Intro to Psalms
Embedded Files
Introduction
Introduction
They need to know that the things they are struggling with and yearning for have been felt by people throughout the ages and that the one constant was, is and will always be God. As God was faithful in the past, so will he also be faithful to us now. Whether they are dealing with disappointment...a death in the family...a school yard bully... or some other difficult situation, it’s important for kids to understand that they can ALWAYS turn to God to help weather life’s storms.
That’s where the Book of Psalms comes into play:
The Psalms give children comfort that God is faithful, and will always be there for them. The Psalms teach children how to approach God, how to talk to Him, and how to ask for help. The Psalms give children the words to help express how they are feeling.
Above all- the Psalms help children learn to turn to & trust God.Is there anything more important than that?
For more on the lesson click here!
For more on the lesson click here!
Group Building
Group Building
Questions:1. Which Psalm is the longest? (Psalm 119)2. Which Psalm is the shortest? (Psalm 117)3. Who wrote most of the Psalms? (David…he wrote 73 of them.)4. Which Psalm starts “The Lord is my shepherd”? (Psalm 23)5. How many Psalms are there? (150)
(If you have a simple prize to award the winner, that will add to the excitement.)
Getting Started
Getting Started
Chances are you’re going to learn some new things. It should be good.
Before we begin, let’s talk about music.
Discussion Questions:1. What is your favorite type of music? Why?2. Who is your favorite group?3. What is your favorite song?4. Why do you think (almost) everyone loves music? What is it about music that is so powerful?
Music really can alter our emotions. It can get us pumped up, make us feel sad, or cause us to think. The Psalms are no different. Essentially an Old Testament song book for temple worship, these songs touch on a lot of different themes, emotions, etc. One of the first things we need to do is understand those purposes.
Digging In
Digging In
The Psalms are divided into five smaller “books.” Most Bibles indicate this. The divisions are: Book One Psalms 1-41Book Two Psalms 42-72Book Three Psalms 73-89Book Four Psalms 90-106Book Five Psalms 107-150
Within these books are psalms with a variety of themes. There have been multiple suggestions on categorizing the psalms. We’re going to keep it simple. There are basically two types of psalms: Happy Psalms (hymns, confidence, thanksgiving, wisdom, etc.)Sad Psalms (individual laments, community lament, etc.)
Theologians actually subdivide these categories into even smaller groups, but for our study I want you to understand there are both praises and complaining in the psalms. That leads to an interesting point:
The Psalms are more about man talking to God than God talking to man. This is an important point to remember as we move forward. Just like song writers today, a lot of emotion is packed into these pages.
Let’s take a look at a couple of different psalms.
Read Psalm 1
Read Psalm 1
Discussion Questions:1. What kind of psalm do you believe that is? (Happy.)2. Who is the author talking to? (The reader, the worshipper.)3. What is the basic message of this psalm? (That righteousness is better than evil, etc.)4. Why do you think this was placed as the first psalm? (Allow for discussion.)
Now turn to Psalm 42. This is the first psalm in the second book. Notice for the difference in tone.
Read Psalm 42
Read Psalm 42
Discussion Questions:1. What kind of psalm do you think this is? (Kind of sad…but with hope.)2. What feelings stirred inside you as you read it? (Allow for discussion.)3. What is the basic message here? (A thirst for God leads to being filled by Him…praise Him even in difficult circumstances.)4. How is this psalm different from the first? (Allow for discussion.)
Now flip to the third book, which spans from Psalms 73-89. We’re going to read what may be a familiar psalm, Psalm 84.
Read Psalm 84
Read Psalm 84
Discussion Questions:1. Do those words sound familiar? From where? (There’s a modern worship song entitled “Better is One Day” that is taken straight from this Psalm.)
That brings us to a pretty interesting point. The Psalms, as they were constructed in the Old Testament, were a song book for worshippers. The cool thing is that since then, no one has done it better. Often, modern lyricists look to the Psalms for inspiration. Here’s just a short list of modern songs and groups that use the Psalms in their lyrics:
Song/Group Name Psalm
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir 150Charlie Hall 126 “Why Are You So Downcast” 42 Jami Smith 139 Chris Tomlin “Forever” 136 “Better is One Day” 84 “Everything that Has Breath” 150 “Not to Us” 115Song/Group Name Psalm
Some artists, Shane & Shane are an example, have produced entire albums entitled simply: Psalms.
Let’s move on to book number four.
Read Psalm 95
Read Psalm 95
This is a different kind of psalm, a psalm of remembrance. The idea is that, even through song, Israel would remember her history. Let’s examine how it’s broken down.
