Unit 6: Life of Joshua OT6.1 Joshua God’s Chosen Leader Lesson€¦ · Scripture: Numbers 27:...

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OT6.1 Joshua God’s Chosen Leader ©Beverly Wilson 2017

Unit 6: Life of Joshua OT6.1 Joshua God’s Chosen Leader Lesson

Scripture: Numbers 27: 15-23; Deuteronomy. 31:7-8; 34:9; Joshua 1:1-18

Lesson Goal: In this lesson we will see how God chose Joshua to be the new leader of the

Israelites and promised to be with him even in times of danger.

Introduction: This is first lesson in Unit 6: Life of Joshua. In this lesson we will see how God chose Joshua to be the new leader of the Israelites and promised to be with him even in times of danger. This lesson is found in the book of Joshua. Joshua is the first Book of History in the Old Testament and was written by Joshua himself. This book tells the history of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. Let’s say the Old Testament Books of history together—Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, I Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

Attention Getter: Have you ever played a game called "Follow the Leader”? Let's watch as some kids play the game.

Do you think it is hard to play this game? You have to watch the leader very carefully don't you?

In the same way God’s Word leads us along the path of life. Only when we do what God’s Word tells us to do, will we be successful in life. Can you name something God’s Word teaches us to do? In our lesson today we are going to see how important it is to obey the instructions that God gives to us.

In this lesson we will see how God chose Joshua and prepared him to be the new leader of the Israelites. God promised to be with him and the nation of Israel even in times of danger.

Optional: How many of you have gone on a guided tour or on a hike into an area you’ve never been before? Did you go with someone who had been there before? Was it good that someone led you? Would you have gotten lost without your guide? Did you take a map? Would you have seen everything that was important to see? A guide is something or someone that leads others in the right direction. Who or what helps guide you in life? (Parents, teachers, maps, etc.)

Opening Prayer: Let’s pray:” Father, thank You for the people that you have put into our lives that teach us about You and who encourage us to love and obey You. I pray that You would help us to be good examples to our friends and to the others in our families. Help us to encourage others to remain faithful and true to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”

Memory Verse: The memory verse is Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Lesson Video: https://youtu.be/10VQXtPqy04 The Israelites had lived in the country of Egypt for hundreds of years. Pharaoh, the Egyptian king, made them work very hard as slaves. But the Israelite people wanted to be free. God chose Moses one of the Israelites to lead the people out of Egypt to the land God had promised to them. God did many amazing miracles to help the Israelites escape from Egypt. Moses had led the tribes of Israel to the border of the Promised Land—the land of Canaan. What a beautiful country it was with its wooded hills, green valleys, and forests of Lebanon!

God had told Moses that he could not take his people into the Promised Land, but Moses was

https://youtu.be/10VQXtPqy04

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concerned about the welfare of the Israelites after his death. Moses knew that the people would need the right kind of leader. He had to be someone who was courageous, obedient, and full of faith. So Moses prayed and asked God to give them a new leader.

"Lord, please appoint a new leader for Your people. They need a man who will lead them under Your direction. The people need someone to care for them, so they will not be as sheep without a shepherd. This nation needs a leader who will be brave in the face of many enemies."

Moses had led the entire nation of people through the Sinai Desert toward the Land that God had promised. It was a big job to lead thousands of people along with their sheep, goats, donkeys, and cattle across the hot, dry desert!

Even when God was using Moses as the leader, He was also preparing a younger man, named Joshua, to take Moses' place after Moses' death. Joshua was born while the Israelites were still slaves in Egypt. He had spent forty years as a slave to king Pharaoh in Egypt. As a slave Joshua had learned how to submit and obey a hard taskmaster.

When Joshua was about forty years old, he with the other Israelites had been delivered from the terrible persecution and slavery in Egypt. Under Moses' leadership they left Egypt and journeyed through the wilderness.

During the forty years that Moses was leading Israel in the wilderness, he had chosen Joshua to be his assistant. Joshua worked hard and did everything that Moses told him to do. As the Israelites were traveling through the Sinai desert they met some other people who were living there. These people were called the Amalekites and they were very angry that the thousands and thousands of Israelites and all their animals were crossing through their land! The Amalekites wanted to chase the Israelite people away.

The Amalekites sent raiders to attack the Israelite people and disappear before the Israelite people could stop them. They would attack the oldest and weakest people at the back of the caravan. The Amalekites became a strong and cruel enemy of Israel.

