OT 41 The Sun Stands Still

Reference: Joshua 10

Story Summary: 
   Adoni-Zedek, the king of Jerusalem, heard about how God was with Joshua and the Israelites. He heard they had defeated the cities of Jericho and Ai and destroyed their kings. He also heard that the people of Gibeon made a deal with the Israelites to let them live in their land, as long as the Israelites promised to keep them safe.
   Adoni-Zedek approached four other kings. He asked them to attack Gibeon with him and they agreed. When the attack began, the people of Gibeon sent a messenger to Joshua asking for help. Joshua and his men marched through the night to Gibeon, to surprise their enemies. God said to Joshua, “Don’t fear. I’ve handed them over to you.
   God made Adoni-Zedek’s army panic. They ran away as the Israelites battled them. God sent hailstones to fall upon the men as they ran. But night began to come and Joshua feared the army would escape. He prayed that God would make the sun and moon stand still in the sky. And God did just that. The sun and moon stopped, leaving daylight for Joshua and his men to defeat Adoni-Zedek and the four kings.

Big Idea and Motions: God is in control of the whole universe.
God - point up
Control - pretend to use a video game controller
Whole - gesture widely with your arms
Universe - hold your hands above your head and wiggle your fingers (the twinkling of the stars)

Verse / Motions: Psalm 115:3, ESV - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
God - point up
Heavens - hold both hands up and wiggle your fingers
He does - pound the bottom of your fist into your upward-facing palm a few times
All - gesture your arms in a wide circle
Pleases - fold your arms, nod your head, and smile

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who was the king of Jerusalem? // Adoni-Zedek
What did he hear about Joshua and the Israelites? // God helped them defeat Jericho and Ai
What deal did Joshua make with the people of Gibeon? // Israel can live there if Joshua kept the people safe
How many other kings did Adoni-Zedek find to help him? // Four
What did Adoni-Zedek and the kings do? // Attack the city of Gibeon
How did Joshua surprise the enemy’s army? // They marched all night
What did Adoni-Zedek’s men do as the Israelites attacked? // They ran away
What did God send from the sky to strike Adoni-Zedek’s men? // Hail
What did Joshua pray? // That God would make the sun and moon stand still so they could finish the battle
What happened after Joshua prayed? // God made the sun and moon stand still so the Israelites could win

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/gk1ewQ
Resources - http://goo.gl/oiJBw7