This lesson teaches children that God keeps his promises and that we stay close to him by loving him and obeying his word. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, questions and a short activity.
Big Idea
God keeps every promise he makes, so we should hold tight to him and love him with our whole heart.
Memory Verse
Joshua 23:11
Take good heed therefore to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands over their heart as they say the verse. Then have them bring their hands out wide, as if giving God a big hug, and say “love the LORD your God” together.
The Story: Joshua 23 for Kids
Many years had passed since Israel had come out of Egypt. God had given his people rest from their enemies all around them. Joshua was now very old, and he knew that his life was almost over. He wanted his people to remember what God had done for them.
Joshua called all the leaders of Israel together. There were the elders, the heads of the families, the judges and the officers. He stood before them and said, “I am old now. You have seen everything the LORD your God has done for you. It was he who fought for you.”
Joshua reminded them of God’s promise to give them the land. He told them that God would drive out the nations that were still there. Joshua said, “Be very strong and brave. Keep doing everything written in God’s book of the law. Do not turn away from it to the right or to the left.”
Then Joshua gave them a warning. He told them not to mix with the people around them or worship their false gods. Joshua said, “Hold fast to the LORD your God, just as you have done until today.” He wanted them to stay faithful to God, because God had been faithful to them.
Joshua also told them what would happen if they turned away. If they disobeyed God and served other gods, God would be angry with them, and they would lose the good land he had given them. Joshua knew God would keep his word, both in blessing and in warning.
Read It Together
Joshua 23:3
You have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you; for it is the LORD your God who has fought for you.
(WEB)
Point out that Joshua reminds the people that the LORD fought for them. Ask the children to name a time they saw God take care of them, and explain that God’s care has never stopped.
Joshua 23:14
“Behold, today I am going the way of all the earth. You know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have happened to you. Not one thing has failed of it.
(WEB)
Show the children that Joshua says not one good thing God promised has failed. Explain that when God says something, he always does it, so we can trust him completely.
Joshua 23:8
But hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.
(WEB)
Point to the words “hold fast” and ask the children to make a tight fist. Explain that holding fast to God means staying close to him every day, the same way we hold on to someone we love.
Talk About It
- What did Joshua remind the people that God had done for them?
- Why do you think Joshua wanted the people to remember God’s promises before he died?
- What are some ways we can hold fast to God at home or at school?
- Why did Joshua warn the people about the other gods around them?
- How can you show God that you love him with your whole heart this week?
Activity Ideas
Heart Promise Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a big heart on the paper and write or draw one thing God has promised or done for them inside it. Let them share their picture with the group, then hang the drawings on the wall as a reminder that God keeps his word.
Hold Fast Tug-of-War
You will need a long rope or a sturdy scarf and a bit of open floor space. Split the children into two teams and have each team hold one end of the rope. Explain that the rope is like holding fast to God, and that God’s strength keeps us steady even when things pull at us. Let the children have a friendly game, then gather them to say the memory verse together.
Faithful Friend Card
You will need a sheet of card stock, scissors, and a marker. Fold the card in half and have the child draw a small picture of something God gave them on the front. Inside, the child writes or dictates a short note to God, such as “Thank you for always keeping your promises.” Encourage the child to take the card home and place it where they pray or sleep as a daily reminder.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Joshua 23 is a farewell speech from a faithful leader near the end of his life. Joshua calls the people to remember God’s past faithfulness, to obey his law, and to avoid the idols of the surrounding nations. The chapter also shows that God’s blessings and warnings both depend on the covenant relationship between God and his people.
With children, avoid overstating the warnings in this chapter as if God’s love is conditional or that every mistake costs us the promise. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and invite children to respond with love and trust, rather than fear.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you always keep your promises to us. Help us to hold fast to you and to love you with our whole heart. Teach us to remember all the good things you have done, and help us to stay close to you every day. Amen.