Moses was a great and powerful leader but he knew that they must fight the army of Amalek, so Moses said to the young man Joshua, "Choose some strong men and go fight the Amalekites." So Joshua became the captain of Israel's army. Because he had learned to obey, he was now qualified to command.

So Joshua fought the Amalekites just as Moses had ordered. Moses took his brother Aaron and Hur and went up to the top the hill to watch the battle. As long as Moses held up his hands the Israelites were winning but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, he sat down on a stone and Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one on one side and one on the other. Then Joshua and his army won the battle with the Amalekite army! Joshua was a strong brave warrior!

For forty more years, Joshua was Moses' servant. He was Moses' "right-hand man." Joshua even accompanied Moses up on Mount Sinai when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Joshua sat on the side of Mount Sinai for forty long days waiting for Moses his master to come down. Joshua was a faithful servant! He loved the Lord and would obey Him completely!

Later Joshua was chosen to represent the tribe of Ephraim as one of the twelve spies who were sent to investigate the land of Canaan. After exploring the land from one end to the other for forty days, the spies returned to the camp of Israel with large grapes and other fruit. Ten of the spies gave a discouraging and pessimistic report, but two spies, Caleb and Joshua, showed their faith and confidence in God by declaring, "Let us go up at once and possess the land, for we are well able to conquer it!

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Joshua said, "Don't be afraid of the people of the land, for it will be just as easy to conquer those high-walled cities and those giants as it is to eat bread!"

This was the faith, courage, and determination that Joshua and Caleb knew would carry them through to victory. Even though Joshua and Caleb were the only two against ten others they stood firm. They were not afraid to be in the minority because they had faith that the battle was not Israel's but God's.

Through the years as Moses' helper Joshua watched what Moses did and listened to what Moses said. God was training Joshua to be the leader of the Israelites It was perfect training and Joshua was the perfect man for the job! He would be the leader of Israel as they entered their new country!

So we see that there were many things in Joshua's life which prepared him to become the able leader of God's people. He was a brave man who had great strength, courage and faith in God! God would give him success!

So when Moses asked God for a new leader for Israel, God already had a man ready for the job. God said to Moses, "Go tell Eleazar the priest and all the people to come to a special ceremony at the tabernacle. At the meeting you will announce to the people who their new leader is to be. "

Then God said to Moses, "Now go get Joshua, a man filled with the Spirit, and take him to Eleazar the high priest, and, as all the people watch, charge him with the responsibility of leading My people."

On the day of the ceremony Joshua must have felt excited and scared too! Once all the people were all together in one place, Moses began to speak. "I am 120 years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has told me that I will not lead you into the Promised Land." Moses went on to explain that God Himself would go into the new land ahead of them and would protect them. And then he announced, "God has chosen Joshua to be your leader. You are to obey him just as you have obeyed me. Joshua is to consult with Eleazar the priest and God will give them His directions. This is the way God will lead and direct Israel.

Then Joshua came forward and stood before Moses and Eleazar the priest. Moses placed his hands on Joshua. The Lord then said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid, for I will go before you and will be with you. You shall lead these people into the land that I promised to their ancestors.

“Be courageous! I will not fail you or forsake you. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you." Joshua knew that God had helped Moses be a good leader. It must have made him happy to know that God would be with him and help him too! So Joshua was set apart as the one whom God had chosen to lead His people and to succeed Moses. Joshua was a man of faith, an experienced leader, and an excellent soldier. All the people then understood that it was God's will that Joshua take Moses' place as their leader.

That very day Moses climbed to the top of Mount Nebo as the Lord told him to do. From Mount Nebo, he could see over into the beautiful land of Canaan, and Moses' heart was filled with peace because he knew his people would soon be in that beautiful land that God had promised them. Moses also knew that he would be with his God forever. Moses died there on Mount Nebo, and God Himself buried him. No one has ever been able to find his burial spot.

The people of Israel wept and mourned for Moses for thirty days. Moses was a great leader and they would miss him very much.

Joshua then took charge. The Israelites accepted him as their leader and they did as he commanded.

The people of Israel had a bright future ahead of them. They had yet to cross the Jordan River, drive out the enemy, and possess the land for God. Under the leadership of Joshua, God's plan and purpose would continue to be carried out just as it had been under Moses. And Joshua would be a

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great leader. He was a person of genuine faith and courage and a man of action. He was submissive to God and obedient to the Word of God.

