During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide and Student Page, can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
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Unit Introduction: Today is the first lesson in a 4-lesson unit on courage. Courage is daring to do what is right even when one is afraid. Courage does not mean that one is never afraid. Courage comes from God. The 4 lessons in this unit teach about what courage is, having courage when things seem impossible, courage when facing danger, and courage to use my skills and abilities. Children need to know that they can have courage to face whatever difficulties they encounter in life with the Lord’s help.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Sometimes what we face in life can cause us to feel overwhelmed, frightened, or weak. Yet our
God speaks to us the way He did to Joshua. He tells us to be strong and courageous. Courage
does not mean we pretend not to feel those feelings. It simply means that we can trust in the One who is courage!
So what do you need courage for today? This week? This month? This year? God wants to fill you with hope and courage. He is ready to supply all that you need for the new thing He is calling you to, the hard task in front of you, the difficult relationship that needs healing. Sit and allow Him to fill you now. He will not fail you. He is with you wherever you go!
Let the families of your students know you are beginning a unit on courage. Encourage families to talk about what courage is. They might share times when they needed courage.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Greet your children warmly as they come to class today.
Today we will begin learning about courage.
Allow several children to offer their ideas.
Courage means being able to face difficulty, danger, or pain in spite of feeling afraid. Did you hear that? It does not mean that you are never afraid. It means that you choose to face difficulties, pain, or danger even though you are afraid. It is something that comes from your heart.
Courage comes from God. He gives you the strength do what is right. Sometimes that means you do something physical such as stopping a bully. Sometimes it means that you choose to be friends with someone that others dislike or tease.
Everyone make a motion to show me you have courage. For example, you might cross your arms. Show me your courage motion now.
Allow the children a minute to show you their courage motions.
When you do not have courage, the Bible says it is as if your body goes limp. You end up like a puddle on the floor. Your hands hang limp instead of being strong. Everyone make a motion to show me that you do not have courage.
Allow the children a minute to show you their motions.
Now I will read several statements. Some are silly and some are serious. For each one,
make the motion that shows if you would have courage in that situation or if you would not have courage.
Read each of the following statements. Pause after each one for the children to respond. After they respond, pick 1–2 to tell why they responded as they did. Feel free to create your own statements if you would like.
Thank the children for their actions about courage. Ask them to sit down for the teaching part of the lesson.
We all face things that are difficult, painful, or even dangerous in our lives. God can give us courage to face those things.
Listen as I tell you a story from the Bible about 2 men who had courage. This story takes place after God had used Moses to lead the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. They were now close to the land God had promised them. The Lord told Moses to send some spies into the land. The 12 spies were sent to find out how good the land was for crops, if the cities and towns were protected by walls, and if the people seemed strong or weak. Joshua and Caleb were 2 of the men chosen to go spy out the land.
Optional: If possible, share the image from The Action Bible.
When the men returned, they brought back samples of fruit they found. They excitedly told about how good the land was for growing crops. They said the land was wonderful. It was everything God had promised.
Then 10 of the spies talked about the cities and people there. They said the cities were large and surrounded by strong walls. The people looked like giants and were powerful. These
men said they could not conquer that land. After hearing these men, many of the Israelites were afraid.
Only Caleb and Joshua gave a report based on faith in God. They told the Israelites that while the cities and people were strong, God was stronger. They knew that God had said He would give them this land. So even though things looked difficult, they believed that God was with them and they would win the land, just as God had promised.
Courage means being able to face difficulty, danger, or pain in spite of feeling afraid. It is something in your heart. Courage comes from God. He gives you the strength to do what is right.
Unfortunately, the people chose to believe the spies who did not believe God, the ones who lacked courage. The people ended up wandering in the desert for 40 years because of this. The only people from that generation who were allowed by God to enter the Promised Land were Joshua and Caleb.
Caleb and Joshua had courage to see that what God had promised was possible. They probably faced peer pressure—the pressure to go along with what the other spies were saying. They had courage to speak the truth to the people who were fearful. They believed God and had
courage instead.
Optional: If you are using The Action Bible, let the children read this story on pages 173–176.
Read the following verse to your children from your Bible.
If you are using the Memory Verse Poster, show it to the students.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
This is what God said to Joshua when, 40 years later, he led the Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb had trusted God and had courage many years before when they had spied out the land. Now God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, just like he had been many years before.
If Joshua had memorized this verse, it may have become a song in his heart to help him have courage. We are now going to create our own courage songs.
Divide the children into groups of 4. Ask them to create a 2-line song about courage. They can make up the melody or they can use the melody of a song they already know. Or they can just share their words and clap in rhythm with the words.
Optional Supplies: Give each group a piece of paper and pencil to write their song on. If you are using the Student Pages, children can write their songs on them.
Here is an example of a 2-sentence song. “I am often afraid. God will give me courage.” Or “I am often afraid. God will make me strong.”
Go around to each group and help if needed. After about 5 minutes, ask the groups to share their songs. Encourage the children to clap after each song.
Our courage comes from God. During this coming week you may experience fear. You may be tempted to do something wrong. Whenever that happens, remember that you can always ask God to help you show courage. You want to do what is right, even when you are afraid. Remember your special song. Sing it to yourself when you wake up. Sing it to yourself whenever you are afraid during the day. Sing it as you prepare to go to sleep. Sing it to Jesus anytime you want to.
Close class by saying Joshua 1:9 over the children as a blessing. If possible, speak it to each child, using his name in it.
Blessing: May you, (child’s name), be strong and courageous. May you not be terrified or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Lead the children in singing this quarter’s song, if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
