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Are you searching for an engaging lesson on the book of Joshua that covers key passages in chapters 9 through 20? This unit is designed for upper elementary and middle school students (grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) who are ready for a deeper exploration of familiar and not-so-familiar Bible passages. This multi-sensory, interactive lesson will sharpen your students critical thinking abilities, help them develop more complex map skills, provide many opportunities for movement and hands-on storytelling along with visuals and application to reinforce Scripture in memorable ways.
This 62-page Bible curriculum resource is divided into five-unit sections: each section takes between 45 minutes to an hour, making it perfect for multi-day teaching. Included is a 23-page detailed lesson plan and teacher script, along with 39 pages of printable worksheets (see details below).
✴️ Lesson Part A:Review/Geography of Canaan
Students explore Joshua’s strategic campaign to conquer central Canaan, focusing on key cities like Jericho, Ai, and Gibeon that controlled major trade routes. In a fast-paced activity, students search for 24 hidden word strips to complete the worksheet “Operation: Secure the Center,” reinforcing biblical geography and battle strategy.
✴️ Lesson Part B: The Gibeonite Deception
Through a hands-on object lesson using worn clothing, old shoes, cracked water bottles, and stale bread, students reenact the Gibeonite deception. This memorable activity teaches the importance of seeking God’s wisdom instead of relying on appearances. With the worksheet “The Gibeonite Deception: Consequences,” students analyze the story and apply discernment skills to three real-life scenarios.
✴️ Lesson Part C: Map Skills - Plotting the Promised Land Grid
Students strengthen Bible map skills by plotting 10 of the 31 conquered cities using Scripture-based clues. This interactive mapping activity reinforces understanding of the Promised Land and highlights cities referenced throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
✴️ Lesson Part D: Division of the Promised Land – an Inheritance!
After reviewing the differences between the 12 sons of Jacob and the 12 tribes of Israel, students play a fun map and dice game where they match tribes to their land inheritances and key landmarks. This engaging activity helps students grasp the concept of biblical inheritance and is perfect for reinforcing understanding of the division of the Promised Land.
✴️ Lesson Part E: Color Coding the Cities of Refuge: After a careful explanation (using modern day examples) of the differences between an accident, carelessness and an intentional choice, students learn Biblical examples of an accidental death which makes the Cities of Refuge relevant. Students then color code Joshua 20:1–6, 9 as they discover the purpose for the cities of refuge and the types of killer it was meant to protect, the repeated phrase “avenger of blood”, the steps the manslayer must take to be admitted into a city of refuge, and how long the manslayer must stay there.
❓️Where Do We Find Jesus in this Story? This lesson unit culminates in a powerful connection to Hebrews 6:17–18, helping students clearly understand that Jesus is our ultimate Refuge because He died for our sins and we can flee to Him ~ a safe, trustworthy place of protection based on God’s unchanging promises!
Perfect for Christian and homeschool classrooms, Sunday School or youth groups, this resource blends Scripture study with creative, interactive activities to deepen understanding of the greatest story ever told!
☑️What’s Included (62 Total Pages)
23 Page Lesson Plan:
· Including photocopies to make, items to gather, pre-class preparation and clear DO/SAY/READ carefully worded teaching script (that can be adapted to fit your voice)
39 Pages of Supplemental Materials:
· Operation Secure the Center worksheet/answer key
· The Gibeonite Deception: Consequences worksheet/answer key
· Modern Day Deceptions worksheet/answer key
· Plotting the Promised Land Grid worksheet/answer key
· Twelve Tribes Visual worksheet/answer key
· Tribal Land and Landmark Match worksheet/answer key
· Land Division Map
· Color Coding the Cities of Refuge worksheet/answer key
· Jesus, Our Refuge worksheet/answer key
· Three pages of word list strips
· Signs for hi/lo game
· Six pages of game clues and six pages of game clue covers
· Stepping Stone: Our Refuge
⏰️Flexible Scheduling: This 5 hour lesson can be spread over multiple days with clearly labeled stopping points.
✝️ Perfect for Sunday school, homeschool or Christian school classrooms! Each lesson unit in our Walking Alongside Jesus series is divided into five sections, each section takes between 30 minutes to an hour. This allows homeschool and Christian school teachers to use it daily in the classroom (thereby completing an entire unit in a week) OR in a Sunday School classroom or youth group once a week (thereby completing an entire unit in a month).
✔️Our goal with each lesson is to combine scholarly study in a fun, interactive way so that students not only experience the rich Biblical narrative but also to whet their appetite for more by learning how to study the Scriptures for themselves.
❓️FAQS❓️
What Christian perspective is used for these Bible lessons?
I am an evangelical Christian who writes Bible curriculum for older students, and I take this tremendous responsibility seriously. Each lesson has a clear focus on what God says in His Word and the lessons are presented age appropriately, thoughtfully and biblically.
What translation of the Bible is used?
99% of the time I use ESV although on rare occasion I might use another translation such as the NIV.
How can this Bible curriculum be used?
These lessons are flexible enough to be used in the following settings:
Children's Sunday School class
Youth Group
Private Christian school Bible class
Chapel for Christian schools
Children's Church
Homeschool Bible class
Family Bible time
Copyright ©️ Experience the Bible Creatively. Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Save time and shop with confidence! Watch the lesson preview video here.