We can learn a lot from the life of Joshua. No longer could Joshua go to Moses for advice. From now on he must trust the Lord in making all his decisions. Then God revealed to Joshua the secret of success. It is a secret which guarantees the success for any child of God anywhere at any time. That secret is knowing the Word of God and thinking about it day and night, and obeying it every day. We must study God's Word and obey it if we want to have success!

Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Let's read the promise that God made to Joshua again. Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

God promised Joshua that He would be with him wherever he went! Joshua was very encouraged because he knew that he and God's people would have success! We can have confidence in God's love and promises. Just like Joshua and the Israelites did. No matter what happens at home or school or what may happen in the future, we can trust God and act with courage.

We can act with courage because we know that God will always be with us and help us. And we can always ask Him to help us be courageous when we feel afraid.

Remember to read God's Word and obey it!

Review Questions: “Keys to Success” Preparation: Collect a variety of keys from garage, car, chest, house, mower, barn, locker, etc. Put keys in a box. Print the key chart. Procedure: Say: “In this lesson God gave to Joshua the key to being successful in conquering the Promised Land. In this box is a variety of keys. After answering a review question below each students will draw out a key. We will look at the characteristics of the key and try to guess what the key unlocks.” Use the key chart for reference.

1. When Joshua was a slave in Egypt, what lesson was God teaching him? (Joshua learned how to be obedient to the slave master. This would help him know how to be obedient to God even when it was hard.)

2. What job did Moses give to Joshua when the Amalekites were attacking the Israelites as they were crossing the desert? (Moses chose Joshua to be the commander of the Israelite men to lead an attack against the Amalekites.)

3. What did Moses have to do in order for Joshua to be successful in fighting the Amalekites? (He had to keep both arms raised in praise to God. If he lowered his arms then the battle would go against the Israelites. When they were raised, Joshua and his men were successful.)

4. What lesson was God teaching Joshua and Moses at the battle of the Amalekites? (God was teaching Joshua that He was the One who was giving victory. The Israelites must trust God and obey Him in order to have success.)

5. During the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, what job did Joshua have? (Joshua was Moses’ right hand man and accompanied him as he led the Israelites.)

6. What did Joshua do when Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Law and the Ten Commandments? (Joshua accompanied Moses up the side of the mountain and waited there patiently for forty days while Moses spoke with God.)

7. What job did Joshua have when Moses was told by God to check out the Promised Land? (Joshua was one of the twelve spies who entered the Promised Land and saw all the giants and the bountiful harvest of the land.)

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8. What kind of report did Joshua give to Moses and the Israelites about the Promised Land? (He said that they should enter the Promised Land and that they would have success with God’s help. He and Caleb were the only two spies who gave a favorable report.)

9. When Moses asked God who the new leader for Israel should be, why did God chose Joshua? (He was a brave man who had great strength, courage and faith in God! He was very able to lead the people because he had been well trained.)

10. Why was Moses not able to lead the people into the Promised Land? (He was 120 years old. He had not obeyed God when God told him to speak to the Rock for water to flow forth for the people. Instead he had struck the rock twice.)

11. How did Moses die? (God told him to climb Mt. Nebo so He could show Moses the Promised Land. Then Moses died and God buried him in an unknown place.)

12. How did God help Joshua and the Israelites to have confidence in Him? (God spoke directly to Joshua and promised them that He would be with them and give them success in conquering the Promised Land.)

13. What is the promise to Joshua and the Israelites in Deuteronomy 31:6? (God will be with them. God will never leave them or forsake them.)

14. What are some reasons to have confidence in or trust in God’s love? (God promises to always be with us. God always keeps His promises. God always wants what is best for us.)

15. This promise that God would be with them and never leave them is for everyone who believes and trusts in Jesus, too. How could this promise help a child your age feel brave? (God will be with anyone who asks for His help.)

16. What key to success did God give to Joshua in Joshua 1:8? (Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful)

Bible Memory Verse Activity: Scroll Scramble Have students look up Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” in scripture and read aloud together several times. Say: “God revealed to Joshua the secret of success. It is a secret which guarantees the success for any child of God anywhere at any time. That secret is knowing the Word of God and thinking about it day and night, and obeying it every day. We must study God's Word and obey it if we want to have success!” Let’s say our verse again together.”

Preparation: Cut out the back of a brown paper bag and print the word, ADVICE, in large letters on the piece. Crumple the paper to make it look old and worn out. Then tear it into puzzle pieces and hide them around the room before the children arrive.

