SERIES: EXAMPLES LESSON 3—JOSHUA’S EXAMPLE Bible Reference: Exodus 33:11; Numbers 13:27-28, 33; Joshua 24:29 Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12—“No one should despise your youth. Instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, in purity.”
OVERVIEW -Introduction Video -Opening Activity -Bible Lesson—a special three-group activity -Key Verse / Review -Small Group Activities -Review -Prayer Part
ITEMS NEEDED: -Sign that say: Speech, Life, Love, Faith, Purity -Craft items OPENING ACTIVITY ASK: What is an example? SAY: An example is a pattern that shows you what to do. It gives you something to look at as a guide. SAY: Today I have an example of something that I want two of you to draw. Choose two volunteers—to come to the marker board and draw what you describe. Make sure they can’t see what the other one is drawing. Give the following description: Draw two big circles. Put a square inside each with a banana above them. Now put three clouds in the sky and some tall grass beneath them. Now draw a line from the biggest cloud to the smallest object you’ve drawn. Once they are finished, show the class the pictures and compare the two. They will probably look different. Give your students a hand. SAY: From that description, it’s possible for two people to do exactly what I said and come out with two similar but very different pictures. ASK: Would it have been easier to draw this if I had shown them a picture of it? (Of course - it’s always easier when you can see something.) SAY: In a similar way, the Bible doesn’t just tell us what to do. The Bible gives us real life examples of what to do and what not to do. The Bible shows us how to live. It is full of people who are both good and bad examples for us.
-RAISE YOUR HAND if you think we’re going to show you someone who was a good example today. -RAISE YOUR HAND if you think we’re going to show you someone who was a bad example today. SAY: You can learn from others people’s mistakes but today we’re going to show you someone who is a great example—someone you can pattern your life after. SAY: I’m going to let you guess who today’s example is. Here’s my first hint: He’s a character in the Old Testament. ASK: Who wants to guess today’s example? OTHER HINTS: -He is not one of the prophets. -He lived before King David. -He wandered in the wilderness with Moses. -He was one of the spies who went into the land of Canaan and came back with a good report that showed he trusted God. -He was the man who followed Moses as the leader of Israel. The ANSWER: Joshua
BIBLE LESSON (Based on Exodus 33:7-11; Numbers 13:25-34; Joshua 24:14-18) IMPORTANT NOTE: Today’s Bible lesson will be taught in a different way. Since there are three separate stories having to do with Joshua, divide your class into three groups. Assign each group one of the three stories to read and discuss. Then help your students discover the best way to act out the story using as many of the students who are willing. Keep in mind that all three stories happened when a crowd was present. If there aren’t enough parts for all the kids and more want to participate, let them be a part of the crowd. -Assign Group #1 to develop a drama that presents Exodus 33:7-11. -Assign Group #2 to develop a drama that presents Numbers 13:25-34. (Be sure to give your students the background of what is happening—that the time had come for the people of Israel to invade the land of Canaan, which God had promised them. Moses had sent spies into the land and this is the report of their return.) -Assign Group #3 to develop a drama that presents Joshua 24:14-18. (There is a lot of dialogue in this—for the drama, choose key phrases to use such as: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”) Give your groups a time limit. When they are done, remind your students as they watch to show the respect for each group that they will want the others to show for them.
IMPORTANT: After each drama, briefly summarize what happened. For example:
SAY: Exodus 33:7-11—as a young man and throughout his life, Joshua’s life was characterized by devotion, loyalty, and faith. He longed to be in God’s presence. This was the reason that he would not leave the tent—because God’s presence had been there. SAY: Numbers 13:25-34—Joshua was one of the twelve spies that Moses sent into the Promised Land to take a look at the inhabitants whom they would have to fight to overcome it. The sons of Anak were a race of very large people, sometimes called “giants.” They were probably nine or ten feet tall. Ten of the spies rejected the idea that they could invade the Promised Land. Only Joshua and another, Caleb, believed in God and that He would fight for them. SAY: Joshua and Caleb could have compromised. They could have gone along with the crowd, but they didn’t—not even in the next chapter when their own people began picking up stones to kill them. They remained true and steadfast and kept trusting God and because of their faith, these two men were allowed to enter the Promised Land forty years later after this entire generation who wouldn’t trust God had died off.
SAY: Joshua 24:14-18—as a young man we saw Joshua staying at the tent where Moses had met with God. Now, as an old man (110 years old), after seeing God bless the people so that they now inhabit the Promised Land and now after many years of “rest…from all their enemies on every side” (Joshua 23:1), listen to his words: “…As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Throughout his life Joshua continued to follow God, not just in words but in his actions as well and challenged others to do the same.
When all the skits are finished, ASK: Of what do you think Joshua is a good example? SAY: Joshua is a good example of someone who followed God when he was young and continued to follow God all the days of his life. How he lived also had a great effect on others. SAY: This week we have a challenge for you that can affect others too. We’ve been calling it the “Andrew Project.” Here’s the two-part challenge: 1. Last week we challenged you to tell someone about Jesus. ASK: Would anyone like to share a story about how you told someone about Jesus? 2. This week our challenge is for you to invite someone to come to church with you next week. ASK your students to think about and name some students that they can invite to church next week. Encourage them to talk to their parents to see if they can give a student a ride to church or even have a friend spend the night on Saturday and then come to church with them. Ask what other ideas they have about how they can tell others about Jesus and invite friends to church. SAY: Just like Joshua lived a life that affected others, you can too.
