In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises, even when His plan looks different from what we expect. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. Use it on a Sunday morning, in a family devotion, or during a weeknight small group.
Big Idea
God is faithful, and He always keeps His promises. When we obey Him and trust His plan, He gives us the victory.
Memory Verse
Joshua 8:1
The LORD said to Joshua, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed. Take all the warriors with you, and arise, go up to Ai. Behold, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, with his people, his city, and his land.
(WEB)
Have the children stand tall with their hands on their hips, like a brave warrior. Then ask them to lift both arms high over their heads each time they say “Don’t be afraid.” Repeat it together three times, getting a little louder each time.
The Story: Joshua 8 for Kids
God’s people, the Israelites, had just won a great battle at the city of Jericho. Now they were ready to take the next city, called Ai. But the first time they tried to capture Ai, they lost many soldiers and ran away in fear. Joshua was sad and worried, and he prayed to God for help.
God spoke to Joshua and said, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed.” God had a new plan. He told Joshua to take his best soldiers and set a trap behind the city. Joshua obeyed God and carefully followed every step of the plan.
Joshua then sent a small group of soldiers to hide behind the city while he took the rest of the army to the front. When the king of Ai saw Joshua’s army, he was sure he could win. He sent all his men out to fight, and they chased Joshua’s soldiers away from the city.
While the men of Ai were busy chasing after Israel, the hidden soldiers rushed into the empty city and set it on fire. Smoke rose up into the sky. When the men of Ai turned around and saw their city burning, they were frightened. Joshua’s army turned around and defeated them.
God kept His promise. He gave Ai into the hands of His people, just as He said He would. Joshua then gathered the people together, built an altar to God, and read all of God’s law out loud so everyone could hear it.
Read It Together
Joshua 8:1-2
1 The LORD said to Joshua, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed. Take all the warriors with you, and arise, go up to Ai. Behold, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, with his people, his city, and his land. 2 You shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho and her king, except you shall take its goods and its livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.”
(WEB)
Point out that God told Joshua not to be afraid, and that God promised to give Ai into his hands. Ask the children what they think Joshua might have felt when he heard God’s promise. Help them see that God’s words gave Joshua courage.
Joshua 8:18
The LORD said to Joshua, “Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city.
(WEB)
Show the children that Joshua did exactly what God told him to do, even when it seemed strange. Explain that the javelin was a signal that God wanted them to follow. Talk about how obeying God’s directions helps us trust Him more.
Joshua 8:30-31
30 Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, 31 as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones, on which no one had lifted up any iron. They offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings.
(WEB)
Point out that after the victory, Joshua did not forget to thank God. He built an altar to honor the Lord. Encourage the children to think about ways they can thank God for the good things He does for them.
Talk About It
- Why do you think God told Joshua to do something different from what the army expected?
- How did Joshua show that he trusted God, even when he was worried?
- What is one thing God has promised us in the Bible that we can count on?
- When have you had to wait or try something new because you trusted someone you love?
- What is one way we can thank God after He helps us through a hard time?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Walls of Ai
You will need paper plates, markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a city wall with windows and doors on the plate, then cut it out. Glue the plates onto a sheet of poster board to make a city skyline. As you retell the story, let the children add small paper flames or smoke to show what happened to Ai.
Hide and Seek Ambush
Choose one child to be the king of Ai and have them stand in the center of the room. Ask the rest of the group to hide quietly around the room, like Joshua’s hidden soldiers. When you give the signal, the hidden children rush out to “take the city” by tapping the chair in the middle. Talk about how important it is to follow the leader’s instructions.
Memory Verse Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and crayons. Write Joshua 8:1 on the card and let the child decorate it with a shield or a banner. Encourage them to take the card home and share the verse with someone in their family at dinner. Ask them to tell you what the verse means the next time you meet.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s plans are wise even when they seem unusual. Joshua’s victory came from obeying God’s specific instructions, not from relying on his own strategy. The passage also reminds us that God is faithful to the promises He makes, and that worship and reading God’s law are important responses to His goodness.
When teaching children, avoid making the story sound like a formula for guaranteed success. Do not suggest that obedience always brings immediate victory in our own lives. Instead, emphasize that God is trustworthy and that we can rest in His care even when we do not understand His plan.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being faithful and keeping Your promises. Help us to trust You when Your plans seem surprising. Give us courage like Joshua, and help us to listen and obey You. Thank You for always being with us. Amen.
