unit 6: life of joshua ot6.2 rahab and the spies lesson€¦ · ot6.2 rahab and the spies ©beverly...

1

OT6.2 Rahab and the Spies ©Beverly Wilson 2017

Unit 6: Life of Joshua OT6.2 Rahab and the Spies Lesson

Scripture: Joshua 2

Lesson Goal: Joshua was a leader of God's people. God chose him to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. This lesson is about how one woman named Rahab believed in God's power and put her trust in Him.

Introduction: This is second lesson in Unit 6: Life of Joshua. This lesson is about how one woman named Rahab believed in God's power and put her trust in Him. This lesson is found in the book of Joshua. Joshua is the first Book of History in the Old Testament and was written by Joshua himself. This book tells the history of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. Let’s say the Old Testament Books of history together—Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, I Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

Attention Getter: Play the game: “To Tell the Truth.” This game is based on the television show. Divide your class into two teams. One team will be the panelists and the other will be the challengers. The panelists are to guess which one on the team of challengers is not telling the truth. Each one of the challengers must answer a question by the moderator or teacher. The questions will be simple such as “What is your favorite color?” “What is your favorite television show?”or “What is your favorite food?” The challengers decide among themselves who will be an imposter or “tell a lie”. The panelists are to decide who is not telling the truth. The idea is to try to fool the team of challengers.

Optional: Have students tell about commercials that they have watched on television. Some people boast about their products and tell you that they are the best. Do you believe everything that you hear? Which ones do you think exaggerate the truth or tell a lie? (Have students respond.)

Some things you hear are true and some are not true. How do you know the difference? How do people decide whether or not to believe something? First of all you need to decide if the person you are listening to is trustworthy. Then you need to think about whether or not it makes sense. And, it helps to ask another person you trust what they think.

Some things are very important to believe such as God loves us and He died for our sins. But how do we know these things are true? Sometimes we believe in something because of what other people have told us. Today we’re going to talk about our choice to believe in God and trust in Him.

Opening Prayer: Let's pray. "Father in heaven, Rahab saw Your power and decided to put her faith in You to save her from her sins. Help us to see Your power as you answer our prayers and help us do right. I pray that You will give us the ability to always put our faith in You no matter what situation we find ourselves in. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen."

Memory Verse: The memory verse is Jeremiah 10:10 "The Lord is the true God; he is the living God."

Lesson Video: https://youtu.be/HXqoGkeAZA0

God had done many amazing miracles to help the Israelites. He had freed them from slavery in Egypt. When Moses lifted his rod God opened the Red Sea so they could escape on dry land. God then drowned Pharaoh's army. God had given the people food and water in the desert for 40 years. Manna was on the ground for them to pick up and eat. Moses struck the rock and water poured out

https://youtu.be/HXqoGkeAZA0

2


of the ground. God had also defeated the Amalekites--the army that attacked the people of Israel. With the help of Hur and Aaron, Moses kept his rod raised high in the air so the Israelites would win.

Now God had brought the Israelites to the edge of Canaan. God told Moses that he would not lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses called everyone together and gave instructions to his successor Joshua. “Be strong and courageous for you are to lead these people into the land the Lord has promised to them. The Lord goes before you and will never leave or forsake you. Don’t be afraid or become discouraged.”

After Moses died, Joshua and the people camped at Abel-Shittim on the east bank of the River Jordan. They were getting ready to cross the river. They were headed to the city of Jericho about five miles west of the Jordan River. The Israelites were about to enter the land that God had promised them. He had chosen Joshua as their leader. But God didn't do all of this just to help the Israelites.

God also wanted the people in the surrounding nations to know about His power so that they could trust in Him too. God wanted to show that He is far greater than all the false gods the people in Canaan worshipped. In the city of Jericho were many people who did obey God. They worshipped idols instead of the true God. And, because they believed in false gods, God wanted the children of Israel to wipe them out.

God told Joshua, “Get ready to cross the River Jordan. Every place you set foot on I will give you and nobody will be able to stand in your way. I will never leave you or let you down. Be strong and show courage. Obey God’s law and think deeply about it then you will be successful.”

