The Promised Land (Sept. 29th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: Joshua 1:5, Matthew 28:20b

After our learning about the ‘10 Best Ways to Live’ and the ‘Ark and the Tent,’ students learned today about God’s fulfilled promise to lead his people into safety. Under Joshua’s leadership, the people of God are encouraged and reminded to trust God- “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5, NIV). The miracles that take place along the road to The Promised Land are a testimony to God’s power and protection. Much of the lesson today involved discussion with the students about trusting God and letting him lead us toward righteousness and goodness. We must not only trust that he will never leave us, we must choose to follow him, even when we are unsure. I implore you to talk frankly with your children about your own experiences with this type of trust. Share and discuss times in your life in which God has been by your side and not forsaken you. Although we won’t spend a lot of time discussing the fulfillment of God’s promise in his son Jesus Christ, I pray that your discussion about the story will lead you in to a conversation about Jesus’s promises as well. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b, NIV)

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how the people felt when Joshua told them to get ready to go into the Promised Land?

I wonder how it felt when God led them through the water into the Promised Land?

I wonder what the people of God will do, now that they are in the Promised Land?

Prayer:

“Father, thank you for reminding us to trust you. Thank you for being with us and helping us to feel safe and courageous. We know that you are with us, even when things are uncertain. Thank you for loving us well. Amen.”