Psalm 23: My Good Shepherd prepares a table for me

1. Lesson (based on Psalm 23:5a)

• HOOK: Table setting relay game

• Prepare 2 sets of table settings (simpler for younger kids, more challenging for older ones)
• Divide kids into 2 groups. Number of table items should be same as number of kids in each group.
• Show them the order and placement of each table item, e.g. 1 Table cloth; 2 Plate; 3 Spoon etc
• Divide kids into 2 groups. First person from each group has to run forward, take a utensil/table item and put it at its correct place. Run back, tag teammate, and 2^nd person runs forward etc. Until kids have all had their turn. First team to finish wins.
• Say you want to invite all your friends over for a party. What would you do? There will definitely be a lot of preparation involved. Well, first you would have to figure out who you wanted to invite. Then you would need to figure out what you were going to feed them and then you would have to make a list. Then, of course, you would have to clean your house. Then you would need to decide how you were going to decorate the table and when to start the cooking. Wow, there would be tons to do to prepare for your guests, wouldn’t there? A lot of care, thought and effort is put into making the meal a scrumptious one. 
• Do you know that our Good Shepherd, Jesus, has prepared a wonderful feast for us?  Let’s find out more as we continue our journey with Psalm 23.  

Psalm 23: My Good Shepherd is with me through the darkest valleys

1. Lesson (based on Psalm 23:4)

• HOOK: Shadow Guessing Game
• Show kids some shadows and get them to guess what the real objects are. You can either show them on powerpoint or use a white cloth with a bright light behind.  Do choose age-appropriate images/shadows, e.g. more difficult for older kids etc.
•  Guessing shadows are fun. But sometimes, shadows can seem strange and even a bit scary. Especially at night. But they are just black shades that are caused when something blocks out light. The shadows cannot harm us or hurt us. And when we are in broad day light, we don’t have to be afraid of shadows at all.
• When we have the Light of the World in our lives, we don’t have to be afraid of any shadows any more.
• Jesus is the Light of the World. And He drives away the darkness and the shadows in our lives. When we have Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid of anything.