April 21, 2013

Dear Parents,   

Today in Children’s Church we watched part of “What’s In The Bible?” Vol. 4 to get us familiar with where we left off after Deuteronomy. We reviewed what we learned so far Joshua. We had a great time reenacting the scene from Joshua chapter 8 when the Israelites ambush the people of Ai. We talked about how important it was for the Israelites to obey God to get victory. The Old Covenant required obedience to gain victory. 

We turned to our side of the covenant, the New Covenant, and learned that God gave us our victory when Jesus came and took the punishment for our sins. He offers us eternal victory over sin and death. It was explained that each of us need to accept God’s gift of victory to be saved. Jesus did it all. We just have to take it!!! 

Isn’t it great that God goes above and beyond what we think is possible to keep His promises to His people? Today’s Bible story in Sunday School, “The Day the Sun Stood Still” relates something that seems absolutely impossible. But nothing is impossible for God!

Joshua and the Israelites were tricked by the men of Gibeon into forming a peace treaty. As a result of the peace between Israel and Gibeon,  five kings of Canaan attacked Gibeon. God reassured Joshua that He would be with the Israelites as they defended Gibeon. Not only was God with them, God fought for them! God sent the Canaanite armies into confusion, then He dropped hailstones on them.  

Joshua and the Israelites were fighting, but Joshua noticed it wouldn’t be long before the sun began to go down. In front of everybody, Joshua cried out to God and asked Him to keep the sun standing still in its place until the battle was over. Guess what? That’s exactly what God did! God held the sun in place for almost a full day until the Israelites defeated their enemies. 

What does God do when we pray? God answers the prayers of His people and saves them. This story points ahead to another time God saved His people in a greater way: God sent His Son, Jesus, to fight the battle against sin and death.  

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

 Bible Passage: Joshua 10:1-15 

Big Picture Question: What does God do when we pray? God answers the prayers of His people and saves them.

 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: Joshua’s name means “Yahweh is salvation.” God fought for Joshua and the Israelites, saving them and giving them victory over their enemies. God brought us salvation by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross, giving us victory over sin and death.

 Family task: Share a sunrise for a sunset together as a family. Talk about what you would do if the sun stopped and you had extra time that day. Now, share some things God would want you to do that day. Write some of those things and determine to do some of them this week.

Next week's lesson:  Joshua 23:1-24,28  (We are skipping several chapters in Joshua, you are encouraged to read over some of the chapters with your children to see how God divides up the Promised Land among the 12 tribes. Next week, we will hear Joshua’s final words to the Israelites)