Week 21 – Joshua and Jericho

Welcome
Songs
Craft
Opening prayer
Lesson
Closing Prayer

Lesson

“God knocked down the walls. Jesus is strong and can help us too.”

Prayer

“Thank You, Jesus, that You are strong and help me.”

Passage

Joshua 6.

Welcome (5–10 minutes)

Set out:
  • Free play: blocks (to build a “wall”), people figures for Joshua and the people, toy trumpets if you have them.
  • Table: coloring page of people marching around a city wall and crayons.

As kids arrive, say simple lines:
  • “Today we will hear about Joshua and a big wall.”
  • “God told His people to march and blow trumpets.”
  • “God made the walls fall down. Jesus is strong for us too.”

Opening Prayer (echo prayer)

Children repeat after you:

“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Songs (5–10 minutes)

Pick 2–3 songs, repeat them often through the year.

Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:
  • Hold hands like a book on “The B-I-B-L-E”.
  • Hug the “book” on “Yes, that’s the book for me”.
  • Step forward and stomp gently on “I stand alone on the Word of God”.

Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions: 
  • point to self on “me,” 
  • hug on “loves,” 
  • hands like a book on “Bible tells me so.”

Song 3 – “God Made Me, God Loves Me” chant
“God made me (point to self),
God loves me (hug self),
The Bible tells me so (book hands).
Jesus came,
Knows my name,
He’s with me where I go (walk in place).”

Repeat 2–3 times.
The B-I-B-L-E Song
Jesus Loves Me
I am a Child of God

Lesson

Sit kids in a circle. Build a small “wall” from blocks in the middle. Have a “Joshua” figure and people figures.

a) Big city, big wall
Point to the wall of blocks.
  • “The Bible tells us God’s people came to a city called Jericho. Jericho had a big, strong wall all around it. God wanted His people to live in the land He promised them, but this big wall was in the way.”
Hold up the “Joshua” figure.
  • “Joshua was the leader of God’s people. God told Joshua what to do.”

b) God’s surprising plan
  • “God’s plan was different than what we expect. God did not tell them to hit the wall or climb it. God said, ‘March around the city once a day for six days. On the seventh day, march around seven times, then blow the trumpets and shout!’”
Walk the figures around the wall.
  • “So Joshua and the people obeyed. They marched quietly around the city once each day. On the seventh day, they marched around seven times. Then the priests blew the trumpets, and the people shouted.”
Gently knock down the block “wall.”
  • “When they shouted, God made the walls fall down! God gave His people the city. God showed He is strong and that His way is best.”

d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
  • “God is strong. Jesus saves me.”

Motions:
  • Show muscles on “God is strong.”
  • Point up (Jesus) then to self and hug on “Jesus saves me.”

Say it several times: loud, whisper, sitting and standing.
You can also have kids march quietly in place while they say it.
c) Jesus connection
Hold Joshua’s figure and then touch the Bible.

“The wall of Jericho was too strong for the people to knock down by themselves. They needed God’s power. We have a big problem too—our sin. We cannot fix our sin by ourselves. The Bible tells us that Jesus is our Savior. Jesus came to break the wall of sin between us and God. When Jesus died on the cross and came back to life, He made a way for us to be close to God.”
I Love God's Family
Scenario Inspector Tanakh

Craft – “Walls of Jericho”

Goal: 
  • Wall that “falls down” with the reminder that God is strong and Jesus saves.

Steps
  • Give each child a background paper.
  • Help them glue brick pieces to make a simple wall near the middle or top.
    • If you want a “falling” effect, you can only glue the bottom row and leave top bricks loose with a bit of tape so they can fold them down.
  • Below the wall, help them draw Joshua and the people marching.
  • Add the phrase at the bottom:
    • “God is strong. Jesus saves me.”
  • Show them how to “knock down” the wall gently (fold or push the loose top bricks).

Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
  • “Your picture shows the big wall of Jericho. God’s people marched and obeyed God, and God made the walls fall down. The wall was too strong for them, but not too strong for God. Our sin is like a wall, and Jesus is the One who knocks it down so we can be close to God. Remember: ‘God is strong. Jesus saves me.’”

  • When they are finished, have kids “knock down” their walls and say:
    • “God is strong. Jesus saves me.”
Supplies

  • Half-sheet cardstock or construction paper for background.
  • Rectangles of brown/gray paper (bricks) or strips to make a wall.
  • Glue sticks (or double-sided tape if you want them to be moveable).
  • Crayons/markers to draw Joshua and the people.
  • Label/space to write: “God is strong. Jesus saves me.”

Closing Prayer (echo prayer)

Gather kids in a circle, each holding their little “Bible.”
“Dear Jesus, Thank You for helping Joshua and Your people at Jericho.
Thank You that You are strong. Thank You for knocking down the wall of sin.
Thank You for saving me. Help me trust You and obey You. Amen.”