FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK SeVeN

FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK SeVeN

God is a warrior. He displays His love for His people and His name by being a warrior for them. God won the battle of Jericho. He also has won the battle of sin and death by sending Jesus. Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead three days later. The death and resurrection of Jesus put an end to sin and death. Jesus said, It is finished. He is the final victor!

Written by: Kimberly Davidson & Steve Wright Graphic Design by: Michele Castillo | www.sonscapecommunications.com Art Design by: Amy Torcasso Editor: Jennifer Sharpe Music: Daniel Renstrom Website: http://www.treasuringchristonline.org | 919-326-3000 | Email: tcc@pray.org
Copyright 2011 by Providence Baptist Church. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means for profit via electronic, mechanical, recording or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. All Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Dear Sunday School Teacher, Your ministry as a teacher for our Lord has eternal value! When we view our ministry in light of eternity, we see its importance and the privilege that God has entrusted to us. In Psalm 78, the Bible also reminds us of this great calling: One generation commending the Gospel to the next. Treasuring Christ Curriculum: The ministry resource that you hold in your hand is produced and shaped by the local churchThe Bride of Christ. We have three primary strategies that guide us. First, we desire to produce a Gospel-centered curriculum that allows every child, babies to high school students, to study the same Scripture passage each week. Second, we seek to equip parents to thrive in their God-given role as their childs primary discipler. We want this resource, therefore, to connect the church and the home by providing the Connecting Church and Home resource within the curriculum. Third, we want to respond to the desperate need for curriculum resources around the world. We desire to bless the nations with a tool that will help them reach the world with the Gospel of Christ. Quarter One: God on Display Every relationship begins with an introduction. God introducing Himself to us is the heartbeat of this study. God on Display is a major theme that runs throughout all of Scripture. Gods desire to have communion with those He created is seen from cover to cover of the Bible. In the first few pages, we see God communing in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. The theme of communion continues to be seen through the role of the Old Testament tabernacle and temple. In the New Testament, God became incarnate in Jesus, God with us. After Jesus, the Father gives the Holy Spirit to believers and institutes the Church. Fellowship in the Church breeds community, both with God and others made in His likeness. As believers, we are guaranteed that we will spend eternity in communion with God, dwelling in His presence. God is on display: everywhere; in the past, present and future; and in our lives as believers. Let us live continually to display Gods greatness and love.

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QuaRTeR Theme | God oN dISplay Joshua 1-6

WEEK SEVEN
OVERVIEW FOR YOuR EdIFICaTIOn EaRlY ChIldhOOd ElEmEnTaRY PRE-TEEn/mIddlE sChOOl hIgh sChOOl COnnECTIng ChuRCh and hOmE REsOuRCEs

4 5-12 13-17 18-21 22-24 25-28 29 30

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OVERVIEW

EaRlY ChIldhOOd Treasure Verse Treasure Point

Psalm 24:8 God wins every battle.

ElEmEnTaRY

PRE-TEEn/ mIddlE sChOOl

Psalm 24:8 God is victorious over all. He is our mighty warrior. Fighting fears

hIgh sChOOl

Psalm 24:8 God wins every battle.

Psalm 24:8-10 God is our victorious warrior. Comeback video, Verse memorization

Teaching Activities

Making trumpets, Song time, Marching, Building walls, Bugle snacks Empty paper towel rolls, markers, CD and CD player, building blocks such as Legos, bugle-shaped corn chips

Building walls, God and Walls coloring sheet, Song time

Supplies Needed

Styrofoam plates, building materials such as gum drops or popsicle sticks, God and Walls coloring sheet, crayons or markers, CD and CD player

Index cards, pens

DVD player or laptop, index cards, pens

oVeRVIeW

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FOR YOuR EdIFICaTIOn

Enter the story For more than 100 years, the Holy Grail of athletic competition was to run the mile in less than four minutes. With each failed attempt, the possibility of success faded further and further. From the 1920s to early 1950s, science and what passed for sports medicine held that the human body was simply incapable of such unbelievable performances. The conventional wisdom of the day was that the lungs could not process enough oxygen to sustain the effort; they would burst under the strain as would the heart. The bones would fracture, joints rupture, muscles give out and ligaments and tendons would tear and fail under such stress. It was a physiological and psychological barrier. A human being running a mile under four minutes was just not possible. On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister ran a mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds. Victories are important and celebrated moments in life. There are probably some in your life that still stand in your mind as life-changing moments. The victory we are going to be studying today has been remembered and passed down from generation to generation.

