The Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6) – Bible lesson for teens

The Battle of Jericho is one of the most famous in all the Bible. That teaches us how faith in God and His ways leads to victory and life.

BIBLE READING: Joshua 6

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BIBLE STUDY NOTES FOR TEENS

OVERVIEW OF THE BATTLE OF JERICHO

1. The Spies in Jericho: Joshua sent two spies into the fortified city of Jericho. A woman named Rahab hid the spies from the city’s king and made a pact with them. (Joshua 2)
2. Crossing the Jordan: The Israelites miraculously crossed the Jordan River under Joshua’s leadership. (Joshua 3)
3. The Battle of Jericho: Joshua led the Israelites in a seven-day march around the city walls, culminating in the fall of Jericho. (Joshua 6)
4. Rahab’s salvation: Rahab and her family were spared in the conquest due to her faith and promise from the spies. (Joshua 6:22-25)

THE CITY OF JERICHO AND ITS WALLS

Jericho is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The city held a strategic position, controlling a pass in the Jordan River Valley. This made Jericho a significant location during the time of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho.

Around the time of the battle, Jericho was a heavily fortified city. The city’s fortification featured two walls. These walls presented a formidable challenge to any invading army. When we read in Joshua 6 that the Israelites could conquer the city simply by marching, blowing trumpets, and shouting, it is clear that this victory was not achieved by human effort. Rather, it was a miracle from God, showing His power to overcome what appears to be insurmountable obstacles.

KEY POINTS

1. FAITH IN GOD’S PROMISES – JOSHUA 6:2

2. OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S COMMAND – JOSHUA 6:3-5

3. THE POWER OF PRAISE – JOSHUA 6:20

4. A GREATER VICTORY: RAHAB’S SALVATION – JOSHUA 6:22-25

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YOUTH GAMES AND ACTIVITIES – The Battle of Jericho

JERICHO WALL BUILD AND BREAKDOWN

Materials needed: Plastic cups, soft balls.

Instructions:

1. Divide the group into two teams at a table. With an equal number of plastic cups.
2. Instruct the teams to build a wall using the plastic cups on their table. Give them a specific amount of time (e.g., 5 minutes).
3. After the building time is over, teams take turns throwing soft balls at the opposing team’s wall, attempting to knock it down.
4. Each team gets an equal number of turns to throw balls (e.g., each team member gets to throw three balls).
5. The team that knocks down the most of the other team’s wall wins.
6. After the game, engage the group in a discussion about how faith, obedience, and God’s power were crucial elements in the Battle of Jericho, not human force.

JERICHO RELAY RACE

Materials needed: Cones or markers.

Instructions:

1. Divide the group into two or more teams.
2. Create a large circle on the ground, representing the “city of Jericho.”
3. Line up the teams at a starting point outside the circle.
4. Explain that each team member will have to run around the “city” once and then tag the next player in line.
5. When it comes to the seventh player, they must run around the city seven times to represent the seven times the Israelites marched around Jericho on the seventh day.
6. The seventh player then races back to the start/finish line and their team and give a loud shout. The first team to complete the relay and give their shout wins.

HIDE THE SPIES

Materials needed: Two toy figures or objects, a stopwatch.

Instructions:

1. Select one player to be “Rahab.” This player is given the two “spies” (toy figures or objects).
2. While the rest of the group is outside the room or area, “Rahab” hides the spies somewhere in the space.
3. Once the spies are hidden, the other players are allowed back into the room.
4. Set a timer for a reasonable amount of time, depending on the size of your space (for example, 2 minutes).
5. Players must search for the hidden spies.
6. After the game, talk about Rahab’s choice to hide the spies and her faith in the God of Israel, despite her circumstances.

Example Worksheets in the lesson pack

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