WELCOME TO WEEK 3

It’s week 3! This week we will see that we can take risks for God. We are usually told not to take risks so we can be safe, but when we take risks for God, He gives us the strength we need!

BIBLE STORY

Today, let’s see how strong we are. I’m going to show you several items to lift. If you think you are strong enough to lift it, I want you to try, but if you don’t think you can lift it I want you to do this sign for help. (Place a closed fist with thumb pointing up on top of an open-faced hand. Then the open hand will lift the closed fist hand in an upward motion.)

Gather several items of various weight for your child to demonstrate lifting or asking for help using the sign. Use items near you such as a pillow, a rock, a basket, a chair, a heavy book, a couch, etc. 

In our story today a woman names Rahab does something very brave to help a few men of God. God gives her strength to do something risky for Him.

Materials: various objects from around the house that are different weights (Some that require help)

Read or listen to the scripture Joshua 2:1-15 

Why did Joshua send out the 2 spies? (To survey the land, especially Jericho) 

Whose home did the spies stay in? (Rahab’s)

Why did the king tell Rahab to bring out the spies (He heard they had come to spy on the land)

What did Rahab tell the king? (that the men had left and the soldiers should chase after them)

What did Rahab hear and believe about the Israelites? (That their God was powerful and they had come to take Jericho just as they had previous cities because their God was with them)

What did she ask of the spies? (For them to show her kindness and protect her and her family from death.)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

This week we are learning about Rahab who did something bold for God to help protect His people. Rahab hid the spies so they wouldn’t be hurt and in return God protected her. Sometimes it is hard to do the right thing when we think we might be in trouble. We are learning this week that we can take bold risks for God.

Activity:

Find a piece of large red string or ribbon. Show your child the ribbon and then have them turn around or cover their eyes while you hide it somewhere around the room. Then send them to find the ribbon. Do this several times with different hiding spots. Switch places and let them hide the string while you find it.

Materials: red piece of string

Alternative:

Sequence this week’s story. Cut out the boxes with pictures and sequence them in order by glueing them inside the blank boxes. Have your child retell the story to you.

Materials: printed sequencing page, scissors, glue

Create:

Complete the following activity sheet.

Materials: printed activity sheet, crayons, pencil

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Create the scene of Jericho and Rahab’s house. Cut out different shapes from construction paper in various colors, sizes and shapes. Use the shapes to create a house and then decorate the rest of the picture. Add a red piece of yarn or string to show the rope Rahab left outside her window.

Materials: large sheet of paper, red string or yarn, supplies: crayons, glue, scissor, markers,

CRAFT 2

Coloring Page

Materials: Coloring sheet printout, Crayons or Markers

FOLLOW-UP

What are some risks you take for God?

If you were Rahab, would you have taken the same risks?

How do you think she felt after the spies left her house?

Do you think Rahab wondered if the spies would keep their promise to protect her?

Rahab heard about the Israelites before she ever met them, why did she know so much about them?

When people hear about you, do you think they know that your strength comes from God too?

Practical Application at Home

There are risks we can take that God asks of us that are for His glory. Sometimes we take risks because we think it will be fun or because someone dares us. Think about the list of risks below and tell if you think the risk is for God, for ourselves, or others.

-Telling the truth even if it means being in trouble

-Standing up to someone who is bullying someone else

-Jumping off a high ledge because your friend said you couldn’t do it.

-Meeting a new kid and being the first to welcome them.

-Swinging your baseball bat inside the house.

-Telling a friend at school about Jesus.

-Inviting a neighbor to church with you

-Riding your bike really fast down the hill with no hands 

-Stealing money when no one is looking to get the toy you’ve been waiting for

-Going on a missionary trip to a place you’ve never been before

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.