Procedure: Say: “Many people like to travel to Bible lands because they want to see where the stories in the Bible actually took place. Scientists, called archaeologists, work at dig sites in Bible lands to discover clues about the people and the places in the Bible. People in Bible times used to write on animal skins or a kind of paper called papyrus which is made from the reeds found in rivers. They would make long pieces that they rolled up into scrolls. Archaeologists look for these ancient scrolls. When they find them they read what people wrote and it helps them understand the history of the people. Often these scrolls are damaged or have fallen to pieces. Archaeologists sort the pieces and try to put them together, so they can read them. It’s like assembling really hard puzzles! Today we are going have a scroll scramble. You will find pieces to a scroll around the room. Let’s find the pieces and figure out the secret word that describes what our memory verse is giving us.”

Have the children find the pieces of the “ancient scroll” you have prepared and work together to discover the word “advice.” Conclude activity by repeating the verse several times to help students memorize “God’s Advice” to us.

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Group Learning Activity: “Follow the Leader” (Grades K-3) Preparation: You will need Bibles. Procedure: Say: “In this lesson God’s Word helped Joshua to get ready to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. What did God do to help Joshua be a good leader? (God gave him instructions and promised to help Joshua. He trained him and prepared him to be a good leader.) We are going to play a game in which we will need to be good leaders too!” Students will play a game similar to “Follow the Leader." Students stand in a single line. The first student in the line is the leader. The leader stays in one place and begins with a motion such as moving a leg, moving arms, bending to the side, etc. The second student follows the leader; the third student follows the second, and so on. There will be a ripple effect similar to the wave performed at a sporting event. After several motions have been successfully completed, ask a volunteer to name something God’s Word teaches us to do. Optional: Play the game of “Joshua Says” with the same rules as Simon Says. The leader (Joshua) calls out actions for the children to follow, such as touch your nose or flap you your arms like a bird. If the command is preceded with "Joshua Says," the children should carry out the action. If the command is not preceded with "Joshua Says," children should ignore the command. Any children following the command which is not preceded by "Joshua Says" are eliminated from the game. Say: “Joshua only had the first five books of the Bible, but we have the whole Bible. Sometimes we hear God’s Word but we don’t really pay attention to it. Maybe because we have heard the same Bible verses so many times or because we don’t think God’s Word can really make a difference in our lives. But God’s Word really is the best guide we can ever have. Reading and thinking about the Bible helps us know how to live and will give us courage to live the way God wants us to live.” Ask the following discussion questions:

What are some of the instructions God gave to Joshua? Which of these instructions can we follow today?

What did the person who wrote Psalm 119:33,34 ask God to do? What did the writer say he would do? What is a way you can show you want to depend on God’s Word? (Read the Bible. Ask questions about verses you read. Ask God to help you. Obey the commands in Bible verses you read.)

What are some things kids your age can depend on for guidance? (Parents, maps, friends, teachers, computers) Why do you think a kid your age should depend on God’s Word to guide him or her? (God’s Word is always accurate and the other things can be wrong.)

What are some ways that God’s Word has helped you or someone you know? (Tell your own answer before asking students to answer.)

When are some times that you might need God’s Word to guide you? (When a friend hurts your feelings; when you feel afraid; when you want to tell a lie; when you feel all alone.)

Extension Activity: Have students stand up and try to walk a few steps forward in a straight line while having their heads turned to the right or left. Show them how hard it is to do. Application: The only way we can walk forward and be successful in what we do is to stay focused on God’s Word—looking straight ahead to God’s Way.

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Group Learning Activity: Bible Study: “Good Advice” (Grades 3-5) Preparation: Students will need their Bibles, pencils, and small individual notebooks to use as spiritual journals. Procedure: Say: “In our lesson Moses gave final instructions to Joshua when he commissioned him as the new leader of Israel. Then God told Joshua, “"Do not be afraid, for I will go before you and will be with you. You shall lead these people into the land that I promised to their ancestors. Be courageous! I will not fail you or forsake you. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you." Our memory verse Joshua 1: 8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” in scripture and read aloud together several times” was the advice God gave to Joshua. We are going to look up some other verses in scripture and see what advice the Bible gives to us and the promises God makes to us when we obey Him. Have students look up the following passages and highlight the following principles for each one:

Proverbs 19:20 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” What does God wants us to do? (God wants us to receive godly instruction from our spiritual leaders and parents.) How should we be careful when we hear advice? (We must be careful not to follow bad advice. Good advice will be consistent with God’s Word.)