The book of Joshua is a great

served. It is a declaration of Gods great, unfailing faithfulness. Don Fortner, Discovering Christ in All the Scriptures, pg. 57

monument, not to Joshua, but to the God he

story Outline Moses, the great leader of the Israelites who had led them out of Egypt, was dead (Deuteronomy 34:1-8). Now what? The Israelites were on the cusp of entering into the Promised Land that God had promised to their fathers (Genesis 12:13, 15:18-20), but they had no leader. Years before, Joshua had been sent as a spy to the Promised Land with eleven others so that the Israelites would know more about the land and the inhabitants (Numbers 13). He was one of only two spies who would charge the Israelites to put their trust in the Lord for the strength they would need to defeat the giants who lived there. God now had commissioned Joshua to lead the people into this land and claim it for their own (Deuteronomy 31:1-8). This battle (Jericho) that Joshua would lead would not be one of ease and comfort (as if any battle is). This battle would deepen Joshuas trust in the Lord who called him to fight it. God speaks to Joshua and tells him three times to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:4-9). Joshua could not have won this battle on his own merit, strength or war schemes. God knew that. God promised that He would be with Joshua and the Israelites every step of the way (Joshua 1:9).
FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK SeVeN | God oN dISplay

The central character of the

book is not Joshua but God, who fights for Israel and drives out the enemies before them. God promised that He would give Israel the land that He pledged to their fathers. The book of Joshua shows how God fulfilled this promise. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids, pg. 98

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Joshua 1:1-9: After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses assistant, Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua led the people across the Jordan to the front of the gates of the mighty city of Jericho. Jericho was a city that had fertile soil and was positioned by rivers. This made the land an attractive one in which to live. Jericho was also a

fortified city; a great wall was built around it and it was guarded by strong warriors.

God fights for Israel as long as the

people are obedient to the covenant. Jericho falls because of faith in divine power, not because of a Paul House, Old Testament Theology, pg. 204 long and successful siege against a fortified city.

God gave peace and assurance of His might at the forefront of this battle. In Joshua 6:2, God declares that He will give the city into Joshuas hands. Joshua was probably anticipating hearing an elaborate war plan, a detailed configuration of the people, a plan of attack. He did not get any of these. What God gave Joshua though was a plan and a Commander; therefore, only God could get the credit for the victory. Often, this story is called Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, when there really was no battle at all. God had a plan for victory. Joshua 5:13-6:7: When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries? And he said,No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, What does my lord say to his servant? And the commander of the LORDs army said to Joshua, Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so. Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and

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none came in. And the LORD said to Joshua, See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the rams horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him. So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark of the LORD. And he said to the people, Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the LORD. Joshua received the following commands: March around the city for six days (Joshua 6:3). On the seventh day, march around the city seven times and the priests shall blow the trumpets (Joshua 6:15). Shout (Joshua 6:16). Joshua fully obeyed the commands of the Lord, and the city fell to the Israelites (Joshua 6:20). Because he didnt get to show his physical prowess, Joshua didnt worry, fret, try to devise a new plan, have a plan B or sulk. No, Joshua just obeyed. He commanded the people to do exactly what the Lord commanded. God

honored His promise and gave the people of Jericho into the Israelites hands. This was in direct fulfillment of the promises God said He would keep (Joshua 1:4-5). Joshua 6:15-20: On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, Shout, for the LORD has given you the city. And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD. So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.

