Key Verse
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Read the Key Verse with your class. Remind them that God’s people were preparing to go into the land of Promise to conquer it. They had heard the stories of giants in the land, yet they were getting ready to enter. God wanted to encourage them. He would be with them. They should not be afraid. If God told them to enter the land, He would go with them, and He would not fail them. (Optional idea: Ask them if they have ever been afraid. One time you never have to be afraid is when you do something that God has told you to do. God told His people to go and possess the Promised Land. They probably remember the stories of giants in the land. Plus, these people were not soldiers trained for battle. God wanted to reassure them. Don’t be afraid. God would be with them and He would not fail them, nor would he leave them. God will do the same for us today, if we will walk with Him.)
Summary: In our last lesson we saw that Deuteronomy is a book looking back to what God had done for His people (Deuteronomy 1-11.) In this lesson we see the rest of the book is looking forward (Deuteronomy 12-34).
All of Israel gathered together. Moses warned the people not to forget the words of God’s law. Moses laid out before the people the blessings for following God’s law. He then warned them of the curse of God if they failed to obey God’s law. Deuteronomy is a reminding of the law, and the people are brought to the brink of the Promised Land, ready to continue. The constant theme we have been noticing is the importance of obedience to God. He wants obedience from His people – but He gave them the choice.
Joshua was appointed the new leader (Deuteronomy 31), and Moses died (Deuteronomy 34).
Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!
Emphasis: God wanted His people to know that He would be with them wherever He led them. The constant theme we have been noticing is the importance of obedience to God. He wants obedience from His people – but He gave them the choice.
Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:
Lesson 25 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1
Lesson 25 – 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 made a suitcase to travel. We took a center file folder and glued pictures of things that you would pack into a suitcase cut from magazines. Include things like clothes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, hairbrush, shoes, socks, etc. But especially find a sticker (or a cut out picture) of a Bible. They should understand the importance of reading their Bible everyday – even on a trip! You could then decorate the outside like a suitcase.
Mural idea:
Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, have them make two mountains – one for curses and one for blessings. (You could do this individually or as a group.) Help them write curses on the one and blessings on the other. Encourage them to remember that when we walk with God, He has promised to bless us. And remember the memory verse, He will not fail them or forsake them.
Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall. Encourage everyone to participate.
