Joshua and the Battle of Jericho Bible Lesson for Kids (7-10) |

In this post: Teach kids all about faith over fear with the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho Bible lesson for kids. Plus, get the printable activities.

The Bible is full of wonderful stories that teach us powerful lessons. The story of Joshua is one of those stories.

Joshua was the man who took over as the leader of Israel after Moses died. When Joshua became the leader, the people had been wandering in the desert for forty years.

While Joshua was a faithful follower of God, the Bible indicates that he was afraid. Joshua 1:9 portrays God’s words to Joshua: “Be not afraid.”

Only a few verses later, we read how Joshua and the children of Israel marched around the walls of Jericho. The city was nearly impenetrable, but Joshua had faith that God would win the battle.

Joshua and the Battle of Jericho is a powerful lesson for adults. But it’s also powerful for children. It reminds them that all of us are afraid sometimes. But God is always with us.

joshua and the battle of jericho bible lesson

This Bible lesson will help you show your kids that they can trust God!

Read to the bottom of this post for the full activity pack.

4 Tried-and-True Tips for Teaching Bible Stories to Kids

The Bible is a powerful tool all on its own. But there are ways to make it come alive so that kids can understand and enjoy the story. Here are a few tips to help kids get the most out of the David and Goliath lesson.

Teach from an open Bible. Even if you are using a printed lesson plan or visual aids as you teach the lesson of David and Goliath, keep your Bible open in front of you.
Make sure kids know it is a true story. Help your kids to understand this is a true story that really happened, and we know that because God wrote about it in His Word.
Get creative! Kids love it when a teacher/parent uses different voices and fun facial expressions while reading. You don’t have to be fancy, but make it fun!

Faith Over Fear: Joshua and the Battle of Jericho

Scripture Focus: Joshua 1:1–9; Joshua 6:1–20
Main Truth: We can choose faith over fear because God is with us.

The Story

Have you ever had to do something that seemed really hard?

Maybe you had to walk into a new classroom where you didn’t know anyone. Or you had to stand in front of people and speak. Maybe you heard a strange noise at night and suddenly felt afraid.

Sometimes being brave can feel difficult.

Joshua knew what it was like to face something difficult too.

For many years, Moses had been the leader of God’s people, the Israelites. But after Moses died, God chose Joshua to become their new leader.

That was a very big responsibility!

Joshua would have to lead thousands of people. There would be difficult decisions to make, enemies to face, and battles ahead. Joshua had plenty of reasons to be afraid of what might happen.

But God gave Joshua an important message.

God told him:

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed.” — Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Why could Joshua be courageous?

Was it because Joshua was the strongest man in the world? No.

Was it because Joshua knew exactly what would happen next? No.

God gave Joshua the reason at the end of the verse:

“For the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Joshua could have courage because God was with him.

Soon Joshua would need that courage.

God led the Israelites into the land He had promised them. But standing in their way was the city of Jericho.

Jericho had great walls surrounding it. Those walls must have seemed like an enormous problem. How were the Israelites supposed to get through them?

God had a plan—but it was probably not the kind of battle plan anyone expected.

God told Joshua that the Israelite soldiers should march around Jericho once each day for six days. Seven priests carrying trumpets would walk before the ark of the covenant.

Then, on the seventh day, everything would change.

They were to march around the city seven times. After that, the priests would blow their trumpets, and Joshua would tell the people to shout.

Imagine being one of those Israelites.

You might have looked up at Jericho’s huge walls and wondered, How is walking around this city going to make those walls come down?

Joshua could not see the ending yet.

But he knew the One who had given the instructions.

Joshua trusted God.

Day one—the Israelites marched around Jericho.

The walls were still standing.

Day two—they marched again.

The walls were still standing.

Day three, four, five, six.

Still, they followed God’s instructions.

Then came the seventh day.

This time, the Israelites marched around Jericho seven times. At Joshua’s command, the priests blew their trumpets.

Joshua told the people, “Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.” (Joshua 6:16, KJV)

The people shouted!

And then something amazing happened.

The wall fell down flat!

The Israelites went into the city just as God had promised. Jericho’s enormous walls had not been too strong for God.

Joshua had trusted God’s plan even when he could not see how it would work.

Faith Over Fear

Being courageous does not mean that nothing will ever seem scary.

Courage means we can trust God when we face things that could make us afraid.

Joshua did not know everything that would happen when God called him to lead Israel. He did not have all the answers. But he had something much more important:

He had God’s promise that God would be with him.

We have reasons to choose faith over fear too.

When school feels difficult, we can remember that God is with us.

When we have to do something new, we can ask God for courage.

When we are worried about what might happen tomorrow, we can remember God’s words to Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage.”

And when God’s way does not make sense to us right away, Joshua’s story reminds us that we can still trust and obey Him.

The walls of Jericho looked impossible to overcome.

But Joshua’s faith was not in himself.

Joshua trusted God—and God was faithful.

Memory Verse

“Have not I commanded thee? 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 (KJV)

(Feel free to shorten this verse for younger children!)

Discussion Questions

What big responsibility did God give Joshua after Moses died?
What did God tell Joshua to do instead of being afraid or discouraged?
Why could Joshua be strong and courageous?
What unusual instructions did God give Joshua for defeating Jericho?
Do you think it might have been difficult to keep marching when the walls did not fall on the first day? Why?
What did Joshua’s obedience show about his trust in God?
What is something in your life that sometimes makes you afraid or worried?
How can remembering that God is with you help you choose faith over fear?

Closing Thought

When something seems too difficult, too big, or too scary, remember Joshua. You do not have to know exactly how everything will work out before you trust God.

Be strong. Be courageous. Trust God. Choose faith over fear.

Activity Ideas

Faith Over Fear Cards — Give each child a small piece of paper. On one side, have them write or draw something that can make them feel afraid. On the other side, have them write: “God is with me!” Read Joshua 1:9 together and remind them that when fear comes, they can remember God’s promise to be with them.
March and Shout — Have the children stand and march around the room together while you briefly remind them how Israel marched around Jericho. After one trip around the room, stop and ask, “What did Joshua do when God’s plan seemed unusual?” Answer together: “He trusted and obeyed God!” Finish with everyone saying, “Be strong and courageous!”
Courage Coloring Page — Give each child a blank sheet of paper and ask them to draw a simple picture of the walls of Jericho. Above their picture, have them write “FAITH OVER FEAR,” and underneath it, “Be strong and of a good courage.” — Joshua 1:9. While they color, talk about one way they can trust God when they feel afraid this week.