Hoshea was Joshuas original

saves. God, Yahweh, saves His people by using Joshua to lead the Israelites to a victory.

name, which means salvation. Moses changed his name to Joshua, which means Yahweh

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Gospel Truths About God

gOd makEs PROmIsEs and kEEPs ThEm. From the very outset of the journey in Joshua 1, we see God make a solemn promise to Joshua, the commander of the army, that He will give him every place that the sole of your feet will tread upon (Joshua 1:3). gOd Is a gREaT WaRRIOR. God gets the victory. He can slay any warrior and defeat any army. He doesnt need swords, shields, arrows or any other war tactic. God is God and thereby the victory belongs to Him. El Gibbor is Hebrew for God is mighty or strong. God, in His very being, has strength to win any battle. El Yeshuati is Hebrew for God is my salvation, again God declaring in His very name that He will get the victory.

Exodus 15:2-3: The LORD is my strength and my song,

and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my fathers God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is His name.

Gospel Truths About Man

Man is very much like Joshua, prone to fear and distrust. God told Joshua many times in one conversation to be strong and courageous. When fear and distrust influence our decisions, this is sin because we are not trusting in the strength and sovereignty of God. The people of Jericho lived in a pagan culture; they worshiped other gods and not the God of Israel. Our culture is very much like Jericho. We commit idolatry to gods we make. God is God, we are not, and everything we make god is idolatry and therefore sin.

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Gospel Truths About Redemption

God saved the people of Israel and led them to certain victory over the people of Jericho. God would later send another Savior who would defeat sin and death by dying on a cross. Jesus was that Savior; He died on a cross and rose again from the dead. Death has no victory (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

His [Jesus] death is intended to release

Enjoying God Forever, pg. 87

us from bondage to Satan, sin, and death. Paul Smith,

For Your Edification (continued)

to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land

Genesis 12:1-3
Genesis 15:18-21 Numbers 13 Deuteronomy 31:1-8 Deuteronomy 34:1-8 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites. numbers 13: The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them. So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran, according to the command of the LORD, all of them men who were heads of the people of Israel. And these were their names: From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur; from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori; from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh; from the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph; from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun; from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu; from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of

genesis 12:1-3: Now the LORD said to Abram, Go from your country and your kindred and your fathers house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. genesis 15:18-21: On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt

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Sodi; from the tribe of Joseph (that is, from the tribe of Manasseh), Gaddi the son of Susi; from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli; from the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael; from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi; from the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua. Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes. So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo-hamath. They went up into the Negeb and came to Hebron. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs. That place was called the Valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster that the people of Israel cut down from there.

At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land. And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan. But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it. Then the men who had gone up with him said,We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are. So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.

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deuteronomy 31:1-8: So Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel. And he said to them, I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The LORD has said to me, You shall not go over this Jordan. The LORD your God Himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the LORD has spoken. And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when He destroyed them. And the LORD will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. deuteronomy 34:1-8: Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim

and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. And the LORD said to him, This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, I will give it to your offspring. I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there. So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD, and He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57: O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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God is a warrior. He displays His love for His people and His name by being a warrior for them. God won the battle of Jericho. He also has won the battle of sin and death by sending Jesus. Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead three days later. The death and resurrection of Jesus put an end to sin and death. Jesus said, It is finished. He is the final victor!

My Mission As Teacher:
What areas are you tempted to fear and worry, not trusting in God to be your warrior and victorious king? How does God want us to lean on Him to do mighty things in our lives? Do we pray in such a way that when God does act, others can only respond by declaring, God showed up! Do we pray and live expecting God to be God?

Prayer Points:
Pray that the Holy Spirit would show you how fear is keeping you from giving areas of your life over to God. Pray that your students will know God as their mighty warrior, fighting for the glory of His name in their lives.