Verses 1-7 are a call to worship. Various postures are encouraged:• Singing• Shouting• Thanksgiving• Worship• Bowing Down• Kneeling
There are also these incredible references to the history of Israel, particularly the exodus from Egypt. Consider these: Verse 1 Exodus 17 and Numbers 20, water flows from rocks for Israelites to drinkVerses 3 - 10 Plagues between gods of Egypt and God of IsraelVerse 5 Genesis 1, Exodus 14 - The parting of the Red SeaVerses 8-10 Exodus 17:1-7, Numbers 20:1-13, grumblings about water
Furthermore, the psalm ends with God mad, just as he was in Exodus. The last words of the psalm echo his words about the Exodus generation, “they shall never enter my rest.”
So psalms can be used for praise, prayer, reflection. They can also be used to express anguish. Consider Psalm 137, one of the most violent of the psalms.
Read Psalm 137
Read Psalm 137
Discussion Questions:1. Would you say that psalm is happy or sad? (sad)2. What is the basic message? (revenge)3. What a gruesome image in verse 9. What do you think of that language being included in the psalms?
Remember, the psalms are man talking to God, not the other way around (although God did say that Babylon would be judged, and they were). This is the speaker, describing his feelings in song about a historical event—captivity. The Psalms speak about many themes, and they are very honest.
We’ve looked at a psalm from each book, and we’ve considered the wide meaning of the psalms at a very basic level.
Activities
Activities
Craft 1 - David's Harp
Craft 1 - David's Harp
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
Cardstock
Yarn
Masking Tape
Markers
Scissors
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
- Print the template onto cardstock. If you use regular paper glue the template onto a piece of construction paper for strength.
- Cut out the template from the cardstock or construction paper.
- Color in the template.
- Using masking tape, tape five or six pieces of thin yarn onto the template.
- Finally add glue and join both sides of the template together forming the harp.
Instructions
Craft 2 - Praise and Worship Musical Shaker
Craft 2 - Praise and Worship Musical Shaker
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
A brown paper bag
A small amount of either dry uncooked rice or pebbles
Markers
Sticky tape
Twigs
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
- Assemble all your materials.
- Decorate your brown paper bag.
- Fold paper bag in half, to make an indent.
- Place rice or pebbles inside the bag.
- Put the twigs half way in.
- Twist the bag around the twigs and sticky tape around it, to secure the bag .
- Shake as you praise and worship God.
Tip for parents : as your child praises and worships God with this, JOIN IN! Have a special time worshipping God together!
Instructions With Images (Use page 1 only)
Game 1 - Sticky Guy
Game 1 - Sticky Guy
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
Roll of Tape
Cotton Balls
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
- Place children on two teams.
- Have each team choose a player to be their sticky guy.
- The team then wraps a roll of tape around the sticky guy (sticky side out).
- Make sure teams stand equal distance away from their sticky guy to be fair.
- Teams have 2 minutes to throw cotton balls on their sticky guy.
The team with the most cotton balls stuck to their sticky guy wins!
How It's Related To The Lesson
Relate it to the lesson by relating how easy it is to remember song lyrics but more difficult to learn Bible scriptures. We can use Psalms to help God’s words “stick” to our minds and hearts when we struggle How It's Related To The Lesson
Game 2 - Books of the Bible Blocks
Game 2 - Books of the Bible Blocks
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
Blocks with books of the Bible written on them
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
- Divide into two teams.
- Have one kid at a time run down and retrieve a Lego piece for their team and bring it back.
- As a group they will work to stack together the books of the Bible in order.
The first team to do this correctly wins!
Activity 1 - Dance It Out
Activity 1 - Dance It Out
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart (varies based on the game you choose):
Christian just dance videos below
If they don't want to play the Christian Just Dance game they can play follow the leader.
Wrap It Up!
**Snacks can be given at this time, if needed**Wrap It Up!
- Come together and sit in a circle to talk about what they learned today. Ask them the same questions that you asked at the beginning of the day. How are their answers different now that they know more? Talk about what they can go home and tell their family. This is also a time they can update their journals (big kids only) or color the pictures (littles).
- Ask if anyone has a prayer request/praise report. Pray over requests.
- Worship time - Have the kids go find a spot to themselves and have some time with God (play the song below for around 3/5 minutes).
Worship
Worship
Energy Release!
Energy Release!
Last Minute Filler Ideas
Last Minute Filler Ideas
- Have them gather around the table and draw a picture or write a letter to their families about what they learned today.
- Play a game of some sort. (If you have the hula hoops, have them join hands in a circle and pass the hula hoop around the circle without breaking their hands)
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