Key Verse
“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” Proverbs 4:26
Read the Key Verse with your class. Help them understand the word “ponder” means “to think about.” They should think about where they go and what they do. We need to be sure we only go the places God would approve of. When we walk with God, He will bless us. That is why it is important to “ponder the path of thy feet.” Today, we see instances when God’s people choose to allow God to establish their ways.
Summary: Joshua opens with a listing and remembering of the lands and kingdoms conquered. God tells Joshua how the land is to be divided. The land is distributed and the people finally occupy the land (13-24), making it the land of Israel. The people set up the tabernacle in the city of Shiloh (18).
We also see a great conflict today, one that could have caused a civil war among God’s people. We have a great example of a potentially divisive matter being handled in a godly manner, an example we all should heed today.
We close today with a mighty challenge from Joshua: choose this day who you will serve. Joshua constantly reminded the people about God and what God had done for them. He encouraged them to make a commitment, just as God’s people need to do today. We must decide, each individual person, who we will serve. In Joshua, we see God’s people choose to serve God.
Until Joshua and his leading of God’s people into Canaan, they were a nation without a land. At the close of Joshua, they are now a nation with a land mass.
Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!
Emphasis: We must choose for ourselves to obey and serve God. We will then see God bless and establish us as His people.
Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:
Lesson 28 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1
Lesson 28 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet
Ideas for children:
Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.). I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash! Pinterest always has great ideas!
You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.
One idea for today’s lesson: (See picture below). For today’s lesson we took an oval foam sheet to make a hanging verse. We put a foam sticker of a Bible times’ house, a cross and some heart stickers (you can choose different ones) and then we glued today’s key verse to it. The idea is to remember that each house must choose to serve the Lord.
Mural idea:
Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.
By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives. Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural. Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.
Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall. Encourage everyone to participate.