Omnipotence [being all-powerful] is not a name given to the

sum of all power, but an attribute of a personal God whom we Christians believe to be the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and of all who believe on Him to life eternal. The worshiping man finds this knowledge a source of wonderful strength for his inner life. His faith rises to take the great leap upward into the fellowship of Him who can do whatever He wills to do, for whom nothing is hard or difficult because He possesses power absolute. A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, pg. 67

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Early Childhood
Treasure story: Joshua 1-6 Treasure Verse: Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! (Psalm 24:8) Treasure Point: God wins every battle.

engage
Early arrival activity: (15 minutes or until you are ready to begin) Every child will make a trumpet. Supply enough empty paper towel rolls so that each child has one. Have them decorate their trumpet however they wish with markers. These will be used later as you retell the story of the battle of Jericho. Supplies Needed: Empty paper towel rolls, markers

Joshua gathered his army together. They had their

swords and spears and shields. They were ready to fight. But the plan wasnt about fighting; it was about trusting and doing what God said. Sally LloydJones, The Jesus Storybook Bible, pg. 111

discover
Bible story Time: (15 minutes) Teacher Note: Make sure the children see you reading Gods Word and that they are listening. Explain the importance of Gods Word being the very words God speaks. The Bible is truth and used to help us know God better. The following outline will help you tell the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho to the children. Read the given Bible passages as you share the main points of the story.

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Bible story Time: (15 minutes) moses died. Joshua was now the leader of gods people. Joshua 1:1-2: After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses assistant, Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. god told Joshua not to fear, but to be strong. Joshua 1:6-9: Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. god gave Joshua specific instructions for the battle. Joshua 6:2-7: And the LORD said to Joshua, See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the rams horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him. So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark of the LORD. And he said to the people, Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the LORD.

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What would they [the Israelites] do? No one knew.

But God knew. And God told Joshua what to do. But Joshua must have looked surprised because it was a very odd battle plan indeed. Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Storybook Bible, pg. 111

Jericho had a huge wall around it, and big strong men inside of it. But Joshua obeyed Gods instructions. He told his men to walk around the city wall once a day for six days. Joshua 6:1: Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. Joshua 6:8-14: And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams horns before the LORD went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD following them. The armed men were walking before the priests who were blowing the trumpets, and the rear guard was walking after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually. But Joshua commanded the people, You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout. So he caused the ark of the LORD to circle the city, going about it once. And they came into the camp and spent the night in the camp. Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark of the LORD walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets blew continually. And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days. On the seventh day, Joshua told them to walk around the wall seven times. And when the people had walked around the city seven times, they all shouted. The wall came down just as God said it would. When the people had walked around the city seven times, they all shouted. The wall came down just as God said it would. Joshua 6:15-16: On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, Shout, for the LORD has given you the city.

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Joshua 6:20: So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. Have the children blow their toy trumpets that they made at the beginning of the class.

Treasure Verse learning activity: (5 minutes) Have the children repeat the Treasure Verse with you. They can do motions with some of the words in the verse like strong, mighty and battle. Encourage them to speak it boldly and loudly.

song Time: (10 minutes) Love, Love, Love is this quarters theme song. This song can be found on the Treasuring Christ website: http://www.treasuringchristonline.org. Supplies Needed: CD player, CD

Reinforcement activity: (5-10 minutes, depending on where you march) Have the children line up and take them for a march around the room, the childrens building or outside around the church (if it is safe to do so). As they march, remind them of how God instructed the Israelites to march around the wall of Jericho.

Build a Wall activity: (10 minutes) Have the children build walls out of building blocks, such as Legos. Build them high and thick; another option is to ask all the children to work on one wall together. Remind the children that the wall around Jericho was thick and too big for the people to get inside. God had to bring the wall down. God told His people that He would help them. Supplies Needed: Building blocks such as Legos

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Playground Time: (15 minutes) Center play or free time is an option if there is no playground available or if the weather is not conducive to playing outside.

snack Time: (10 minutes) If possible, give the children corn chips shaped as bugles and also use them to help in retelling the story. Supplies Needed: Bugle-shaped corn chips

treasure
Treasure Point: God wins every battle.

My Mission: (5 minutes)
Today, lets pray for our church. Pray that our church would be obedient to Gods Word and strong in Him.

Prayer Time: (5 minutes)

Pray that the children would trust God in all things and they would not give in to fear. Pray that they would remember to turn to God and obey Him whenever they feel afraid.

