Big Idea: God has power over all things, so we can battle our fear with faith.
Bible Basis: Joshua 9-10
Key Verse: “I looked to the Lord, and he answered me. He saved me from everything I was afraid of.” Psalm 34:4 (NIrV)
OPENING PRAYER
God, thank you for giving us this opportunity to come together around your Word. As we pause from the struggles of this sinful world, help us focus on you, trust in your promises, and find peace in your incredible love for us. Strengthen our faith through your Word and keep us always focused on the ultimate gift of eternal life that you have given us through the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Amen.
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
Simply ask your child to share one good thing that happened today or this week (thumbs up) and one not-so-good thing (thumbs down). This is a great way to share celebrations and struggles with one another.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS
For younger kids:
What was your favorite part of the story to imagine? How did you imagine it?
Why do you think God told Joshua not to be afraid?
For older kids:
What was your favorite part of the story to imagine? How did you imagine it?
During the battle, why do you think the 5 armies were filled with fear while the army of Israel wasn’t?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
After the video, have your child pick one or more of the prompts on the GO! Home Guide.
Prayer Station prompt: Write a prayer telling God about a fear of yours. Ask Him to give you courage.
Journal Station prompt: Write a song or poem to God. Tell God thank you for saving you from your fears.
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Joshua 10:1–15. Draw a picture of the story or write to God your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you liked it.
Art Station prompt: Draw a picture of something you’re afraid of. While you’re drawing, ask Jesus to take that fear away. When finished, draw a large X over your picture to show that your fear is gone.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Imagination Time Machine Connect Activity
- Say: Are you all ready for another week of “Imagination Time Machine”? Today, we’re going to imagine again what it would be like to live in Bible times. Who remembers what story we imagined last week? (Rahab Helps the Two Spies.) Nice job! This week we get to imagine we’re in the middle of a huge battle, but first, I have a question for you. We’re going to answer it in a fun way, though.
- Directions: Tell the kids that they’ll get to choose who answers the question by tossing an imaginary object to each other. It could be something really small like a flopping fish, something really big like a car, something hot like a fireball, etc. After announcing the object of their choosing, a kid will pretend to throw the object to another kid, adjusting how they throw or catch based on the object. (For example, if it’s a refrigerator, the thrower might grunt when tossing it and the catcher might pretend to get crushed.) After answering the question, the catcher can toss a different object to another kid. Continue until everyone has had a chance to answer the question below:
- Say: If the sun didn’t go down for an entire 24-hour day, what would you do with the extra daylight?
+ Fear Knot (Application Activity)
- Say: We all get afraid sometimes, but God says “fear not.” We’re going to play a game right now that will help us think about how having faith in God can keep us from getting tangled up with fear.
- Directions: Tell your children to stand shoulder to shoulder in a tight circle. Chose a kid to go first. Ask them to share something that they are genuinely afraid of. After answering, have them reach across the circle and hold someone’s hand. Have the kid who received the hand holding to share a fear, then reach across the circle with their free hand and hold someone else’s hand. Continue until every kid has shared a fear and all hands are being held. When finished, the kids will be in a tangled knot.
- Say: This is what fear does to us—it puts us in a tangled knot. But God has the power to free us from the fear knot. Psalm 34:4 says, “I looked to the Lord, and he answered me. He saved me from everything I was afraid of.” Let’s see if we can get free from the fear knot.
- Directions: Challenge your group to untangle themselves and make a circle without letting go of each other’s hands. They’ll have to pass over and under one another’s arms to untangle the knot. Assist the kids only as needed. When finished, have the kids take a seat and ask the questions below. Afterwards, if time and interest permits, allow the kids to create more knots and attempt to get free.
- Question:: How can having faith in God help you with your fear?
- Question:: God has power over all things! Does knowing that give you courage when you are afraid? Why or why not?
+ Ring-A-Verse (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Set up:: For each small group, cut the middle circle out of 8 paper plates. The end result should be 8 paper rings. On each ring, use a marker to write the 1/8th portion of today’s Bible verse. “I looked | to the Lord, | and he | answered me. | He saved me | from everything | I was afraid of.” | Psalm 34:4 (NIrV) Next, for each group, use tape to create a “throw line” on the floor. Place a full water bottle (or something similar) on the floor approximately 5 feet beyond the line. Depending on the age and abilities of the kids, you may want to move the bottle further from or closer to the line.
- Directions: Have the kids place the 8 rings on the floor in order of the verse. For younger kids, you may need to assist. When the rings are in order, practice reading and reciting the verse as a group. When finished, turn the rings over and mix them up. On “go,” have the kids race to flip the rings back over, and take turns tossing them in the correct order over the water bottle. The kids may not step over the tape line. If they miss the bottle, they can quickly retrieve the ring, return to the line and try again. Time the kids to see how quickly they can toss all of the rings over the bottle in the correct order. When finished, have the group recite the verse. Repeat several times to see if the group can beat their previous time.
- Question: Has God ever saved you from something you were afraid of? Tell us about it?
+ Prayer Huddle (Prayer Activity)
- Directions: Encourage everyone in your group to share general prayer requests or praises with one another. Ask the kids to share anything they are afraid of or if they have a situation where they need to ask God for faith in their time of fear. When kids are finished sharing, have them get on one knee and huddle in a circle with their arms around one another. Open the group in prayer. Allow the kids in the group to take turns praying aloud for themselves or for each other. When finished, close the group with a final prayer.
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for sending your Spirit to bring me to faith. Thank you for sending your Son to die for my sins. Help me show my faith in you by how I live my life. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read in the Bible the story that was the basis for this week’s lesson:
Joshua 9-10
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!