WELCOME TO WEEK 2

God gives us strength to face the big things in life. Sometimes we may not always understand what God is asking of us or how it will all work out, but God will continue to provide. We just need to continue to trust and obey. This week we will see how the Israelites’ obedience allowed them to see a big victory in a strange way. 

Joshua 6; Joshua 1:9

BIBLE STORY

We often depend on our own strength to defend or protect ourselves. Today, I want you to make your own weapon for protection out of these paper towel rolls, paper, and tape. Let’s see what you can come up with. 

Do you think this weapon will protect you? If you really came upon someone or something that could cause you harm, would you be able to defend yourself with this simple weapon? Today we will read a story about the unusual strength God gave to Joshua, through weapons that were ordinary tools. Let’s find out if Joshua won the battle and what he used to win.

Let’s read the Bible story for the week Joshua 6

Who was leading the Israelites into Jericho? (Joshua)

How was Jericho preparing for the Israelites? (locking down their city each night)

What did God tell Joshua he would do to overtake the city? (March around the city once a day for 6 days and on the 7th day march 7 times and the last time blow trumpets and shout.)

Who did they save from the city? (Only Rahab and her family, everyone else was to be destroyed)

Could they take some of the treasures of Jericho for themselves? (no, they couldn’t keep anything)

What did God say would happen if they took some of their cursed possessions? (They too will be cursed at the camp.)

Materials: paper towel cardboard roll or toilet paper rolls, paper, tape, markers



BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

God was with Joshua and the Israelites, but the Israelites also trusted God to do what he said He would do. They trusted that God would give them the victory, even though they didn’t see how. God did not tell them to use mighty weapons or brute strength, but He really asked them to trust that He was strong enough to deliver them.

Activity

Complete this book retelling the story of Joshua and Jericho. Cut out the sentence strip and then glue them in order in the boxes. Illustrate pictures to describe what is happening in the story. Share your book with a friend.

Materials: printed booklet retelling the story of Joshua

Alternative:

Complete this activity sheet

Materials: printed activity sheet

Create:

Create a journal entry as if you were a part of the Israelite group that prepared to enter the Promised land. Think about what it may have been like to be your age with your parents crossing the Jordan River and then preparing to battle Jericho.

Materials: journal paper, pencil

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Using 2 large sheets of foam, cut out a horn shape. Attach a party blower between the two sheets of foam. Use a large piece of string to wrap around the horn to create a handle. Alternately you can use paper or cardstock, but it may get wet from the child blowing and then fall apart.

Materials: 2 large foam sheets (or cardstock paper), party blower, string,

CRAFT 2

Create the wall of Jericho. Using a small to medium cardboard box, cut off the top and bottom flaps. Then cut out rectangles from the top of the box to create a Wall of Jericho shape. Using brown or black paint, create a brick pattern on the sides of the box. Create a large door on the front of the box by cutting out a large rounded door and glueing it to one side.

Materials: small cardboard box, scissors, brown or black paint

craft 3

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring page

FOLLOW-UP

Read the following scriptures

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, Keeping his covenant of love for a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is right and true, He is faithful in all he does.

Psalm 89:8 Who is like you Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are might, and faithfulness surrounds you.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

How does it make you feel to know that God is faithful and will keep his promises?

Does God being faithful mean that you get everything you want?

How can we see God as being faithful when things in our life are not going well?

How has God been faithful in your life?

Does knowing God is faithful, make it easier for you to obey him even when it doesn’t make sense to you now?

Has there ever been a time when something disappointing or bad happened to you, but later on you could see how God was there for you through it, or something good came from the bad experience. Maybe you learned something new about yourself or new about God. Maybe at the end of the experience when you looked back you realized your relationship with God was stronger than before. Maybe your experience helped you help someone else who went through a similar situation after you. God being faithful does not change based on our situations, He is faithful through them, good and bad. He is faithful to save us and deliver us here and most importantly, for eternity. 

Practical Application at Home

Give your child a simple puzzle (but hard enough that they can’t complete it in under 1 minute). Give them the pieces for the puzzle without the picture. Okay, I want you to try and put this puzzle together in less than 2 minutes (or 1 minute if its too easy). Ready, go! Was that an easy puzzle to put together without the picture? Let’s try it again but this time let’s use the picture as our guide to how the pieces fit together. (you can help your child complete the puzzle and not use a timer if desired).

Read Joshua 1:9. In our story, God gave Joshua instructions on how to defeat Jericho but it was not completely clear to Joshua how God would give them the victory. He did not know how it would all work out. Joshua had courage and obeyed what God asked of him, even though it seemed crazy or impossible! God did exactly what He said He would do, and he knocked down the walls of Jericho. We can also have courage and obey God even when we don’t see how it will all work out. We can obey God by… 

Obeying our parents

Listening to our teachers

Being kind to our enemies

Helping others in need

Telling others about Jesus even when we are uncomfortable

Sticking up for others who are being mistreated

Reaching out to another kid who might feel alone

God has called us, even though we are young, to follow Him, even when it seems crazy! He will give us the strength and courage, just as He did for Joshua, to complete the mission he has given us. We can trust God will be faithful to deliver us. 

Materials: age appropriate puzzle that’s not too easy

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Go to a park and spend time in worship and prayer. Ask God to show you ways to trust him and listen to his voice.