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Elementary
Treasure story: Joshua 1-6 Treasure Verse: Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! (Psalm 24:8) Treasure Point: God wins every battle.

engage
Early arrival activity: (10-15 minutes or until all the children arrive) Have the children work on building walls as they come in before class begins. Start with a styrofoam plate and give them options for building materials: popsicle sticks, sugar cubes, mini marshmallows, gum drops, etc. You can either have the children work in teams or have this activity be an individual project. Talk with the children about how the walls they just built can be eaten, torn down, destroyed, etc. The wall of Jericho (which they will hear about in todays Treasure Story) was impenetrable and could only be destroyed by God. The people couldnt do it themselves. They had to obey God. Supplies Needed: Styrofoam plates, building materials such as popsicle sticks, sugar cubes, mini marshmallows or gum drops

discover
Bible story Time: (15 minutes) Teacher Note: Make sure the children see you reading Gods Word and that they are listening. Explain the importance of Gods Word being the very words God speaks. The Bible is truth and used to help us know God better. The following outline will help you tell the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho to your children. Read the given Bible passages as you share the main points of the story.

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moses died. Joshua was now the leader of gods people. Joshua 1:1-2: After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses assistant, Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. god told Joshua not to fear, but to be strong. Joshua 1:6-9: Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Are you afraid of anything? God tells us many times in His Word that we are not to be afraid of things on earth. god gave Joshua specific instructions for the battle. Joshua 6:2-7: And the LORD said to Joshua, See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the rams horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him. So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark of the LORD. And he said to the people, Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the LORD. God didnt just leave Joshua out there on his own. No, He gave Joshua specific instructions. Joshua knew exactly what to do.

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What would they [the Israelites] do? No one knew.

But God knew. And God told Joshua what to do. But Joshua must have looked surprised because it was a very odd battle plan indeed. Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Storybook Bible, pg. 111

Jericho had a huge wall around it, and big strong men inside of it. But Joshua obeyed Gods instructions. Joshua told his men to walk around the city wall once a day for six days. Joshua 6:1: Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. Joshua 6:8-14: And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams horns before the LORD went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD following them. The armed men were walking before the priests who were blowing the trumpets, and the rear guard was walking after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually. But Joshua commanded the people, You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout. So he caused the ark of the LORD to circle the city, going about it once. And they came into the camp and spent the night in the camp. Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark of the LORD walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets blew continually. And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days. On the seventh day, Joshua told them to walk around the wall seven times. When the people had walked around the city seven times, they all shouted. The wall came down just as God said it would. Joshua 6:15-16: On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, Shout, for the LORD has given you the city. Joshua 6:20: So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. Ask the children to show you their victory dances. Have everyone stand up, move around and do their version of a victory dance. Talk to them about how happy the people of Israel must have been to have won the battle.
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Treasure Verse learning activity: (5 minutes) Pass out the God and Walls coloring sheet to the children (see resources). While they are coloring the page, remind them that no matter the battle they are facing, no matter how big the wall, God wins the battle. We can come to Him for help. Supplies Needed: God and Walls coloring sheet, crayons or markers

Playground Time/Center activities/Free Play: (15 minutes)

song Time: (10 minutes) Love, Love, Love is this quarters theme song. This song can be found on the Treasuring Christ website: http://www.treasuringchristonline.org. Supplies Needed: CD player, CD

treasure
Treasure Point: God wins every battle.

My Mission: (10 minutes)

What are some tough situations you are facing in your life? How are you praying to God to help you in these situations? How are we to obey the commands of God? (Just like Joshua didspecifically.) Does that mean obeying our parents? Obeying our teachers? What other ways are we to obey God?

Prayer Time: (5 minutes)

Guide the children in praying that they would not fear the situations they are facing. Pray also that they would trust God at all times and obey Him in all areas of their lives.

