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Weekly Lesson

Younger Primary Lesson Plan

Week 21 · May 18–24 · Joshua 1–8; 23–24

Week 21
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Full Lesson Flow

Teaching Outline

Use the sections below as a menu. Swap cards and activities to keep the class interactive.

Happy Opening (2 minutes): “Strong & Courageous Pose!”

Main idea smile-starter: Teach the children a “Strong & Courageous” pose.

  1. Say: “Show me your strongest muscles!” (everyone flexes)
  2. Say: “Now show me your brave face!” (everyone makes a brave face)
  3. Whisper: “When we feel scared, who can help us?” (Let them answer: Heavenly Father / Jesus)

Tell them: “Today we will learn that God can be with us when we try to follow Him.”

Simple Scripture Story (6–8 minutes): Joshua and the Big, Scary Things

Props: Blue scarf/blanket (river), 6–8 paper cups/blocks (Jericho wall), a small paper heart (faith), and a picture of a “scripture book” (or your scriptures).

Explain simply:

  • “Joshua was a new leader. The people had to cross a river and face big walls and strong enemies. That could feel scary.”
  • “But the Lord told Joshua to be brave because the Lord would be with him.”

Read the key promise (short and clear).

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)

Ask little questions as you tell it:

  • “If you saw a big river, would you feel a little scared?”
  • “What helps you feel brave?”
  • “Who is with us?” (Help them say: “The Lord!”)

Connect to opening: “Just like our strong pose, Joshua could be strong because God was with him.”

Big Idea (repeat often)

Big Idea: God is with me when I try to follow Him. (Have children repeat it with you, softly and then loudly.)

Wiggle and Learn Activities (12–15 minutes total)

Activity options

1) Object Lesson: “River Step of Faith”

Materials: Blue scarf/blanket on the floor; 3–5 paper “stepping stones.” What to do:

  1. Lay the “river” down. Put stepping stones across it.
  2. Let children take turns stepping across slowly.
  3. Each child says the Big Idea while stepping: “God is with me!”

What to say: “Sometimes we have ‘rivers’, hard things. God can help us be brave.” Connects forward: “Now let’s see what happens with a BIG wall!”

1) Object Lesson: “River Step of Faith”

Materials: Blue scarf/blanket on the floor; 3–5 paper “stepping stones.” What to do:

  1. Lay the “river” down. Put stepping stones across it.
  2. Let children take turns stepping across slowly.
  3. Each child says the Big Idea while stepping: “God is with me!”

What to say: “Sometimes we have ‘rivers’, hard things. God can help us be brave.” Connects forward: “Now let’s see what happens with a BIG wall!”

2) Game: “Jericho Wall March”

Materials: Paper cups/blocks stacked as a wall; space to march. What to do:

  1. Have children march in a circle around the “wall” quietly.
  2. Stop and ask: “Should we quit?” (Let them say “No!”)
  3. March again, then on your signal everyone gently claps once and says: “God is with me!”

What to say: “The Lord can help with things that feel too big for us.” Connects forward: “How do we remember God’s words so we can be brave?”

3) Hands-On Craft: “My Brave Scripture Reminder”

Materials: Small paper strips, crayons, stickers; tape. What to do:

  1. Give each child a strip of paper.
  2. Help them draw a happy face and a heart.
  3. Write for them (or let older kids copy): “Be strong and of a good courage” (Joshua 1:9) or simply “Be brave” with “Joshua 1:9.”

What to say: “God’s word helps us. We can remember it at home.” Connects forward: “Let’s use our bodies and sing about being brave and choosing Jesus!”

4) Role-Play & Acting: “Choose to Serve, Little Choices”

Materials: None (or two signs: “Serve Jesus” and “Not now”). What to do:

  1. Act out tiny situations: “A friend is sad,” “Toys need cleaning,” “Someone needs a turn.”
  2. Children walk to the “Serve Jesus” side when they choose the kind choice.
  3. After each, everyone says: “I can choose to serve Jesus Christ.”

Use Joshua’s invitation (keep it short and reverent).

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)

What to say: “When we choose the right, we are following Jesus, and God is with us.”

Picture Time (2–3 minutes)

Use this Gospel Art Book picture: “Jesus Being Baptized” (children can look closely). Ask:

  1. “What do you see Jesus doing?”
  2. “This is a river. Joshua’s people crossed a river too. How can God help us do hard things?”
  3. “How do you feel when you remember Jesus loves you?”

(Keep answers short; affirm each child.)

Song and Actions (2–3 minutes)

Song: “Baptism” (Children’s Songbook, 100–101) Simple actions:

  • Make “river waves” with hands on “Jordan River” words
  • Point up on “Heavenly Father”
  • Put hands on heart for “I will follow Jesus”

Tie to Big Idea: “When we follow Jesus, God is with us.”

Jesus Loves Me Moment (1–2 minutes)

Gather them close. Hold up the paper heart from the story. Say: “Joshua learned he could be brave because God was with him. You can be brave too.”

Invite one sentence from a few children:

  • “I know Jesus loves me because ______.” or
  • “I can be like Jesus when I ______.”

Share the scripture promise again, simply and warmly:

“For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)

Take-Home Hug

This week: When you feel scared or shy, hold your paper reminder and say: “God is with me when I try to follow Him.”

Teacher Survival Tips

  1. Keep turns fast: If a line forms, do “march in place” while waiting.
  2. Use call-and-repeat: Whisper “God is…” and they answer “with me!”
  3. If attention drops: Skip to the song immediately, music resets the room quickly.

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