1 Samuel 3:1-10 vs, 9 “So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down and if he calls you, say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” What advice did Eli give Samuel? What leader has helped you hear God’s voice by helping you read and understand God’s Word. In the Old Testament God spoke audibly to his servants because they did not have the written Word. We should always be ready to listen to what God’s Word is teaching us and be willing to obey it.

Luke 11:1-4 vs. 2 “When you pray, say..” What did Jesus teach His disciples to do? (pray) What have you learned about prayer? (Prayer is asking God for requests, praising Him, asking forgiveness, and praying for others.) In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus first praised God before he made the requests. Our prayers should not be just a series of needs but a conversation with God.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 Paul wrote these words to the people at the church in Thessalonica. What did Paul tell them to do? (Respect the church leaders, do not be idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone, be kind to each other, be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.) What can you do to obey these verses and to show love to God?

Have student write passages in their Bible notebooks and the principles they have learned.

Group Learning Activity: “Faith Hop” (Grades 2-5) Preparation: Each child will need different colors of construction paper cut into 3 X 5 “ rectangles, pencils, pens, or colored markers. These rectangles will be laid out in a Hop Scotch style trail on the floor or table. You will also need dice. Procedure: Say: “What does it mean to show courage? (To do what is right even when it is hard or we feel afraid.) When have you seen someone show courage? (When someone got hurt.) When are some times that children your age need courage? (Going to the dentist. Performing in a talent show. When you hear mom and dad arguing.)”

Deuteronomy 31:6. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” What is the promise in this verse? (God promises to always be with us

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in every situation.) How does God’s love and care help you to be strong and courageous at school? In your neighborhood?

Psalm 145:8-9, 17 “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.” What do these verses tell us about God? (God loves us and is good to us.) What word means to care for and help someone? (Compassion)

1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” What is the definition of love in this verse? (Real love is shown through God’s love for us.) How did God show His love to us through Jesus’ death on the cross? (God gave His Son Jesus to die for our sins so we can be forgiven.)

Ask the following questions and have students write their answers on individual pieces of construction paper. Be sure students select different words. These rectangles will be used as game board pieces in a hopscotch style game. What are some words that make you think of courage? (Brave, strong, honor, confident, valor, daring, nerve) What are some times you might need God’s promise of courage? (Going to a new school; waiting for parents who are late; being made fun of or being picked on; taking a test; seeing a hurt friend; going to camp; admitting to a wrong thing.) Say: “We can have courage when we feel afraid or face hard situations. In our lesson Joshua was facing a difficult job of leading God’s people into the Promised Land. He needed God’s strength and courage for the job.” Game Rules: Lay the rectangles out Hop-scotch style in a trail on the floor or on a large table in the classroom. Have each student roll the dice and hop that number of squares on the trail. Have the student read what is written on the square he or she lands on. Have the students use that word or phrase in a sentence. Statements should be how they will use their faith or what their faith means. The goal is to have children give examples of times they need to be courageous and have confidence in God’s love.

Group Learning Activity: “Snuff out Fear” Object Lesson (Grades K-5) Purpose: To help students learn to overcome fear by trusting in God. Preparation: You will need a candle and a candle snuffer. Procedure: Light a candle and talk about how scary fires can be. Have your children put their hands close enough to the flame to feel the heat. Remind your children to be careful around fire. Say: “When fire gets too much fuel, it can get out of control. Fear is like fire; if we feed it, it can get out of control too. The good news is that God is stronger than fire and He is also stronger than fear.” Take a candle snuff or paper cup and put the candle out. As you demonstrate how a candle snuff puts the fire out, explain that God is more powerful than any fire. Say: “God is more powerful than anything on earth. He is much more powerful than any fire. We can trust God to be with us in every situation. Even when our fear is out of control, God can put a stop to it if we ask Him.” Let’s read Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Scientific explanation: How does a candle snuffer work? You may have seen a thing called a candle-snuffer, which is shaped like a small bell. You lower the bell down over the flame until it goes out.

