Psalms

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is to introduce kindergartners to the psalms of David and how to worship our Lord Jesus Christ. Also to introduce how we use psalms in the Divine Liturgy and daily prayers with the Agpeya.

INTRODUCTION - 5 Minutes

Define a Psalm as a song or a poem that is written with the purpose of worshipping God. Most of the Psalms we have in the Bible were written by King David, who was a shepherd, prophet and king, he's even Jesus' great great grandfather. Sometimes the psalms are full of sadness as he prayed to God for help. Sometimes The psalms are full of joy and gladness as he thanked God for His goodness and faithfulness. The Psalms show us that no matter how happy, sad, joyful, or angry we are, we can always worship God. No matter how we feel God is still God and He is still worthy of being praised.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Memory Verse
"Sing songs to Him, sing praises to Him; Tell of all His wondrous works which the Lord has done." (1 Chronicles 16:9)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes

Read Psalm 150 out loud to the class:

"Alleluia. Praise God in His saints;
Praise Him in the firmament of His power;
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness;
Praise Him with the sound of a trumpet;
Praise him with the harp and lyre;
Praise Him with timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with strings and flute;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals;
Praise Him with triumphant cymbals;
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Alleluia."

Does this Psalm sound familiar? Discuss how the Church often uses Psalms in our worship for the Lord. We use them as hymns in tasbeha: Psalm 135 "...For His mercy endures forever." We use them in the Agpeya, twelve psalms per each hour. We also use Psalms in the Divine Liturgy: the psalms of the Agpeya, Psalm 23 for the reenactment on Resurrection Sunday, and the above Psalm 150 during the communion hymn.

Psalms are a wonderful way to worship the Lord

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

Try to memorize a psalm every year As your collection of memorized Psalms grow, you will have more praises to pray for when you're riding in the car, waiting at the doctor's office, standing in the lunch line, or any other quiet moments.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Memorize a Psalm as a class. Some suggestions would be Psalm 116 or Psalm 23 for a challenging option. Print the Psalm of your choice on a handout to distribute to the kindergarteners and on the back print "I should praise God because He is ." And allow the children to express their own praises with words and drawings.

RESOURCES

Sermon on "The Church in the Psalms"

Should I use Psalms in Prayer, Coptic Orthodox Answers

Coloring Page of David the Psalmist as an alternative activity

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Continue using prayer routines with your children and using the Lord's Prayer. Modeling using psalms and arrow prayers are a great way to enrich the prayer life of your child. Practice the psalm that your kindergartener memorized in class together at home. Check out your Church bookstore for My First Agpeya.