Kids discover that the History books (Joshua through Esther) tell the story of what happened after Moses — how God led His people into the Promised Land, gave them leaders, kings, and prophets, and kept showing His faithfulness even when they failed. They practice finding and placing several of these books in their Bibles and learn that God’s Word teaches courage and obedience.

Joshua 1:8 — “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night.”

Action idea:

• “Book of the Law” – hold hands open like a big book.
• “Day and night” – point up, then lay head on hands “sleeping.”
• “Do everything in it” – march in place as if obeying God’s command.
• Use the motions while repeating the verse several times until the group can echo it with confidence.

Set-up:

• Tape a “timeline path” across the room labeled Moses → Joshua → Judges → Kings → Exile → Return.

How to play:

1. Kids walk along the path as you narrate what happens at each step.

• Moses: God frees His people from Egypt.
• Joshua: God helps them enter the Promised Land.
• Judges: God sends leaders to rescue them.
• Kings: They ask for kings like David and Solomon.
• Exile: They disobey, and enemies take them away.
• Return: God brings them back to rebuild.

2.  Add quick actions for each (part water, march, lift sword, wear crown, look sad, build a wall).

Conclusion: 

• “This is the History section of the Bible—stories showing how God cared for His people through it all.”

Intro:

• Show the book of Joshua in your Bible. Explain that it’s the first History book, right after the Law books.

Read or summarize Joshua 1:1–9:

• God tells Joshua to be strong, courageous, and obey His Word.

Key point: 

• The people were stepping into a new land, so God reminded them not to forget His Book of the Law.

Visual example:

• Draw a bridge on a whiteboard labeled “From Moses to Joshua.”
• Write the Law books on one side and “History books” on the other.
• Explain: “Joshua led God’s people across this bridge into the next part of God’s story.”

Discussion questions:

• “Why did Joshua need courage?”
• “How can we remember God’s Word too, like Joshua did?”

Takeaway line:

• “God’s instructions give us strength, just like they did for Joshua.”
  

Supplies: 

• Bibles for each child, printed “Bible bookshelf” page with empty slots, and cut-outs for Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

Activity:

1. Help kids look at the table of contents and find where “Joshua” starts.
2. Mark two books — Joshua and Esther — with sticky notes (first and last History books).
3. Place the cards in order on the printed bookshelf.
4. Older kids can read a one-line summary from the leader as each book is named (“Ruth shows kindness,” “David is a shepherd king,” etc.).

Connection:

• “These stories help us see how God was writing history — His story.”

Set-up:

• Tape down labeled floor squares or large cards for each History book in order.

How to play:

1. Call out a book (e.g., “1 Kings!” or “Ruth!”).
2. Kids run or hop to land on that book.
3. You can quiz them as they hop: “What happens in that book?” (They can answer or do an emoji/action — crown for Kings, praying hands for Nehemiah, etc.)
4. Continue calling books in different orders until they can recognize the names quickly.

Variation for small rooms: 

• Use hand motions instead of hopping—raise hands for “Joshua,” cross arms for “Judges,” etc.

Wrap-up:

• “Each of these books tells us something amazing that God did in the lives of His people—just like He’s at work in our lives today!”

Closing thought and prayer idea:
Invite everyone to stand tall like Joshua and say together:
“Be strong and courageous. God goes with us wherever we go!”

Pray: “Lord, thank You for showing us how You worked through Joshua and all Your people in history. Help us remember Your Word and obey You faithfully.”