Joshua ordered those in charge of the people, “Go through the camp and tell everyone to pack up and get ready to move. In three days’ time we will cross the River Jordan and take over the land God has promised to us.” The people answered, “What you have commanded we will do. Just as we obeyed Moses we will obey you. May God be with you as He was with Moses.”

Joshua could see the city of Jericho from the Israelite's camp across the Jordan River. It was just twelve miles away. Jericho was a beautiful city with springs of water and many palm trees. It was known as the “City of Palms.” Many people traveled to Jericho to buy and sell goods.

Jericho was built like a fortress. It had huge strong double walls surrounding it. The walls were so thick and strong that the houses were built right into the walls. The people of Jericho had their own army and they trusted in the strong walls around their city.

In order to fight the battle of Jericho Joshua needed to find out as much as he could about the city and the people who lived there. He wanted to find out how strong their army was and what would be the best way to capture the city.

Secretly Joshua chose two men he trusted to be spies. He told them, "Go quietly and find out all you can about Jericho and the land around it." The two spies packed what they needed and set off, doing their best not to be seen by ANYONE.

They crossed the Jordan River and then quietly went through the gates into the city of Jericho. They probably tried to blend into the crowd as they entered the city of Jericho so they would not be noticed but God led them to a house on the wall.

The house that the spies entered was the house of a woman named Rahab. Rahab was a harlot or prostitute and she often took strangers and visitors into her home. Just like many people in Jericho Rahab had heard about the Israelites and the amazing ways that God was helping them. But unlike most people in Jericho, Rahab believed that God is the one true God.

3


Unfortunately the spies had been spotted as they entered the city. The King of Jericho was warned. ““Look some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” The King gave orders for his soldiers to go to Rahab’s house and arrest them.

Rahab however sensed that her visitors were in danger. If the king of Jericho found out that she was helping the Israelites they would all probably be killed! So she decided to hide the spies on the flat roof of her house under some stalks of flax she was drying. She told the men to lie very quietly while she carefully scattered the stalks of flax over them so they were completely hidden.

When the soldiers arrived, they said, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to spy out all the country. The king demands that you turn them over us!” But Rahab was determined to protect the spies!

She said, "Yes the men came to me but I didn't know where they were from!" She told the soldiers that the men had already gone. "They haven't been gone long!" she said. "They left right before it got dark. I don't know which way they went. But if you hurry you might catch up with them."

The soldiers believed her and hurried away. The soldiers hurried out of the city and along the road to the Jordan River searching for the spies. As soon as the soldiers went out, the heavy gates to the city were shut so no one else in the city could leave.

Rahab shut the door and ran up to the roof. She told the men what had happened. "I know that your God is the true God." Rahab said. "Your God is not like any that any of the idols the people of Jericho worship. Everyone has heard how He has helped your people. We heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea so you could come out of Egypt and how you completely destroyed the armies of the Armorites with God's help. Everyone is very afraid of you. But I know that the Lord has given you this land of Jericho. I have saved your lives because I believe this.

Rahab saw the power of the one true God and she had decided to put her faith in God to save her from her sins and chose to follow Him by helping the spies! As we see God’s power, we can choose to believe in Him and trust Him in all situations, just like Rahab did!

Then Rahab began to plead with the spies. "Please, since I've shown you this kindness, I have one thing to ask. Will you show kindness to me and my family? When your army comes to take over the city, will you promise to protect my father and mother, my brothers and my sisters? The two spies answered, "We will--but you must promise not to tell anyone of our mission here. We promise to treat you kindly when we return. Our lives for your lives!"

Rahab's house was on the city wall and it had a window that opened to the outside of the wall. Rahab brought a red rope to the window and let it down to the outside. The men said, "Tie this rope to your window. When we come with our army, we will know that this is your house and we will leave it alone. Bring all your family into this house. Remember only the people in this house will be saved!" The spies climbed down the rope hung from the window. Hand over hand, down the rope the spies went.

Rahab called to them, "Go hide in the hills for three days. By then the king's men will have returned and you will be safe." The men said good-by and climbed out the window and ran for the hills.

Rahab tied the scarlet rope in the window as she had been told. The spies disappeared silently into the darkness. The spies hid in the hills around Jericho until it was safe for them to cross the river Jordan and return to the Israelites’ camp.

