MATERIALS LIST

COLOR SWATCH

3RD & 4TH

GRADE

Lesson 1September 6, 2020

Teacher Devotional

Leader or follower? The world says that we are to be either a leader or a follower, but the Lord commands us to be both. In Matthew 4:19, we find Jesus calling four fishermen to follow Him, but it is also in this verse that we find Him calling us to follow. After salvation, Jesus expects His children to be faithful, not just in following, but also in leading (1 Corinthians 4:2). He wants us to follow Him so that we can lead others to Him. So, the question remains, leader or follower? As you study the Word this week, ask the Lord to help you be a faithful follower of Him and a faithful leader for Him.

Background Commentary

For the past forty years, the nation of Israel had been led by God through the person of Moses. Now, the nation of Israel stands at the edge of the Jordan River, ready to cross over and inhabit the Promised Land with their new, God-appointed leader—Joshua (Deuteronomy 1:38; 3:28).

God’s plan for Joshua and the people of Israel began with assuring and encouraging words. Within the eighteen verses of Joshua 1, God encouraged Joshua over and over again with phrases such as, “be strong,” “very courageous,” “of a good courage,” “be not afraid” and “I will be with thee.”

In Joshua 1:8, God told Joshua that prosperity and good success in his new leadership position would be the result of following His instructions as they were written in the Law. After being commissioned and encouraged by the Lord, Joshua immediately got to work organizing the nation of Israel in preparation for crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land. Joshua had faith in God’s plan for his life!

Lesson 1

9 - 6 - 2020 Scripture Text: Joshua 1:1-9

Application: I must have faith in God’s plan for me.

Memory Verse: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9

Basic classroom supplies

SPLAT 3rd & 4th Grade Student Leaflet and sticker page

SPLAT 3rd & 4th Grade Visuals: Attendance Chart The ABC’s of Salvation Visual Lesson 1 Apply Visual Lesson 1 Learn Visual

SPLAT Tell Card

A pool noodle

Two inflated balloons

Choose one or more:

Begin on page 3 of the student leaflet by telling your students that successful completion of this activity depends upon following these directions:

1. Draw a black box around the children. 2. Draw two brown lines down from the black box. 3. Draw a purple triangle on the top of the black box. 4. Draw a green tree top around the box and triangle. 5. Add an orange ladder underneath the black box.

Result—a black tree house with a purple roof and an orange ladder. Connect this activity to their lives by explaining that success in life comes when they follow God’s plan and directions.

Cut apart Lesson 1 Learn Visual. Have students put the pictures in order. Explain how God’s plan of salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Welcome any questions they may have about salvation.

Display the Lesson 1 Apply Visual. Discuss some plans that they have for the future. Remind them to seek God’s plan for their lives through prayer and Bible study.

BONUS ACTIVITIESGet your students up and moving by playing Follow the Leader game.

Continue to emphasize the importance of following directions by beginning a game of Simon Says.

Play Mother, May I? with the students.

Choose one or more:

Review the lesson memory verses as you hand out the Tell Cards.

Direct your students’ attention to the calendar on page 4 of the student leaflet. Let a volunteer read aloud the directions on side two of the Tell Card. Answer any questions they may have about this activity. Share some of your own plans with them.

If there are any upcoming church activities or events for this month, have your students go ahead and fill-in these dates on their calendar. Invite them to add a special sticker or symbol to these event dates. Emphasize that God desires and deserves to be a part of their daily plans. He wants them to seek His guidance as they make plans.

PERFECTLY PREPAREDPROSPEROUS PLANS

Before class, hang The ABC’s of Salvation Visual in a well-seen place in your classroom. Display the attendance chart in your classroom, and invite your students to write their names on the September paint can and add their attendance and Bible stickers for today. Adding stickers to the attendance chart will be an activity for each week. Ten stickers are provided for each month per child. Encourage your students to attend and bring their Bibles each Sunday. Then review The ABC’s of Salvation Visual.

Choose one or more:

Create a barbell by attaching an inflated balloon to each end of a pool noodle. Give each student an opportunity to lift the barbell. Explain that true strength is not gained from using weights, but from trusting God.

First, have your students read the title, “Perfectly Prepared Prosperous Plans” from the front of their student leaflets. Then, ask them to read it five more times, as fast as they can. By the fifth time, some of your students will probably be saying, “Perfectly Prepared Prosperous Pans,” not to mention laughing! By the way, laughter is a great way to build and strengthen bonds and create a classroom community. Take a few minutes to talk about the title and what the words mean. Ask your students where plans like these can be found.

Ask for volunteers to briefly share about a time when they tried something new, and who provided encouragement for them. Maybe share an example from your own life. Tie students’ responses to the lesson by introducing them to Joshua—a man who had to do something new and relied on God for encouragement, strength and courage.

Pray time is an excellent transition to the Learn time. Ask God to help your students focus, listen and be respectful as the Bible lesson is taught.

Consider developing a class signal for this time—a finger to the lips or touching the elbow.

Invite your students to share prayer requests. Think about designating a special piece of paper or a spot on the whiteboard where these prayer requests can be written each week.

Read Joshua 1:1-9 from your Bible, and encourage your students to follow along in their Bibles. You can also use the narrative on page 1 of the student leaflet.

Choose one or more:

Give students an active part in this portion of class by asking them to listen for three special words (courage, courageous, strong) as you read Joshua 1:1-9. Instruct them to make a special motion (raise one hand, stomp one foot or snap) every time they hear these words.

As you read today’s Scripture text, take time to build their understanding of the text by explaining verses they may not fully understand. Asking for any questions when you finish reading is always a good idea, too! Once you have finished reading the lesson text, ask for a student volunteer to read the narrative on the front of the student leaflet. Spend a few minutes looking at the picture and discussing any questions they might have about God’s plan for Joshua’s life. Discuss how God encouraged Joshua to follow His plan. Tip: To ensure each student has a Bible during class time, keep a few extra Bibles in your classroom.

Work this week’s memory verse by using the barbell from the Share activity. Have students lift it each time they say a word of the memory verse.

Write each word of the memory verse on an index card and randomly lay them out. Let students actively participate in putting these cards in order. Cooperative learning helps students build and strengthen bonds with each other.

Connect the Old Testament Bible verse (Joshua 1:8) directly to the lives of your students. Reread Joshua 1:8 and help your students understand that this verse is for them, too! God’s plan for mankind (everyone) is perfect, prepared and prosperous! This plan is written in His Word! Take a few moments to explain how they can know His plan by spending time in prayer and Bible study. Use this verse as a connection to God’s plan of salvation—Jesus. You can tell of the life of Jesus by using the Lesson 1 Learn Visual.

Suggested Scriptures to help you connect today’s lesson to Jesus are John 3:16; John 14:6; Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8, 9.

As a review of today’s Bible lesson, complete the crossword puzzle on page 2 of the student leaflet. Answers: Across—2. follow, 5. strong, 6. Joshua; Down: 1. Moses, 2. faith, 3. Jordan, 4. God