4.1
date:______
Bible Passage: Numbers 13; 14:26–33; Joshua 5:13—6:27
(Joshua and Jericho)
REMEMBER VERSE
Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have
loved you. John 13:34 (NIrV)
God Always Keeps His Promises
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Explore::
Welcome & Engage
10–15 minutes
Discover & Respond::
Large Group
30–40 minutes
Respond & Bless::
Small Group
20–35 minutes
ENVIRONMENT: LOVE AND RESPECT
Without love, our faith becomes futile. Children need to experience love and respect in order to receive and give God’s grace. Innate in this environment is the value that children are respected because they embody the image of God. We must speak to them not at them, and we must commit to an environment where love and acceptance are never withheld due to one’s behavior.
Inspire
When I was 18 years old, I ventured out into the world on my very first mission trip overseas. I was one of 15 people who went into the countryside and jungles of Haiti to share God’s message of love and hope with people. Researching this country prior to our trip both thrilled and terrified me. The spiritual, physical, and relational challenges that were presented during our journey confronted my ability and desire to respond in love. Love in both action and heart was required of me.
There was one moment in particular that I stood physically frozen, overwhelmed with fear. I had to choose. Was I going to give in to the fear of the unknown and unfamiliar—spiritually crippling me for the extent of my stay and potentially longer? Or was I going to push through it and choose to be courageous—to step outside of myself, giving love but also opening myself up to receiving love—as I never had before? Thankfully, the Spirit of God gave me all I needed to choose the latter. Courage in the midst of opposition allowed me to experience powerful love in action. I did not want to board the plane to come home; I wasn’t ready to leave. Haiti had changed me; love had changed me.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Regardless of the size of the challenge that is before us, we are to respond in love. Love has been freely given to each of us, and freely we must release it to a world in desperate need of true love. But first, we must be brave. We must risk. We must allow God to open the parts of our hearts we have protected from potential threats. Again: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” He will go before you. He will prepare the way. He promised, and God always keeps His promises.
Cristi Thomas
TruWonder Team
Partner Church Comments
The theme of God’s promises was wonderfully obvious in this lesson. Great!
—1st Baptist Church of Hemet
Equip
The Israelites had been in the desert for 40 years and were about to enter the land of Canaan that God had promised Abraham many years before. Upon first inspection, the people were fearful of what awaited them in this new place: giants, strong armies, fortified cities, and potential hostility—all of which the people of Israel felt ill-equipped to handle. However, God was with His people. He had raised up a new leader who was serving under Moses’ leadership and would take them into the land. God would be with Joshua just as He was with Moses. He would go before His people, conquering all of the obstacles they would face.
After the death of Moses, God appointed Joshua as his successor. Various acts of service had prepared him to lead Israel into the new era. Educated and informed in the principles of governing, he had been groomed for leadership. God promised Joshua, “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. … No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:3, 5).
As the people entered the land, God instructed Joshua to lead the people and take the city of Jericho, an envied city within ancient Palestine. The mountains surrounding Jericho allowed for the development of lush agriculture through natural irrigation, and also provided protection and isolation from neighboring countries. The city was centrally located within the region, making it an ideal trade route. All of this made the possession of Jericho key to controlling Palestine.
God gave specific instructions to Joshua for successfully taking the city. Following each of God’s instructions, none of the priests, armed men, Joshua, or any of God’s people had to pick up a weapon to fight for the destruction of the city. God gave it over to His people just as He had said. He had gone before them. He was their defense, their strength, their provider, and their God. He fulfilled each promise He made to His people. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
God always keeps His promises.
Further Resources
Support
Louis Cassels, quoted in Edythe Draper, Draper’s Book of Quotations for the Christian World. Tyndale House, 1992.
Remember Verse Motions
Inspired by American Sign Language; demonstrated at signingsavvy.com and
Support
If God wants you to do something, He’ll make it possible for you to do it, but the grace He provides comes only with the task and cannot be stockpiled beforehand. We are dependent on Him from hour to hour; and the greater our awareness of this fact, the less likely we are to faint or fail in a crisis.
—Louis Cassels, quoted in Draper’s Book of Quotations for the Christian World
What is the adventure God has planned for you this week, or this year?
In every challenge that faces you, may you see an opportunity to be brave. In each act of bravery, may you know it is the Lord who has given you all that is required. May you know it is Him who has gone before you, preparing a path for you to follow in faith and in love. He will be with you each step of the way. Let the examples of our forefathers in faith encourage your heart and soul.