They hurried back to Joshua to give their report. They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land to us. All the people are melting in fear because of us!”

4


Joshua was ready to move the Israelites into the Promised Land. But how could so many people cross the river Jordan especially since it was flooded. Going into Jericho would still be a huge task.

All the people of Jericho had heard about God’s amazing power. They knew what He had done for the Israelites. But it was Rahab who took the step of faith. She chose to believe and trust the God she had heard about. We will see later how her faith would make a difference for her whole family.

Every day God’s power helps us, even when we don’t realize it! We can learn about God’s power through the Bible stories we hear. Once we know about God’s great power, we can choose to believe in Him and put our trust in Him about any situation we may face. Trusting in God means we obey His Word, depend on Him to help us do what is right and good.

You too can believe in Jesus just like Rahab did. The red cord that Rahab put in the window saved her family from destruction. The cord is a picture of how Jesus' blood saves us and makes a way for us to go to heaven. Rahab believed in God's great power. All her sins were forgiven even the lie she told to protect the spies.

We too must believe that God can forgive us our sins. We must believe that His Son Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for what we have done that is wrong. When we believe in His power to save us, we ask Him to take away our sin and make a place for us in heaven.

Let's believe and trust in God!

Review Questions: “Journey into Jericho” Preparation: Print the game board and game cards below on poster board. Cut game cards apart. You will also need small items to use as game markers such as pennies or buttons. Procedure: Place game board face up on a table or floor so all the teams can see it. Divide your class into two teams. Have students on each team take turns answering the following questions. Students who answer correctly may draw a game card and follow the instructions on the cards. After reading the card and answering the question the student may move the team’s marker the number of spaces indicated on the card and on any space where he or she lands.

1. What miracles had God performed for the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land? (He had divided the Red Sea so they could walk across on dry land. He had given them food and water in the desert. He had given them victory over their enemies.)

2. Who was the leader that God chose to bring them out of Egypt and to lead them for 40 years in the wilderness? (God called Moses and gave him the power to lead the Israelites.)

3. Who had God chosen to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land to conquer it? (God chose Joshua, one of the two spies that had returned a good report about the Promised Land.)

4. Why did God not allow Moses to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land? (He had not obeyed God by striking the rock twice in order for water to spring forth.)

5. Where had Joshua led the children of Israel in order to enter the Promised Land? (They were camped at Abel-Shittim on the east bank of the River Jordan. They were ready to cross the Jordan River.)

6. What did Joshua tell the leaders of the Israelites to do? (They were to tell the people to get ready to enter the Promised Land in three days.)

7. How did the people respond to Joshua’s leadership? (They believed that God had chosen him to lead them. They were willing to follow and obey the commands of Joshua. They asked God to bless him and give him wisdom and victory in battle.)

8. What did Joshua see as he looked across the Jordan River toward the city of Jericho? (He saw a beautiful city called the City of Palms. Jericho was built like a fortress. It had huge

5


strong double walls surrounding it. The walls were so thick and strong that the houses were built right into the walls. The people of Jericho had their own army and they trusted in the strong walls around their city.)

9. What did Joshua decided to do secretly? (He chose two loyal men to go into Jericho as spies and to check out the city as to how powerful their army was.)

10. Where did the spies go when they entered the city? (God directed them to the house of Rahab the harlot.)

11. Why did God choose this place for them to go? (God knew the heart of Rahab and her faith in Him. It was a good safe place for them to find out the news of the city.)

12. What did Rahab know about God’s power? (Rahab had heard about how the God of the Israelites had brought them across the Red Sea and had given them victory over the Amorites. She believed in the living God of Israel not the idols of the city.)

13. What did Rahab do to show that she believed in God and trusted Him? (She hid the spies and helped them escape from Jericho.)

14. What lie did she tell the king’s soldiers? (She said she did not know where the strangers were from and that they had already left her house. She told them to go search for the spies along the Jordan River.)

15. Where had Rahab hidden the two spies? (She had hidden them in the sheaves of flax that was drying on her roof.)

16. What request did Rahab make in exchange for hiding the spies? (She asked that the Israelite army spare her and her family when they conquered the city.)

17. How were the Israelites to know which house belonged to Rahab? (The spies told her to hang the red rope in her window and they would spare her and her family.)

