Lesson background
Lent is a season of reflection. We reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross considering what his life, death, and resurrection mean for the world. As we walk this path with Jesus, we consider our own faith journeys. In this lesson, young disciples have the opportunity to reflect on their faith development using Psalm 119:9-16 as a guide.
What you’ll need
- A Bible
- My Faith Journey … So Far: several sheets of chart paper, index cards, markers or crayons, and glue sticks (optional)
- Faith treasure box: a box with a lid, copies of paper gems, crayons or markers (optional)
- Ten Commandments: a Bible, whiteboard or chart paper, marker, blank paper, and crayons or markers (optional)
Starting out
Greet the children as they enter the room. Have them sit in a circle around a table or on the floor.
I’m going on a hike game
Ask the children to imagine they are going on a long hiking trip. They’ll need supplies with them. Each person will take a turn saying, “I’m going on a hike and I’m bringing…” The first person will complete the sentence with a word that begins with the letter A. Each subsequent person will use the same sentence starter but will list an item that starts with the next letter of the alphabet. Continue the game until you reach the letter Z.
After playing the game, discuss which items people listed were practical and which were impractical. Talk about what a person would need to consider when packing for a hiking journey (ex. terrain, amount of time, weather, etc.).
Hearing and exploring the story
Prepare to read aloud Psalm 119:9-16 aloud.
Provide the children with context for the reading:
- This reading comes from the Old Testament book of Psalms.
- Introduce or review the definition of psalm.
- This passage is part of a very long psalm. The full text is 176 verses long!
- This psalm celebrates God’s word. It is often recited on the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
- These verses speak directly to children/young people.
- Within the reading, the word sin is used several times. Be sure children see this word not as a source of guilt, shame or punishment. Note that sin includes our missteps, missed opportunities to reflect God’s love, and our disconnection from God. Through Jesus, we remain connected to God and are forgiven for any sins.
- While this psalm was written by and for the people of God (Israelites) in a time well before Jesus’ birth, we will be looking at the ideas in it as Jesus’ disciples.
Read aloud Psalm 119:9-16. Because some of the language in the NRSV translation is a bit dense for children, you may want to use a Common English Bible (CEB), New International Version (NIV) or The Message translation.
After reading, ask:
- What does this psalm suggest for a young person (child) to stay connected to God?
- How do you think holding God’s words in our hearts helps us move along in life?
- How do you experience God guiding you in your life?
Connecting the story to our lives
To help the children connect the idea of being on a faith journey to their own lives and experiences, invite them to engage in one or more of the following activities:
- My faith journey … So Far: Gather several sheets of chart paper, index cards, markers or crayons, and glue sticks. Re-read Psalm 119:9. Have the children wonder what the way or path children walk might be. Note the author is likely talking about our lives of faith. Our faith grows and changes as we grow and change. Provide each child with a sheet of chart paper. Ask them to write their name at the top of the sheet. Then, provide them with several index cards. Ask them to draw or write about moments when they have noticed God active in their lives on the index cards. Encourage them to think of “big” milestones (like baptism) as well as smaller moments (such as a time someone helped them and they experienced God’s love). Have them glue the index cards on the chart paper so that they form a road or pathway. At the end of the path, have them glue several blank index cards to represent the continuation of their faith journey.
- Faith treasure box: Gather a box with a lid, copies of paper gems, crayons or markers. Recount that Psalm 119 says God’s word is more valuable than riches. Ask the children to wonder what this means. Note as disciples of Jesus, we often experience God’s word in the stories of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. These stories show us what God wants for the world. They help guide us in our faith. They are like valuable jewels because they are so important to us. Give each child a few paper gems. Ask them to draw or write about stories of Jesus that teach them about God and help guide their faith. When they are finished, have them place the gems in the box. If you have time, the children can decorate the box so it looks like a treasure chest.
- Ten Commandments: Gather a Bible, whiteboard or chart paper, marker, blank paper, and crayons or markers. Re-read Psalm 119:10b. Ask the children what they think the author means when they reference commandments. Note God provided the people of God with ways to help them live as God’s people. These are often known as “The 10 Commandments.” Read aloud Exodus 20:1-17. Pause after reading each commandment. Ask the children to “translate” the commandment you read into modern language. Write their responses on the whiteboard/chart paper. After reading the text, have the children divide up the commandments. If you have a large group, you can have multiple children work together on a single commandment. Give each child or group, a sheet of blank paper. Ask them to illustrate the commandment so that another child their age can see how it would apply to their own lives. Hang up their drawings to serve as a contemporary guide to the Ten Commandments.
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