Lesson Overview
Experience / Time / Summary / Supplies/Prepare(Master SupplyList under Resource Tab)
Explore::
Welcome & Engage / 10–15 min. / Exploration stations create space intended to transition children—to lead them from the external world into an environment where they can commune with God, just as they are with all that they are. / Focus Station: Build It Up!
(per table)
various-sized cardboard boxes, taped closed (shoe boxes, moving boxes, large appliance boxes)
packaging or duct tape
(Optional) Station 2: Milk and Honey
(per table)
Milk and Honey Game Cards master (see Resource Folder)
Discover::
Large Group / 20–25 min. / Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God’s Word. / Chloe (puppet or person)
Chloe’s Rules video or script (see Resource Tab)
preschool program theme song
2 upbeat worship songs (suggestion: “Welcome to the Playhouse,” TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse)
optional: countdown video
Mail Time intro clip and slide (see Resource Tab)
Remember Verse slide and cards (see Resource Folder)
Mail Time envelope art printed and attached to a large envelope (see Resource Tab)
Bibles (your personal and large children’s)
mailbox
Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip and slide (see Resource Tab)
Wardrobe of Wonder
Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect (see Resource Tab)
optional: silly hats for prop/hat box
2 small stools or chairs
What’sIt: Ram’s Horn or Brass Horn (see slide in Resource Folder)
The Big God Story intro clip and slide (see Resource Tab)
pictures in print or slide: grapes, pomegranates, and figs (see Resource Folder), or use real items
pictures in print or slides: men carrying fruit, a giant standing next to a little grasshopper, and a person leaning over looking at a grasshopper (see Resource Folder)
sound effect: ram’s horn sounding (see Resource Folder)
Lesson Overview
Experience / Time / Summary / Supplies/Prepare(Master SupplyList under Resource Tab)
Respond::
Large Group / 10–15 min. / Create space for children to respond to the Holy Spirit in worship and community. / title slide (see Resource Tab) or worshipful video loop
2 fun, celebratory worship songs (suggestion: “Dance,” TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse)
assortment of musical instruments, horns (1 per child)
Respond::
Small Group / 15–30 min. / Further process the story through discussion and interaction with others, and respond to God in worship through creative expression. / Connect: Tumbling Down
(per small group)
boxes from Focus Station of Explore
Create: Sweet Promises from God
(per table/small group)
Sweet Promises master sheet (see Resource Folder)
God’s Promises master sheet (see Resource Folder)
tissue paper (variety of colors)
glue sticks
liquid starch or glue
paintbrushes
small bowls or paint cups
scissors
markers
optional: ink pad
optional: paper plates (to carry home any cards that still require dry time)
Wonder Questions
Bless::
Small Group / 5 min. / Bless the children that they may experience God fully and be a blessing to others. / Blessing/Remember Verse
HomeFront Weekly
EXPLORE | DISCOVER | RESPOND | BLESS
Small Group
SECTION
Explore:: 10–15 min.
Host/Small Group Leaders
Exploration stations create space intended for wonder—to pique children’s curiosity and allow them to engage in hands-on experiences as they begin their time in worship.
Invite children to participate at the Focus Station (or optional stations, if available). Explore the materials with the children and engage them in open-ended questions about their observations. This will encourage them to explore and form questions on their own throughout the lesson.
Focus Station
Station 1: Build It Up!
SUPPLIES (per table)
• various-sized cardboard boxes, taped closed (shoe boxes, moving boxes, large appliance boxes)
• packaging or duct tape
SET UP
Tape boxes closed. Place boxes on the floor in a cleared space in the room.
ENGAGE
Welcome children to the exploration station. Encourage them to build whatever they choose using the boxes provided. Ask: I wonder, how high do you think these boxes can be stacked? What can they be used to create? What are you going to build today? Tell me about your building. As children begin to explain their design and construction to you, ask follow-up questions. For example: How is your building/structure used? Does anyone live in or behind your structure?
Note: Be sure to save these boxes for use in the Connect game later in the lesson.
(Optional) Station 2: Milk and Honey
SUPPLIES (per table)
• Milk and Honey Game Cards master (see Resource Folder)
PREPARE
Print two copies for each table that will be using this activity. Cut cards to size and place in a resealable bag. Set aside.
SET UP
Place cards facedown on the table.
