Key Verse
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1
Read the Key Verse with your class. Ask your students if they have ever been afraid of doing something. Encourage them to share a time they may have been afraid (help them with some suggestions if they have trouble thinking of some-thing, i.e.: going to a new place they have never been before, standing in front of a classroom alone, meeting someone new, telling someone about Jesus …). Help them understand that when we do things God wants us to do, He is with us and will help us. There is nothing to be afraid of. Today we will see how God encouraged Joshua as he prepared to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land.
Summary: At the close of Deuteronomy, we saw the death of Moses. God had appointed a new leader to lead the people into the land of Canaan. Joshua was the man God chose to lead His people into the land of promise. If you remember, Joshua had been born a slave in Egypt (where he witnessed God’s miracles), learned much from Moses, and endured the 40 years of wandering. He was one of only two to live through the time of wandering (Caleb being the other man). Joshua covers about 25 years of history. Today we look at the first part and see where the Israelites (lead by Joshua) entered the land of Canaan (Joshua 1-5), and conquered the land (Joshua 6-11).
Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!
Emphasis: When we walk with God in the ways the Bible teaches, God will be with us. We should not be afraid of anything. Joshua proved this in his life as he led the children of Israel to conquer the Promised Land.
Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:
Lesson 27 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1
Lesson 27 – 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 banner with the verse Joshua 1:9 on it. We took brown craft paper cut to size to fit 2 dowel rods 12” long. After gluing the paper to the dowel rods, you could tie brown yarn to each end of the rods to allow the verse to be hung. Write as much of the verse as your class is able. Remind them that God will be with them when they follow Him, just like God was with Joshua!
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.
