Joshua 2; 6

Mrs. Belinda Roberts put up a new bulletin board with a new challenge for us to help children in need. She visited Children’s Church this week to tell the children about this new challenge. The children are going to raise $44 to feed one child for a whole year in Guatemala. We are asking the children to dig into their own piggy banks and/or work for the money to give.  Offer them chores that you are willing to pay them to do. The money will go to “Food For The Poor”  www.foodforthepoor.org

Our 4^th and 5^th graders and anyone who was not in Children’s Church this past Sunday did not get this challenge. Please pass this on to your children who missed it. There will be a donation jar on Sunday and for the next few weeks until we raise at least $44. Watch the graph on the bulletin board each week to see how close we are to our goal.

Also in Children’s Church, we reviewed Joshua taking the Israelites into the Promised Land by way of the Jordan River which God parted for them to cross on dry  land. The Israelites built a monument as the Lord told Joshua to tell them to do. The monument was to help them remember what God had done for them. It was there so they could tell their children what God had done (Joshua 4:19-24).  We discussed the importance God puts on “remembering” what He does and says.

In the New Testament, during the Passover meal (the Last Supper), Jesus tells His disciples to always remember Him when they eat the bread and drink the cup (1 Cor. 11: 24-26).  He wanted them to always remember what He was going to do for them and for everyone: shed His blood and die on a cross for their sins. We, too, are to always remember what Christ did for us. That is why we take the Lord’s Supper, to remember Christ’s sacrifice for our freedom and eternal life.

Our theme for last week: Remember! Remember that Christ died for you, remember what God did for the Israelites to get them to the Promised Land, and remember the poor.

 In Sunday School, The Gospel Project for Kids^® was “The Conquest of Jericho.” Last week, your kids learned that the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. They were finally in the promised land! They only had one thing left to do: conquer the land and drive out the inhabitants. The people who lived in Canaan worshiped false gods.

 Joshua sent two spies into the city of Jericho. While they were there, they stayed at Rahab’s house. The king of Jericho tracked them down to Rahab’s house, ready to kill them. Rahab, however, hid the spies on her roof. Why would Rahab save the spies? Rahab heard about God. She knew God was the one true God and that He would give the Israelites the city. She asked that her family be spared. Rahab and her family had to stay inside Rahab’s house and tie a red cord from her window. Rahab and her family were spared because of Rahab’s faith in God.

God gave Joshua specific instructions for battle. The Israelites obeyed. Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought the battle and handed Jericho over to the Israelites. Joshua told the Israelites not to keep any of the spoil for themselves—the Lord would provide for their needs. Pray with your kids. Thank God for providing for all of your needs, including the need to be rescued from sins by Jesus Christ.

Just in case the “Family Journal Page” didn't make it home:

Bible Passage: Joshua 2; 6

Big Picture Question: Who fought the battle of Jericho? God fought for his people and handed Jericho over to the Israelites.

 Key passage: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Christ Connection: God gave the city of Jericho to the Israelites. He fought the battle for them and told them not to take anything from the city. God promised to provide for His people’s needs. Jesus spoke of God’s provision in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Jesus meets our greatest need-to be saved from our sin. We can trust Him for our salvation.

 Family task: Walk around your neighborhood as a family, stopping to pray for each home and those who live there. If possible, leave a note at the door telling the family that you prayed for them. Journal some to your experience.

Next week's lesson:  Joshua 7