Scripture: Joshua 5-6
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review the story of Jericho.
- Students will participate in an activity in which they must trust the instructor and follow directions to recreate a picture without knowing the end result.
- Students will learn the importance of trusting God and obeying him even when we don’t not understand.
Guiding Questions:
How can we follow directions to make a picture even when we do not know what the end result will be?
Why should we obey God even when we do not understand his instructions?
Materials: grid paper, markers
Procedure: Review the story of Jericho focusing on how the Israelites had to trust God even though they did not understand why they had to march around the wall. This happens with us today. God’s Word might instruct you to do things that you do not want to do and you do not understand why you have to do it, but we must trust that God knows best. In the end it will be good.
Give students markers and graph paper. The teacher will already have a design of a scene, object, etc. on their key paper. The teacher should make a picture on the grid paper. Students are not allowed to see this paper. The teacher will then instruct the students in how to replicate their design by giving verbal directions. The directions should seem random. Tie in some map/math concepts by labeling the grid so that students can identify squares by their x and y axis. Label the squares horizontal across the bottom, A, B, C, D, etc. Label the squares vertical 1,2,3,4 etc. They will treat these like coordinates on a graph or map. Students then tell each other where to draw by saying color square B4 blue (or whatever letter/number combination they would like to use).
Students can guess as they work further on the activity what the picture will be when it is finished. Discuss how even though they didn’t know what the finished picture would be they had to trust that the teacher would make sure it was a nice picture. Make the connection that they need to trust God when He tells them to do something.
Additional Questions:
- What are some things you have to do and you do not understand why? Then ask the class why they think they have to do it.
Supplemental Activity: Let students come up with their own designs and try them out on a partner. They take the teacher role.