Heart Prep:
After crossing the Jordan, the Israelites faced the fortified city of Jericho, where their victory depended solely on trusting in God. God’s unconventional battle plan—marching, silence, then shouting—highlighted His power and required Israel’s obedient faith. Their victory came solely through trusting God and through a faith commended in Hebrews 11:30. This victory, and Rahab’s rescue through faith, foreshadowed a greater triumph: salvation through faith in Jesus, emphasizing that our redemption, like Israel’s victory, rests entirely upon God’s grace and power, not our own efforts.
Message:
After crossing the Jordan River, God promised the Israelites victory over Jericho, a city protected by strong, intimidating walls. Joshua sent two spies into Jericho, where they met Rahab, a woman who bravely hid them from capture. Recognizing the power of the Israelites’ God, Rahab asked for protection for herself and her family. The spies agreed, instructing her to hang a red cord from her window as a sign. Later, God gave Joshua specific instructions for conquering Jericho: for six days, the Israelites marched silently around the city while priests played trumpets. On the seventh day, after circling the city seven times, they shouted at Joshua’s command, causing Jericho’s walls to crumble miraculously. Through their faithful obedience, Israel captured Jericho, sparing only Rahab and her family as promised.
Main Point:
“God’s people could not bring down Jericho’s walls in their own power. They trusted God and were victorious. We cannot defeat sin and death in our own power. When we trust in Jesus, we are saved from sin and death.”
Discussion:
SAY: Why do you think God instructed the Israelites to march around the wall for seven days instead of telling them to attack the wall?
Discuss how God’s plans revealed His power alone to save. God’s power—not the Israelites’ strength—made Jericho’s walls fall. Tell kids that because God’s instructions were carried out, God received the glory. Everything God does is for His glory and for our good. God knows what is best; He wants us to trust Him, even when we don’t understand His ways. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Isa. 48:11.)
SAY: Does your life show you trust God? How?
Answers will vary. Tell kids that we can show we trust God by depending on Him through prayer, treating others with respect, forgiving those who wrong us, sharing the gospel, hoping in His promises during hard times, and so much more. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Isa. 12:2.)
SAY: Are you ever tempted to think you are good enough to be saved? How?
Answers will vary. Remind kids that like the Israelites were not strong enough to bring down Jericho’s walls, we are not good enough to save ourselves from sin. When we trust in Jesus, we are saved from sin and death. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Eph. 2:8-9.)
