In this short children’s religious lesson, the adult leader (Speaker A) reviews the week’s teachings with a child (Speaker B) named Malachi. They recall the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea, discuss the Jordan River as the gateway to the Promised Land, and emphasize that Joshua will lead the people into that land. The conversation repeatedly stresses trusting God, even when facing giants, lack of food, or war, and highlights the Ten Commandments as a guide. The leader concludes by encouraging hope for the future, assuring that God will always provide, protect, and give strength. The tone is conversational, encouraging, and supportive, with an enthusiastic, hopeful sentiment throughout.
Chapters
Hi kids, welcome back. What an amazing week we've had this week when we've learned so much. Malachi, look at you. You're sitting, you're happy, you're at peace. Do you remember all the things that we've learned this week? You remember the very first day we learned— what did we learn?
Well, we were, uh, it was you were crossing the Red Sea, and I was so worried because the Egyptians, they were coming up and they were going to kill us.
That's right. What do you see in front of us right now? What is that?
The Jordan River.
You do. It's beautiful, isn't it? And do you know what's just on the other side of the Jordan River?
The Promised Land.
The Promised Land. Now, I have to tell you, I'm not gonna go into the Promised Land with you, but you will be led there by someone else that God has chosen. Joshua will lead you into the Promised Land. Did you know, did God, has God been leading us in the last 40 years?
Yeah.
Oh, it's kind of a trick question. It is, isn't it? Because I've been there, but it's not me that's been leading, it is God that's been leading. So God shows us the way.
Yeah, God will guide us.
He will. And the second thing we learn is when you look through that Jordan, beyond the Jordan, what's over there? Are you scared about what's over there? Is there going to be enough food? What are you going to eat when you get there?
Well, I mean, we had quail and manna when we were wandering through the desert, but I've been told by Caleb and Joshua about the wonderful milk and honey that we'll find over there. I'm not worried at all because, yeah, I think if I've learned anything from all the things we've went through is that God will give us what we need.
Also, trust God. That's very good. And oh, but what about, you remember they said there's giants over there. And I can see just from here, I can see the walls of Jericho over there, and they're really big. How are you gonna be brave enough? How's God gonna be, what's gonna happen? Are you gonna be okay? Are you gonna be strong enough?
Well, we were worried about the Amalekites, right? We were worried about their army coming to wage war on us as the Israelites. And we were, I know a lot of the Israelites you were telling me were very nervous. And I mean, we might not have you holding a staff over us anymore, but we still have God watching over us. So God will give us strength.
So trust God. That's so true. And so now you're there and you're fighting the enemy and God is protecting you and giving you strength. And how are you going to know that as you keep going deeper and deeper into that promised land, Is God going to be with you? Are you sure? How do you know?
Well, yeah, I was worried at first when I was thinking about the Promised Land 40 years ago, when we first got here and the 12 spies went out. And things have changed though, because over this time I've seen you with the Ten Commandments. I remember when we got them, when you came back and I was looking all over for you, and then You showed me how the Ten Commandments would help guide me. So with the Ten Commandments, I'm certain we'll be fine because God will guide us.
So trust God. And you know, there's one more thing I hope you take with you, and I know you will because you have Joshua there with you and you have God with you, is that you can always have hope because every time you've needed God, he's shown up, hasn't he? And so no matter what happens, even when you feel like there's so much evil, so much danger, so much things against you, you can trust that God will be there because he's always provided for us. And he always gives us strength and he always gives us all that we need, provides everything, and he guides us so we can have hope that there is a future and that the promised land will be there for us, and God will always be with us every step of the way. So we can have hope. So trust God.
