Summary
Kids connect going back to school with God’s promise to be with them everywhere—not just at church.
They name specific school situations (nervous, lonely, tests, friends) and practice talking to God and remembering His Word in those moments.
They name specific school situations (nervous, lonely, tests, friends) and practice talking to God and remembering His Word in those moments.
Verse
Joshua 1:9 - “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Motions:
“Be strong” – flex arms.
“Courageous” – hand over heart.
“Wherever you go” – spin once and point around the room.
Connect:
Motions:
“Be strong” – flex arms.
“Courageous” – hand over heart.
“Wherever you go” – spin once and point around the room.
Connect:
- Repeat a few times imagining “school places” (desk, playground, bus).
Movement – “Wherever You Go” Corners
Label four corners:
Call out short school scenarios, kids move to the corner they think fits best:
When they arrive, everyone says together:
- “Classroom”
- “Playground”
- “Bus/Car”
- “Home after school”
Call out short school scenarios, kids move to the corner they think fits best:
- “You feel nervous before a test.”
- “Someone is left out at recess.”
- “Kids are loud on the bus and you feel overwhelmed.”
- “You forgot your homework and feel upset at home.”
When they arrive, everyone says together:
- “God is with me here.
Lesson – “God Goes with Me to School”
Keep it concrete and hopeful.
Joshua’s big job, your big job:
God is everywhere, not just church:
Three school moments:
Pick three quick examples and ask what they could pray or remember:
Joshua’s big job, your big job:
- Briefly tell Joshua 1: God asks Joshua to lead God’s people into a new land and says, “I am with you wherever you go.”
- Connect: “You are going into a ‘new land’ too—your classroom, new teacher, maybe new friends—and God says to you: I am with you there.”
God is everywhere, not just church:
- Use Psalm 139 language in simple form: we can’t go anywhere away from God—He is with us in light and dark, far and near.ministry-to-children+3
- Emphasize: “God doesn’t wait for you to come back to church; He goes with you to school.”
Three school moments:
Pick three quick examples and ask what they could pray or remember:
- When I feel afraid – “God, please help me be strong and brave. You are with me.” (Joshua 1:9).
- When I feel alone – “God, thank You that You are here with me, even if no one else is.” (Psalm 139 idea).
- When I need help to do right – “God, help me make wise choices and show Your love at school.”
Small Groups – “School Spots Prayer Map”
Each child gets a page with 3–4 simple icons/spaces:
In each spot they:
Encourage them to put this by their bed or backpack as a back-to-school reminder.
- Desk
- Playground
- Bus
- Home
In each spot they:
- Draw themselves there.
- Leaders help them write/dictate a short prayer or reminder (“God is with me; I can be brave,” “God helps me be kind,” etc.).
Encourage them to put this by their bed or backpack as a back-to-school reminder.
Game – “Be Strong / Don’t Be Afraid”
Call-and-response game to lock in Joshua 1:9.
You read a short school situation:
Kids respond by standing tall and saying:
Finish by praying for their new school year, naming teachers, friends, and classrooms, and asking God to help them remember He is with them wherever they go.
You read a short school situation:
- “It’s your first day in a new class.”
- “You have to speak in front of the class.”
- “There’s a test you’re worried about.”
Kids respond by standing tall and saying:
- “Be strong and courageous… God is with me wherever I go!”
Finish by praying for their new school year, naming teachers, friends, and classrooms, and asking God to help them remember He is with them wherever they go.