Lesson

Be Strong and Courageous Sunday School Lesson for Kids

A free Be Strong and Courageous Sunday school lesson (Joshua 1:1–9) in four age levels, preschool to preteen, with a game, story, memory verse and take-home.

Preschool–Grade 6

Be Strong and Courageous Sunday School Lesson for Kids

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Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.

Ages: Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Preteen (5–6)
Time: 20–60 minutes (depends on the age level)
Scripture: Joshua 1:1–9
Bible story: Be Strong and Courageous (Joshua)

What you need

A Bible (mark Joshua 1:2, Joshua 1:5 and Joshua 1:9)
Bibles for the kids to look up verses (3rd grade and up)
Masking tape for two lines on the floor (a "river Jordan")
7 paper strips, a marker and tape (memory verse game, kindergarten to 2nd grade)
A paper plate or a light book for each team (3rd to 5th grade game)
A whiteboard or large paper and a marker (3rd grade and up)
Paper and pencils (preteens)
Printed take-home sheets, one per child
Printed Be Strong and Courageous word search and crayons for early finishers

This free Be Strong and Courageous Sunday school lesson teaches kids to be strong and brave because God is with them. After Moses died, the LORD told Joshua, "arise, go over this Jordan" (Joshua 1:2), promised, "as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee" (1:5), and said, "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" (1:9). It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families.

Choose your age level

Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a strong arms game, a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("Be strong and of a good courage") with a motion, and a step-over-the-river activity.
Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: the Listen and Go game, the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, the Strong Steps verse game with seven paper strips, and an Over the Jordan game.
3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: a don't-turn-aside balance game, kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (who Joshua was, God's promise, "be strong" three times, the book of the law, and the people's answer), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read Joshua 1:1–18 out loud themselves, then discuss loss and change, courage and obedience, drifting from God's Word, and courage that comes from God's presence. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Joshua 1:9 and Isaiah 41:10).

Lesson at a glance

Bible passage: Joshua 1:1–9
Main point: Be strong and of a good courage, because God is with you wherever you go.
Memory verse: Joshua 1:9 (KJV), with Isaiah 41:10 added for preteens
Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

Opening game: a short game about listening, going, or staying on the path.
Bible story: Moses is dead and God tells Joshua to arise and go over this Jordan (Joshua 1:1–2), God promises to be with him (1:5), tells him three times to be strong (1:6, 1:7, 1:9), and tells him to meditate on the book of the law day and night (1:8). Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
Memory verse: a game or motion to help kids learn Joshua 1:9.
What this means for us: God is with us, Jesus is "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
Activity: the word search, crossword, maze, worksheet, the Be Strong and Courageous craft, a step-over-the-river game, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
Prayer.

Tips for teaching Be Strong and Courageous

Read Joshua 1:9 straight from your Bible. The heart of the story is why Joshua could be brave: "the LORD thy God is with thee."
The KJV says "Be strong and of a good courage" (1:6, 1:9) and "be thou strong and very courageous" (1:7). The lessons explain the old words.
In Joshua 1 the people have not crossed the Jordan yet. They come to it in Joshua 3:1 and pass over on dry ground in 3:17.
Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this Be Strong and Courageous lesson take?

It depends on the age level. The preschool lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes, the kindergarten to 2nd grade lesson about 45 minutes, and the 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons 45 to 60 minutes. For a short class, do the story, three questions and the memory verse.

Where does the Bible say "be strong and of a good courage"?

In Joshua 1, the LORD said it to Joshua three times: "Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1:6), "be thou strong and very courageous" (1:7), and "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" (1:9). Moses had said it to Joshua before (Deuteronomy 31:7).

What is the main point of Joshua 1 for kids?

Be strong and of a good courage, because God is with you. After Moses died, the LORD told Joshua to lead the people over the Jordan and promised, "as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee" (Joshua 1:5). He told Joshua to keep His Word day and night (1:8).

Did Joshua cross the Jordan in Joshua 1?

Not yet. In Joshua 1 the LORD told him, "arise, go over this Jordan" (1:2), and Joshua told the people to get ready, "for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan" (1:11). They came to Jordan in Joshua 3:1 and passed over on dry ground in 3:17.