Big Idea: I can praise God with singing.
Bible Basis: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Key Verse: “Come (motion toward self with hands), let us sing for joy (cup hands around mouth) to the Lord (point up).” Psalm 95:1 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite part of this Bible lesson?
How can you praise God with singing?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Worship Workout
- Supplies: None
- Directions: Have the children perform the fitness actions listed below one at a time while singing the first verse (chorus optional) of “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.” When finished with the first action, sing the song again while performing another action. Continue until every action has been performed, then ask the children if they would like to make up their own actions.
- Actions: Jumping jacks; Run in place; Hop on one foot; Sit ups; Reach for the sky, then touch ground; Hop on two feet
- Say: Morning workouts are so good for you! And so is singing praise songs to God! Today we’re going to hear a story about some people who sang songs to God. We’re going to learn that we can praise God with singing.
- Question: Do you have a favorite song to sing?
+ March and Sing
- Supplies: None
- Say: God loves when we sing praise songs to Him. When we sing songs to God, it shows Him that we love Him and we think He’s wonderful. Let’s play a fun game that helps us sing praises to God.
- Directions: Play an upbeat praise song that is familiar to the children in your group. Encourage them to sing and dance along with the song. After 5–15 seconds, pause the music and shout, “Freeze!” The children must freeze in place. Count to 3 aloud then have the children shout the Big Idea together, “I can praise God with singing!” Repeat the above instructions until the song is over. If you want to add some variety, have the children use a different voice from the list below each time they say the Big Idea.
- Voice List: Whisper; Holding their nose; Mouse; Silly voice; Opera voice; Space alien; Sleepy; Robot; Dinosaur
- Question: How do you think it makes God feel when we sing praise songs to Him?
+ Bible Balance (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Tape (1 roll)
- Today's Bible Verse: “Come (motion toward self with hands), let us sing for joy (cup hands around mouth) to the Lord (point up).” Psalm 95:1 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
- Preparations: Using painters or masking tape, create a tape line on the floor approximately 10 feet long.
- Directions: Practice the verse together several times. When ready, challenge the children to cross the balance beam while saying the verse and without stepping off. For each additional round have the children cross the balance beam using a different method from the list below.
- Methods of Movement: Giant steps; Tiny steps; Backwards; Hop on two feet; Sideways; Bear crawl; Tippy-toes; Hop on one foot; Crab walk
+ Uh Oh Topher! (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: “Uh Oh Topher” story review page (1 per group), Topher the Gopher character cards (1 per child)
- Say: I’m going to read you today’s Bible story again, but there’s a little problem. Topher the Gopher got into the story and chewed up some of the words, then he replaced them with the wrong words. Listen carefully to see if you can hear the wrong words. If you hear something that is wrong, hold up your “Topher the Gopher” card, then say, “Uh Oh, Topher. That’s not right!” Then you can tell me what really happened in the story.
- Directions: Use the “Uh Oh Topher” story review page to read today’s story to the children. The page will indicate in bold which words are wrong, followed by the right words. If necessary, help the children remember what really happened in the story.
+ Praise Jesus (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a GO! Home Guide and some crayons or markers. The sheet will have a space for children to draw. Tell the children to draw a picture of Jesus. While the children are drawing, ask them what they love about Jesus so much.
- Say: The Bible says that Jesus is God. When we sing praises to God, we’re also singing to Jesus. Let’s say a prayer and tell Jesus all of the things we love about Him.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if any of the children would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by telling Jesus some of the reasons shared by the children as well as the reasons why you love Him so much.
+ Coloring Sheet (GO! Deeper Activity)
- Supplies: Bible story coloring sheet, markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a Bible story coloring sheet and some crayons or markers. While the children are coloring, ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: Why do you think King Jehoshaphat and the people of God sang praise songs to God?
- Question: How does it make you feel when you sing praise songs to God? Why do you think you feel that way?
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear God, You are so wonderful. I love you so much. Thank you for giving us Jesus. We praise you for Him. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Jehoshaphat in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of the Jehoshaphat from the Bible in 2 Chronicles 10 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!