Sing Praises

Youth Lessons

Note to the Teacher

This lesson invites students to explore praise as a way to remember who God is and where hope has shown up, even in hard times. The icebreaker is a silly, fast-paced group game designed to get students laughing and energized together. After reading Psalm 105, students talk about how singing, storytelling, and remembering shape faith over time. In the activity, students use writing to create short pieces of praise rooted in memory, discovering that praise is often less about ignoring pain and more about naming where hope has already broken through.

NEEDED RESOURCES:

• Paper (one or two sheets per student)
• Pens or pencils

Icebreaker: Freeze Face (10 min.)

Have everyone stand in a circle.

Explain that the leader will call out an emotion or situation. Everyone then has three seconds to make the most exaggerated facial expression they can that fits the prompt. When the leader says “Freeze,” everyone must hold the face. The leader walks around and selects the most normal face and taps that person to sit out the next round until only two remain, and the “Freeze Face” champion is named.

Example prompts:

• You just smelled something terrible.
• You found money in your pocket that you forgot about.
• You are trying not to laugh.
• You are extremely confused.
• You are pretending you understand what someone just said.
• Play as many rounds as time allows.

Scripture (5 min.)

Read Psalm 105:1–6, 16–22, 45b.

Discussion (15 min.)

• What actions does the psalm encourage people to do together?
• What role does “remembering” play in this psalm?
• Do you have any tips or tricks for memorizing? Share them! Is memorizing the same as remembering, in your opinion?
• Why do you think singing and storytelling are often connected in faith traditions?
• How does remembering past experiences shape how people face the present?
• What are some stories or songs that help you hold onto hope?
• How is this different from pretending everything is good or fine?
• What makes it hard to remember hope during difficult times?

Activity and Discussion: Changing the Lens (20 min.)

Give each student a sheet of paper and something to write with. Invite them to choose one of the following prompts and respond in a short paragraph, poem, list, or song-style verse. Emphasize that grammar and polish do not matter; they should let go and write what comes to mind.

• Write about a time when things felt uncertain, but something small helped you keep going.
• Write a praise that recalls something good that happened in the past.
• Write a praise for people who helped you during a hard time.
• Write a praise for hope you cannot fully see but believe exists.

After the students have finished writing, invite volunteers to share a line or phrase they feel comfortable reading aloud. Sharing is always optional.

Reflection Questions (for the activity)

• What did you notice about how writing changed the way you thought about praise?
• Which prompt felt easiest or hardest to respond to, and why?
• How does this activity connect to the psalm’s call to remember and sing?

Close in a manner that is consistent with your group’s practice.