saying thank you. Let them decorate the card and take it home to put on the fridge or by their bed. Encourage them to show it to a family member and talk about it.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 85 is a prayer of a community that has experienced God’s judgment and now longs for His restoration. The psalm moves from remembering God’s past faithfulness, to honest asking for renewed mercy, to confident hope that God will speak peace. It shows that God’s forgiveness and His righteousness work together, and that salvation brings a whole life into order, including the land and its harvest.
Avoid suggesting to children that obeying God or being good will always make them feel peaceful right away or make hard things disappear. Peace and blessing in the psalm come from God’s own faithfulness and kindness, not from a child earning them. Keep the focus on God’s love rather than on rules.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for forgiving us and making us new. Help us to come back to You when we do wrong, and help us to listen for Your peace. Thank You for Your kindness and truth that always stay with us. Help us to trust You every day. Amen.