18. What promise did God make to us that the red rope reminds us? (The red rope reminds us of the blood of Christ was shed on Calvary for the payment of our sins.)

19. Why should we choose to believe in God? (God’s Word is true and has proven itself throughout the ages. Others have believed and given testimony that God is powerful. God has told us that if we believe that we will receive eternal life in heaven.)

20. Was Rahab justified in telling a lie to save the spies? (No, lying is always wrong but God forgave her because she had faith in Him. God could have saved them without her lying.)

21. What is our memory verse? (Jeremiah 10:10 "The Lord is the true God; he is the living God.")

Bible Memory Verse Activity: “Fabric Balls” Our memory verse is Jeremiah 10:10 "The Lord is the true God; he is the living God." Have students locate the verse in scripture and repeat together several times. Say: “This verse is similar to what Rahab said about God. She knew that the God of Israel was more powerful than any other god. She trusted in Him to save her and her family.” Let’s say our verse again together. Jeremiah 10:10 "The Lord is the true God; he is the living God."

Preparation: Before class, print “believe” on several fabric strips using a black permanent marker. You will need to make fabric scraps for every one or two students in your class. Dip the scraps in liquid starch and then crumple each piece into a ball, making sure the printing is concealed. Allow fabric balls to harden overnight or heat them in a microwave oven for 1 ½ minutes on high. Fill spray bottles with water.

Procedure: Give each student a fabric ball and a spray bottle of water. Say: “In our lesson today Rahab hid the spies and helped them escape safely from the king’s soldiers. She let them slide down a fabric rope that hung out her window over the wall of the city. Today we are going to see what was important about her actions.” Have students squirt water onto the fabric balls and then carefully flatten the fabric scraps to reveal the word “believe.” Say: What is the word that is hidden in the fabric balls? (believe) What does the scripture say that she believed? (She heard about the great power of God in saving Israel by parting the Red Sea and giving them victory over their enemies the Amorites.) What does our verse say that is important to believe? (Have students repeat the memory verse

6


Jeremiah 10:10.) What are some things that are important to believe? (God is the only God. He is living and active in our lives. He loves us and wants to forgive us. He has given us salvation.) What are some ways that we can show that we believe in God? (Trust Him for everything in our lives. Pray to Him and ask Him to save us. Thank the Lord for our salvation. Tell others about God’s gift of eternal life.) Repeat the verse again together.

Group Learning Activity: “Flax Stalks” Object Lesson (Grades K-3) Preparation: Bring some flax leaves or stalks to class. You will also need your Bible. Procedure: Bring some flax leaves or stalks to class and show the children. You could also show them some items made from flax. Bring a garment or piece of linen fabric. If flax is not available, find pictures in books to show. Say: “Flax is a very useful plant. Its leaves are soft and moist when they are growing on the stalk. When the stalks and leaves are dried they can be used to make baskets and all sorts of things. Linen fabric is also made from the fiber. Flax is the plant that is grown to make the fabric. In Bible times All clothing was made either of linen or wool. ... After

retting, the fibers are cleaned and then bleached in the sun.

People have been doing this for many years. Long ago, people who lived in cities used to put flax stalks out on their roofs so the sun would dry them. The roofs back then were flat and you could easily walk on them. In fact, some people even went up on the roof to sleep when the weather was hot. In today’s bible story we are going to read about a woman in the city of Jericho who put flax stalks up on her roof to dry. It was a good thing because that flax saved the lives of two people!” In our lesson Rahab was a grower of flax. She probably used the flax to make linen cloth which could be sold for a high price. Some Bible scholars believe that her having flax drying on her roof which was used in making linen cloth may be some evidence that she was selling the dyed cloth as a means of livelihood. This means that her faith in God was already making a change in her life.” Optional: Have students try to weave some of the stalks of flax into a basket or mat. Follow-Up Activity: Prepare shoe boxes full of shredded paper (drying flax). Hide an object under the paper. Students take turns searching for the spies.

