Free Bible lesson for kids · The Promised Land
Be Strong and of a Good Courage
After Moses died, the LORD spoke to Joshua: “Arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them.” God promised, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee,” and told Joshua to keep the book of the law in his mouth and meditate on it day and night. Three times God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, because the LORD his God would be with him wherever he went (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9).
- Bible passage
- Joshua 1:1–9
- Big idea
- We can be brave, because the LORD our God is with us wherever we go.
- Memory verse
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
After Moses died, the LORD spoke to Joshua, Moses’ helper (Joshua 1:1). He said, “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan” and lead all the people into the land He was giving them (Joshua 1:2). God promised them every place where they would set their feet (Joshua 1:3–4). Just as He had been with Moses, God promised, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5).
God said, “Be strong and of a good courage” (Joshua 1:6). He told Joshua to obey all the law Moses had given, and to keep it in his mouth and meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:7–8). Then God said, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).
Read it in the Bible: Joshua 1:1–9 (KJV)
1Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, 2Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Questions to ask
What did the LORD tell Joshua to do after Moses died?
To arise and go over Jordan with all the people, into the land God was giving them (Joshua 1:2).
What did God promise Joshua?
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5).
What was Joshua to do with the book of the law?
Keep it in his mouth and meditate therein day and night, and do all that is written in it (Joshua 1:8).
What this story teaches
- The LORD our God goes with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9).
- God promises He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
- God keeps the promises He made to His people long ago (Joshua 1:6).
- God wants us to read and think about His Word daily (Joshua 1:8).
- Real courage comes from trusting God, not ourselves (Joshua 1:9).
Jesus Is Always with Us
God promised to be with Joshua wherever he went. Jesus promises His followers, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
Matthew 28:20
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask God to make us strong and of a good courage, and thank Him that He is always with us. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “We can be brave, because the LORD our God is with us wherever we go.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Joshua 1:9 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors · about 12 minutes
Be Strong Course
You need: Cushions, a tunnel or table, cones
- Set up an obstacle course: climb, crawl, jump, balance.
- At each station, the child shouts, “Be strong and of a good courage!”
- Everyone finishes with Joshua 1:9 together.
God told Joshua, “Be strong and of a good courage… for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
For youth group · activity · indoors · about 20 minutes
Courage Cards
You need: Index cards, pens
- Each person writes one fear on one side of a card: a class, a conversation, a decision.
- On the other side, write Joshua 1:9.
- Pray in pairs over each other’s cards, and carry them this week.
Courage is not having no fear. It is knowing God is with you.
Pray
Ask God to make us strong and of a good courage, and thank Him that He is always with us.