Introduction
There are times when children also feel afraid: starting a new school year, speaking in front of others, telling the truth when it is difficult, standing up for a friend, or facing something they have never done before.
The story of Joshua reminds us thatbeing brave does not mean never feeling afraid, but learning to trust God even when we face something that seems difficult.
After the death of Moses, Joshua received a great responsibility: he had to lead the people of Israel to the land God had promised them. The task was enormous, but God did not leave Joshua alone. He gave him a word that can still strengthen the hearts of our children:
“Be strong and courageous.” — Joshua 1:9
This Bible class will help parents, teachers, and children's leaders teach children that they can face their fears by trusting that God is with them.
📖 Summary of the Bible story
After the death of Moses, God choseJoshuato lead the people of Israel.
Joshua received a very important mission: to lead the people to thePromised Land.
It did not seem like an easy task. There were challenges ahead, and Joshua needed courage to fulfill what God had entrusted to him.
Then God spoke to him and encouraged him to stand firm, be strong and courageous, and not be overcome by fear, because He would be with Joshua.
Joshua decided to trust God, took on the responsibility of leading the people, and continued moving forward in obedience.
The people of Israel would also have to cross the Jordan River to continue toward the land God had promised them. But God went before them and once again showed that they could trust Him.
Joshua learned a truth that we also want to plant in the hearts of our children:when God calls us to do something, we do not have to rely solely on our own strength. We can trust in Him.
🎯 Class Objective
For the children to understand thatGod is with them and can help them face their fears with confidence and courage.
We also want to teach them that true courage is not about feeling invincible, but about trusting and obeying God even when a situation seems difficult.
📖 Base Bible Text
Joshua 1:1-9
Key Verse
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous.”
For young children, this can be memorized using this short and simple phrase.
💡 Main Teaching
When we trust God, we can be strong and courageous
Joshua received a task that probably seemed much bigger than himself. He had to lead an entire people and continue a mission that had previously been in Moses' hands.
However, God did not tell him that everything would be easy.
Instead, He reminded him of something much more important:He would be with Joshua.
This is a very valuable lesson for children.
Being brave does not mean saying:
I can do everything on my own.
The bravery we learn in the Bible says:
Even if I am afraid, I can trust God.
We can explain to them that feeling afraid does not mean our faith has disappeared. The important thing is to learn what to do when we feel afraid.
We can pray.
We can remember what God says in His Word.
We can ask for help.
We can choose to do what is right.
And we can move forward trusting in God.
Joshua moved forward because he decided to trust the Lord.
❤️ Practical application for children
Ask them:
When do we need to be brave?
You can talk with them using situations close to their lives.
For example:
When we are afraid at school.
When we must tell the truth even if we might get into trouble.
When we see that someone needs help.
When we must defend a friend who is being treated badly.
When we want to talk to another person about Jesus.
When we have to do something new.
When we feel afraid because of a family situation.
When we must obey even if it is difficult.
After each example, we can remind them:
You don't have to face everything alone. You can ask God for help.
Christian courage is not only about doing difficult things. It also means choosing to do what is right because we trust God.
⭐ Phrase to remember
God helps me to be strong and brave.
They can also repeat together:
With God's help, I will be strong and brave.
💬 Questions to discuss
These questions can be used after telling the story:
Who did God choose to lead the people after Moses?
What mission did Joshua receive?
What did God say to Joshua?
Did Joshua decide to trust God?
What does it mean to you to be brave?
Does being brave mean that we will never be afraid?
What can we do when something scares us?
In what situation do you need God to help you be brave this week?
For younger children, you can use only the first four questions.
🎲 Suggested activity: The Shield of Courage
Materials
Cardstock or thick paper
Colored pencils or markers
Scissors
Optional decorative items
Instructions
Give each child a piece of cardstock and help them draw the shape of a shield.
In the center they should write:
“Be strong and courageous.” Joshua 1:9
Then they can decorate the shield with stars, shapes, drawings related to the biblical story, or items that remind them that God is with them.
While they work, talk with them:
“Is there something that scares you right now?”
Then explain to them:
“This shield has no powers. The important thing is to remember what we have learned today: our confidence is in God. When you are afraid, you can remember that God can help you do what is right and keep going.”
Variation for younger children
The teacher can prepare the shields in advance so that the children only have to color them and say together:
💪Strong🦁Brave🙏God is with me
🎮 Optional Bible game: Brave or not?
The teacher mentions different situations and the children must decide if they represent a brave and correct action.
Examples:
Telling the truth:✅Lying to avoid a problem:❌Helping someone:✅Making fun of someone else:❌Defending someone who needs help:✅Doing something bad because everyone else does it:❌
After each answer, spend a few seconds explaining why.
The intention is not to teach that any risky action is bravery, but to help children understand thatBiblical courage is also related to doing what is right and obeying God.
🙏 Final prayer
Lord God,
thank you because you are with us.
Help us to be strong and courageous.
When we feel afraid, teach us to remember that we can trust in you.
Help us to tell the truth, do what is right, help others, and obey your Word.
May every child know that they are not alone and that they can come to you at any time.
Thank you for being with us every day.
In the name of Jesus.
Amen.
🌱 For parents, teachers, and leaders
Let us not forget that children also face situations that may seem huge to them.
Maybe for an adult, speaking in front of the class, sleeping alone, starting at a new school, or admitting a mistake seems like a small thing. For a child, it can be a real challenge.
That is why, besides telling them“do not be afraid”, we can teach them what to do with that fear:
pray, remember the Word of God, talk to a trusted adult, and keep doing what is right.
Joshua was not brave simply because he had a strong personality. His confidence was in knowing thatGod was with him.
And that is precisely the truth we want to leave in the hearts of our little ones.
🎯 Central message
When we trust in God, we can be strong and courageous.
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