Group Learning Activity: “Ping Pong Ball Track or Toss” (Grades 3-5) Purpose: To play a game to illustrate that our faith in God must be demonstrated just like Rahab and Joshua did in the lesson. Preparation: You will need ping pong balls or other light weight balls, string, and rubber bands. Procedure: Say: “For this lesson we are going to play a game that will help us learn about Joshua’s faith to lead the people of Israel to cross the Jordan River and the faith that Rahab in believing in the God of Israel.” Mark an X at one end of the table. Set the balls on the table and the other materials nearby. Tell the children that for this game they will need to make the ball move over the X without touching the ball with their hands. Let the students use the string and rubber bands in creative ways to accomplish this task. For example: Students may blow the ball and cause it to roll over the X or perhaps they may use a length of string to guide the

7


ball to roll over the X. They may also use the rubber bands to shoot the ball over the X. Optional Game: Play Jericho Wall Target Practice. You will need ping pong balls or wads of paper, red circles or Xs drawn on a whiteboard or poster board. Children will toss balls at the “wall” and try to hit a circle or X. The game can be played with teams or with the class as a whole. Make a tape line behind which the children stand to toss their balls. Give each child three tosses per turn. Two or three players can toss at time. Remind children that in the battle of Jericho, God knocked the wall down not the people. Conclusion: Say: “In this lesson we had to use our own ideas in order to get the balls over the X. (Or hit the X target). Joshua was faced with a similar problem. How was he going to lead the children of Israel over the Jordan River and into the Promised Land? He faced a huge obstacle in their path. It was the city of Jericho and its huge thick walls. Just like Joshua sent the spies into the city to check out the land and the strength of its army, so we had to use our own creative ideas as to how to get the ball across the X. How was the job hard or easy? (Let children respond.) Read James 2:18 “But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” How do you think this verse applies to our game? Say: “Sometimes the job seems impossible that God asks us to accomplish? Does God just leave us to our own devices to succeed? (No, God promised to be with us and to strengthen us and to never tempt us beyond what power He gives us to succeed.) What do you think it means to “out your feet to your faith”? (We can say we believe but it we do not put our faith into action it is just words. It does not mean anything.) How did Rahab put her faith into action? (She not only heard about God’s power but she believed it. She demonstrated her faith by hiding the spies and helping them escape from the city. She showed her faith in God by placing the red rope in her window so the Israelites would know which house was hers when they attacked.)”

Group Learning Activity: Bible Study: “Rahab’s Faith” (Grades 3-5) Purpose: To have students study God’s Word and apply the principles of truth to their lives. Preparation: Each student will need a Bible, their spiritual journal notebooks and pencils or pens. Procedure: Have students read Joshua 2:1-24. Reread Joshua 2:4-5 “4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” Discuss Rahab’s lie. Ask: “Was Rahab justified in lying to save the lives of the spies? Could God have saved the spies from detection without her lie? Does the fact that Rahab lied for a good cause make it right? (Although the Bible does not speak negatively about her life it is clear that lying is a sin.) Have students read Hebrews 11:31 31 “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” What does this verse say about Rahab? (Rahab is commended for her faith in God. Her lie is not mentioned. Several explanations have been given: (1) God forgave Rahab’s lie because of her faith. (2) Rahab was simply deceiving the enemy which was a normal and acceptable practice in wartime. (3) Rahab was not a Jew and she could not be held responsible for keeping the moral standards set forth in God’s law. (4) Rahab broke a lesser principle—telling the truth—to uphold a higher principle –protecting God’s people. There may have been another way to save the lives of the Israelites spies. But under the pressure of the moment, Rahab had to make a choice.

8


Say: “Most of us will face dilemmas at one time or another. We may feel that there are no perfect solutions to our problem. Fortunately God does not demand that our judgment be perfect in all situations. He simply asks us to put our trust in Him and to do the best we know how. Rahab did that and was commended for her faith.” Discuss Rahab’s occupation with your class if appropriate. Have students read Joshua 2:1 “Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.” Explain that a prostitute is a woman who offers herself for sex for a price. This is a sin that is clearly condemned by God. This Bible lesson clearly teaches us that it is not an unforgiveable sin. Rahab had heard about the God of the Israelites and believed in Him. While she had shared the general mood of fear with the rest of Jericho’s people, she alone had turned to the Lord for her salvation. Some Bible scholars believe that her having flax drying on her roof which was used in making linen cloth may be some evidence that she had already given up her ways of prostitution and was selling the dyed cloth as a means of livelihood. Say: “Why would the spies stop at the house of Rahab the prostitute? (It was good place to gather information and have no questions asked in return. Rahab’s house was in an ideal location for a quick escape because it was built into the city wall. Probably the best explanation is that God directed the spies to Rahab’s house because He knew her heart was open to Him and that she would be instrumental in the Israelite victory over Jericho. Whatever the case, God often uses people with simple faith to accomplish His great purposes, no matter what kind of past they have had or how insignificant they seem to be. Rahab didn’t allow her past to keep her from the new role God had for her. Have students locate and read the following scriptures:

