This lesson teaches children that God keeps every promise He makes, shown through the victories Israel won under Joshua. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises, even when His people have to be brave and trust Him. Israel had a promise of land, and God made it come true one step at a time.
Memory Verse
Joshua 21:45
Nothing failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
(WEB)
Have the children hold both hands out flat, then bring them together in front of their chest as they say “not one word failed.” Repeat it three times with the motion, then have them say it without you.
The Story: Joshua 12 for Kids
Israel had come a long way. Moses, their leader, had died, and now Joshua was in charge. Before Israel crossed into the land God promised them, they had already won big battles on the other side of the Jordan River. Moses had given that land to some of the tribes, and the people had trusted God to help them win it.
Chapter 12 is like a list of the kings they defeated. First, there was Sihon, the king of the Amorites, who ruled from a city called Heshbon. Then there was Og, the king of Bashan, who was a giant of a man. God helped Israel beat both of these powerful kings, and the land became theirs to live in.
Next, Joshua led the people west, across the Jordan River into the land God had promised to Abraham. One city after another, their enemies fell. Jericho was first, then Ai, then Jerusalem, Hebron, and many more. Each time a king was defeated, the people remembered that God was the one fighting for them.
The chapter ends with a count. Joshua and the Israelites had defeated thirty-one kings in all. Imagine the children telling their parents, “Look at what God did!” That is what God’s people did. They took His word seriously and kept walking forward.
Joshua was not a superhero. He was a man who listened to God and told the people to be strong and not afraid. When Israel obeyed, God gave them the victory. When we trust God, He keeps His promises to us too.
Read It Together
Joshua 12:1
Now these are the kings of the land, whom the children of Israel struck, and possessed their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the Arabah eastward…
(WEB)
Point out that this verse says the people “struck” these kings. Explain that God gave them the victory, and they would not have won on their own. Ask the children who they think was really in charge of the battles.
Joshua 12:7-8
7 These are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the children of Israel struck beyond the Jordan westward, from Baal Gad in the valley of Lebanon even to Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir. Joshua gave it to the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions; 8 in the hill country, and in the lowland, and in the Arabah, and in the slopes, and in the wilderness, and in the South; the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite…
(WEB)
Show the children how Joshua gave the land “according to their divisions.” Explain that God cared about each family getting its own place. Point out that God is organized and fair with His people.
Joshua 12:24
The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty-one.
(WEB)
Ask the children to count on their fingers to thirty-one with you. Explain that this total shows how faithful God was. Every single king was defeated, and not one of them stopped God’s plan.
Talk About It
- What is one promise God made to the people of Israel in this story?
- How do you think Joshua felt when he saw all those kings beaten by God’s power?
- Why is it good to remember what God has done in the past?
- What is something you feel nervous about, and how can God help you be brave?
- How can you show God that you trust Him to keep His promises to you?
Activity Ideas
Crown the Kings Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and tape. Have each child draw a simple crown on paper, cut it out, and write the name of one king from the chapter on it. Let them decorate the crown and tape it into a loop to wear. Talk together about how each king was defeated by God.
Jericho Walk Game
You will need an open space and a few pieces of paper or cardboard for markers. Set up the markers in a line to look like a city. Let the children march around the line quietly, then stop and cheer loudly, the way the people did when the walls fell. Explain that God is the one who wins our battles.
Promise Keeper Take-Home
You will need an index card and a pencil for each child. Ask each child to write or draw one promise God keeps, such as always being with us. Have them put the card in a pocket or on the fridge at home. Encourage the family to read it together each evening this week and talk about how God keeps His word.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Joshua 12 is a summary of the victories described in the earlier chapters. It records the kings defeated on both sides of the Jordan and shows that the conquest was an act of God’s faithfulness to His promise. The land allotments are a reminder that God’s gifts are given according to His plan, not human effort alone.
Be careful not to overstate the violence of these battles to young children. Focus on God’s faithfulness and the courage of Joshua and the people, without dwelling on the destruction of the enemies. Help the children see the chapter as a story about God keeping His word.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for always keeping Your promises to us. Help us to be brave and trust You like Joshua did. Remind us that You are with us wherever we go. We love You and thank You for being faithful. Amen.
