Each JWL lesson has a collectable card alongside high-quality character images and a colouring page that links to each lesson. (Psalm lesson have no hero card and are predominantly colouring pages) Click on the images below to see a larger version. Save the images by right click + ‘save image as’ (computers) OR long press + ‘save image’ (mobile).
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This week we look at Psalm 118. It has such strong echoes of Palm Sunday for us, and yet it was written long, long before the event. As the set psalm for Palm Sunday, it allows us to weave the two stories together to give the familiar narrative a parallel perspective.
These psalm lessons follow the Lectionary passages for the six weeks of year B Lent.
This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.
Main passage: Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29 Additional Passages: Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44, and John 12:12–19.
We are going to read a song, a song Jesus may have sung with his friends, a song from the book of songs to be sung – the book called Psalms. Today is a special day; it’s the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. Do you know the story? Jesus had sent two of his friends to get a young donkey and climbed on the back of the animal as they approached the city. The road was busy with people travelling into Jerusalem for the festival that week. I’m sure many of the groups of people had been singing psalms on their journeys. Perhaps someone was singing this psalm?
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say, “His faithful love endures forever.”
It would be a good psalm to sing in celebration on this day. They could see Jesus coming. Might he be the Messiah? The Holy One from God? He was riding a donkey – not a war animal like a horse, but an animal of peace. The crowds went crazy, slowing down to let him and his followers through.
23 This came from the Lord; it is wondrous in our sight.
24 This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Lord, save us! Lord, please grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
Even those not singing started yelling the same words. “Hosanna” they called – which means ‘Lord save us’. The tune was in their heads. Not everyone could stop singing the song. Some continued singing, and the next bit gave them an idea.
27 The Lord is God and has given us light. Bind the festival procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
They grabbed the branches off the palm trees nearby and started waving them madly. Coats and branches littered the ground welcoming Jesus on the small animal. Had the long awaited Messiah arrived?
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the bible. For many, that makes it daunting, but treating each part of the acrostic as a separate mini poem reveals great depth. Here we look at ‘bet’ or the Hebrew letter ‘b’ and how the author treasures the words of scripture as a guide for life.
Have 2 treasure chests (boxes) and divide your kids into teams. The winning team will be the ones with the most treasure in their box. Use small balls for treasure which are scatted around the area. State clearing if ‘stealing’ is allowed at the beginning of the game. Link: how do we treasure God’s word?
Hotter and hotter
Under 7’s
Any size group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
A find the object game. Those who hid the objects get to call out hot and hotter or cold and colder as you move towards or away from the hiding spots. Link: verse 10.
Psalm Beat
Ages 7+
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Can be seated
Using a small section of words from the Psalm as lyrics, have the youngsters make up a tune or a beat to sing the words. Add percussion instruments and work in pairs. Link: Psalms were songs sung, not read.
Tippy towers
All Ages
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Who can build the tallest tower, use whatever you have available. Give a time limit. Link: the Old Testament is the foundation to the New Testament.
We talk all the time, words are constantly around us, and yet in Psalm 119 we are encouraged to block out the noise and instead listen to just one voice, the voice of scripture. This craft has a person reading scripture, or more specifically, a ‘mini-you’ speak scripture.
To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, and some paper glue.
Roughly cut out one person set per child. There are 3 per page.
Carefully cut the two parts out.
Fold each of the red boxes behind the person.
Fold the sides of the lips, the straight lines are mountain folds and the dotted lines valley folds.
Glue the two white boxes at the sides together.
Hold the white boxes and push gently in and out to make your person talk. Decorate the person to look like you and get your ‘mini-you’ to speak scripture!
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