God Made Me Special

The Assurance of Psalm 139

Psalm 139 NIV

Bible Lesson & Activities for Children

 God Made Me Special

Psalm 139 is a beautiful reminder that God knows us inside and out, better

than we know ourselves. He has created us and loves us, and we can’t even begin to understand

the depth of that care. God does wonderful and amazing things in nature and in our lives, and He

has a plan for our lives that existed before we were even born! This lesson explores unique

features about our bodies as a reminder that God formed us and made us special. Each and

every one of us is precious and handmade by the Lord, the maker of all things.

There is great comfort and peace in recalling that we are made, known, and loved by the God of

the universe. He is mighty and powerful and awesome, and yet He cares for us as individuals. God

knows our thoughts and understands us inside and out. He knit us together and designed us with

purpose. We can rest assured that we are valuable and loved, no matter what we might do or not

do. We have worth because of God’s love, and He will guide us in our lives.

Passage: Psalm 139:1-24

Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade

Materials Needed: Construction paper; decorative supplies; glue; markers or crayons; tape;

scissors; pictures of fingerprints; ink pads; paper plates; Bibles.

More Resources Online

● Watch the video demonstration of the object lesson.

● Watch the video example for the craft projects.
● Watch the video Bible story “I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” from Crossroads Kids
● Watch the video Bible Bible story “Wonderfully Made” from Crossroads Kids
● For more free illustrations, visit Christian Clip Arts and Ministry-To-Children

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 1
 Object Lesson (5 minutes)

Greet children with a “quiz” of some facts about yourself…

Hello, Children of God!

I want to start out with a few questions today. I want to see how well you think you know

ME. What is my birthday? Do you know my middle name? How about my favorite color?

Can you tell me what I had for breakfast this morning? Or my favorite candy?

Chances are, you don’t know all of those things about me. What about you? You can

probably answer those questions for yourself, but there are other things you might not

know as well. For instance, do you know how many skin cells are on your body? Do you

know how many hairs are on your head?? That could be a little tougher, huh?

But there is Someone who knows all of those details about you. He is the one who made

you and gave you all of the special features that make you unique. Each and every one of

us is made with things that are unique to just one person. For instance, have you ever

taken a good look at your fingerprints? Hold up a picture of fingerprints, showing various

types. Did you know that no two people have exactly the same fingerprints? Even identical

twins have different fingerprints. Some are swirly, some are loopy or round or wavy…but

they are all unique to who we are as individuals. Or how about freckles or birthmarks or

talents? Those are all special according to each person. Think about things you are

interested in or great at doing. God put that in you from the very beginning.

You might not yet know what your life will look like in twenty years, but God has a plan for

it! In the Bible, in the book of Psalms, we hear how God has made us and knows us, and is

always with us. It says that He formed us while we were still in our mothers’ wombs. If

available, hold up an ultrasound image. Do you know what this is? This is a picture of a

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 2
little tiny baby, before it’s even born. This baby hasn’t kicked a soccer ball or made a

painting or even taken a breath, but God formed it and has a plan and purpose for it. God

formed you and has a plan for you, too. The psalm reminds us that God’s works are

wonderful. He made the sun, moon, stars, and everything on Earth. And He made you, too,

with just as much care and creativity. God knows us better than we know ourselves. There

is nowhere we can go that will be away from Him. He is always there with us and always

will be. Knowing that should give us comfort and peace. The maker of the universe made

you and loves you! He has granted you special gifts and has a plan for you. You don’t

know what that is yet, but God will be with you in it. And we know it will be a wonderful

plan, just as we are wonderfully made!

Prayer: (Invite the children to repeat each line)

Dear God,

Thank you for making us and caring for us

You understand us and know us better than we can imagine

Help us to trust in you and give thanks for your presence

Thank you for your love

We love you, God!

In Jesus name, Amen!

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 3
 Game & Activities Suggestions
(10 minutes)

Psalm 139 depicts how all people are fearfully and wonderfully made, hand-formed by
God. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and will be with us wherever we go. To
get students thinking and ready to learn, consider an activity opener along these lines:

● Fingerprint analysis: Have students use ink pads to make fingerprints (and/or hand
and foot prints!). Encourage them to observe what their fingerprints look like, and
how they are unique from the other students in the group.
● Hide-and-seek: There is nowhere we can go to hide from the presence of God…but
we can hide from one another! Play hide and seek in honor of that portion of the
passage. Consider using some variations on the game as well, such as sardines or
hike-and-seek tag.
● A plan from the start…look at some baby pictures and play a matching game. Try to
identify famous celebrities, and/or people in the church (maybe even students
themselves, if parents can help play along) by pictures as children or infants. You
might also do the same with animals, looking at baby animal pictures. Discuss how
God formed us in the womb and has a plan for us from the beginning.
● Woven together: Look at baskets, weavings, or quilts. Describe how God made us
just like the quilts, knitting us together. Try a hand at some “paper weaving” as well.
● What do you know? Have students guess facts about themselves or about one
another. These could be trivia questions like “how many bones are in your body?” or
little known facts that students write down and then guess about one another.
Explain that God knows everything about everyone! He knows us better than we
even know ourselves.
● Search for it hunt: Have a special searching game with specific items. Hide a small
item or items around a room or play area. Have students look as teams or
individuals to try seeking out the items.
Explain that the passage today comes from the book of Psalms, and is a description of
how precious, unique, and beloved each and every person is, made and loved by God
and valuable in His eyes.

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 4
 Main Bible Teaching
(15 minutes)

This passage is a beautiful and wonderful reminder of God’s hand in our lives. Depending

on the translation used, it will be helpful to explain some of the words and terms involved,

emphasizing to children the comfort and peace of knowing God as creator and loving

Father. Have older students take turns reading the verses, or read them out loud for

younger kids and pause to describe things as you go.

