In this lesson, children learn that God made a safe place for people who hurt someone by accident, and that God takes care of us even when we make mistakes. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God gives us safe places to run to, and He takes care of people who did not mean to do wrong. When we need help, we can go to Him.
Memory Verse
Joshua 20:3
That the man slayer who kills any person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there. They shall be to you for a refuge from the avenger of blood.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out in front of them, then pull them in close to their chest, like they are running into a safe place. Ask them to do this motion every time they say the verse together.
The Story: Joshua 20 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Israel had just moved into the land God promised them. God spoke to Joshua and told him to set up special cities. These cities would be safe places for people who had hurt someone by accident. God had already told Moses about these cities, and now it was time to make them ready.
Imagine a man who was chopping wood with an axe. The head of the axe flew off and hit his neighbor, and his neighbor died. The man did not mean to do it. He was very sad and scared. What would happen to him? Some families wanted to take revenge for the death, and they were called the avenger of blood. God made a way to keep this man safe.
God told Joshua to choose six cities, three on each side of the Jordan River. Joshua chose Kedesh in Galilee, Shechem in Ephraim, and Hebron in Judah. On the other side of the river, the people chose Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan. Every city was spread out, so a person could run to one of them from anywhere in the land.
When the man ran to a safe city, he stood at the gate and told the elders of the city what had happened. The elders would let him in and give him a home there. He could live in that city and be safe from anyone who wanted to hurt him. He stayed there until the high priest died. After that, he was free to go back home.
These cities were for everyone in Israel, and even for strangers who lived among them. God wanted every person to know that He cares about fairness and about keeping people safe. The cities showed that God is a God who makes a way for people to be safe.
Read It Together
Joshua 20:1-2
1 The LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Assign the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you by Moses…
(WEB)
Point out that God started this plan by speaking first. Show the children that God gave Joshua clear directions, which means God plans ahead to take care of His people.
Joshua 20:4-5
4 He shall flee to one of those cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declare his case in the ears of the elders of that city. They shall take him into the city with them, and give him a place, that he may live among them. 5 If the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver up the man slayer into his hand; because he struck his neighbor unintentionally, and didn’t hate him before.
(WEB)
Help the children notice that the man was welcomed in and not sent away. Point out the words about someone who did not hate his neighbor, and explain that accidents are different from wrong choices made on purpose.
Joshua 20:9
These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the alien who lives among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally might flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stands trial before the congregation.
(WEB)
Show the children that the safe cities were for everyone, including strangers who lived in the land. Explain that God’s care reaches all kinds of people, and that we should be kind to everyone too.
Talk About It
- What is something you could do by accident, and how would you feel afterward?
- Why do you think God wanted a safe place for people who hurt someone by mistake?
- How did the man feel when he got to the city, and what might have helped him feel calm?
- Who are some people in your life who help keep you safe when you make a mistake?
- What does it tell us about God that He thought about people who did not mean to do wrong?
Activity Ideas
Safe City Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and glue sticks. Ask each child to draw a city with a big gate and a wall around it. Inside the city, they can draw houses, a tree, and a family. Let them write or draw a word on the gate that means safe, such as home or shelter. Hang the drawings where children can see them during the week.
Run to the Safe Place
You will need a open space and a few chairs or cones to mark cities. Spread the cones around the room to show the six cities. Call out that someone has made a mistake, then have the children run to any safe city and stand still. Repeat a few times so they practice running to safety and standing calm in the place God gives.
Take-Home Safe Place Card
You will need index cards and a pen. Write the memory verse on one side of each card, and ask the children to draw a picture of a safe place on the other side. Encourage them to tape the card to a bedroom door or the fridge. Ask them to say the verse and do the running motion each morning this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God set up a fair way to deal with harm done by accident. It points forward to the way God gives refuge and protection to all who come to Him. The cities also show that God cares about justice, mercy, and every person in the community, including those who are outsiders.
Avoid suggesting to children that making mistakes never has consequences. The passage shows a real process of trial and waiting, so be careful not to make it sound like a mistake is always forgiven without any cost. Keep the focus on God’s care and His provision for safety.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being a safe place for us. When we make mistakes, help us run to You and trust that You will take care of us. Help us be kind to everyone, just like You are. Amen.
