This free one year kid’s devotional study thru the Bible is designed to hit the highlights, provide practical application and requires no preparation. If you have a little more time, I encourage you to read the whole section of scripture (Joshua 6) while we focus in on just a few verses in 5 minutes.
Background: The book of Joshua is a story of war and peace. In the first 12 chapters the people of Israel conquer their Promised Land (Canaan). There are 3 military campaigns and they defeat more than 30 enemy armies. Joshua is their new leader and he is strong and courageous. The people learn that victory comes through trusting in the Lord rather than military might. In the final 12 chapters peace reigns as the people divide up their new homeland.
The first battle in the Promised Land was to take the city of Jericho. Surrounding the city were huge walls. God gave Joshua a simple, miraculous and faith building plan to defeat Jericho.
Ask the children…
What did the Lord’s instruct Joshua to have the people do in order to defeat Jericho?
“But the Lord said to Joshua, ‘I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. 3 You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. 4 Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. 5 When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can.'” (Joshua 6:2-5)
Not exactly a great military strategy from a human perspective. Why was the Lord confident that it would work?
“Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” (Joshua 6:5)
God was confident that the plan would word because He was behind it. He knew His capabilities to bless His people and to knock down the walls of Jericho. When we are walking in God’s plan we can defeat any enemy. It doesn’t matter how high the walls are or high thick they are. We are to walk by faith.
Ask your children if there are any Jericho’s in their life right now? Have they asked the Lord for His plan for knocking down the walls? If not, do it right now. God loves to speak and share His plans. Now by faith begin to do what God has said and wait for God to act.
If you like what you read about ways to teach children the Bible, check out the children’s book, Hooked on the Book, on this website. It is great for parents and kids because it provides the Big Story of God’s miraculous plan for His children in all 66 books in the Bible. CHECK OUT A FREE SAMPLE OF CHAPTER ONE BELOW.