The Altar of Witness — A War Averted Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “The LORD is God on both sides of the river.”
Some of God’s families had helped their brothers for a long time. They were the families of Reuben and Gad, and half of Manasseh. They had crossed the Jordan River to help. But their own homes were on the other side of the river.
Now the LORD had given rest to all his people. So Joshua called these families. “You have not left your brothers these many days,” he said. “Therefore now return and go to your tents.”
Joshua told them to love the LORD and to hold fast to him. Hold fast means hold on tight. Then Joshua blessed them. They took home lots of animals, and silver and gold, and clothes. Joshua told them to share with their brothers at home. The LORD is God on both sides of the river.
On the way home, they stopped by the river. There they built an altar. An altar is a big table of stones for worshiping God. It was a great altar, big and easy to see. Can you stack your fists, one on top of the other, like stones?
The other families of Israel heard about it. They thought these families were turning away from the LORD. So they gathered together to go and fight them. Oh no! What do you think will happen?
But first they sent Phinehas the priest to ask. A priest is a helper in God’s house. Ten leaders went with him, one from each family group. Let’s count the leaders on our fingers. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!
They crossed the river. They said, “Why have you built this altar? Are you turning away from following the LORD?”
The families of Reuben and Gad answered. “The Mighty One, God, the LORD, he knows!” they said. “We did not build it to turn away from God.” They meant: God is great, and God knows what is in our hearts.
“We were worried,” they said. “Someday your children might say to our children, ‘You have no part in the LORD.’ So we built this altar. It is a witness between us and you.” A witness shows what is true. The LORD is God on both sides of the river.
The altar was not for burning gifts to God. It looked just like God’s altar. It was there to help everyone remember. Their children would see it and know: We belong to the LORD too!
Phinehas and the leaders listened. They were very pleased. Phinehas said, “Today we know that the LORD is among us.” Among us means right here with us.
So Phinehas went back across the river. He told all of Israel what he had heard. Everyone was glad. They blessed God. And nobody talked about fighting anymore. Can you give a big happy cheer?
The families of Reuben and Gad gave the altar a name. They called it “A Witness Between Us that the LORD is God.” The LORD is God on both sides of the river.
First they asked, and then they listened. And there was peace again among God’s people.
God is with his people, near and far. He is with you too, right where you are tonight. The LORD is God on both sides of the river.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the families felt when Phinehas came to ask instead of fight?
- Why do you think the families built such a big altar?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Today we know that the LORD is among us” — Joshua 22:31 (Today we know → tap your head; the LORD → point up; is among us → hold hands with someone)
Dear God, thank you that you are among us. Help us to ask and listen, so we can live in peace. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Ask Before You Get Angry
Memory verse: “The children of Reuben and the children of Gad named the altar "A Witness Between Us that the LORD is God."” — Joshua 22:34 · WEB
The Bible story
When three tired tribes build a giant altar by the river, their brothers get ready for war — until a few brave questions turn anger into peace and joy.
Talk about it
- After the long war was over, what did God's people finally have? — Rest in the Promised Land
- Which soldiers did Joshua send home across the river? — Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh
- Before sending them home, what did Joshua do? — Blessed them and thanked them
- What great river did the tribes travel back toward? — The Jordan River
- What did the three tribes build beside the river? — A big altar
- Why did the other Israelites feel upset when they heard the news? — They thought it was for other gods
Where is Jesus in this story?
The tribes almost went to war over a misunderstanding, but talking it through kept them one family under God (Joshua 22:30–34). On the night before He died, Jesus prayed that all who believe in Him would be one, just as He and the Father are one (John 17:21). He also said that peacemakers will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9).
What God wants to tell us
God shows us that a small misunderstanding can grow into a big quarrel — unless we stop and ask kind questions first. The tribes almost went to war over something that was actually good and loving! When we do not understand what someone has done, God wants us to talk, to listen, and to give them a chance to explain. Gentle questions can turn anger into friendship and keep peace between us.
Prayer
Father God, thank You that You never forget me and that I belong to You. When I feel cross or confused, help me to stop and ask gentle questions instead of getting angry. Make me a peacemaker who brings people together, just like You. Amen.
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