This lesson teaches children that God kept His promise to give His people the land, and that every king He let them defeat was part of that faithful plan. It is for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps the promises He makes. He kept His promise to Israel, and He can be trusted to keep His promises to us too.
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 children stand tall with arms wide like a big promise, then bring their hands together in front of their heart on the word “promise.” Say the verse together slowly, doing the motion each time you reach that word, until the whole class can say it without looking.
The Story: Joshua 12 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people, the Israelites, walked toward a land that God had promised to give them. Before they could live there, they had to win battles against the kings who ruled that land. Moses had already helped them defeat two powerful kings east of the Jordan River, named Sihon and Og. Their land was given to some of the tribes to live in.
Then Joshua, the new leader after Moses, led the people across the river into the land of Canaan. One by one, the people fought the kings of the cities in that land. God helped the Israelites win every battle. The Bible lists thirty-one kings whom they defeated, including the kings of Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, and Hebron.
Each king was a real leader of a real city, and each one had to face God’s people. The list is long, and it can feel like a lot of names, but the story is simple. God said He would give them the land, and step by step, He did exactly that.
Joshua could have worried about how big the job was. Instead, he trusted God to keep His word. When the people were tired or scared, God still went before them. The children of Israel could say to one another, “God said it, and God is doing it.”
When the battles were over, the land was divided among the tribes, just as God had said. Every family could find a home. God did not forget a single promise, even the ones that seemed very hard to believe.
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 the chapter begins by saying these kings were defeated by the children of Israel. Ask children to notice that the story is about what God did through His people, not about what they could do alone.
Joshua 12:7
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…
(WEB)
Show that Joshua divided the land among the tribes according to their divisions. Explain that each family got a place to belong, which is a sign that God keeps His promises to His people.
Joshua 12:24
The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty-one.
(WEB)
Count the kings out loud with the children, or have them hold up fingers as you read the total of thirty-one. Remind them that the count ends with the total, showing that God had brought every one of these battles to a finish.
Talk About It
- What is a promise, and why do you think God wanted His people to remember what He promised them?
- How would you feel if you had to wait a long time for something someone promised you?
- Why do you think the Israelites needed to be brave when they fought the kings?
- What is one promise God has made in the Bible that you are glad He keeps?
- How can you show your friends and family that you are someone who keeps your promises?
Activity Ideas
Promise Land Map Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple map with a river across the middle and a few cities on one side. Have them color a small house on the other side and write “God’s promise” beside it, reminding them that God gave His people a home.
Kings of the Land Relay
You will need a few sheets of paper and some tape. Tape pieces of paper with the names of cities from the chapter around the room, such as Jericho, Ai, and Hebron. Have children walk, hop, or march from one paper to the next, saying, “God gave us this land!” at each stop.
Promise Keeper Bookmark
You will need cardstock or thick paper, scissors, markers, and a hole punch with string or yarn. Let each child decorate a bookmark with the memory verse, then punch a hole at the top and tie on the yarn. Encourage them to use it in their Bible or storybook at home as a reminder that God keeps His word.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Joshua 12 is a summary list of the kings Israel defeated, from the lands east of the Jordan under Moses to the cities west of the Jordan under Joshua. The chapter shows that the conquest was the fulfillment of God’s promise, not simply human military success. Its purpose is to remember God’s faithfulness across the whole story.
With children, avoid overstating the violence or suggesting that God’s people were simply superior to others. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and His promise, and avoid turning the list of kings into a lesson about conquest or fear. Let the story stay simple and centered on trust.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for always keeping Your promises. We are glad You kept Your word to Your people, and we know You can be trusted with everything we need. Help us remember that You are faithful, and help us keep our own promises too. Amen.
