Take a family trip to a local monument or museum, or search for one on the Internet. Talk about why it was important for the Israelites to remember what happened at the Jordan River. Share important family events (birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, salvation dates, and so forth) from the past and how you remember them below. The Israelites Crossed the Jordan River 3 4 Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: What should God s people remember? God s people should remember how He helps them. Christ Connection: set up stones so the people would remember how God helped them move into the promised land. Jesus told His friends to remember that He died for them. At church, people celebrate the Lord s Supper. The Lord s Supper is a special time to remember that Jesus died to save people from sin and that Jesus is alive again. Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: What should God s people remember? God s people should remember how He has saved and sustained them. Christ Connection: God told and the Israelites to set up memorial stones to remember what God had done to bring them into the promised land. On the night He died, Jesus told His disciples to remember the sacrifice He was going to make to save us from our sins. When Christians take the Lord s Supper, they remember God s plan to destroy sin through Jesus death and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 11:26) Unit 8 Session 1
Walk around your neighborhood as a family, stopping to pray for each home and those who live there. If possible, leave a note at the door telling the family that you prayed for them. Journal some of your experience below. The Conquest of Jericho 2; 6 Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people. Christ Connection: God helped His people take the city of Jericho. God told them not to take anything from the city. God would give His people what they needed. Jesus said God gives people what they need. (Matthew 6:33) The greatest thing we need is to be rescued from sin. God sent Jesus to rescue us. Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Christ Connection: God gave the city of Jericho to the Israelites. He fought the battle for them and told them not to take anything from the city. God promised to provide for His people s needs. Jesus spoke of God s provision in Matthew 6:33, Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Jesus meets our greatest need to be saved from our sin. We can trust Him for our salvation. Unit 8 Session 2
Invite each family member to share a time he or she was caught not obeying a rule. What was the punishment? Encourage family members to share how they feel when someone doesn t do what they ask. Share those comments below. Achan Sinned 7 Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: How does God feel about sin? God hates sin. Christ Connection: Achan disobeyed God, and he died. We sin against God, and we deserve to die, too. But we don t have to die because Jesus died instead. We can trust in Him. Our bodies may die, but we will live forever with God in heaven. Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question for kids: How does God feel about sin? God hates sin and punishes sin. Christ Connection: The punishment for Achan s sin was death. It seems harsh, but the Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Because we sin, we deserve to die too. Jesus came to die in our place. When we confess our sins and trust in Jesus, we are forgiven and saved from spiritual death. Unit 8 Session 3
Parents, make an extra effort this week to reward obedience. Also, write below things you appreciate about your children (how they obey, care for others, and so forth). Share these things with your children, and talk about how God has blessed your family. The Defeat of Ai 8 Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: What does God do when we obey Him? God blesses people who trust and obey Him. Christ Connection: God made a promise to the Israelites. He said if the Israelites obeyed Him, He would be with them. God has made a promise to us, too. If we trust in Jesus, God will be with us no matter what. Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: What does God do when we obey Him? God blesses people who obey Him in faith. Christ Connection: The Israelites were under a covenant in which their obedience was directly related to God s presence with them. We are under a new covenant through Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for our sin on Himself. Because of Christ, we are in right standing with God. We are victorious over our enemies because of our faith in Christ. (Romans 8:37) Unit 8 Session 4
Share a sunrise or sunset together as a family. Talk about what you would do if the sun stopped and you had extra time that day. Now, share some things God would want you to do that day. Write some of those things below and determine to do some of them this week. The Day the Sun Stood Still 10:1-15 Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: What does God do when we pray? God answers our prayers. Christ Connection: s name means God saves. God helped lead the people of Israel and saved them from their enemies. Jesus name also means God saves. God helped us by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross. Jesus saves us from sin and death. If we trust in Jesus, we will live with Him in heaven. Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: What does God do when we pray? God answers the prayers of His people and saves them. Christ Connection: s name means Yahweh is salvation. God fought for and the Israelites, saving them and giving them victory over their enemies. God brought us salvation by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross, giving us victory over sin and death. Unit 8 Session 5
Discover a way your family can serve others during the week. Consider making dinner for a neighbor, babysitting for a friend, visiting a nursing home, serving at a homeless shelter, picking up litter in the neighborhood, and so forth. Share how your service to others shows your love for them. Share some ways below you can show your love to God by serving Him. s Final Encouragement 23:1 24:28 Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: How can we show we love God? We can serve God and worship Him. Christ Connection: was very old. He talked to God s people and told them to obey God even after he,, died. After Jesus died and was raised from the dead, He talked to His friends. Jesus wanted them to tell other people about Him. Now Jesus lives in heaven, and He wants us to tell other people about Him too. Key Passage: 24:15 Big Picture Question: How can we show we love God? We can serve, worship, and obey God. Christ Connection: As prepared for his own death, he left behind a legacy of obedience to God. After Jesus death and resurrection, He appeared to the disciples and left them with a legacy: to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded. (Matthew 28:19-20) Unit 8 Session 6