This lesson teaches children that God gives Joshua and the people of Israel a clever plan to win the city of Ai, and that they can trust God when they feel afraid. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises, and when we listen to Him and trust Him, we can be brave even when something seems hard.
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)
Put one hand on your heart and the other hand on your head. Say the verse slowly while you move both hands out in front of you, then bring them back to your heart. Repeat it together three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Joshua 8 for Kids
Joshua was the leader of God’s people, the Israelites. They had just won a big battle at the city of Jericho, and now they wanted to take another city called Ai. Before they went, God spoke to Joshua. God said, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed. I have given the city of Ai into your hand.”
God gave Joshua a special plan. Joshua chose thirty thousand brave soldiers and sent them out at night to hide behind the city. Then Joshua and the rest of the army walked up to Ai in the morning. The king of Ai came out to fight, thinking he would win easily.
Joshua and his soldiers pretended to run away, just as they had done before. The king of Ai was excited and chased them far from the city. Then the men who were hiding jumped up, ran into the empty city, and set it on fire. Joshua was still holding out the javelin, the spear, just as God had told him to do.
When the men of Ai looked back and saw smoke rising from their city, they were very surprised. They could not escape, because the Israelite army turned around to fight them. God gave the victory to His people, and the city of Ai was defeated.
After the battle, Joshua built an altar to the LORD on Mount Ebal. He gathered all the people together and read God’s law to them. Everyone listened, including the women, the children, and the people who were not from Israel. They learned that God’s words are important to hear and to obey.
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 before he even started the battle. Ask the children what God says to them when they feel scared. Remind them that God’s promises are true even before we see them happen.
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 how Joshua held out the javelin because God told him to. Explain that Joshua did what God said, even when the plan seemed unusual. Talk about how following God’s instructions can lead to good results.
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 built an altar to thank God. Explain that an altar was a special place where people gave thanks and worshiped the LORD. Ask the children how they can thank God for His help.
Talk About It
- What did God tell Joshua not to be when he was preparing to fight?
- Why do you think God gave Joshua a plan that was different from the one before?
- How did the people of Israel feel when they saw the smoke rising from Ai?
- What is one thing you can do when you feel afraid, like Joshua did?
- How can you show God that you want to listen to His words, like the people did at the reading?
Activity Ideas
Draw the City of Ai
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Ask each child to draw a city with houses, a wall, and smoke rising into the sky. Hang the drawings on a wall and talk about what each child added. Explain that the smoke reminded the people of Ai that their city was gone, and that God had kept His promise.
Javelin Pass Game
You will need a rolled-up newspaper or a paper towel tube to use as a javelin. Have the children stand in a circle and pass the javelin around. When the teacher says “Ai,” the child holding it must stand still and say, “God gives the victory!” This helps children remember that God is the one who gives the win.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards and a pencil. Write “God keeps His promises” on each card and let the children decorate it with stickers or drawings. Encourage them to take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it, like on the refrigerator or by their bed. Ask them to read it aloud each night before bed.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is faithful and that His people are called to obey Him even when the plan looks strange. The victory at Ai came because Joshua listened carefully to God’s direction, not because of the army’s strength alone. The reading of the law at the end reminds us that God’s word guides His people in every season.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God always gives a clever plan or a quick win whenever we ask for one. The story describes God’s specific command to Ancient Israel for a specific time and place. Focus on God’s faithfulness and His character rather than promising outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to us. Help us to listen to You and trust You, even when we feel scared. Thank You that You are always with us. Amen.