Matthew 1:5 “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,”

James 2:25 “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?”

Say: “Rahab is listed in the genealogy of Jesus. After the battle of Jericho and the fall of the city, Rahab and her family lived with the Israelites. It is clear from this genealogy that Rahab married a Jewish man named Salmon. Salmon was in the tribe of Judah and the family in whom Jesus was to be born. Some Bible scholars speculate that Salmon may have been one of the two spies whom she hid although that detail is not recorded in scripture. Whatever the case, Rahab is an example of how God’s forgiveness and mercy is extended to ordinary people who have committed great sins. Rahab was also a Gentile who was included in the lineage of Jesus. This is an illustration of how God’s gift of salvation was for all the peoples of the earth not just the Jews. God uses all kinds of people to accomplish His will and God wants to use us.” Conclude by having students record their findings in their spiritual journals.

Group Learning Activity: “God’s Forgiveness” Object Lesson (Grades 2-5) Preparation: You will need the following materials: Clear glass, water, beta dine, peroxide, and a stir stick or spoon. Procedure: Fill glass ¾ full of water and have your beta dine bottle ready to pour. Say: “In this lesson we learned that God forgave Rahab of all her sins. We are going to do a demonstration to see how God’s forgiveness works. I want you all to think of different sins. These don’t have to be sins you’ve actually committed. Let’s go around the room and name different sins. I’ll start.” Name a sin such as lying. As you say “lying” or whatever sin you wish, pour a drop of betadine into the clear water. Go around the room, letting each child name a sin. Each sin gets a drop of betadine. Comment on how filthy the water is becoming as it fills with sin. Once you have gone through most of the class, it may be hard for them to think of different sins. They can take suggestions, or help, from

9


their classmates. If there are not many students, just have them call out different sins. Isaiah 1:18 says that “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Hold up your peroxide bottle. This is God pouring his forgiveness out onto us. Pour peroxide in your solution, almost to the top of your glass. If it doesn’t turn completely clear, stir it once and it will be clear. God is the only one with the ability to forgive our sins. He will erase our sins and make us white as snow. Rahab was a woman full of sin. Our scarlet colored drops may remind you of Rahab’s scarlet cord. She changed and became white as snow in God’s eyes.” Group Learning Activity: “Rahab and the Spies” Skit (Grades K-5) Preparation: Print out copies of the “Rahab and the Spies” skit below. You may supply simple Bible character costumes if desired. The king will need a crown. Procedure: Choose seven kids to play the parts of Narrator, Joshua, Servant, King, Rahab, Spy 1 and Spy 2. Pass out the copies of the skit. Give them a few minutes to read through their lines before acting out the story for the class. If you have a large class, you may divide the kids into groups of seven and have each group act out the story together.

Craft Learning Activity: “Spin a Story” (Grades K-3) Purpose: Students will make a visual reminder of the Bible lesson and be able to retell the story of Rahab and the Spies. Preparation: Students will need paper plates, paper fasteners, crayons, and scissors. Procedure: Read Joshua 2: 1-7; 12-13; 17-18 aloud. Give each child a paper plate and have them divide it into four sections using a crayon. Tell the students to draw a part of the story in each section. For example: the kings’ men searching for the spies; Rahab hiding the spies on her roof; the spies escaping through the window on the scarlet rope, and the spies reporting back to Joshua. Help the children cut a quarter-section from the second paper plate. Put the plate with the cut-out section on top of the plate with the four story drawings. Show students how to secure the two plates together in the middle with the paper fastener. Have the students write the memory verse on the top plate. Let the children spin the top plate to show their pictures and tell how Rahab protected the spies.

