Things We Must Do: Praise – Basic 1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Praise means saying good things about someone, honouring them and telling how great they are. When we praise God, we tell Him how great He is, worship Him, sing to Him and celebrate His goodness. We thank God for what He has done, and we praise Him for who He is.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Say what praise means.
2. Tell the difference between thanking God and praising God.
3. Give reasons why we praise God.
4. Recite Psalm 103:1-2.
5. Name ways and times to praise God.

What is praise?

Praise means:

• Saying good things about someone
• Honouring someone
• Telling how great someone is
• Showing appreciation and admiration
• Celebrating someone’s goodness

When we praise God, we:

• Tell God how great He is
• Worship Him
• Sing to Him
• Say good things about Him
• Honour His name
• Celebrate His goodness

What is the difference between thanksgiving and praise?

We thank God for His actions. We praise God for His character.

Why do we praise God?

We praise God because:

1. God is great
   • He created everything
   • Nothing is greater than God
   • He is the King of Kings
2. God is good
   • He is kind and loving
   • His goodness never ends
   • He is good to everyone
3. God is holy
   • He is pure and perfect
   • He has no sin
   • He is righteous
4. God is mighty
   • He is powerful
   • Nothing is too hard for God
   • He can do anything
5. God is faithful
   • He keeps His promises
   • He never fails
   • We can trust Him
6. God deserves it
   • God is worthy of all praise
   • He created us to praise Him
   • It is the right thing to do

Songs of praise

Song 1: “Praise Him, Praise Him”

Praise Him, praise Him
All ye little children
God is love, God is love

Praise Him, praise Him
All ye little children
God is love, God is love

Song 2: “Jesus Loves Me”

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so

Song 3: “Hallelu, Hallelujah”

Hallelu, Hallelujah
Praise ye the Lord
Hallelu, Hallelujah
Praise ye the Lord

Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah
Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah
Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah
Praise ye the Lord!

What does Psalm 103:1-2 say?

Let us learn this beautiful psalm.

Verse 1:

“Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”

Verse 2:

“Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.”

What does it mean?

“Praise the Lord, O my soul”

• With all your heart
• With everything inside you
• With your whole being

“Praise his holy name”

• God’s name is special
• Honour His name
• His name is wonderful

“Forget not all his benefits”

• Remember all God has done
• Do not forget His blessings
• Always remember God’s goodness

How do we recite Psalm 103:1-2?

Let us say it together, line by line:

1. Praise the Lord, O my soul
2. All my inmost being, praise his holy name
3. Praise the Lord, O my soul
4. And forget not all his benefits

Practise saying it every day!

What are the ways to praise God?

1. With our mouth
   • Speak words of praise
   • Say “God, you are great!”
   • Tell others about God
2. With songs
   • Sing to God
   • Join the church choir
   • Sing at home
3. With our hands
   • Clap for God
   • Raise our hands
   • Play musical instruments
4. With our body
   • Dance for God
   • Bow down to worship
   • Kneel in reverence
5. With our life
   • Live a good life
   • Be a good example
   • Let our actions praise God

When should we praise God?

Praise God:

• In the morning when you wake up
• During church service
• Before meals
• When you are happy
• When you are sad
• When things are good
• When things are difficult
• At night before sleeping
• Anytime, anywhere!

Bible verse:

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6)

If you are breathing, you should be praising!

What words of praise can we say?

• “God, You are great!”
• “You are wonderful!”
• “You are mighty!”
• “You are holy!”
• “You are awesome!”
• “You are loving!”
• “You are faithful!”
• “Glory to Your name!”
• “Hallelujah!” (means “Praise the Lord!”)
• “Hosanna!” (means “Save us!”)

Practise praising God

Let us practise together:

1. Raise your hands
2. Say “God, You are great!”
3. Clap your hands
4. Say “I praise Your holy name!”
5. Smile
6. Say “Hallelujah!”

Evaluation

Multiple choice exercise

1. Praise means saying _____ things about someone.
   • a) bad
   • b) good
   • c) nothing
2. We praise God for who He _____.
   • a) was
   • b) is
   • c) might be
3. Psalm 103:1 says “Praise the _____.”
   • a) Lord
   • b) people
   • c) animals
4. Hallelujah means _____.
   • a) goodbye
   • b) praise the Lord
   • c) good morning
5. We should praise God _____.
   • a) never
   • b) once a year
   • c) anytime, anywhere

Answers: 1. b, 2. b, 3. a, 4. b, 5. c

Assignment

1. Learn Psalm 103:1-2 by heart.
2. Sing a praise song every day this week.
3. Tell God three things you praise Him for.
4. Practise saying “Hallelujah!” with joy.