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

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

Say: “Show me your strongest muscles!” (everyone flexes)
Say: “Now show me your brave face!” (everyone makes a brave face)
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)

1) Object Lesson: “River Step of Faith”

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

Lay the “river” down. Put stepping stones across it.
Let children take turns stepping across slowly.
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:

Have children march in a circle around the “wall” quietly.
Stop and ask: “Should we quit?” (Let them say “No!”)
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:

Give each child a strip of paper.
Help them draw a happy face and a heart.
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:

Act out tiny situations: “A friend is sad,” “Toys need cleaning,” “Someone needs a turn.”
Children walk to the “Serve Jesus” side when they choose the kind choice.
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:

“What do you see Jesus doing?”
“This is a river. Joshua’s people crossed a river too. How can God help us do hard things?”
“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

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

Younger Primary Lesson Plan: Joshua 1–8;23–24