“Boys & girls, let’s play a game and have fun!“

1. Divide into two teams, each with a designated territory on opposite sides.
   2. Place a flag in each team’s territory. It can be a cloth, sock, or any marker.
   3. Players try to enter the opposing team’s territory, grab their flag, and return to their side without getting tagged by opponents.
   4. Once a player crosses the center line the opposing team can tag that player and put them into jail.
   5. If tagged, a player is out and must wait in jail.  The only way out of jail is if a teammate crosses into the opposing team side and tags the player(s) in jail.  Thoseplayers can freely go back to their own side.
   6. The game ends when one team captures the other’s flag or when all players of oneteam are in jail.

   “Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”

THE CIRCUMSTANCE: (Joshua 1:1-5)
Children, for forty years the Israelites wandered in the desert today their time in the desert is over. Let’s shout YES, YES! God called Moses to come home to heaven and be with Him there. The Lord God spoke to Joshua and said “Moses, My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving them – the children of Israel.” Joshua 1:2 The Promised Land lay before them, stretching from the seacoast to the great river Euphrates, a vast expanse of territory filled with the hopes and dreams of generations. This land was a testament to the covenant God had made with their forefathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a land flowing with milk and honey, a land where they could live in freedom and abundance.

THE CHOICE:  ( Joshua 1:6-9)
Do you think the Israelites will be able to capture the land? Will they be able to conquer the fortified cities and overcome the many challenges that lay ahead? The yhad just traveled through the wilderness learning to trust God. During that time, they remembered the bitterness of slavery and the joy of freedom. Their choice was simple, follow God into the promised land or turn back into slavery. What would you do? Shout “I choose freedom! Say it again “I choose freedom.” Yes, they chose to follow God and be strong. When God was talking to Joshua He said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause these people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to follow all the laws that Moses my servant commanded you. Joshua 1: 9 What a wonderful thing to say to Joshua “Be strong and of good courage”. Children hold your arms up like a muscle man and say “Be strong and of good courage.” Say it again “Be strong and of good courage.” In the same verse our God said, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” The people and Joshua said “YES”. This time they choose to follow God into the promised land.

THE CONSEQUENCE: (Joshua 1:10-18)
With a heart full of faith, Joshua took up the mantle of leadership and prepared to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River. God commanded the priest to take the ark of the covenant and to step into the river. The priests were to stand in the middle of the river until all had passed through. The priest chooses to obey God. When they stepped into the river the water stopped and it was dry land, it wasn’t even muddy it was dry land! Yes, God did another miracle. Dry land! Boys and girls, would you have been just a little afraid to step into a big river? I would have been. God also told them to have one man from each of the twelve tribes pick up a stone and carry it to land. The stones were to be a memorial for all to remember what God did for them. This time the people trusted God. As the priest stepped into the river, the water stopped flowing and they stepped onto dry land! They choose to follow God. Battles were fought, victories were won. The consequence of their good choice was a new nation was born! The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to them at the beginning of their journey. Not one word of His promises failed; all came to pass.Boys and Girls because the Israelites chose to trust in God and do what he told them to do they became a great nation. From that nation many, many years later Jesus Christ the Son of God was born. Jesus loves each of us. (Teachers this would be a good time to do the “Creation to Cross” hand motion with the children.) Did you know God’s words says, “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lordhad made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:45

“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”