Single lesson
Joshua Takes the Lead
Joshua 1:1–18
Joshua 1:1–18 shows a change in leadership after Moses dies. Children will hear what Yahweh says to Joshua, what Joshua tells the people, and how the people answer with support and a very serious warning.
Before you teach
After Moses’ death, Yahweh speaks to Joshua and tells him to lead the people across the Jordan into the land Yahweh is giving them. Joshua is told to be strong, to obey the law, and to act. He then gives instructions to the officers and to the eastern tribes, and the people respond.
Students will be able to sequence Joshua 1:1–18 and explain that Yahweh told Joshua to be strong, obey the law, lead the people, and that the people answered by promising to follow him, ending with a very serious judgement warning.
Welcome: A new leader begins
4 minExplain that this passage starts with a major change. Moses has died, and Yahweh speaks to Joshua. Tell the children to listen for three parts as you read: what Yahweh says to Joshua, what Joshua tells the people, and how the people answer. This gives them a clear order to follow.
Joshua 1:1, Joshua 1:2, Joshua 1:10, Joshua 1:16
Read and explain: Yahweh strengthens Joshua
8 minRead Joshua 1:1–9 aloud. Point out that Yahweh tells Joshua to arise and cross the Jordan with the people. Yahweh says he has given the land and will be with Joshua. Joshua is told three times to be strong and courageous, and he is told to observe the law carefully and meditate on it day and night.
Joshua 1:2, Joshua 1:3, Joshua 1:5, Joshua 1:6, Joshua 1:7, Joshua 1:8, Joshua 1:9
Discuss: Joshua gives clear instructions
6 minShow that Joshua responds at once. He commands the officers to go through the camp and tell the people to prepare food because they will cross the Jordan within three days. He also speaks to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh, reminding them to go armed before their brothers and help them until the others receive their land.
Joshua 1:10, Joshua 1:11, Joshua 1:12, Joshua 1:13, Joshua 1:14, Joshua 1:15
Make and respond: Put the passage in order
8 minChildren make simple sequence cards for the main steps in the passage: Yahweh speaks to Joshua, Joshua is told to be strong and courageous, Joshua tells the camp to prepare, Joshua reminds the eastern tribes to help, and the people answer. As you review the last step, explain carefully that the passage ends with a very serious consequence for rebellion against Joshua’s command.
Joshua 1:1, Joshua 1:6, Joshua 1:10, Joshua 1:12, Joshua 1:16, Joshua 1:18
Closing: What do we learn from their response?
4 minReview the sequence together. Yahweh commands Joshua to be strong and careful to obey. Joshua gives instructions, and the people answer that they will do what he commands and go where he sends them. Read the final verse soberly and note that it speaks about death as a judgement for rebellion, which shows how serious this moment is in the passage.
Joshua 1:7, Joshua 1:8, Joshua 1:9, Joshua 1:16, Joshua 1:17, Joshua 1:18
Questions to explore
What words does Yahweh repeat to Joshua, and where do you see them in the passage?
Look in Yahweh’s speech and find the repeated command in three verses.
Joshua 1:6, Joshua 1:7, Joshua 1:9
What does Joshua tell the people to do before they cross the Jordan?
Read Joshua’s first command and notice both the action and the time marker.
Joshua 1:10, Joshua 1:11
How do the people answer Joshua, and what serious warning appears at the end of their reply?
Notice their promise to obey and go, their wish that Yahweh be with Joshua, and the judgement warning in the final verse.
Joshua 1:16, Joshua 1:17, Joshua 1:18
Make, think or respond
Joshua 1 Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or markers
- scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Write or draw five moments from the passage on separate cards: Yahweh speaks to Joshua, be strong and courageous, prepare food, help your brothers, we will obey.
- Mix the cards and let children work alone or in pairs to place them in order from Joshua 1:1 to Joshua 1:18.
- Read the verses again and check the order together.
- Ask each child or pair to choose one card and explain what happens in that part of the passage.
This activity helps children sequence the passage and notice how Yahweh’s command leads to Joshua’s instructions and the people’s response.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the cards in advance with simple drawings and use three main parts: Yahweh speaks, Joshua commands, people answer.
- For older children, ask them to add a short verse phrase to each card, such as ‘be strong and courageous’ or ‘prepare food’, using words from the passage.
An optional closing prayer
‘God, thank you for speaking to Joshua. Please help us listen carefully, be strong and courageous, and do what is right.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Joshua 1
1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying,
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go across this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, even to the children of Israel.
3 I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.
5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.
6 “Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
9 Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
11 “Pass through the middle of the camp, and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare food; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which Yahweh your God gives you to possess.’ ”
12 Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, saying,
13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, saying, ‘Yahweh your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.
14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall live in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but you shall pass over before your brothers armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them
15 until Yahweh has given your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they have also possessed the land which Yahweh your God gives them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.’ ”
16 They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
17 Just as we listened to Moses in all things, so will we listen to you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, as he was with Moses.
18 Whoever rebels against your commandment, and doesn’t listen to your words in all that you command him shall himself be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.