Unit 7 Session 4 UNIT 7 SESSION 4 Use Week of: ACHAN S SIN AND THE DEFEAT OF AI Joshua 7 8 Joshua 1:9 MAIN POINT: We can trust God. BIBLE PASSAGE: KEY PASSAGE: The Bible Story Joshua 7 8 BIBLE STORY FOR TODDLERS God told the people not to take anything from Jericho. A man named Achan did not obey God. When Joshua sent men to fight the city of Ai, they had to run away! Joshua was so sad. God said He would not fight for the people because of someone s wrong choice. Achan was the one who had made the wrong choice. Joshua said, Tell me what you did. Achan said, I took a coat, silver coins, and a gold bar. I hid them under my tent. God punished Achan and his family for their wrong choice. Then God helped His people fight Ai. BABIES GOSPEL GEMS **Achan s wrong choice made trouble for God s people. **God loves us even when we make wrong choices. **God sent Jesus because He loves us. Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject. 18 Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 4 2015 LifeWay
Babies Activities LOOK IN THE BIBLE Provide hand-size Bibles for babies to hold and turn the pages. Open your Bible to Joshua 7. Show the Bible story picture as you say the Gospel Gems. You may read the key passage card. SAY: Achan made a wrong choice, and his wrong choice made trouble for God s people. WE CAN TRUST GOD. God loves us even when we make wrong choices. [Pray for the babies.] SING A SONG Sing to the tune of Are You Sleeping? : God is with you, God is with you everywhere, everywhere! God is always with you. He will never leave you. Trust in God. Trust in God! SAY: God loves us even when we make wrong choices. God sent Jesus because He loves us. WE CAN TRUST GOD. WAVE SCARVES Provide colorful scarves for babies to wave. Talk about the colors of the scarves. Drape the scarves on the babies skin. SAY: These colors are beautiful! Achan saw a beautiful coat, and he took it. Achan s wrong choice made trouble for God s people. God loves us even when we make wrong choices. WE CAN TRUST GOD. HIDE THE TOY Show a baby a favorite toy and let her hold it. Then take the toy and place it under a blanket. Ask where it is. Play with each baby. SAY: Achan hid the things he took. Achan s wrong choice made trouble for the people. God knows everything. WE CAN TRUST GOD. Check diapers, serve bottles if needed, and release babies to parents according to your church s security guidelines. Give parents today s big picture card. Repeat the Gospel Gems and Bible-learning activities for babies who stay a second hour. 19
Toddler Activities CIRCLE TIME (5 MINUTES) Provide Bibles for toddlers to hold. Say the Bible is God s words. Read the key passage card and guide toddlers to say it. Open your Bible to Joshua 7. Show the Bible story picture as you tell the story. Say the Main Point. Pray for the toddlers. MAKE STICKY ART Cut a heart shape for each toddler out of clear contact plastic and tape it sticky side out to a wall or table. Invite toddlers to tear pieces of colorful paper to stick to the heart. SAY: God loves us even when we make wrong choices. God sent Jesus because He loves us. WE CAN TRUST GOD. HIDE IN A TENT Drape a blanket over the sides of a table. Invite toddlers to hide inside the tent one at a time. Remind toddlers that Achan tried to hide his wrong choice. SAY: We should not hide when we make wrong choices. God loves us even when we make wrong choices. WE CAN TRUST GOD. WORK TOGETHER Provide a favorite toy, game, or floor puzzle that toddlers must work together to play. Praise the toddlers for working together. SAY: Achan s wrong choice made trouble for God s people. WE CAN TRUST GOD. God loves us even when we make wrong choices. JINGLE GOLD AND SILVER Place gold and silver jewelry (real or fake) and coins in clear, sealed containers for toddlers to shake. Remind toddlers that Achan took a gold bar and silver coins from Jericho. SAY: We can say we are sorry when we make wrong choices. WE CAN TRUST GOD to forgive us. God sent Jesus because He loves us. 20 Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 7 Session 4
Bonus Teaching Hour ACHAN S SIN AND THE DEFEAT OF AI Joshua 7 8 KEY PASSAGE: Joshua 1:9 MAIN POINT: We can trust God. BIBLE PASSAGE: TRANSITION ACTIVITY: MARCH TOGETHER Invite toddlers to follow you as you march to one part of the room. Ask: Is God with you here? Encourage toddlers to shout, Yes! Move to another part of the room and repeat the question. Continue playing as time allows. Hold the key passage card. SAY: Our key passage says God is with you wherever you go. We do not have to be afraid to tell God we are sorry when make wrong choices. God sent Jesus because He loves us. WE CAN TRUST GOD. LOOK IN THE BIBLE Provide various Bibles and picture Bibles for toddlers to handle and open. Point to God s words inside the Bible. SAY: You can hear God s words. Later on, you ll be able to read them to know what is right. Achan made a wrong choice, but God is always ready to forgive people. WE CAN TRUST GOD. MAKE A CHOICE Provide two or three buckets and a beanbag. Invite toddlers to toss or place the beanbag in the bucket of their choice. SAY: You made a choice! Achan s wrong choice made trouble for God s people. WE CAN TRUST GOD to forgive us when we are sorry. Check diapers, serve a snack if needed, and release toddlers to parents according to your church s security procedures. Give parents today s big picture card to reinforce today s Bible story, Main Point, or Gospel Gems throughout the week. 21
Achan s Sin and the Defeat of Ai (Joshua 7 8) Unit 7, Session 4 2015 LifeWay OK to Print
God is with you. Joshua 1:9 (HCSB) God is with thee. Joshua 1:9 (KJV) God is with you. Joshua 1:9 (ESV) God will be with you. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 7 2015 LifeWay OK to Print Key Passage Cards Instructions: Print and cut apart the cards. Laminate them or cover them with clear contact plastic. Use the translation of your choice as directed in the Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide.