Quarter 5: Week 9: Holy Living in the Promised Land

There are a lot of things I want to share in this lesson with the kids and with you
So I am going to thoughtfully limit it here.

FIRST, I want to let you know that passages of scripture like Joshua 24 are why we made the change to a curriculum that goes through the entire Bible.
Throughout the Old and New Testament people rehearse the Bible narrative to show God's faithfulness.  It happens in Joshua, Psalms, Acts and other books of the Bible.
Even Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggietales has come to see the importance of the Biblical narrative in helping kids grow.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/10/23/veggietales-creator-brings-gospel-centered-biblical-theology-to-kids/


SECOND, here are some specific things related to this lesson.

You could have someone read 23:2b-16 as Joshua saying these words to the people.

A good way to outline Joshua 23, 24 is:

1. Be Courageous.  Be Brave.  God is faithful.  (23:6)  Joshua was told to be courageous in Joshua 1.  Now he is telling the Israelites to do the same.
2. Be Careful. The land you are entering is filled with enemies but God will fight for you if you trust and obey.  (23:11)
3. Be committed.  (24:14-28)

This lesson paired with the corrected verses provide a great opportunity to share the Gospel with the children.

The Bible narrative up to this point shows God's faithfulness despite Israel's repeated disobedience.
Then you come to Joshua 24:15, Joshua's response and challenge to the Israelites in light of God's faithfulness.
“And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”

Romans 5:6-10 shows us God's faithfulness and mercy in Jesus Christ despite our sinfulness.
We need to help the children see this truth and respond in faith and trust to God.