Rahab and the Spies 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: “Rahab trusted in the LORD.”
Joshua and God’s people were camping by the Jordan River. Across the river was a city named Jericho. It had big, strong walls and a big gate. Joshua secretly sent two men to look at the land. They were spies – people who look around in secret.
The two spies crossed over and came into Jericho. They went to the house of a woman named Rahab. Her house was built right into the city wall. The spies stayed there.
But that night, someone told the king of Jericho. The king sent men to Rahab’s house. “Bring out the men who have come to you!” they said. Oh no! What do you think Rahab did?
Rahab had taken the two spies up to the flat roof. She hid them under stalks of flax – tall, dry plants. Shhh! Can you hide and be very, very quiet?
Rahab told the king’s men that the spies had left when it got dark. They went out at the time the city gate was shut. “Pursue them quickly,” she said. “You may catch up with them.” To pursue means to chase. So the king’s men hurried away toward the river. Then the city gate was shut tight.
The spies were still on the roof. Before they lay down to sleep, Rahab came up to them. “I know that the LORD has given you the land,” she said. “We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea.”
Everyone in Jericho had heard about God’s people. And they were afraid. But Rahab knew something. “The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.” Can you point up to heaven? Now touch the earth beneath you. Rahab trusted in the LORD.
“Please be kind to my family,” Rahab said. “Give me a true sign. Save my father, my mother, my brothers, and my sisters.”
The spies promised. “Our life for yours,” they said. “When the LORD gives us the land, we will deal kindly with you.” That means they would be kind to her and keep their promise.
Rahab’s house had a window in the wall. She let the spies down with a rope. Down, down, down they went! “Go to the mountain,” she said. “Hide yourselves there three days.”
The spies said, “Tie this line of scarlet thread in the window.” Scarlet means bright red. They told her to bring all her family into her house. Then everyone inside would be safe. Rahab trusted in the LORD.
“Let it be as you have said,” said Rahab. She sent them away. Then she tied the red cord in her window. A bright red cord, hanging in the window!
The spies hid in the hills for three days. The king’s men looked and looked. But they did not find them. Then the spies went back across the river to Joshua. “Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands,” they said.
Later, God gave Jericho to his people. The big walls fell down flat! But Joshua remembered the promise. He sent the two spies to Rahab’s house. They brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all her family. Everyone was safe!
Rahab lived with God’s people from then on. Many years later, her great-great-grandson was King David. And Jesus was born into her family too. Rahab trusted in the LORD.
The LORD kept Rahab and her whole family safe. Rahab trusted in the LORD.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the spies felt, hiding quietly on the roof?
- Why do you think Rahab helped the spies?
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 2 spies and the 1 red cord in the window.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“He is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath” — Joshua 2:11 (God → point up; in heaven above → reach up high; on earth beneath → touch the floor)
Dear God, you are God in heaven and on earth. Thank you for keeping Rahab and her family safe. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Faith Makes Us Brave
Memory verse: “The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.” — Joshua 2:11 · WEB
The Bible story
Two brave spies sneak into the mighty walled city of Jericho, and a kind woman named Rahab must decide whether to trust God and keep them safe.
Talk about it
- Who was the leader who sent the spies? — Joshua
- Which city did the spies go to explore? — Jericho
- How many spies did Joshua send? — Two
- What was the name of the woman who helped them? — Rahab
- Where was Rahab's little house? — Built into the city wall
- Where did Rahab hide the spies? — Under flax on the roof
Where is Jesus in this story?
Just as the scarlet cord in Rahab's window kept her family safe, we are kept safe through Jesus and His rescuing love. Long after this story, Rahab became part of the very family that Jesus was born into, showing that God welcomes everyone who trusts in Him. The bright red cord points us to Jesus, who came to save us and bring us home to God.
What God wants to tell us
Rahab did not know very much about God, but she believed He was real and powerful, and that little bit of faith made her wonderfully brave. God sees every heart, no matter who we are or where we come from. When we trust Him, even in scary moments, He helps us do kind and courageous things, and He keeps us safe under His loving care.
Prayer
Thank You, God, that You love everyone, no matter who they are. Please make me brave like Rahab, so I can trust You even when I feel afraid. Thank You for keeping me safe in Your care. Amen.
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