Note to the Teacher

The theme of this lesson focuses on processing difficult emotions, seeking hope, and understanding justice through the lens of Psalm 79. For the icebreaker, students will share their hard or wild stories, answering questions about the most physical pain they’ve experienced, overcoming challenges, or witnessing strange events. In the discussion, students will reflect on the emotions expressed in Psalm 79, consider their own experiences with hope during hard times, and explore how they can pray like the psalmist with honesty and vulnerability. For the activity, students will create a poster representing how they would act justly in their community, focusing on small, persistent actions that contribute to justice, and then share their work with the group.

Times are based on a fifty-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

Icebreaker: Tough and Wild Stories (10 minutes)

This getting-to-know-you icebreaker will allow students to share some of their funny or wild experiences or stories of overcoming difficult times. Read the prompts below and tell students they must choose one or two to answer as you go around the room.

What is the most physical pain you’ve ever experienced?
What is the hardest thing you’ve overcome in your life?
What is the strangest thing you’ve ever seen in person?

Bible Reading (5 minutes)

Read Psalm 79:1-9.

Discussion Questions (10 minutes)

What has happened to the person writing this psalm?
How would you describe the psalmist’s emotional state? How is the writer feeling?
Read verse 5. Have you ever asked God something like that? Did you feel that there was a response?
Think of a difficult time in your life. What helped you find hope? Where did hope begin?
Have you ever wished God (or someone else) would take revenge on your behalf? Tell that story. Do you think God takes revenge?
The psalmist is raw and real with God. What can that tell you about prayer?
How can we echo this psalm in our lives and prayers?

Active Learning Activity (20 minutes)

Give students a moment to think about something that feels hard or broken in their lives. Give them categories to help them explore, such as friendships, classes in school, or family relationships.

Give each student a posterboard and access to markers, colored pens, and magazines. Ask them to create a poster representing how they would act justly in their community, whether through kindness, advocacy, or service. Invite them to depict one small action that would make a difference if done persistently.

Once they have finished, have the students explain their posters, focusing on what justice means to them and how they will practice persistence in advocating for justice.