TEACHER BIBLE STUDY The Lord brought His people into the promised land. Now they had a task set before them: conquer the people living in the land. The first city the Israelites came to was Jericho. The people of Jericho had heard about God and what He had done for the Israelites. They understood God s power and wanted nothing to do with Him. Joshua sent spies to Jericho to check it out. A prostitute named Rahab knew how powerful God was. She wanted to be on God s side. Rahab hid the spies and kept them safe from the people of Jericho. In return, the spies promised that Rahab and her family would be safe when the Israelites conquered the city. The people of Jericho worshiped false gods, and God was bringing His judgment against them. The Lord s reputation went ahead of the Israelites, creating fear in the people of Jericho. God was in control. He told Joshua that the battle would be just fine. (See Joshua 6:2.) The battle of Jericho was fought by faith. The Israelites did not focus on what was going on inside the city of Jericho; they focused on doing what God had instructed. They obeyed even when it seemed nothing was happening. On the seventh day, the trumpets sounded, declaring, The LORD is near! Joshua gave the people specific instructions to destroy everything in the city except for Rahab and her family. The Israelites were not to keep anything for themselves. The Lord was going to provide for all of their needs. They had no reason to plunder Jericho. Jesus spoke of the Lord s provision in Matthew 6:33. As you teach kids this week, lead them to trust God for all of their needs, including their greatest need to be rescued from sin by Jesus Christ. LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: The Conquest of Jericho Bible Passage: Joshua 2; 6 Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Key Passage: Joshua 24:15 Unit Christ Connection: Joshua was a representation of Christ, leading the Israelites to victory in overcoming Canaan as Jesus leads us to victory in overcoming the world. Transition Time Welcome time Activity sheet/table Centers Session starter (10 minutes) 1
Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline Map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (5 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (5 minutes) Table Time Timeline map (1 minute) Bible story review (10 minutes) Large Group Review / Activities Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes) THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW The Conquest of Jericho Joshua 2; 6 The Israelites were camping near the Jordan River. The Israelites were so close to the land God had promised to give them! There was one more thing they had to do: take it over. Many other people lived in Canaan (KAY nuhn), and the Israelites had to defeat them. Joshua sent two spies into Jericho to check it out. They stayed at the house of a woman named Rahab (RAY hab). The king of Jericho heard the spies were with Rahab, so Rahab hid the men on her roof to keep them safe. Rahab had heard what God did to Pharaoh and believed in God. She wanted to help His people. When it was safe for the spies to leave, Rahab said, Please be kind to my family since we have been kind to you. When you attack Jericho, please do not kill us. So the spies promised to keep Rahab and her family safe, and they left Jericho. Rahab tied a bright red rope in her window so the Israelites would know which house she lived in. Now the city of Jericho was closed up no one left, and no one entered in. The people in Jericho knew the Israelites were near. They hid behind the walls of the city. God said to Joshua, Jericho is yours. You will conquer it. Here is what you should do: March around the city one time each day for six days. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, and the priests should blow the trumpets. Then all the people should shout, and the walls of Jericho will fall down. The Israelites can then go into the city and conquer it. 2
Just as God said, Joshua commanded the people to carry the ark of the covenant and march around the city. The priests blew their trumpets. They marched around the city one time. Not one of the Israelites spoke or made a sound, just like Joshua commanded them. The second day, they silently marched around the city again and then returned to their camp. They did this every day for six days. On the seventh day, the Israelites got up early and marched around the city seven times. On the seventh time when the priests blew their trumpets, Joshua said, Shout, for the LORD has given you the city! So the people shouted, and the wall fell down flat so that the Israelites went into the city and captured it. They destroyed everything in the city, keeping none of it for themselves. The two spies spared a woman named Rahab (RAY hab) and her family, who had hidden them when they were spies in the land. Rahab was saved because of her faith in God. Joshua declared, Anyone who tries to rebuild this city will be cursed. God was with Joshua, and everyone in the land knew of Joshua and what he had done. 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. TRANSITION TIME Session Title: The Conquest of Jericho Bible Passage: Joshua 2; 6 Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Key Passage: Joshua 24:15 Unit Christ Connection: Joshua was a representation of Christ, leading the Israelites to victory in overcoming Canaan as Jesus leads us to victory in overcoming the world. Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Arriving Activity: Walls Up Building Supplies (wooden blocks, cups, legos) Provide building materials for kids to build a wall. Consider using connecting blocks, wood blocks, cups, and so forth. Encourage the kids to build a strong, tall wall. Say In this week s Bible story, a big, strong wall stood between God s people and the promised land. We ll find out just how big and strong that wall was compared to God. 3
Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities) Rahab s Window activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid markers, colored pencils, crayons Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say God protected a woman named Rahab because she helped His people. Find out how in today s Bible story. Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: March Off Masking Tape Use tape to mark off a circle path for kids to march. It doesn t need to be a perfect circle. Make sure you go around obstacles, but leave a safe distance between them. Ask the kids to line up single file at the beginning of the path. Instruct the kids to march. As they march, give commands they must follow. If a kid fails to follow the commands while continuing to march, he must go to the end of the line. The kid who follows the command first gets to come to the beginning of the line. Consider commands such as turn around, put your hands in the air, march backward, wave one hand, salute, march faster, march slower, and so forth. You may want to explain what they should do for each command before the game starts. Continue as time allows. Say You were marching and taking orders, like a real army. Today, we will hear that God gave some specific orders to His army as they faced a big challenge. Option 2: Mouth Snack red apples, 2 slices per kid mini marshmallows Provide two red apple slices and a handful of mini marshmallows to each kid. Demonstrate how to make a mouth by placing the two apple slices with the red peeling facing forward. Place a single row of marshmallows between the two apple slices. These are the teeth and the apples are the lips. Share the statement below, and then allow the kids to eat the snack. Say In today s Bible story, God gave His people instructions about using their mouths to sometimes be quiet and one time be really loud. Transition to large group 4
