OT 39 The Battle of Jericho

Reference: Joshua 6

Story Summary: 
     Joshua was the man God chose to lead the Israelites to conquer the promised land. The first city the Israelites encounter was Jericho, a city surrounded by walls. The gates of the city were shut tight as the people of Jericho were scared. They'd heard how God saved the Israelites from Egypt and the parted the Red Sea
     God told Joshua that he would give the city of Jericho to them. But he had some unusual instructions. Instead of trying to knock the walls over, God told Joshua to have the fighting men, seven priests with trumpets, walk around the walls of Jericho once a day for six days, carrying the ark of the covenant with them. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times. On the seventh time, the priests were to blow their turmpets, the men were to shout, and the walls fell down.
     Joshua and the Israelites obeyed God's strange instructions because they had faith. On the seventh day, after they followed God's instructions, the walls of Jericho fell down and the fighting men conquered the city. But two spies rescued Rahab and her family, just as they had promised.

Big Idea and Motions: Faith is believing God’s Word is true.
Faith - pretend to grasp a rope in front of you with two hands
Believing - same as faith
God’s - point up
Word - pretend to open a Bible
True - form a “T” with your hands

Verse / Motions: Psalm 20:7, ESV - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Trust - pretend to grasp a rope in front of you with two hands
Chariots - pretend to turn a steering wheel
Horses - pretend to ride a horse
We - point to yourself
Name - pretend to write on your palm with your finger
Lord our God - point up as you say each word

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What city did the Israelites need to take over? // Jericho
What surrounded the city of Jericho? // Large walls
What were they supposed to do the first six days? // March around the city of Jericho.
What did the seven priests carry? // Trumpets made from ram’s horns
What else was carried around the walls of Jericho? // The ark of the covenant
How many times did the people march around on the seventh day? // Seven times
What did the priests and the people to do after they marched around seven times? // Blow trumpets, shout
What happened after the priests blew their trumpets and the people shouted? // God knocked down the walls
Who won the battle of Jericho? // God and the Israelites
Why did Joshua follow God’s strange instructions? // Because he had faith
Who should we have faith in? // Jesus, that he died and rose again to save us from sin

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/ciU7HZ
Resources - http://goo.gl/6FOCTe