In this lesson, children learn that God goes with us and will never leave us, even when we feel scared or when someone we love has to go away. This lesson is for children aged about 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is always with us, so we can be brave, because He will never leave us or let us down.
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)
Have children stand tall with their shoulders back and hold their arms out wide like a strong tree. On the word “courageous,” they stomp their feet once. Repeat the motion three times together until the verse feels like a song.
The Story: Deuteronomy 31 for Kids
Moses was an old man now, one hundred twenty years old. He had led the people of Israel out of Egypt for many years. He could not walk with them into the Promised Land, because God had told him he would not cross the Jordan River. Moses gathered all the people together so he could talk to them one last time.
Moses told the people that God Himself would go ahead of them. He said that God would help them defeat the people living in the land. Then Moses turned to a young man named Joshua. Moses said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land.” Joshua would be the new leader.
Moses wrote down God’s law and gave it to the priests and the elders. He told them that every seven years, all the people should gather together and listen to God’s law read out loud. He wanted the children to hear it too, so they would learn to love and respect God.
God then spoke to Moses and told him it was almost time for him to die. God called Joshua to come to the Tent of Meeting. God appeared there in a tall pillar of cloud. God knew that the people would forget Him and turn to other gods after Moses was gone. So God told Moses to teach the people a song that would remind them of His faithfulness.
Moses wrote the song that very day and taught it to the children of Israel. He also put the book of the law beside the ark of the covenant so the people could see it. Moses spoke all the words of the song to the whole assembly until they were finished.
Read It Together
Deuteronomy 31:7-8
7 Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 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 that Moses spoke these words to Joshua in front of everyone, so the whole nation heard them. Ask children to notice the words “He will not fail you nor forsake you,” and explain that God keeps His promises.
Deuteronomy 31:14-15
14 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, your days approach that you must die. Call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Tent of Meeting, that I may commission him.” Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the Tent of Meeting. 15 The LORD appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood over the Tent’s door.
(WEB)
Show children that God chose to meet with His people in a cloud. Explain that the cloud was a sign of God’s presence, so they could know He was really there with them.
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)
Point out that God asked Moses to write a song so the people would remember Him. Explain that songs help us remember important things, and that God wants His people to keep Him in their hearts.
Talk About It
- What did Moses tell the people about God going ahead of them?
- How do you think Joshua felt when Moses said to be strong and brave?
- When is a time you felt scared, and what helped you feel brave?
- Why did God want the people to learn a song about Him?
- What is one song or verse you can remember to remind you that God is with you?
Activity Ideas
Cloud Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and cotton balls. Have children draw a picture of the pillar of cloud over the Tent of Meeting. Let them glue a few cotton balls onto the cloud as a soft, fluffy reminder that God is with us. Ask them to tell you one thing the cloud helped the people remember.
Be Strong Game
Clear a space in the room or outside. Call out “Be strong!” and have children flex their arms like superheroes. Then call out “Be courageous!” and have them stand up very tall. Mix up the commands quickly and end by calling “God is with you!” while everyone cheers together.
Take-Home Verse Card
Give each child an index card or a piece of paper. Have them write or draw “God is with me, so I am brave” on the card. Encourage them to tape it to their bedroom door or their school bag. Ask them to read it to a family member before bed this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s presence is the foundation of courage, not our own strength. Moses was passing the leadership to Joshua, and the people were reminded that God would keep His promises to them. The chapter also shows that God knew the people would struggle with faithfulness, yet He still stayed faithful to them.
Be careful not to suggest to children that obeying God means nothing will ever go wrong or that bravery means never feeling scared. Keep the focus on God’s presence and promises, not on guaranteed outcomes or a promise that life will always be easy.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You go with us everywhere we go. Help us to be strong and brave when we feel afraid. Help us to remember that You will never leave us or let us down. Help us to learn Your words and sing about You every day. Amen.
