INTRODUCTION

Joshua Sends Spies to Jericho

Bible Point:

Believe in God.

Key Verse:

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Big Picture:

Children will learn to trust and believe in God.

Joshua Sends Spies to Jericho

Joshua 2:1-24

Many kindergarten children still believe both truth and fiction as reality, so it’s important to teach them the groundwork of truth concerning God. While 5- and 6-year-olds are concrete learners, they still have the wonderful characteristic of believing what they’re told by trusted adults. Use this lesson to help kids see how their belief in God has concrete application to their daily lives.

BIBLE TIME!

This week, the Bible (Joshua 2:1-24) tells us that Joshua sent two spies to check out Jericho. While they were there, the spies hid at Rahab’s house to escape from the king’s men. Rahab believed that Joshua’s God was the God of heaven and earth. She made the spies promise that they would remember her and her family in exchange for hiding them. The spies told Rahab to leave a scarlet cord in the window as a sign to Joshua’s army to keep Rahab and her family safe. The spies left Jericho and reported to Joshua that surely God had given the whole land to them because the people of Jericho were afraid.

KEY VERSE

God’s mighty hand cares for you (adapted from 1 Peter 5:6-7).

BIBLE POINT

Believe in God.

PLAY AND PRAY

Sit at a table with your child, and have several blank pieces of paper. Draw pictures showing why you and your child believe in God. As you both draw, review the Key Verse and talk about how we can grow in our trust in God. Sometime during the week, pretend to be spies and leave your pictures on other family members’ pillows. Try to make sure no one sees you when you leave the pictures.

ASK

• What was the best thing about being a spy this week?

• Why do you think Joshua’s spies weren’t caught?

• How does God’s mighty hand care for you in times of trouble?

FAITHFUL FLAVORS

Romans 1:20 says that we can believe in God by observing what God has made. Take your child outdoors and point out things you can see, such as birds or trees. Thank God for his creations and that we can believe in him. After your walk outdoors, make this fun modeling dough recipe and let your child mold one of the things he or she saw. Help your child measure 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, and 1 cup water. Put the ingredients into a large cooking pot, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture pulls away from the sides and forms a ball. Turn out the dough onto a clean surface and knead carefully (the mixture will be very hot at first). If the dough is too dry, add a little more oil. When the dough is completely cooled, store it in an airtight container.

ASK

• How can the wonders of nature help us believe in God?

• What is one thing that helps you believe in God?

READY, SET, GROW!

This week your child learned that he or she can believe in God. Your child committed to one of the following challenges to remember to believe in God even when he or she can’t see him. Help your child weave faith into life this week and follow through on the challenge!

1. Go outside and pretend to be blown away by the wind. As you play, tell God that you believe in him and know he is real, just as you know the wind is real even though you can’t see it.

2. Ask God to help you make a new friend this week. Then try talking to someone new at school or church. Believe that God will help you make a new friend.

3. Draw a picture of you and God together. Give it to your mom or dad, and tell her or him why you believe in God.