Deuteronomy 1 teaches children that God goes ahead of his people and helps them when a task feels too hard, and that trusting him is better than being afraid. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God goes before us, so we don’t have to be scared. When a job feels too big, we can remember that God is already with us and will help us do what he asks.
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 1:30
The LORD your God who goes before you, he will fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes…
(WEB)
Have children stand up tall with their hands on their hearts, then slowly step forward one foot at a time while saying the verse. Stepping forward reminds them that God goes first, leading the way ahead of them.
The Story: Deuteronomy 1 for Kids
Moses was the leader of the people of Israel, and he was speaking to them on the far side of the Jordan River. The people had been walking in the wilderness for a long time, and now they were close to the land God had promised to give their ancestors. Moses wanted them to remember everything God had done for them on their journey.
God told the people it was time to move on. He said, “You have lived long enough at this mountain. Go into the land I have given you.” God had set the land right in front of them. All they had to do was walk in and take it, trusting him.
Moses had a big job, and he felt tired. The people had grown so many that he could not carry all their problems by himself. So Moses asked wise and respected leaders from each tribe to help him. The people liked this plan, and the helpers were chosen to share the work.
Then the people sent twelve men to look over the land. When they came back, ten of the men said, “The cities are big, and the people are strong. We can’t win!” But the people got scared and did not want to go in. Moses reminded them, “Do not be afraid. God will fight for you, just as he has always taken care of you.”
Sadly, the people still did not trust God. They did not listen to Moses, and they tried to go into the land on their own without God leading them. Their enemies chased them away, and they cried before the Lord. God did not answer them the way they wanted because they had chosen fear over faith.
This story shows that God keeps his promises, even when his people forget to trust him. The people had seen God rescue them many times, and they could have trusted him again. Children can learn that God is always faithful, even when we are not.
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 1:21
Behold, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.”
(WEB)
Point out that God tells the people he has already set the land before them. Ask children what it means that God gives them a clear path forward, and how it helps when we know God has already prepared the way.
Deuteronomy 1:29-31
29 Then I said to you, “Don’t dread, neither be afraid of them. 30 The LORD your God who goes before you, he will fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness, where you have seen how that the LORD your God bore you, as a man does bear his son, in all the way that you went, until you came to this place.”
(WEB)
Show children how Moses reminds the people of all the ways God carried them before. Help them notice that God carried his people like a father carries his child, and ask how they have seen God take care of them.
Deuteronomy 1:9-13
9 I spoke to you at that time, saying, “I am not able to bear you myself alone. 10 The LORD your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the sky for multitude. 11 The LORD, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are, and bless you, as he has promised you! 12 How can I myself alone bear your problems, your burdens, and your strife? 13 Take wise men of understanding and well known according to your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.”
(WEB)
Point out how Moses admits he could not do the work alone and asked for help. Explain that asking for help from others is a wise choice, and that God often gives us friends and helpers to share our burdens.
Talk About It
- What is something that feels too big for you right now, and how could remembering God help you feel braver?
- Why do you think the people got scared when they heard the land had strong enemies?
- How did Moses remind the people of the good things God had already done for them?
- Who are some helpers God has given you, like Moses chose wise leaders to help him?
- What can you do this week when you feel afraid, so you remember that God goes ahead of you?
Activity Ideas
Footprints of Faith Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace one of their feet on paper, cut it out, and write or draw one thing God has helped them with. Tape the footprints on a wall in a line leading toward a picture of a door or a land, to show that God goes before them.
Follow the Leader Walk
You will need an open space and a few pieces of tape or cones to mark a path. Choose one child to be the leader, like God going before the people, and have everyone else follow in a line, stepping only where the leader steps. Afterward, talk about how it feels to trust someone who knows the way.
Brave Words Card at Home
You will need an index card, a pen, and a place in the house where your child will see it often, like a mirror or the fridge. Write a short sentence such as “God goes before me, so I do not need to be afraid” and have your child decorate the card. Read it together at bedtime for a week to help the truth stay in their heart.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God leads his people with faithfulness and patience, even when they fail to trust him. Moses’ honest account of his own weariness and the people’s fear reminds us that God meets us in our real struggles. The chapter also shows the value of sharing leadership and asking for help.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God will always give them the outcome they want or that fear is always a sin. The story is about the people choosing not to trust God after seeing his faithfulness, and children should be reminded that God’s promises are sure while still being honest that life can be hard.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you go before us and show us the way. When our jobs feel too big, help us remember that you are with us. Give us brave hearts and trusting hands, and help us ask for helpers when we need them. Amen.
