(8–10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will discuss the meanings of the words gracious and bless.
(8–10 minutes, easy set-up)
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
On the dry erase board, create two columns, one with “be gracious” written at the top and the other with “bless” written at the top. Explain to students that in the opening verse of Psalm 67, the psalmist asks God to “be gracious and bless us.” Say: In order to have a full understanding of this psalm, we have to know what he’s asking of God. Ask: What do the words gracious and bless really mean?
Lead students to gain a better understanding of the word gracious by reading Genesis 33:5, Psalm 51:1, and Isaiah 30:19 aloud. Based on these verses, lead students to write some descriptions of the word gracious in the appropriate column. Explain that when the Lord is gracious to us, He is giving us undeserved favor. Share that David and Jacob knew that they didn’t deserve what the Lord had done for them.
For the word bless, enlist students to read Genesis 12:2, Genesis 22:17, and Exodus 23:25. Based on these verses, instruct students to write some words to describe what they think the word bless means. Explain that a blessing is an enrichment or enhancement of one’s life.
Next, ask students to discuss and write a paraphrase of Psalm 67:1. Then enlist a student to read verse 2. Ask: So how does God’s blessing in your life (as mentioned in connection with verse 1) help accomplish what we just read in verse 2? Allow students to respond. Then conclude by asking: How does this make you rethink how you should approach the blessings and graciousness of God in your life?