Key Verse
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22
Read the Key Verse with your class. Ask your students if they have ever had a problem. Do you remember the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt? Did they have a problem? What did they do? (They cried out to God.) What did God do for them? (He sent Moses to deliver them from bondage in Egypt.) Did God take care of them? Read the memory verse for today.
burden: your problem
sustain: hold you, guide you, and provide for you
suffer: cause or allow
righteous: lawful, or honest; one who obeys God’s laws
moved: be removed; cast away; or off course
God will provide and take care of His people who obey His laws and live for Him. We will read words David and others wrote as they remembered God’s provision for His people through the years.
Summary Today we continue with the second of the Personal books, Psalms. Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books. We will look at book two of the Psalms (chapters 42-72) today, revealing man and God’s dealings with man as compared to the book of Exodus. We find the main theme was Israel and their cry for deliverance, their redemption from Egypt, learning that the law reveals sin, and learning to trust God.
After Moses led the people out of Egypt, God spoke to them from the top of Mount Sinai, and it was there the law was given (beginning with the Ten Commandments – Exodus 19-20.) This law showed mankind their sin. They were to obey God’s Law. The Israelites were taught that obedience to God is necessary, and that they could not be a redeemed, set apart people, unless they obeyed God’s commands.
During the book of Exodus, God’s people learned to trust Him for everything. God provided for their every need in the wilderness – a cloud of covering during the heat of the day, a pillar of fire by night, food (manna), and even water (from the flint rock.) They learned to trust in Him – completely.
Much of the second book of the Psalms was written by David. If you remember, he spent many years fleeing King Saul in fear for his life. During that time, he learned to trust in God. He cried out many times for God to provide for him, and even to deliver him from enemies. During this time, he learned to praise God for His wonderful provisions and answer to prayers. David also learned that sin separated him from God, until he repented of his sin.
Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!
Emphasis: Encourage them to learn to trust God for everything they need in life. Help them recognize that sin separates us from God until we come to him in true repentance.
Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:
Lesson 42 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1
Lesson 42 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet
Ideas for children:
Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.). I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash! Pinterest always has great ideas!
You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.
One idea for today’s lesson: (See picture below). For today’s lesson we colored the verse Psalm 46:10a. After we finished that, we glued the verse to a piece of construction paper. The important thing was to understand the verse – to be still and know God!
Mural idea:
Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.
By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives. Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural. Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.
Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall. Encourage everyone to participate.