Craft Learning Activity: Puppets (Grades K-3) Purpose: Students will make their own set of “Rahab and the Spies” puppets to remind them to put their faith into action. Preparation: Print the puppet templates onto heavy poster board. You will need one copy per student, scissors, glue, craft sticks, colored markers and/or colored pencils. Procedure: Give each student a copy of the puppet templates. Students will need access to scissors and coloring markers. Each student will also need three large size craft sticks. Have children use the markers, pencils or crayons to color the puppets. Have students cut out the puppets on the heavy outline and mount them on craft sticks. As students work, encourage children to talk about ways they have put their faith into action in the past and how they plan to do so in the future. Have students use the stick puppets to retell the lesson story. Encourage them to use the puppets to share the lesson with a friend this week.

10


Craft Learning Activity: “Rahab’s Window” (Grades K-3) Preparation: Each student will need cardboard, red yarn, crayons, scissors, and glue. Cut the cardboard into one 4” X 5” piece per child. Procedure: Explain that the students are going to make a window like Rahab’s window with a red cord hanging in it. Help the children cut the middle out of their piece of cardboard to form the window frame. Allow them to color their windows. Give each child three 9” pieces of red yarn. Help them braid or twist the yarn to look like the rope Rahab used. Help students fasten the braided yarn cord on the window using glue. Help students write the memory verse on the back of the window. Say: “In our lesson Rahab was a weaver. She made linen cloth from flax. That was why she had flax drying on her roof. She used the linen cloth to make a rope for the spies to climb out of her window and escape from the king’s soldiers. She showed that she believed in the true living God of the Israelites by helping the spies escape. Today we are going to make Rahab’s window to show that we also believe that God keeps His promises to us. The red-rope reminds us that God promised to send His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and if we believe in Him we can receive the gift of eternal life.”

Craft Learning Activity: “Rahab’s Wall” (Grades K-3) Purpose: To make a visual reminder of the story of Rahab so students can retell the story and remember that God keeps His promise to save us. Preparation: Print the template of Rahab’s wall template on cardstock. You will need one copy per student. Students will need scissors, crayons or coloring markers, red ribbon or yarn. Procedure: Have student cut out the wall scene and spy men. Cut a slit in the picture between Rahab’s hands so it will look like she is holding the rope. Slip red ribbon or yarn through the slit. Attach a spy to the end or middle of the cord. By pulling the cord the students can help the spy climb down the wall. Say: “In our lesson Rahab demonstrated her faith in God by helping the spies escape from the city of Jericho. She lowered a red rope down her window on the outside wall of the city so the spies could climb down. God says that real faith will demonstrate itself in good works. What good things can you do to show that you believe in God? (Tell others about Jesus. Pray to thank God for all the things He has given you. Be kind and show love to others. Obey your parents.)

Craft Learning Activity: “Red Rope Reminders” (Grades 3-5) Purpose: To make red-rope reminders so we can remember that God keeps His promises Preparation: Each student will need three strips of red cloth—approximately 2 ½” X 36” each and various plastic colored beads. Say: “In our lesson Rahab was a weaver. She made linen cloth from flax. That was why she had flax drying on her roof. She used the linen cloth to make a rope for the spies to climb out of her window and escape from the king’s soldiers. She showed that she believed in the true living God of the Israelites by helping the spies escape. Today we are going to make red-rope reminders that we too believe that God keeps His promises to us. The red-rope reminds us that God promised to send His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and if we believe in Him we can receive the gift of eternal life.”

11


Procedure: Give each child three strips of red cloth. Show children how to tie the three cloth strips together at one end and how to braid them. Show students how to add beads to their red ropes anywhere they would like by simply slipping a bead onto the strip that’s in the middle of the braid. To finish have each child tie a knot at the end of the twist. Tell children to hang their red-rope reminders in their window as Rahab did or hang it on their bed, or wear it as a headband. Each time you see it remember that God keeps His promises.

