Why We Should Praise God – Basic 1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

We should praise God because He created us, saved us, protects us, provides for us, loves us, forgives us, answers our prayers and gives us hope. Praise also makes us happy. People in the Bible such as David, Hannah, and Paul and Silas praised God in good times and bad, and children can praise God too.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• give reasons why we should praise God
• name people in the Bible who praised God and say what each person did
• state lessons we learn from these Bible people
• state benefits of praising God
• say where and how they can praise God every day

Why should we praise God?

1. God created us
   • We did not make ourselves.
   • God formed us in our mother’s womb.
   • We owe our existence to God.
   • Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
2. God saved us
   • We were lost in sin.
   • God sent Jesus to save us.
   • Jesus died on the cross for us.
   • We are redeemed.
3. God is faithful
   • God keeps His promises.
   • He never fails.
   • What He says, He does.
   • We can depend on Him.
4. God protects us
   • He watches over us day and night.
   • He keeps us safe from danger.
   • Psalm 91:11 says, “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you.”
5. God provides for us
   • Every day God gives us what we need.
   • These include food, water, clothes and shelter.
   • He takes care of us like a loving Father.
6. God loves us
   • God’s love is unconditional.
   • He loves us even when we sin.
   • His love never ends.
   • Romans 8:38-39 says nothing can separate us from God’s love.
7. God forgives us
   • When we sin and say sorry, God forgives us completely.
   • He does not hold grudges.
   • 1 John 1:9 says, “He is faithful and just and will forgive us.”
8. God answers prayer
   • When we pray, God listens.
   • He answers according to His will.
   • Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait.
   • But He always hears us.
9. God gives us hope
   • In difficult times, God gives us hope.
   • We know everything will be okay.
   • God works all things for our good.
10. Praise makes us happy
    • When we praise God, we feel joy.
    • Praise changes our mood.
    • It makes us smile.

Which people in the Bible sang praises to God?

1. David
   • David was a shepherd boy who became king.
   • He wrote many psalms (songs) of praise.
   • He played the harp and sang to God.
   • He danced before God with all his might.
   • David said, “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart” (Psalm 9:1).
2. Moses and Miriam
   • God saved Israel from Egypt, and they crossed the Red Sea.
   • Moses and all Israel sang praises to God.
   • Miriam and the women danced with tambourines.
   • Read Exodus 15:1-21, the Song of Moses.
3. Hannah
   • Hannah had no children and was very sad.
   • She prayed to God for a baby.
   • God answered and gave her Samuel.
   • Hannah sang a beautiful song of praise.
   • Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hannah’s Prayer.
4. Mary (mother of Jesus)
   • When Mary learned she would give birth to Jesus, she sang a song of praise called “The Magnificat”.
   • She said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”
   • Read Luke 1:46-55.
5. Paul and Silas
   • They were beaten and thrown in prison.
   • At midnight, instead of complaining, they prayed and sang hymns to God.
   • God sent an earthquake and freed them.
   • Read Acts 16:25-26.
6. The angels
   • When Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds.
   • They sang, “Glory to God in the highest!”
   • Read Luke 2:13-14.
7. The Israelites at the temple dedication
   • King Solomon dedicated the temple.
   • The priests and Levites sang and played instruments.
   • They praised God, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”
   • Read 2 Chronicles 5:13.
8. Job
   • Even when Job lost everything, he still praised God.
   • He said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
   • Read Job 1:21.
9. The three Hebrew boys (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego)
   • They were thrown into a fiery furnace.
   • But they trusted God, and God protected them.
   • They came out praising God.
   • Read Daniel 3.
10. The leper who was healed
    • One of the ten lepers came back.
    • He praised God in a loud voice.
    • He fell at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him.
    • Read Luke 17:15-16.

What do we learn from these people?

These Bible characters teach us:

1. Praise God in good times and bad times
   • David praised God always.
   • Paul and Silas praised God in prison.
   • We should praise God in every situation.
2. Praise brings deliverance
   • When Paul and Silas praised God, they were freed.
   • Praise can break chains.
   • Praise brings God’s power.
3. Praise is contagious
   • When one person praises, others join.
   • Hannah’s praise inspired many.
   • Let us start praising and others will follow.
4. Children can praise too
   • David started praising as a young shepherd.
   • We are never too young to praise God.
5. Praise should be loud and joyful
   • Miriam danced with tambourines.
   • The leper praised “in a loud voice”.
   • Do not be shy to praise God.

What are the benefits of praising God?

When we praise God:

• We feel joy.
• We draw closer to God.
• We defeat the enemy.
• We encourage others.
• We please God.
• We build our faith.
• We change the atmosphere.
• We invite God’s presence.

How can we be like these Bible heroes?

Choose to:

• praise God daily
• praise God in church
• praise God at home
• praise God in school
• praise God everywhere

Praise challenge

This week, try to praise God:

• 10 times a day
• in different ways (singing, speaking, clapping)
• even when things are difficult

Can you do it?

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. _____ wrote many psalms of praise.
   • a) Moses
   • b) David
   • c) Noah
2. Paul and Silas praised God in _____.
   • a) church
   • b) prison
   • c) the market
3. Hannah praised God when she got a _____.
   • a) house
   • b) baby
   • c) car
4. The angels sang when _____ was born.
   • a) Moses
   • b) David
   • c) Jesus
5. Praise makes us feel _____.
   • a) sad
   • b) angry
   • c) joyful

Assignment

1. Name 3 people in the Bible who praised God.
2. Try the praise challenge: praise God 10 times each day.
3. Draw David playing the harp and singing.
4. Tell your parents why we should praise God.