In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises and fights for His people, even when they feel outnumbered. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is with us, and He keeps His promises. When we trust Him, He helps us, even when the fight looks too big for us.
Memory Verse
Joshua 10:8
The LORD said to Joshua, “Don’t fear them, for I have delivered them into your hands. Not a man of them will stand before you.”
(WEB)
Ask the children to stand tall and put their hands on their hearts. Then have them slowly raise both arms over their heads like a shield, saying “Don’t be afraid” together. Repeat it three times so they remember God’s promise to Joshua.
The Story: Joshua 10 for Kids
Once upon a time, Joshua was the leader of God’s people, Israel. Joshua and his army had won a big battle, and now the people of Gibeon had made peace with them. The king of Jerusalem, whose name was Adoni-Zedek, was very angry about this. He was also afraid, because Gibeon was a big and strong city.
So Adoni-Zedek asked four other kings to join him, and together the five kings marched up and attacked Gibeon. The people of Gibeon were scared, so they sent a message to Joshua. They said, “Please come quickly and help us!” Joshua did not wait. He led his army all through the night to get to Gibeon fast.
Then God spoke to Joshua. God said, “Don’t be afraid of them, because I have given them into your hands.” God sent a great storm of big hailstones down on the enemy armies, and many of them were lost. Joshua prayed out loud, and the sun and moon seemed to stay in place so that the fight could finish. That had never happened before, and it showed that God was fighting for His people.
The five kings ran away and hid in a cave. Joshua told his men to roll big stones over the cave door to guard them. Later, Joshua brought the kings out and told his men, “Be strong and brave, because the Lord will do this to all your enemies.” Then Joshua and his army went on to win several more cities. God helped them every step of the way.
Read It Together
Joshua 10:10
The LORD confused them before Israel. He killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon, and struck them to Azekah and to Makkedah.
(WEB)
Point out that God was the one who confused the enemy armies, not Israel’s soldiers alone. Ask the children to notice who the verse says did the work. Help them see that God was in charge of the battle.
Joshua 10:12-13
12 Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel. He said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!” 13 The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day.
(WEB)
Show the children how Joshua trusted God and spoke to Him directly. Point out that God answered Joshua’s prayer in a surprising way. Remind the children that they can talk to God about anything, even big requests.
Joshua 10:25
Joshua said to them, “Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed. Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
(WEB)
Point out the words “Be strong and courageous” and ask the children what they think those words mean. Explain that God gave Joshua this encouragement, and God gives encouragement to us too. Show how the verse tells them why they can be brave.
Talk About It
- What did the people of Gibeon do when they felt scared, and who did they ask for help?
- How do you think Joshua felt when God told him not to be afraid?
- What was the surprising way God helped Israel win the battle?
- Can you think of a time when you felt scared? What could you remember about God?
- How can we show that we trust God when we face something hard?
Activity Ideas
Hailstone Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and cotton balls or white paper scraps. Have each child draw a dark sky at the top of the page. Then have them glue cotton balls or torn white paper pieces onto the sky to look like falling hailstones. Ask them to tell you one thing God did for Israel in this story.
Sun and Moon Freeze Game
You will need an open space and some music, such as a song on a phone or speaker. Let the children dance and move around while the music plays. When you pause the music, everyone freezes, just like the sun and moon stopping in the sky. Use this game to talk about how God can do amazing things that no one expects.
Be Brave Card at Home
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a marker. Have each child write “God is with me” on one side of the card, and draw a small shield on the other side. Encourage them to take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it, such as by their bed. Ask them to read it aloud when they feel scared.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is faithful to His promises and works on behalf of His people. The battles of Israel are part of God’s plan to give the land He had promised, and the chapter highlights His power and His commitment to Joshua and the nation. Adults can also reflect on how God uses both ordinary people and extraordinary events to accomplish His purposes.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the violence of the battle or suggesting that God always rescues people from danger in the way He did here. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His promise to be with His people. Gently let children know that not every hard situation will look the same, but God is still with us.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You keep Your promises and fight for us. Help us to be brave when we feel scared, and help us remember that You are always with us. Teach us to trust You in every hard moment. Amen.