LESSON Session Title: The Conquest of Jericho Bible Passage: Joshua 2; 6 Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Key Passage: Joshua 24:15 Unit Christ Connection: Joshua was a representation of Christ, leading the Israelites to victory in overcoming Canaan as Jesus leads us to victory in overcoming the world. Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to end as large group time begins. Introduce the session (1 minute) [Set up the room so the Large Group Leader can play a quick game of hide-and-seek. The leader can hide behind a cabinet, a table turned on its side, or behind someone s chair.] Leader Have you ever played a game of hide-and-seek? That s pretty much what a spy does. Let s give it a try. Close your eyes and slowly count to 10 before opening them. Don t move out of your spot, but point to where you think I am. Can you find me? Are there times when you just wish you could hide? Maybe it s during a game, or maybe it s because you have done something wrong. Today, we will meet a group of people who think they can hide from God s people behind a big wall. Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack copies provided for Table Time Review) Leader Last week, we saw how God saved and sustained His people. God used Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River on dry land. The Jordan River wasn t the only thing that kept the people from taking the land. They traveled into the land toward a city, and a big wall stood in the way. That brings us to today s Bible story, The Conquest of Jericho. Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? - 11x17 poster provided Leader This wall is a lot like a fort. A wall protected a city called Jericho. The people and soldiers of Jericho thought they were safe from the Israelites and God behind their big wall. Do you think they were? Where can we find out? That s right! It s all in the Bible. Who has a Bible? In a few minutes we will use the Bible to answer our big picture question. The question is, Who fought the battle of Jericho? 5
Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: Our God (on provided DVD) Leader God told His people to take the land God had promised to them. It was already their land, but they had to trust God and His plan for them to get there. He wanted the people to see that He is sovereign or in control. God wanted to use the Israelites to give Himself glory. God still wants to use His people, those who know and love Jesus, to give Himself glory. When we understand just how big God is, we can trust Him no matter what we face. We can see that He is really our God. Sing together Our God. Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Joshua 24:15 (provided) Worship Song: Choose for Yourself (on provided DVD) Leader God had proven that nothing is impossible for Him, but what would the people do about this big wall? Joshua knew that nothing is too big for God. Joshua was determined to follow God and only God. Show the slide or poster of the unit s key passage, Joshua 24:15. Lead the boys and girls to read it together. Leader Joshua wanted all the Israelites to see God the way he saw God. Sing together Choose for Yourself. Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) The Conquest of Jericho video (on provided DVD) Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Leader Let s open the Bible to Joshua 2. This is where we begin our Bible story. The people had entered the promised land, but a city now stood in their way. How did they get through the city s big wall? Let s look for the answer to our big picture question. Who fought the battle of Jericho? Choose to tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided, or show the video The Conquest of Jericho. Leader Today s Bible story has parts that happened before the people crossed the Jordan River and parts that happened after the people crossed the Jordan River. Before they crossed the river, Joshua sent spies into Jericho to find out more about the city. The leaders of Jericho found out they were there and looked for them. God protected the spies by using a woman named Rahab. Rahab hid the men until it was safe for them to leave. She asked for her family to be protected when the Israelites took the land. God gave Joshua very specific orders on how to defeat Jericho. They were also very strange orders. Have you ever heard of a wall falling down because a group of people marched around it? That s exactly what God told them to do. 6
For six days, the people quietly walked around Jericho with only trumpets playing. On the seventh day, they walked seven times around the city. When the trumpets played, they all yelled. The wall fell down. Do you think their yells knocked down the wall? No! Who made the wall fall down? (God) God made sure that only He would get credit for what happened at Jericho. Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Once the walls came down, the Israelites destroyed everything except for certain valuables that were supposed to be an offering for God. Rahab and her family were also saved. God saved them because they trusted in Him. Meanwhile, people everywhere heard about what God had done and how Joshua led the people. Ask the following review questions: Who protected the spies Joshua sent into Jericho? (Rahab, Joshua 2:3-6) How many days did the Israelites march around the city? (seven, Joshua 6:12-15) What did the people do just before the wall fell? (blew trumpets and shouted, Joshua 6:16) Were the people allowed to take anything from Jericho for themselves? (No, Joshua 6:18) Who fights the battle against sin and Satan for us? (Jesus fought against sin and Satan and won the victory when He died and rose to take away our sin.) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 8, Session 2 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD) Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? - 11x17 poster provided Leader Have you ever been in a situation where you didn t know what to do? Did you feel like you couldn t do anything about it? Watch this video. Show discussion starter video. Leader Have you ever been bullied before? Have you ever seen someone else get bullied? Maybe we can tell an adult or stand up in the right way, but sometimes we can t stop a situation. We need someone to fight for us. Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. God still takes care of the needs of His people. The most important way God takes care of us is through His Son, Jesus. Jesus fought for us when He died on a cross to take our punishment. The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. 7