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Some places, like churches, still use candle-snuffers to reach the really tall candles, but why should a candle-snuffer work? Why doesn’t the flame just continue to burn underneath the bell, no matter how flat you crush it? The answer is air. Fire happens when you have atoms such as carbon and hydrogen in the candle wick linking up with oxygen atoms in the air to form molecules, such as carbon dioxide. Every time a new molecule is formed, energy is released. This is the energy that we see as light and feel as heat in a candle flame. One way to stop the candle from burning is to let it exhaust its supply of carbon and hydrogen. You can do that by just leaving it alone until all the wax is melted and the wick is reduced to ash. No more wick, no more flame. A faster way is to deprive the flame of its oxygen. That’s what a snuffer does, by making a barrier between the flame and the air. No oxygen also means no more flame. You can try it yourself. Light a small candle on a table and then place a large glass upside down over the top of it. Make sure that the glass is tall enough so that the flame doesn’t damage it. After a minute or so, the candle will go out. The oxygen inside the glass has been used up. Snuff! Group Learning Activity: “Guided Drawing” (Grades 3-5) Purpose: To help students learn to follow instructions in drawing an object. Students will compare this activity to learning to follow God’s directions even when we do not see the whole picture of where He is leading us. Preparation: You will need index cards, markers, paper, and pencils. Make simple line drawings of the following objects on separate index cards: house, star, flower, tree, sun, etc. Procedure: Have one child go to the white board and without showing the card or naming the object, guide the “artist” with simple directions. For example: “Draw a straight line.” “Draw a circle on the top of the line,” and so forth. When you have finished giving directions, let the class and the “artist” see the picture drawn on the card and ask, “How much did the drawing look like the picture on the card?” After you do the first one, let the children take turns being the “Guide” and the “Artist.” Help the children discover how important it is to listen to instructions and to do exactly what they are told. Say: “God wants us to follow His instructions in the Bible. We are to obey Him completely even when we can’t see exactly the end result. God is good and kind and will not lead us astray. We can completely trust in Him to guide us on the right path.” Conclude the activity by having students look up the following verses and answer the following questions:

Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.” When do you need help knowing what to do? How can reading God’s Word guide you? Pray and ask God to help you understand His Word.

Psalm 119:72-73 “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.” How do these verses describe God’s Word? Why are God’s words so valuable? According to verse 73, why can we trust that God’s commands are best for us? (God made us and is much wiser than we are.)

Psalm 119:97-98 “Oh, how I love your law I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.” How does the writer of this psalm show that He loves God’s Word? (To meditate means to read and think about.) How can you show that you love God’s Word?

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Group Learning Activity: “Situation Spinner” (Grades K-5) Preparation: To make the spinner use a felt tip marking pen to divide a paper plate into eight wedges. Next write eight locations or activities in which a child might need to be courageous. Examples: home, school, alone, car, shop, in a crowd, at play, at night). Cut an arrow shaped pointer out of poster board and attach it to the spinner using a metal clip. Procedure: Have the children take turn spinning the pointer and discussing situations in which they might need to be brave. For example, if the pointer lands on “school”, the child might talk about dealing with a certain bully in his class. With each example, discuss how the children can be brave knowing God is there with them. Read the following situations in which kids might be involved. Ask students to discuss and act out ways to respond to each situation. Help kids see the differences between ways that are and ways that are not being brave to follow God’s will. This will help students begin to understand the meaning of obeying God’s Word.

Situation One: You are playing basketball during gym. Someone knocks you down, and you scrape your elbow. You are really hurt and angry. What happens next?

Situation Two: A group of girls is talking about a new girl at school. You are in on the conversation when someone makes a mean remark about her clothes. What happens next?

Situation Three: During math class a boy who is very quiet and shy asks a question that has an obvious answer to you and those around you. Your friends start to giggle. What happens next? Situation Four: There is a boy who lives on your street whom most of the neighborhood children either ignore or make fun of behind his back. He wants to ride bikes with you. What happens next?

Situation Five: Your mom is very busy doing projects that have to be done. She asks you to gather your laundry and take it to the laundry room and then help with the dishes at mealtime. What happens next?

Situation Six: Your brother is older and you would like for him to play with you. You ask and he says no. What happens next?

Situation Seven: Your friend asks you to a neighborhood party. The party is at the same time as youth group activities at your church. What happens next?

