In this Sunday school lesson, children learn that God goes with them and never leaves them, even when the path ahead feels scary. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is with us. We can be brave because He will never leave us or let us down, even when we feel afraid.
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for the LORD your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand tall with feet apart and fists on their hips, like a superhero. On the words “be strong and courageous,” have them raise their arms up high, and on “He will not fail you,” have them stomp their feet firmly on the floor together.
The Story: Deuteronomy 31 for Kids
Moses was an old leader. He was 120 years old, and he could not walk around like he used to. God had told him that he would not go across the Jordan River into the new land. That was a sad thing for Moses to hear, and he knew it was time to say goodbye to his people, the Israelites.
So Moses gathered everyone together. He told them that God Himself would go ahead of them into the new land. God would help them, and Joshua would lead them, just as God had said. Moses said to the people, “Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid.”
Then Moses turned to Joshua, who would become the next leader, and he spoke to him in front of everyone. “Be strong and courageous,” Moses said, “for the LORD is the one who goes before you. He will be with you.”
Moses also wrote down God’s law and gave it to the priests and the elders. He told the people to gather together every seven years and read God’s law out loud, so that the children and families could hear it and learn to love and honor God. The little ones were included, and so were the foreigners who lived among them.
God then told Moses that the people would forget Him one day and turn to other gods. God asked Moses to write a song so the people would remember Him and His promises. Moses wrote the song that very day and taught it to the children of Israel, and he encouraged Joshua once more to be brave, because God would be with him.
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.”
(WEB)
Point out the words “He will be with you” and “He will not fail you nor forsake you.” Ask the children to say these words back to you. Explain that “forsake” means “leave behind,” so this verse tells us God will never walk away from us.
Deuteronomy 31:12-13
12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and the foreigners who are within your gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law; 13 and that their children, who have not known, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God wanted everyone to hear His law, including the little ones. Point out that learning about God is for every age, and that families can learn together. Ask who in their family helps them learn about God.
Deuteronomy 31:19
“Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
(WEB)
Explain that God asked Moses to write a song so the people would remember Him. Point out that songs help us remember things, and invite the children to think of a song about God they already know.
Talk About It
- What did Moses tell the people to feel when they were scared?
- How do you think Joshua felt when Moses asked him to be brave?
- Why is it good to know that God will never leave us alone?
- What is one scary thing you have faced, and how can God help you with it?
- Why did God want even the little children to hear His law?
Activity Ideas
Brave Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of something that makes them a little nervous. Then have them draw God standing right next to them, holding their hand or standing close. Talk about how God is with them in every situation, and let them color their picture with bright, happy colors.
Be Strong and Courageous Freeze Game
Gather the children in an open space and explain that when you call out “be strong,” they should stand tall and when you call out “courageous,” they should wiggle like jelly. Mix up the commands quickly and let them keep the rhythm going. End by saying together, “God will never leave us,” and cheering as a group.
Family Bravery Card
You will need an index card, a pen, and a sticker or two. Help each child write Deuteronomy 31:6 in simple words, such as “God goes with me, so I can be brave.” Let them decorate the card with stickers and take it home to place on their bedside table or by the front door, so they can remember God is with them every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows a leader at the end of his life passing the work on to a new leader, while reminding the people that their security rests in the Lord, not in Moses. The chapter also reveals God’s faithfulness even when the people would later fail, and it ends with a song given as a lasting witness to His promises.
With children, avoid overstating the warning about the people turning to other gods. Keep the focus on the comforting truth that God is faithful and present, rather than on the sad details of future rebellion, which can be frightening for young listeners.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You that You go before us and walk with us every day. Help us to be strong and brave when we feel scared, because we know You will never leave us or let us down. Help us remember that You are always with us. Amen.
