Kings and Prophets · Lesson 1
The Walls of Jericho
Joshua 6:1-27; Joshua 2:1-21 Old Testament PrincipleObedience
God told Israel to march around Jericho for seven days, and when they trusted and obeyed, God made the walls fall down flat.
We obey God because He loves us and His ways are good, even when we don't understand His plan.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.”
Hebrews 11:30 BSB
Christ Connection · Better than
Joshua led God's people into the land God promised, but Hebrews says Joshua could not give them the rest God really meant. Jesus, whose name is the same as Joshua's, is the greater Savior. He brings His people into God's true rest and saves them from their sins.
Matthew 1:21; Hebrews 4:8-10; Matthew 1:5
The Big Story · Redemption
God kept His promise to Abraham by bringing Israel into the land and giving them its first city. The first family saved in Jericho, Rahab's, became part of the family line of Jesus, the greater Joshua.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Instructions that seem strange
- Theo’s Workshop (build challenge): Wall builders
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: March around Jericho
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
I can obey God.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: March around Jericho, Color the trumpet
- 7 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
God made Jericho's walls fall when His people trusted and obeyed Him.
Start here
Ask, "What's the biggest wall you've ever seen?" Let a few kids answer. Say, "Today God's people came to a city with huge walls. God gave them a very strange plan to get in!"
Bible story 6 min
God's people had crossed the Jordan River. Now they came to a city called Jericho. It had big, thick walls. The gates were locked tight.
A woman named Rahab lived in a house on the wall. She said, "I know your God is the true God." She hung a red rope in her window so her family would be safe.
God told Joshua, "I have given you Jericho. March around the city one time each day for six days. The priests will blow horns. On day seven, march around seven times. Then shout!"
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Count the laps 8 min
You’ll need: Paper or plastic cups (lots), Cardboard tubes or rolled paper
- Build a cup wall. Kids march around it once for each of six "days," holding up a finger for each day.
- On "day seven," march seven times, counting out loud. Then shout and gently knock the wall down.
- Ask, "How many laps was that in all?" (13!)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
God gave Israel a strange plan to take Jericho, and when they trusted and obeyed, God made the walls fall.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: God's battle plan, Make a shofar
- 7 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at school, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
God gave Jericho to Israel through faith and obedience, pointing to Jesus, the greater Joshua, who wins our salvation and brings us into God's rest.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The greater Joshua, When obeying seems strange
- 7 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with friends, online and on screens, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons from this story
Same Bible story, a different principle.
More lessons on Obedience
The same principle in other Bible stories.
With Building BricksThe Tower of Babel: ObedienceGenesis 9:1; Genesis 11:1-9; John 6:38After the flood, God told Noah's family to spread out and fill the earth. But years later, people stayed together in one place and said, "Let's build a tower up to the sky, so we will not be scattered." They used baked bricks and tar to build a city and a tower. God saw what they were doing. He mixed up their language so they could not understand each other, and they had to stop building. Then God spread them out over the whole earth, just as He had planned. Obedience means doing what God says, because His plan is good.Old TestamentObedience
With Building BricksThe Wise and Foolish BuildersMatthew 7:24-29; Luke 6:46-49Jesus told about two builders. The wise one built on the rock and his house stood through the storm. Jesus says those who hear His words and do them are like the wise builder.New TestamentObedience
The Gates of JerusalemThe Gates of Jerusalem: The Old GateNehemiah 3:5-12; Nehemiah 3:27; Jeremiah 6:16; Hebrews 13:8; 1 Corinthians 3:11Next along Nehemiah's wall came the Old Gate. Builders gave it new beams and doors. They built the wall back on its old foundations. Some important men refused to help, but goldsmiths, perfume makers and a ruler's daughters picked up stones. God's way is like that old gate. It's not good because it's old. It's good because it's God's. Jesus never changes, and He is the foundation we build our lives on.Old TestamentObedience
Seeing God's WorldGod’s Design for FamilyDeuteronomy 6:4-9; Ephesians 6:1-4; Psalm 68:5-6Before Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses told parents to love God with all their hearts and to talk about His words at home all day long. Later Paul wrote to children, "Obey your parents in the Lord." God designed the family, and families grow strong when they build on His Word.Old TestamentObedience
The Ten CommandmentsExodus 19:1-20:21; Exodus 31:18; Matthew 22:34-40God rescued His people from slavery in Egypt. Then at Mount Sinai He gave them Ten Commandments, showing them how to love Him and love each other. God's rescue came first, and His good commands show the rescued how to live.Old TestamentObedience
Balaam’s DonkeyNumbers 22:1–24:19King Balak paid Balaam to curse God's people. On the way, Balaam's donkey saw the angel of the LORD and stopped, and God made her talk! Balaam could only say the words God gave him, so he blessed Israel three times. God's word never changes, so we listen and obey Him the first time.Old TestamentObedience