Group Learning Activity: God’s Word Game (Grades 2-5) Purpose: To encourage students to study God’s Word by helping them learn the order of the Books of the Bible. Preparation: Write the name of each book of the Bible or the first two sections of the Old Testament (Books of Law and Books of History) on a separate index card. Procedure: Mix up the cards and divide the cards evenly between the players. Each player places his or her stack facedown in front of him or herself. Then at the same time each player turns the top card from his or her stack face up and says the Bible book name aloud. Players compare face up cards. The player who played the Bible book card that come latest in the Bible collects the face up cards and adds them to the bottom of his or her stack. (For example, if two people are playing and one player played the card for the book of Genesis and the other played the card for the book of Luke, the latter player would collect both cards.) Repeat play until one player has all of the cards.

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Craft Learning Activity: “Make Scrolls” Grades 2-5 Preparation: A brown paper bag for each child or use brown craft paper, black marking pens, scissors Procedure: Have children cut the brown paper bag apart to make a scroll. Cut the bottom out of the sack. Have the children write today’s Memory Verse on the brown paper bag scroll. When the children have the verse written out, have them crumble them up to make them look old. Then have them roll up their scrolls to take home. As they work, ask them these discussion questions:

1. What advice does our memory verse give us to be successful? (We are to memorize God’s Word and “meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it.”)

2. Who are some people who give advice or instructions to kids your age? (Parents, teachers, friends, people on television.)

3. How do you decide whether the advice you’re getting is good or bad? (Pray and ask God whether or not it makes sense. Then, ask someone you trust for their opinion.)

4. When has someone given you some advice or instructions that helped you learn more about God? What did that person say?

5. Have you ever gotten bad advice? How did you know it wasn’t good advice?

Craft Learning Activity: “Day and Night Clock” (Grades K-2) Purpose: To make a visual reminder of the memory verse command that we are to meditate on God’s Word “day and night.” Preparation: You will need little paper plates of any color, cardstock of any color, brad fasteners, scissors, pencils, permanent markers, and a hole punch. Procedure: Have students write on the paper plate around the rim or edge of the plate the memory verse Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to do everything written in it. With a black marker have students write the clock numbers on the plate. With a pencil draw clock hands onto the card stock and then cut them out. Punch a hole into the bottom of each clock hand. Put a brad fastener through the clock hands and then push it through the middle of the plate. See picture. Say: “God revealed to Joshua the secret of success in this verse. It is a secret which guarantees the success for any child of God anywhere at any time. That secret is knowing the Word of God and thinking about it day and night, and obeying it every day. We must study God's Word and obey it if we want to have success!”

Craft Learning Activity: “Day and Night Plates” (Grades K-2) Purpose: To make a visual reminder of the memory verse command that we are to meditate on God’s Word “day and night.” Preparation: You will need small paper plates in light blue and black, permanent markers, day and night stickers (foam or paper) and double stick tape. Procedure: Have students write on the light blue paper plate around the rim or edge of the plate the memory verse Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so

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that you will be careful to do everything written in it. Decorate the light blue plate with day and time stickers. Decorate the black plate with night time stickers. Tape the back of the plates together. Say: “God commands us to think about His commands all day and all night. This means that we are let His Word be our guide whenever we have a decision. We cannot make good decisions if we do not know His Word. That is why we should memorize our scripture verses.”

Craft Learning Activity: “4-Ever Bracelets” (Grades K-3) Purpose: To make a visual reminder of God’s promise that He will be with us forever. Preparation: You will need strips of leather or string. The age group of your class will determine how much assistance will be needed to do the craft. Procedure: Tie the strip or string around the child’s wrist according to the diagram below. Slide knots apart to tighten; slide together to loosen. During this activity explain to the children that their bracelets are in the shape of circles. Like a circle that has no beginning or end God has promised to be with us forever. Example of tying the knot:

Life Application Challenge: “Pray King David’s Prayer” Read Psalm 119:33, 34 aloud. “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees: then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” Say: “These verses are part of a prayer King David wrote. Let’s say these verses together as a prayer to God.” Students can repeat the verse together. Give each student a “Prayer Card.” Have students write on the prayer card how they play to obey God’s Word this week. You may need to give students ideas such as getting along with brothers and sisters, friends, and parents to doing better on school work. Encourage students to be specific and remind them to pray each day for this request. End the prayer time by inviting several volunteers to pray aloud, thanking God for His Word and asking for strength to obey it.

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God's Chosen Leader Joshua

Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that

you will be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

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Unit 6: Life of Joshua OT6.1 Joshua God’s Chosen Leader Lesson€¦ · Scripture: Numbers 27:...

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Transcript of Unit 6: Life of Joshua OT6.1 Joshua God’s Chosen Leader Lesson€¦ · Scripture: Numbers 27:...