📖

The Battle at Ai

Achan's Hidden Sin

Day 101of 180
Week 21of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)

Learning Objectives

1

Understand that disobedience has consequences

2

Learn about the importance of following God's instructions

3

Develop empathy for how sin affects a whole community

Joshua 7:1-5

But the children of Israel committed a trespass concerning the devoted things; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the devoted things. So Yahweh's anger burned against the children of Israel.

Joshua 7:1-5 (WEB)

Demonstrates how one person's sin can impact an entire community

📦 Materials Needed

  • World English Bible
  • Picture of a tent
  • Small toy soldiers
  • Treasure pictures
  • BibleMouse Resource Guide

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Today's BibleMouse lesson continues our adventure with Joshua and the Israelites after their amazing victory at Jericho!

💭 Review Question: Can you remember how God helped the Israelites win at Jericho?
2Teaching (8 min)

In our last lesson, we learned how God helped the Israelites win at Jericho. Now, they were ready to take a small city called Ai. But something unexpected happened!

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Joshua sent scouts to check out Ai
  • The scouts said it was a small city
  • Israel thought the battle would be easy
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What do you think happened when they tried to fight?
  • How do you think Joshua felt when they lost?
3Activity: The Surprising Battle (10 min)
storytelling

Act out the story of the battle using toy soldiers, showing how the Israelites were surprised and sad

📝 Instructions:
  1. Arrange toy soldiers to represent Israelite army
  2. Pretend to march toward Ai
  3. Demonstrate soldiers running away
  4. Show Joshua looking confused and sad
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use fewer soldiers and simplify movements

Challenge: Have child narrate the story while acting

4Closing (3 min)

Sometimes things don't go the way we expect, but God is always in control

📝 Review Questions:
  • What happened in our story today?
  • How do you think Joshua felt?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to always trust and obey You, even when things seem difficult.

Coming up: Tomorrow, we'll learn why the Israelites lost the battle!

Joshua 24:15

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Create a family poster with the verse, letting child decorate and practice writing key words

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

This lesson introduces the concept of corporate consequences in biblical narrative

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use gentle, age-appropriate language
  • Focus on God's love more than punishment
  • Encourage questions and discussion
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it hard to understand how one person's actions can affect everyone

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's understanding of obedience and community

Extension Activities

  • Create a simple timeline of Joshua's battles
  • Draw a picture of the battle scene
  • Use BibleMouse Printables Library for related worksheets

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 102Back to Bible