KEY VERSE ASK: God gave us a lot of examples in the Bible but who else is someone that God has called to be a good and godly example? (You!) Read 1 Timothy 4:12 from your Bible
ASK: In what five ways does God say He wants you, even as a young person, to be an example for other believers? Choose five volunteers to hold signs representing these five areas. (1) How can you be an example in SPEECH? How was Joshua an example in his words? SAY: Not only did Joshua use words to express his own devotion to the Lord he also challenged others to follow the Lord too. And beyond words, his life lined up with what he said.
(2) How can you be an example in LIFE? How was Joshua an example in how he lived his life?
SAY: Today’s stories show Joshua’s life and his devotion to God when he was both young and old.
(3) How can you be an example in LOVE? How was Joshua an example of love? SAY: If a person loves God, they will obey Him. (Jesus said so in John 14:21, 23.) Joshua obeyed God and wanted to be in His presence. You want to be in the presence of those you love.
(4) How can you be an example in FAITH? How was Joshua an example in his faith? SAY: Joshua believed God when the other spies (except Caleb) didn’t.
(5) How can you be an example in PURITY? How was Joshua an example in purity? SAY: Joshua could have compromised and gone “along with the crowd” when a majority of the spies refused to trust God but he didn’t. He remained pure in his devotion to God. REPEAT after Me: “I Can / Live for Jesus / All this Year / And Be a Godly Example to Others”
Dismiss to Small Groups SAY: Right now it is time for our small groups, so I’m going to dismiss you one row at a time. We’ll be in our small groups for a little while and then we’ll come back together as a large group again.
Dismiss rows of chairs to the tables in the rooms. Give them specific directions where to go.
SMALL GROUPS CRAFT: Burnt Match Crosses This craft will be a three-week project. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS TO ATTEND EVERY SUNDAY THIS MONTH. DESCRIPTION: Week #1—Students will choose their spiritual goals and write them on the spiritual goals page with their name as well as any decorations they might wish to add. This will then be glued to the back of the project (the 12x12” cardboard piece). Make sure students write their names on this page as well. Week #2—Students will glue matches on the cardstock cross diagram (printed on tan cardstock) and finish anything from last week that they didn’t complete. -Students who missed the first week can begin their craft today. -Please leave the crafts on a table in your room to dry. - Review their spiritual goals with them and be sure to remind your students to think about their spiritual goals every time they see this craft at home. Week #3—Students will glue the background they choose for the project to the 12x12” cardboard piece. Then they will cut out the burnt-match crosses from the cardstock diagram and glue them to the background that they choose for their project. Review their spiritual goals with them and be sure to remind your students to think about their spiritual goals every time they see this craft. ALSO, LET YOUR STUDENTS ADD NEW SPIRITUAL GOALS IF THEY HAVE THOUGHT OF NEW ONES. Students who have attended all three weeks will probably finish today’s part rather quickly and can continue on to the EXTRA TIME activity below. Students who have missed a week can complete their craft today and everyone should be able to take it home when they are finished. If a student begins the craft today, send the items home with them that they need to complete the craft or you can keep the craft through next week and let them continue alongside next week’s lesson. Also be sure to keep in your room the crafts of any students who are absent today.
EXTRA TIME: Some students will finish more quickly than others. When someone finishes for the day, give them a piece of white cardstock and ask them to make an appreciation card for someone who is a godly example in their lives. This is a great discussion to have in your group as well.
REVIEW QUESTIONS If you want and have time, you can make this a competition and keep score. -What is the “Andrew Project”? -Who do they plan to invite to church this week? How can they help remind themselves/each other about this? -How else can their lives affect others?
Story #1 (Exodus 33:7-11) -Where did Moses meet with the Lord as the people were travelling toward the Promised Land? (The Tent of Meeting) -What happened when Moses met with God there? -What did the people of Israel do when this happened? (They worshiped at the door of their own tents.) -What did Joshua do after Moses left the presence of God? (He stayed.)
Story #2 (Numbers 13:25-34) -How many spies did Moses send into the Promised Land? -Why did Moses send them in? -What did they find? -How many of the spies believed God that they could overcome the people? What were their names? (Joshua and Caleb) -How many of the spies DIDN’T believe God that they could overcome the people? (10)
Story #3 (Joshua 24:14-18) -What was Joshua like at the end of his life? -What did he encourage the people to do? -What was their response?
EXTRA TIME: ASK: Does anyone know what Joshua’s name means? (The Lord is salvation.) ASK: Does anyone know the New Testament name for Joshua? (Jesus. “Joshua” was the Old Testament form of the name “Jesus,” which likewise means, “The Lord is salvation” or “The Lord saves.”) SAY: Interestingly, both Joshua’s name and his life demonstrated the salvation that comes from God. Joshua led the people into the Promised Land where they overcame their enemies and eventually had rest. Jesus has made a way into a different Promised Land (Heaven) and has given us the strength to overcome our enemies (sin, death, and Satan). Joshua was a great example but Jesus is the ultimate example. This week, be like Him.
Congratulate your students on how well they listened and learned today.
PRAYER PART SAY: Moses met with God at the “Tent of Meeting” which was set outside the camp of the Israelites. ASK: Are there places where God hears you better when you pray? SAY: No, God can hear you in church just as well as He can hear you in the car or in your bed. There isn’t one place that is better than another from which to pray. The Bible says that as a person who has accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior that you have INSTANT ACCESS to
the Father. In other words, you can enter His presence any time, anywhere and talk to Him about anything. The problem isn’t CAN YOU, but WILL YOU. Read the prayer requests that have been turned in at the Prayer Request box and take other prayer requests from your class, if you have time. Ask if a volunteer would like to pray for your class today.
EXTRA TIME If you finish early, let your kids resume their work on their crafts for the day or work on appreciation cards for people who are godly examples to them.
