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David & the Psalms by Jennifer Tolbert
This is the story of David and the Book of Psalms. David used his gift of writing and song to build a relationship with God. He desired a relationship with God and talked to God as a friend.
Key Concepts: 1. David wrote many of the Psalms in the Bible, but not all of them. 2. There are 5 main types of Psalms: Praise, Prayer, Lament (Sadness), Wisdom, and Royalty 3. David wrote down his thoughts and feelings into words we still read today. Memory Verse
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7
Songs
Old Testament Books
Only A Little Boy David Create in Me a Clean Heart (Psalm 51) I Am A Sheep (Psalm 23) This is the Day (Psalm 118) Story
Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time
Open class in prayer. Introducing the Story Ideas: 1. Psalm Mad Libs- (For older) Give each child a short Psalm with missing words. Allow the children to fill in the missing words to create their own Psalm. 2. Modern Day Psalm 23-Introduce the idea that David used his job as a shepherd to explain what God means to him. What are some jobs we could use today to describe our God. (For example, I am a student and the Lord is my teacher; I am a football player and the Lord is my Coach, etc.) We have been studying about David. We have learned about how: -David was chosen even though he wasn't the biggest, strongest, or most handsome. He was chosen by God to be king because of his heart. -David was brave when he fought Goliath. He trusted God so much he was willing to face a giant. -David had a true friend in Jonathan and they were loyal to each other. -David was still a man, and prone to sin. Just as David had a life filled with amazing victories, he also face humbling defeats. David had a gift for song. He would his thoughts, feelings and prayers down into poems and songs that we call psalms. Story: Use the virtual storybook or story printable to tell the students about David and his Psalms. EMPHASIZE THAT: 1. God's original plan was for us to be his friends. David talked to God like a friend. 2. David used his gift of writing and song to praise God. God wants us to use our gifts to praise him too. 3. The book of Psalm is useful in putting words to our feelings when we can't find the words. We can find encouragement, comfort, and inspiration. Visual Aids Virtual Storybook Printable Story 
Review Questions
1. Who wrote most of the book of Psalms?
2. What are the 5 categories most of the Psalms fall into? 3. David is described as a man after God's own heart. Do you think the book of Psalms gives us a glimpse into why David is called this? 3. What are some ways that we praise God today? 4. David wrote his prayers down. Is this a good idea for us today? How could it be helpful? God is...
Connect the story back to God and his character. David spent time thinking about God and describing him. Challenge the kids to come up with as many "God is" statements as possible. Could they be arranged into a poem?
Activities
Write Your Own Psalms
Give the children a small simple journal. Allow them time to decorate the front of the book and make it their own. Encourage the children to write some of their own psalm and prayers in their journal. 23rd Psalm Shepherd's Staff Source: Oriental Trading God Is Paper Chain Supplies: Strips of paper, tape, glue or a staplers Give the kids strips of cardstock. Challenge them to write a different attribute of God on each strip. How long can the chain go? Make one as a class or allow each child to make their own. Demonstrate how they can use it and encourage them to use it when they pray. Sweeter Than Honey Bracelet (Psalm 119) Source: Ministry to Children Supplies: Pipe Cleaners OR yarn, Honey Nut Cheerios Allow the children to make bracelets out of Honey Nut Cheerios. Attach the tag on it to remind the children that God's Word is as Sweet As Honey.
References & Resources
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