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Pre-Teen/middle school
Treasure story: Joshua 1-6 Treasure Verse: Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! (Psalm 24:8) Treasure Point: God is victorious over all. He is our mighty warrior.

engage
group Fellowship Time: (10 minutes) Opening Illustration: (10 minutes)

In the battle of Jericho, the military strategy

places the victory entirely in the hands of God. John Sailhamer, NIV Compact Bible Commentary, pg. 187

Danny Wuerffel, a Heisman trophy winner (college footballs highest honor), was faithful in the little things and gave God the praise for his personal accomplishments. Each game was a battle for Wuerffel. Imagine getting tackled every game, several times a game, by men who were bigger than you. In his career as a quarterback for the University of Florida, he had 53 TD passes in 18 games against teams ranked in the Top 25. In 1996, Wuerffel said these words when giving his acceptance speech for receiving the Heisman trophy: Id publicly like to ask Gods forgiveness for my sins, of which there are many. Wuerffel had the reputation of being a strong Christian, but he wasnt perfect. He fought battles every day, on and off the football field. On the football field, his coaches gave him a game plan. He knew what he needed to do to win the game. Off the field, God had given him a game plan as wellhow to succeed in life in all areas. Wuerffel had to follow his game plan. Well see in the Treasure Story today how Joshua had to follow the battle plan for the siege of Jericho.

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discover
Bible story Time: (30 minutes) Teacher Note: The following outline will help you as you share the story of the battle of Jericho with the students. Have them read the Scriptures listed with each part of the story.

Joshua was given the charge to lead the people of Israel. Moses, the great leader of the Israelites who had led them out of the land of Egypt, was dead (Deuteronomy 34:1-8). Now what? The Israelites were on the cusp of entering into the Promised Land that God had promised to their fathers (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18-20), but they had no leader. Joshua 1:1-2: After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses assistant, Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Joshua needed a battle plan. God provided it for Joshua: be strong, be courageous, be careful to obey Gods Law, meditate on the Word and do not fear. Joshua 1:6-9: Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua fully obeyed the lords instructions. 1. march around the city for six days: You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days (Joshua 6:3). Do you think this would seem silly? What do you think was going through the warriors minds? They were mighty warriors and all they were doing was marching. 2. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets: On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times (Joshua 6:15).

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3.

shout: And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, Shout, for the LORD has given you the city (Joshua 6:16).

Joshua fully obeyed the commands of the Lord, and the city fell to the Israelites. Because he didnt get to show his physical prowess, Joshua didnt worry, fret, try to devise a new plan, have a plan B or sulk. No, Joshua just obeyed. He commanded the people to do exactly what the Lord commanded. God honored His promise and gave the people of Jericho into the Israelites hands. This was in direct fulfillment of the promises God said He would keep.

treasure
Treasure Point: God is victorious over all. He is our mighty warrior.

My Mission: (10 minutes)

How are you going to apply Joshuas battle plan for fighting tough areas in your own life (review Joshua 1:6-9)? Write down one area of your life that is causing you to struggle. How can you apply at least two of the battle plan tactics that Joshua had in this battle of Jericho? Write down what steps you can take to give God complete control of this situation. Supplies Needed: Index cards, pens

Prayer Time: (5-10 minutes)

Have your students pray in groups about situations that are causing them to fear or be afraid. Also ask them to pray about times they dont believe or trust God because they think they have a better plan.

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high school
Treasure story: Joshua 1-6 Treasure Verse: Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory! (Psalm 24:8-10) Treasure Point: God is our victorious warrior.

engage
Introduction activity: (10 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHkABO0VwCg Show this video clip to the students. This may be one of the greatest high school comebacks of all times. But where is the victory? Encourage your students to tell any of their comeback victories if they have one to tell. Supplies Needed: Laptop

discover
Bible story Time: (30 minutes) Teacher Note: Since many of your students might be familiar with this Treasure Story, have them retell it to the other students. Also ask them to read it out of their Bibles (Joshua 1-6). god is a great warrior. He can slay any warrior and defeat any army. He doesnt need swords, shields, arrows or any other war tactic. God is God and thereby the victory belongs to Him. El Gibbor is Hebrew for God is mighty or strong. God, in His very being, has strength to win any battle. El Yeshuati is Hebrew for God is my salvation, again God declaring in His very name that He will get the victory.