Psalm 139:1-4 NIV You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. (2)You know

when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. (3) You discern my

going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. (4)Before a word

is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

In some aspects, these verses could be considered almost frightening. That is, if we aren’t

living as we should, then contemplating God’s omniscience can be slightly

guilt-imposing. That is not meant to be the idea, though. This passage tells us that God

knows each and every part of us and is always with us. He knows what we are going to

think, say, and do, even before we do. He knows us inside and out. No one has ever, will

ever, or can ever know us like that!

Ask: How does it feel to know that God understands everything about you? Are there

things you don’t think you understand well about yourself?

Psalm 139:5-10 NIV You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon

me. (6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (7)

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (8) If I go

up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 5
 (9) If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, (10) even

there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

We will never truly understand God and His vast wisdom. In fact, it says here that his

knowledge is too wonderful for us. If there are aspects of God that we cannot grasp or

fathom, that’s as it should be! He is far higher and greater than we can know, and that’s

great! If someone is in charge of me and caring for me, it sure is nice to know that He’s

much stronger and wiser than I am. There is nowhere we can go that is beyond His reach.

From the highest to the lowest places and anywhere we can imagine, God is all around.

This means He will never leave us or forsake us.

Ask: Have you ever wanted to keep something from God? How could His omniscience be

comforting or a little frightening?

Psalm 139:11-14 NIV If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become

night around me,” (12) even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will

shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (13) For you created my inmost

being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (14) I praise you because I am

fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

This part of the Psalm is one of the most wonderful and special passages of Scripture we

have. For one thing, it demonstrates the sanctity of all life, beginning in the womb. God

knits together His beloved people before they are even born. Emphasize to children how

precious each and every one of them is. God formed us with awe and wonder. Like a

beautiful quilt or tapestry, each part of us is “sewn” together. We all have special talents

and features, and we are all made and loved by God.

Ask: What is something that is unique and wonderful about you? How do you know God

made you special?

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 6
 Psalm 139:15-20 NIV My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the

secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. (16) Your eyes

saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be. (17) How precious to me are your thoughts, God!

How vast is the sum of them! (18) Were I to count them, they would outnumber the

grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you. (19) If only you, God, would slay

the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! (20) They speak of you with

evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.

These verses remind us that God not only made us and knows us, He fights for us! God is

the great Author, and He has written out our stories. Remind children that God has a plan

for their lives, each and every one of them. We might not even know what is going to

happen tomorrow, but He has already arranged every day and moment ahead of time for

us. He knows His wonderful plans for our lives, and they are great! We can count on Him to

hold our futures in His marvelous hands.

Ask: What do you think you’d like to be when you grow up? How can you continue to love

and serve God when you get older?

Psalm 139:21-24 NIV Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who

are in rebellion against you? (22) have nothing but hatred for them; I count them

my enemies. (23) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my

anxious thoughts. (24) See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the

way everlasting.

The Psalm ends with interesting sentiments. Of course, we don’t condone hating anyone,

but these verses do remind us that God does not allow for evil, and His enemies can be

despised if they hurt God’s work. The beautiful part of this passage, though, is the

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 7
invitation for God to search our thoughts and know us. This might be a dangerous thing,

when you really consider it. What might happen once God has sought through the depths

of our souls? Then again, He already knows what is there, so this cry merely reminds us

that God can lead us when we allow Him to.

Ask: Why do you think this asks for God to “search us”? How can you be open to letting

Him have control over your heart and mind?

Close with prayer, thanking God for His wisdom, knowledge, power, and care for us.

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 8
 Craft Activities (15 minutes)

Psalm 139 is a beautiful reminder of how we are known, loved, and specially created by

God. He made every part of us unique and important, and He has a special plan and

purpose for our lives. These crafts celebrate the Psalms message. A mosaic hand

considers how each of our parts is formed by God. A “Search me magnifying glass”

considers individual talents in light of God’s omniscience. Let’s get crafty!

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 9
 Craft one: “Patchwork Hands Mosaic”

You will need:

● Construction Paper or Cardstock

● Markers or crayons

● Glue or tape

● Scissors

● Cut pieces of paper or foam

Procedure:

1. If not pre-cut, cut several pieces of

paper or cardstock into varied

shapes, to resemble mosaic pieces.

2. Trace a hand, hands, or body outline

onto paper or cardstock, or another

picture.

3. Add verses or captions as desired.

4. Glue or tape the mosaic pieces into

the image to resemble a mosaic.

If desired, attach a magnet or string to hang the mosaic.

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 10
 Craft Two: “Search me Magnifying Glass”

You will need:

● Paper plate

● Construction paper or cardstock

● Plastic wrap

● Crayons or markers

● Glue or tape

● Scissors

Procedure:

1. Decorate the center of a paper plate with features

to celebrate the students’ special traits. Write

words or draw pictures depicting talents and gifts.

2. Cover the plate with plastic wrap to resemble the

shine of a magnifying glass.

3. Cut a piece of black paper in a large circle to look

like the magnifying glass. Glue or tape it to the

outside of the plate. Alternatively, color the rim of

the plate black.

4. Roll and tape another piece of black paper to look

like a handle.

5. Add verses or captions and additional decorations as desired.

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 11
 Psalm 139:14 NIV

I praise you because I am fearfully and

wonderfully made

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 12
“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.
Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 13
 Word Search Puzzle

David - Search - Spirit - Inward - Wonderfully - Fearfully

Made - Unformed - God - Knowledge - Presence - Womb

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 14
 Word Search Answers

“God Made Me Special” Psalm 139 . Written by Kristin Highley.

Lesson Plan Copyright © 2023 The Sunday School Store. Page 15