Be Strong and Courageous 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: “God was with Joshua, wherever he went.”
Moses, the leader of God’s people, had died. Now Joshua was the new leader. In front of them was the Jordan River. And on the other side was the land God had promised them. That was a big job for Joshua!
Then the LORD spoke to Joshua. “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go across this Jordan, you and all these people!” Arise means get up. God was giving them the land. God was with Joshua, wherever he went.
The LORD said, “I have given you every place that your foot will tread on.” To tread means to step. Everywhere they stepped in the new land, it would be theirs!
And it was a big land. It went from the desert to the mountains far in the north. It went to the great river in the east. And it went to the great sea, where the sun goes down.
The LORD said, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.” Forsake means to leave someone all alone. God would never leave Joshua alone. God was with Joshua, wherever he went.
Then the LORD said, “Be strong and courageous.” Courageous means brave. Can you show me your strong arms? Let’s say it together: “Be strong and courageous!”
God wanted Joshua to keep his law. The law was God’s words, written down in a book. The LORD said more. “Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left.” Can you lean to the right? Now lean to the left. Now stand straight in the middle!
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth,” said the LORD. “You shall meditate on it day and night.” Meditate means to think about it again and again.
Then the LORD said it once more. “Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Dismayed means very worried. God was with Joshua, wherever he went.
So Joshua sent his helpers through the whole camp. They told all the people, “Prepare food! Within three days you are to pass over this Jordan.” Let’s count the days on our fingers: one, two, three!
Some families already had land on this side of the river. Moses had given it to them. Joshua said their wives and little ones could stay there, with all their animals. But the strong men should cross the river too. They should help their brothers, until everyone had a home.
Then the people answered Joshua. “All that you have commanded us we will do,” they said. “Wherever you send us we will go. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses.”
And they said to him, “Only be strong and courageous.” Now God said it, and the people said it too!
Joshua had a big job. But Joshua was not alone. The LORD his God was with him. God was with Joshua, wherever he went.
And God is with you too, wherever you go. He is with you even now, as you lie in your bed. God was with Joshua, wherever he went.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- When do you need to be brave?
- How do you think Joshua felt when God said, “I will be with you”?
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)
Color the 3 days until God’s people crossed the river.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid.” — Joshua 1:9 (Be strong → show your strong arms; courageous → stand up tall; Don’t be afraid → shake your head no)
Dear God, thank you that you are with me wherever I go. Please help me to be strong and brave. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God Goes With You
Memory verse: “Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid. Don't be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 · WEB
The Bible story
When brave Moses is gone, God gives young Joshua a promise that changes everything — and four little words that make even a worried heart strong.
Talk about it
- Who led God's people before Joshua? — Moses
- How did the people feel when Moses died? — Sad, so they wept for him
- Who did God choose to lead the people next? — Joshua
- What did God tell Joshua to get ready to cross? — A wide river
- What land was waiting across the river? — Canaan, the Promised Land
- What promise did God make to Joshua? — I will be with you wherever you go
Where is Jesus in this story?
Just as God promised to be with Joshua wherever he went, God kept an even bigger promise by sending Jesus, whose name means 'God saves.' Jesus told His friends, "I am with you always," and that promise is for us today too. Because of Jesus, we are never alone, and God gives us the courage to follow Him all the way home.
What God wants to tell us
This story reminds us that we never have to be brave all by ourselves. God did not ask Joshua to be strong on his own — He promised to walk beside him every single step. God makes that very same promise to you. Wherever you go, and whatever you face, God is right there, holding your hand and filling your heart with courage.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being with me wherever I go. When I feel small or scared, please make my heart strong and brave like Joshua's. Help me to trust You and follow Your good words every day. Amen.
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