The Gospel: God s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means good news. It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. Prayer (5 minutes) Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? - 11x17 poster provided Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader Here s one last look at our big picture question today. Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Invite kids to stand and march as you repeat the big picture question. March slowly, then fast as you recite each time. Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that your kids will trust that God always meets the needs of His people. Dismiss to small groups for Table Time 8
TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: The Conquest of Jericho Bible Passage: Joshua 2; 6 Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Key Passage: Joshua 24:15 Unit Christ Connection: Joshua was a representation of Christ, leading the Israelites to victory in overcoming Canaan as Jesus leads us to victory in overcoming the world. Bible story review (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline (small group visual pack extra copies provided for Table Time Review) Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? (11x17 poster provided in classroom) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table. Encourage the kids to find Joshua 2 and 6 in their Bibles. Help them as needed. Say Is the Book of Joshua in the Old Testament or New Testament? (Old Testament) In which division of the Old Testament is the Book of Joshua found? (History) Which books of the Bible come before and after Joshua? (Deuteronomy, Judges) Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today s Bible story is on the timeline. Review the Bible story provided or summarize the story in your own words. Invite the kids to act out the story. Choose kids to act as Rahab and the two spies. Give some kids the role of a trumpet player and other kids the role of soldier. Encourage each trumpet player to mimic playing a trumpet and each soldier to stand up straight with a very serious face. Invite everyone to march quietly around the room six times. Let them shout after the seventh time around. Say All the people did was march around Jericho. They weren t really the ones who fought against the people of Jericho. Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. God took care of the needs of His people. God also took care of the greatest need of all people by sending His Son to earth. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on a cross to take the punishment for our sin, and rose again. Jesus defeated sin for us. Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say Let s see how well you know our big picture question and answer. Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. 9
LARGE GROUP REVIEW AND ACTIVITIES Key passage activity (5 minutes) Whisper and A Shout Game Instructions Key Passage Poster: Joshua 24:15 (provided) dry erase board and markers (optional) Make sure the key passage, Joshua 24:15, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together. Say Joshua had a lifetime of watching God fight for His people. Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. This was just one of the many times God took care of His people. Repeat the key passage several times together. Invite the kids to whisper the first six times. On the seventh round, they may shout it out. Repeat as time allows. Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Attention Music Explain to the kids that they are going to be soldiers, and good soldiers always stand straight and tall when called to attention. Invite the kids to spread out and sit on the floor. Explain that you are going to play some music. When the music stops, everyone should stand up straight with arms and hands to their sides. The first kid to stand at attention will be the winner. Repeat the game as time allows. Say God didn t want the Israelites to think they had fought and won the first battle to take the promised land. He wanted them to know He was keeping His promise by giving them the land. Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Option 2: Megaphone Cup 20-ounce or larger foam cup, 1 per kid markers or crayons stickers or other decorations (optional) Provide a 20-ounce or larger foam cup to each child. Demonstrate how to use one finger to poke a hole in the bottom of the cup. Show the kids how to pull out the bottom of the cup piece by piece with their fingers. You now have a megaphone. Invite the kids to color and decorate the cups. Once kids finish, ask the big picture question. Allow the kids to answer using their megaphones. 10
Say God told the Israelites to march around Jericho for seven days. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times. Then, trumpets were played and all the Israelites shouted. The wall around Jericho fell. However, it wasn t the yelling of the people that won the battle that day. Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say Does anyone remember the big picture question and answer? Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for His people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. If time remains, take prayer requests. End the session with prayer, thanking God for taking care of His people. Pray for each child by name, asking God to help the kids realize all the ways He takes care of them. 11
Instructions: This wall is about to fall down! Find the window that belongs to a woman named Rahab. Her window is the only one without a match. Draw Rahab in the window with a red rope hanging down. UNIT 8 Session 2 Younger Kids Activity Pages 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources. LifeWay Joshua
The Conquest of Jericho Joshua 2; 6 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources. LifeWay
Family Journal Page 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. Joshua The Conquest of Jericho Joshua 2; 6 Preschool Key Passage: Big Picture Question: 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. Kids Key Passage: Big Picture Question: 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. OK TO PRINT
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 OK TO PRINT Joshua