Joshua Extreme Hero

Joshua is a perfect example of how God prepares us to do His will. Long before he ever led the “Battle of Jericho”, Joshua was being prepared for what God was calling him to do. In today’s lesson, we are going to look at the story of the first time that Joshua was ever mentioned in the Bible. It was when Joshua was fighting in the Battle against the Amelekites. Moses, who was Joshua’s leader, told him to go out and fight while Moses stood on the top of the hill with his arms raised up toward Heaven. Just like Joshua couldn’t fight that battle without Moses praying for him to be filled with God’s power – we can’t do the EXTREME things for God without God’s power as well.

Joshua is a perfect example of how we should be patient with God and wait on His timing for our lives. When Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, Joshua waiting patiently at the foot of the mountain for Moses to return. The Israelites, on the other hand, got impatient down in the camp. They thought Moses was taking too long, so they decided to take matters in their own hands. They crafted an idol out of gold in the shape of a calf and worshipped it. As a result of their impatience, they ended up in sin. Often, when we think OUR timing is better than God’s, we find ourselves falling into sin and misery. In this lesson, we will learn how to trust God’s timing.

Moses spent a lot of time with God. He would regularly go to the Tent of Meeting and speak with God face to face. When he would leave the tent, Joshua would stay. Joshua knew that he needed to spend time in God’s presence. In today’s busy lifestyle, it is easy for us to come up with all kinds of reasons why we can’t spend time in God’s presence. But, if we want God to use us to do EXTREME things for God tomorrow, we must spend time in His presence today. In this lesson, we will learn another lesson from Joshua’s time of preparation to be the leader of Israel. The children will learn the importance of spending time in God’s presence.

When Moses sent the spies into the land of Canaan to check out the land, he expected them to come back with great news. Instead, ten of the twelve spies came back with reports of how impossible it would be to take over the land. But, Joshua and Caleb reported that, although there were giants in the land, God was greater and able to give them the land. They understood that God is bigger than any problem we may face. In this lesson, the children will learn that God is bigger than any difficulty or problem they may face in life. They must trust God and keep their focus on Him.

When Moses died, God chose Joshua to lead the nation of Israel. Can you imagine following a great leader like Moses? After all, he had led Israel out of slavery, across the Red Sea, and through miracle after miracle. Joshua reacted like many of us would have. He was scared that he would not be able to be the leader that the nation of Israel needed. But, God gave several promises to Joshua that He also gives to each of us. He promises to be with us and help us accomplish His will! In this lesson, the children will learn what each of those promises are and will discover that God can use each of them to do amazing things for Him. They don’t have to fear, only trust!

In order to get into the Promised Land, the Israelites had to cross the Jordan River during the time of a great flood. They were not only scared, they were convinced it was impossible. But, God did an amazing miracle for them. He caused the Jordan River to stop flowing and allowed the nation of Israel to walk across on dry land. To commemorate the miracle, the Israelites built a memorial so that they and their children would always remember what God had done. In this lesson, the children will learn from Joshua that we should never forget the amazing miracles God does in our lives. No matter how much time passes, we must keep these miracles in our hearts and minds.

Joshua and the Israelites had crossed the Jordan River, but now they faced a large city of Jericho with huge walls surrounding it. On top of that, God gave them some outrageous instructions in order to win the victory over Jericho. In order to defeat Jericho, they would have to walk around the city once a day for six days without saying a word, and then on the seventh day walk around the city seven times and yell. That was the plan. The Israelites had to learn a big lesson in trust. Your children will learn that same lesson as they go through some of the same emotions the Israelites did in today’s lesson. We must trust God’s plan, even when it may not “make sense.”

Joshua and the Israelites obeyed God and walked around the city walls for six days without saying a word. On the seventh day, God displayed his amazing power. When the Israelites had finished the seventh round on the seventh day, the priests blew their trumpets, and they shouted with a great shout! Immediately, the walls came tumbling down! Israel had won the victory! In this lesson, the children will learn that if we trust God, we must obey Him. When we obey God, He causes amazing and miraculous things to happen!

After the huge victory at Jericho, the Israelites were riding high. God told them not to touch any of the gold or other valuables in Jericho because they had been offered to idols. Achan was a man who saw some of the gold and decided to take it anyway. He hid it under his tent thinking no one would ever know. But, God knew. God led Joshua right to Achan, and Achan paid a high price for his sin. Not only Achan, but the entire army of Israel and Achan’s own family. In this lesson, the children will learn that we can never hide our sin from God. Instead, we must confess our sin and allow God to forgive us.