Craft Learning Activity: “Brave Rahab Mobile” (Grades 3-5) Purpose: To provide a visual reminder of the Rahab’s faith in hiding the spies in return for the promise to spare her family. Preparation: You will need red paper plates, red chenille, red beads, single hole paper punch, and black markers. Procedure: Have students cut a heart out of the center of a red paper plate. Write the memory verse on the front of the heart using the black marker. Jeremiah 10:10 "The Lord is the true God; he is the living God." You can also use Joshua 2:11 “For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Have students punch one hole at the top of the heart and another hole at the bottom middle of the heart. String beads on a piece of chenille, bending the bottom so the beads will not come off. Leave room at the top of the chenille to put it through the hole at the bottom of the heart and twist it together so it does not come off. Cut a piece of chenille to the desired length for the hanger. Stick the piece of chenille through the hole at the top of the heart and twist the ends together.

Song Learning Activity: “R-A-H-A-B” (Grades K-1) Sing the following lyrics to the tune of B-I-N-G-O:

“There was a girl God used for good and Rahab was her name-o R-A-H-A-B, R-A-H-A-B,R-A-H-A-B and Rahab was her name-o.”

Life Application Challenge: “God’s Power” Have students read Psalm 96:1-3 “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

3 Declare his glory among the

nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Psalm 103:1-3 “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,” Say: What do these verses tell us about God and His power? (He is working daily in our lives and in the lives of people all over the earth. He offers to us salvation, gives us healing, and forgives us our sin.) How did Rahab learn about God and believe in Him in today’s lesson? (She heard people talk about God’s great power and actions.) What can we do this week to show our trust in God? (We can tell others about Jesus’ love for them. We can sing praises to God and thank Him for all that He does for us. We can believe and trust in Him to help us just like Rahab did.)

12


Rahab Helps the Two Spies

Jeremiah 10:10

"The Lord is the true God; he is the living God."

13


14


15


16


17


18


19


20


21


“Rahab and the Spies” Skit from Joshua 1-2 by Beth Steward

Narrator: The time had come for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. But first, they had to drive out

the inhabitants of the land. Joshua was the leader of Israel after Moses died, and he had a special

assignment for two men.

Joshua (to the spies): You must go to the city of Jericho and bring a report back to me. How big is the

city? Is it well guarded? Do they have a strong army? We must know so we can be prepared for battle

with them!

Narrator: The two spies entered the city of Jericho and came to the home of a woman named Rahab.

One of the kings’ servants approached him with news of the Israelites.

Servant: Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land! They are staying at

Rahab’s house.

King: Go to the house of Rahab and give her this message: “Bring out the men who came to you and

entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”

Rahab (to the spies): Quick, go up to my roof and hide there under the pile of stalks of flax I have laid

out.

Servant: (Knocks on Rahab’s door.) Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house,

because they have come to spy out the whole land.

Rahab: Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was

time to close the city gate, the men left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You

may catch up with them.

Narrator: The king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies, and as soon as they had left the city, the gate

was shut.

Spy 1 (to Rahab): Why did you help us?

Rahab: I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, that

that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up

the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt. The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on

the earth below. Now, please promise me that you will show kindness to my family because I have been

kind to you. I know that your people will attach the city of Jericho, so give me a sign that you will save

our lives.

Spy 2: Our lives for your lives!

22


Spy 1: If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us

the land. Rahab: Thank you! Now, I will let you down from my window with a rope. Go into the hills and

start there for three days. The king’s men will not find you there. After three days, return to your people.

Spy 2: In order for us to keep our promise to protect your family you must tie this red rope in your

window. When our people enter this land we will see the rope and will keep your family safe.

Spy 1: You must bring your whole family into your house. If anyone is found outside the house, he won’t

be safe. And if you tell anyone what we are doing, we will be released from our promise.

Rahab: Agreed. Let it be as you say.

Narrator: Rahab’s house was built into the outer wall of the city. She let the spies down from her window

and they safely escaped into the hills. The king’s men searched without finding them, and the spies

returned to Joshua.

Joshua: What did you discover about the city of Jericho?

Spy 2: We met a woman named Rahab who believes that our God is the one true God! She hid us from

the king’s servants and made us promise to rescue her family when we enter Jericho.

Spy 1: The people in the city have heard of the mighty acts of our God and now they are terrified.

Spy 2: The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear

because of us!

unit 6: life of joshua ot6.2 rahab and the spies lesson€¦ · ot6.2 rahab and the spies ©beverly...

Documents