Caring for God's Creation: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Psalms 24:1-10
Children discover that God owns the whole earth and that the LORD is the King of glory. Through a gate-opening game, a gate card craft, and prayer, they practice welcoming Him.
Memory verse
The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalms 24:1, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Say that the earth and everyone in it belong to the LORD, who made it.
- Retell Psalm 24 in order: God owns the world, who may come to Him, and the King of glory enters.
- Respond by welcoming God as King with a prayer and a craft.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Who Owns It? (5 min)
Setup: Write the memory verse on large paper. Hold up the globe or ball.
Say: Good morning! Let's play a quick game called "Whose Is It?"
Point to things in the room: a chair, a crayon, your shoe. Kids call out who made it or owns it (the church, a company, you). Keep it fast and funny.
Then hold up the globe.
Say: Who owns the whole world? Today's psalm gives us the answer.
Say: Stand up and spin around slowly once, with your arms out wide like the whole world!
Say: Now let's hear what Psalm 24 says about God and His world.
Hear Psalm 24 (7 min)
Say: Psalm 24 is a song. Listen for who owns the earth and who is the King of glory.
Read Psalms 24:1-10 aloud from the KJV, or read it in three parts with actions:
• Verses 1-2: The earth is the LORD's. He founded it upon the seas. (Arms wide, then hands pressed down like a foundation.)
• Verses 3-6: Who may go up to the hill of the LORD? Those with clean hands and a pure heart. (Show hands, then hand on heart.)
• Verses 7-10: Lift up your heads, O ye gates! The King of glory shall come in. (Lift arms high like opening big gates.)
Say: The question in verse 8 is, "Who is this King of glory?" What is the answer?
Let kids find it: "The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle... The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory."
Background: The psalm is labeled "A Psalm of David." Many people think it was sung as God's people went up to worship.
Say: Now let's look at the three big ideas in this song.
Three Big Ideas (8 min)
Say: Idea one. Everything belongs to God. Verses 1-2 say He built the earth on the seas and floods. Your house, the animals, the oceans, and you are all His.
Hold up the globe. Say: He made it, so it is His.
Say: Idea two. God is holy, so only a clean heart can come close. Verse 4 says clean hands and a pure heart. Clean hands mean doing right things. A pure heart means wanting what is right.
Say: That is hard! We all do wrong things.
Say: The good news is that Jesus came to forgive us and make us clean when we trust Him. (1 John 1:9)
Say: Idea three. The King of glory is coming in. The gates are told to lift up their heads. Even big gates must make room for Him.
Say: Is our heart open to the King?
Ask: Who is the King of glory? (The LORD, strong and mighty.)
Say: Let's play a game to practice opening the gates.
Game: Open the Gates (8 min)
Setup: Clear a walking path. Safety: walking only, no running.
Time: 8 minutes.
1. Make two lines of kids facing each other. Each pair joins hands high to make a "gate." Leave a wide aisle.
2. The leader calls out, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates!" All gates raise their arms even higher.
3. The leader asks, "Who is this King of glory?" Everyone shouts, "The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory!"
4. One child at a time walks slowly through the gates, like a welcome parade, while the others cheer softly.
5. Rotate until everyone has had a turn. Then say the memory verse together once through, with the globe passing hand to hand, a child saying each phrase.
Children may skip the walk and be a "gate" instead. No one has to touch hands; they can hold their arms up alone.
Craft: Gate Cards (8 min)
Safety: Use safety scissors under supervision. Check for glue or paint allergies and ask parents first.
Setup: Pre-fold one sheet per child in half like a book, and pre-cut as needed for younger kids.
Time: 8 minutes.
1. Open the paper. On the outside front, draw two big gates (doors) and color them.
2. Cut a line down the middle of the front so the two gates open like doors. (Adult helps if needed.)
3. Open the gates. Inside, write or trace: "The LORD is the King of glory!"
4. Decorate the inside with a crown, stars, or the earth.
5. On the back, write Psalms 24:1.
Say: Take this home and open the gates for someone. Tell them who the King of glory is.
Talk It Over (5 min)
Gather in a circle. Ask each question and let several kids answer.
1. Psalm 24:1 says the earth is the LORD's. What are some things He made that you like? (Animals, trees, oceans, family.)
2. Why do you think God wants clean hands and a pure heart? (He is holy, and He wants us to be honest and kind.)
3. How can we be forgiven when we do wrong? (Tell God we are sorry. Jesus forgives us.)
4. What does it mean to "open the gates" for the King? (Let Him be in charge of my life and obey Him.)
Say: Great thinking. Let's talk to the King now.
Closing Prayer (4 min)
Say: Let's close our eyes, or look at our gate cards, and pray together.
Lead a short prayer, pausing for kids to repeat each line:
• Thank You, God, that the whole world is Yours.
• Thank You for making me and loving me.
• Please forgive me when I do wrong and give me a clean heart.
• Help me welcome You as my King.
• Amen.
Say: This week, remember Psalm 24:1. Open your gate card and tell someone who the King of glory is. Goodbye, and God bless you!
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Globe or a ball with a world picture
- Marker and large paper or whiteboard
- Letter-size paper or cardstock (1 per child)
- Crayons or markers
- Safety scissors
- Glue sticks or tape
Teacher notes
- Safety: Craft uses scissors and glue. Supervise closely, use safety scissors, and check for allergies and ask parents first.
- Adaptation: For children with special needs or mixed ages, use pictures of the gates and globe, pair younger kids with older buddies, and let anyone join the game as a watcher or helper.
- Keep "clean hands and pure heart" gentle and hopeful. Point to Jesus' forgiveness so kids do not feel they must be perfect.
- If time runs short, shorten the game and let kids finish the craft at home.
Send it home with parents
Today we studied Psalm 24. God owns the earth and everything in it. Those who come near Him need clean hands and a pure heart, and we learned that Jesus forgives us and makes us clean. The psalm ends by welcoming the LORD as the King of glory. The children made a gate card to remind them to open their hearts to Him.
- What is one thing God made that you thanked Him for today?
- What does it mean to open the gates of your heart to the King?
- How can we ask God to forgive us and make us clean?
Take a walk outside or look out a window. Name things God made and say together, "The earth is the LORD's!" Then open the gate card and read the inside words.
Say Psalms 24:1 each morning and thank God for one thing He made. Show the gate card to a friend and tell them who the King of glory is.
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