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god is a promise-keeper. He makes promises and keeps them. From the very outset of the journey in Joshua 1, we see God make a solemn promise to Joshua, the commander of the army, that He will give him every place that the sole of your feet will tread upon (Joshua 1:3). How does God demonstrate to His people that He keeps His promises? Here are some examples: Joshua 1:3: Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. God promised the land of Jericho to Moses and He came through, providing the Israelites victory. genesis 12:1-3: Now the LORD said to Abram, Go from your country and your kindred and your fathers house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. God told Abraham that all of his descendants would outnumber the stars and sand on the shore. This is still coming true. God is eternally faithful. He will always keep His promises to His children. Isaiah 53: Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turnedevery oneto his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made His grave with the wicked and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, and there was no deceit in His mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the many, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

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discussion Questions: (10-15 minutes) What do you fear? Many of you arent having to fight in a war against the Canaanites in Jericho, but some of you are facing trials and wars of your own. We all struggle with fear of some kind, and this fear is rooted in unbelief. Why do we fear? Because we do not trust. Proverbs 3:5-8: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Because we are too attached to this world. Matthew 6:19-21: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Because we hold on to sin. Hebrews 12:1-2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. What does the Bible teach us about fear (when referring to fear that is man-centered and involves feeling scared)? Psalm 56:8-11: You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? God is greater than anything man can do to us. Psalm 91:9-11: Because you have made the LORD your dwelling placethe Most High, who is my refugeno evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Gods angels guard and protect us. Psalm 23:4: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. God is with us every step of the way.

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Romans 8:31-32: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? God is for us; man cannot do anything to harm us. Psalm 31:24: Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! How did Joshua and Gods army do this at Jericho? How do you do this when fighting obstacles at school, in relationships or at home? We will be strong (not fearful) if we place all our hope in the Lord. Psalm 27:1-3: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. God is our light; we do not need to fear. If we memorize these Scriptures, we will have the truth of Gods Word to help us when we are tempted to fear.

treasure
Treasure Point: God is our victorious warrior.

My Mission: (5 minutes)
What do you fear? Take one of the verses in the previous section and write it on an index card. Where will you put this verse so you can remember to meditate on it, put it to memory, know it or use it in a time of need? Supplies Needed: Index cards, pens

Prayer Time: (10 minutes)

Have students pray they would be intentional about giving over their fears to God. Pray they would not allow their fears to have sway or influence over them and that they would believe God to do all that He has said that He will do.

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connecting church and home

Perhaps you have read the story of Debra Kemp. Kemp, age 34, was dragged on her knees for a quarter-mile by a man attempting to steal her car. As the vehicle moved, Kemp grabbed the door and the steering wheel. She pulled The Club, a steering-wheel lock from under the front seat and beat the carjacker with it until he pleaded for mercy. When police arrived on the scene, they found the carjacker unconscious. What was the source of Kemps tenacity? Her six-year-old daughter was inside the car. Because of Kemp, her daughter was unharmed.

connect
The Treasure Verse this week speaks of a God who is strong and mighty in battle. John 10:10 describes Satan as a thief who seeks to kill and destroy; 1 Peter 5:8 depicts Satan as a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. We are literally in a battle with Satan over the eternal souls of our children. This battle is best fought on our knees, crying out to the One who is strong and mighty in battle! In what ways has Christ battled for you? Do you have a story of God being strong in battle on your behalf that you can share with your children? Treasure Verse: Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! (Psalm 24:8)

Regardless of your relationship to others, whether

understanding of the cross. C. J. Mahaney, The Cross Centered Life, pg. 80

youre single or married, a husband or a wife, a father, a mother, or a grandparent,

your faithfulness and effectiveness in your relationships are directly tied to your

coNNecTING chuRch aNd home

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TReaSuRING chRIST cuRRIculum | www.treasuringchristonline.org