ENGAGE
Welcome children to the exploration station. Explain how to play a memory game using the cards on the table. After children have completed the game, invite them to play a game of association with the cards. Turn one set of the cards with the illustrations facing up. Then ask them to pair foods together based on various characteristics. For example, in the first round group foods together by food group. In the second round have them group all of their favorite dinner, breakfast, or lunch items together, and so on.
Partner Church Comments
The variety of cardboard boxes was a big hit! They built and knocked them down many, many times.
—The Beacon
We gave each small group a different box of building toys (Legos, Tinkertoys, Lincoln Logs, etc.). Each group built as big and high as they could on their small group rugs and then they saved it for The Big God Story. Our groups were really into this project—especially the boys!
—Mt. Paran North Church of God
EXPLORE | DISCOVER | RESPOND | BLESS
Large Group
SECTION
min.
Discover:: 20–25 min.
Host/Worship Leader/Storyteller
Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God’s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences.
The following instructions have been condensed, but if you’d like more information about any of the components of the large group program, please see Putting It Together under the Resource Tab.
Ponder Point
God Always Keeps His Promises
When God called Joshua to lead He told him, “Be strong and courageous. … for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). God said He would go before Joshuaand Israel and prepare the way. Each time God was faithful. God’s Word is His promise and we can trust in Him!
Chloe’s Rules
Host/Worship Leader
Begin large group by using Chloe (a puppet or person) to review the rules of your program. It’s a great time to remind children how we can all be part of a loving community through the words we speak, sitting with our small group, and sharing. Add a theme song to your program for a fun way to help give identity to your large group program. Also choose two upbeat worship songs from a worship album that fits. The supplies you’ll want to gather for this section are the Chloe’s Rules video or script (see Resource Tab), Chloe (a puppet or person), your preschool program theme song, worship music (suggestion: “Welcome to the Playhouse,” TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse), and a countdown video (optional).
Chloe Tip
You may want to have Chloe reappear throughout Discover in times of transition between segments, or during the final dismissal to small groups.
Mail Time
Host/Worship Leader
Have children retrieve mail (the current Remember Verse from the Bible) from their mailbox. Review the meaning of the verse and any unfamiliar words with the children as they prepare to memorize it. Supplies to gather include the Mail Time intro clip and slide, Remember Verse slide (for projection and Mail Time envelope), Remember Verse cards (print and distribute along with HomeFront Weekly), Mail Time envelope art printed and attached to a large envelope, a Bible, a large children’s Bible, and a mailbox.
REMEMBER VERSE
Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you. John 13:34 (NIrV)
Remember Verse Definitions
love: caring deeply about someone, and being patient and kind
one another: your family, friends, neighbors, classmates, all the people you know (even the difficult ones!)
Remember Verse Motions
Love: Cross arms over chest.
one another: With both hands in a “thumbs up” position, turn your hands so the tip of the thumb on each hand is facing the other. Pin hands in a circular motion rotating thumbs one over the other.
You must: Extend your arms in front of your body with index fingers pointing forward.
love: Cross arms over chest.
one another: With both hands in a “thumbs up” position, turn your hands so the tip of the thumb on each hand is facing the other. Pin hands in a circular motion rotating thumbs one over the other.
just as I: Extend arms straight above your head. Use your index fingers to point to heaven.
have loved: Cross arms over chest.
you: Extend your arms in front of your body with index fingers pointing forward.
Wardrobe of Wonder
Storyteller/Host/Worship Leader
Hide the What’sIt connected to The Big God Story within the wardrobe. Together as a community, the children will discover the identity of this object as they begin to ask questions from their observations and experiences. You’ll need to have ready a Wardrobe of Wonder, Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip, slide, and sound effect (see Resource Tab), silly hats for the prop/hat box (optional), and two small stools or chairs. For this What’sIt you’ll need a ram’s horn or brass horn (see optional slide available in Resource Folder).
What’sIt:Ram’s Horn or Brass Horn
The walls of Jericho were shut up tight. The Lord God had given the city into Joshua’s hands. He told Joshua to have the priests and armed men march around the walls on the seventh day. It was on this day that the walls of Jericho came down. The rams’ horn helps us to remember that God always keeps His promises.
ASK
What do you think a horn is doing in the Wardrobe of Wonder?(Allow volunteer to give you some suggestions. If he is having difficulty, invite all of the kids to give suggestions). Ask the children: What kind of sound do you think this horn makes? Can you make your best horn sound for me?Encourage children to make their best horn sound using their hands and voices.I wonder if the What’sIt has something to do with what we’re going to hear today from The Big God Story. Friends, what do you think? Let’s find out because, do you know what time it is?