Scripture: Joshua 5-6
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review how the Israelites persevered by walking around the Jericho wall in order to obey God.
- Students will learn different exercises they can do to develop endurance.
- Students will participate in an endurance sport that requires teamwork.
Guiding Question: What exercises can we do to build endurance?
Materials: objects to designate boundaries for soccer, kick ball
Procedure: Review the story of the fall of Jericho, focusing on how they had to persevere even when they became tired and discouraged. Explain how exercising is important. Exercising for a longer period of time is called endurance. It is good to practice endurance so that the heart and muscles can strengthen. Introduce different forms of exercises that target different muscle groups in the legs, arms, abs, etc. Demonstrate each for the students. Designate stations for each exercise. Students rotate through the stations doing seven of each. Do seven of each to reiterate how the Israelites had to walk for seven days. Examples of exercises: push-ups, jog, sit-ups for abs, Russian twist, bicycle (with back on floor), run backwards, jumping jacks, windmill toe-touch, leaps, crab walk (walk on hands and feet with stomach facing upward), bear walk (walk with hands on floor and arms/legs straight), frog jump (jump out starting with all hands and feet on ground), kangaroo jump (jump from as far down as kids can with knees to chest, then jump up and out as far as possible). Before students begin have them feel their heartbeat and then compare that to how it feels after they exercise.
For the next part of the activity, discuss the importance of teamwork. The Israelites had to all be involved together to go around the wall. Use the exercises to play soccer in a new, fun way. Let students chose one exercise which they will use to play a soccer game. For example, students can play soccer from the crab position or they might have to leap across the field as they play.
Additional Questions:
- How does it feel when you want to give up, but you keep going? What is an example?
- What other exercises and sports require endurance?
- List different exercises and have students touch the muscle area that the exercise targets.
Supplemental Activity: Dance is a great form endurance exercise. Have students chose a song and make up a dance routine in small groups.
Written by: Savannah Negas