Free Bible lesson for kids · Psalms

A Tree by the River

The first psalm says the blessed person delights in God’s law and thinks about it day and night. That person is like a strong tree planted by rivers of water that bears fruit in its season.

Teach this lesson: film, sheets and guide Print the coloring page

Bible passage: Psalm 1
Big idea: God’s Word makes us strong like a well-watered tree.
Memory verse: And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
Ages: Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
Time: About 45 minutes
Included, free: Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game

The story

The very first psalm tells about a blessed, happy person. He does not follow the advice of ungodly people, stand in the way of sinners, or sit with those who mock (Psalm 1:1). Instead, “his delight is in the law of the LORD” (Psalm 1:2). He loves God’s Word so much that he thinks about it day and night (Psalm 1:2).

That person is “like a tree planted by the rivers of water” (Psalm 1:3). It bears fruit at the right time, and its leaves do not wither. Whatever he does will prosper (Psalm 1:3). But the ungodly are like chaff, the dry husks the wind blows away (Psalm 1:4). They will not stand in the judgment (Psalm 1:5). The LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly will perish (Psalm 1:6).

Read it in the Bible: Psalm 1 (KJV)

¹Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ²But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ³And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ⁴The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. ⁵Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. ⁶For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Questions to ask

What does the blessed man delight in?
The law of the LORD.
When does he think about it?
Day and night.
What is he like?
A tree planted by the rivers of water.

What this story teaches

God blesses those who stay away from ungodly advice (Psalm 1:1).
God’s Word is something to love and enjoy (Psalm 1:2).
Thinking about God’s Word every day makes us strong (Psalm 1:2–3).
People who love God’s Word bear good fruit (Psalm 1:3).
The LORD knows the way of the righteous (Psalm 1:6).

Jesus Always Pleased His Father

The blessed man delights in God’s law. Jesus lived this way perfectly: He always did the things that pleased His Father.

John 8:29

A 45-minute lesson plan

5 min	Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask God to help us love His Word every day.
10 min	The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next.
10 min	Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “God’s Word makes us strong like a well-watered tree.” What does that mean for us?
5 min	Memory verse. Say Psalm 1:3 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone.
10 min	Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions).
5 min	Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week.

Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.

Game time

For kids · game · indoors · about 8 minutes

Planted Trees

You need: A fan or a big piece of cardboard to make wind

Kids stand like trees: feet planted, arms out as branches.
The leader makes “wind” and calls out storms: “Big wind!”, “Little breeze!”
Trees sway but keep their feet planted. Anyone whose feet move sits by the “river” and helps blow.

The person who delights in God’s Word is like a tree planted by the rivers of water. Their roots go deep.

For youth group · activity · indoors or out · about 10 minutes

Deep Roots Challenge

You need: A seven-day Bible reading plan, a group chat

Everyone agrees to read one psalm a day for a week (Psalms 1, 15, 19, 23, 27, 46, 121).
Post one verse that stood out each day in the group chat.
Next week, share which one stuck with you.

“His delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

Pray

Ask God to help us love His Word every day.