Are you searching for an engaging lesson on the book of Joshua that covers key passages in chapters 9 through 20? This unit is designed for upper elementary and middle school students (grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) who are ready for a deeper exploration of familiar and not-so-familiar Bible passages. This multi-sensory, interactive lesson will sharpen your students critical thinking abilities, help them develop more complex map skills, provide many opportunities for movement and hands-on storytelling along with visuals and application to reinforce Scripture in memorable ways.
This 62-page Bible curriculum resource is divided into five-unit sections: each section takes between 45 minutes to an hour, making it perfect for multi-day teaching. Included is a 23-page detailed lesson plan and teacher script, along with 39 pages of printable worksheets (see details below).
✴️ Lesson Part A:Review/Geography of Canaan
Students explore Joshua’s strategic campaign to conquer central Canaan, focusing on key cities like Jericho, Ai, and Gibeon that controlled major trade routes. In a fast-paced activity, students search for 24 hidden word strips to complete the worksheet “Operation: Secure the Center,” reinforcing biblical geography and battle strategy.
✴️ Lesson Part B: The Gibeonite Deception
Through a hands-on object lesson using worn clothing, old shoes, cracked water bottles, and stale bread, students reenact the Gibeonite deception. This memorable activity teaches the importance of seeking God’s wisdom instead of relying on appearances. With the worksheet “The Gibeonite Deception: Consequences,” students analyze the story and apply discernment skills to three real-life scenarios.
✴️ Lesson Part C: Map Skills - Plotting the Promised Land Grid
Students strengthen Bible map skills by plotting 10 of the 31 conquered cities using Scripture-based clues. This interactive mapping activity reinforces understanding of the Promised Land and highlights cities referenced throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
✴️ Lesson Part D: Division of the Promised Land – an Inheritance!
After reviewing the differences between the 12 sons of Jacob and the 12 tribes of Israel, students play a fun map and dice game where they match tribes to their land inheritances and key landmarks. This engaging activity helps students grasp the concept of biblical inheritance and is perfect for reinforcing understanding of the division of the Promised Land.
✴️ Lesson Part E: Color Coding the Cities of Refuge: After a careful explanation (using modern day examples) of the differences between an accident, carelessness and an intentional choice, students learn Biblical examples of an accidental death which makes the Cities of Refuge relevant. Students then color code Joshua 20:1–6, 9 as they discover the purpose for the cities of refuge and the types of killer it was meant to protect, the repeated phrase “avenger of blood”, the steps the manslayer must take to be admitted into a city of refuge, and how long the manslayer must stay there.
❓️Where Do We Find Jesus in this Story? This lesson unit culminates in a powerful connection to Hebrews 6:17–18, helping students clearly understand that Jesus is our ultimate Refuge because He died for our sins and we can flee to Him ~ a safe, trustworthy place of protection based on God’s unchanging promises!
Perfect for Christian and homeschool classrooms, Sunday School or youth groups, this resource blends Scripture study with creative, interactive activities to deepen understanding of the greatest story ever told!
☑️What’s Included (62 Total Pages)
23 Page Lesson Plan:
· Including photocopies to make, items to gather, pre-class preparation and clear DO/SAY/READ carefully worded teaching script (that can be adapted to fit your voice)
39 Pages of Supplemental Materials:
· Operation Secure the Center worksheet/answer key
· The Gibeonite Deception: Consequences worksheet/answer key
· Modern Day Deceptions worksheet/answer key
· Plotting the Promised Land Grid worksheet/answer key
· Twelve Tribes Visual worksheet/answer key
· Tribal Land and Landmark Match worksheet/answer key
· Land Division Map
· Color Coding the Cities of Refuge worksheet/answer key
· Jesus, Our Refuge worksheet/answer key
· Three pages of word list strips
· Signs for hi/lo game
· Six pages of game clues and six pages of game clue covers
· Stepping Stone: Our Refuge
⏰️Flexible Scheduling: This 5 hour lesson can be spread over multiple days with clearly labeled stopping points.
✝️ Perfect for Sunday school, homeschool or Christian school classrooms! Each lesson unit in our Walking Alongside Jesus series is divided into five sections, each section takes between 30 minutes to an hour. This allows homeschool and Christian school teachers to use it daily in the classroom (thereby completing an entire unit in a week) OR in a Sunday School classroom or youth group once a week (thereby completing an entire unit in a month).
✔️Our goal with each lesson is to combine scholarly study in a fun, interactive way so that students not only experience the rich Biblical narrative but also to whet their appetite for more by learning how to study the Scriptures for themselves.
❓️FAQS❓️
What Christian perspective is used for these Bible lessons?
I am an evangelical Christian who writes Bible curriculum for older students, and I take this tremendous responsibility seriously. Each lesson has a clear focus on what God says in His Word and the lessons are presented age appropriately, thoughtfully and biblically.
What translation of the Bible is used?
99% of the time I use ESV although on rare occasion I might use another translation such as the NIV.
How can this Bible curriculum be used?
These lessons are flexible enough to be used in the following settings:
Children's Sunday School class
Youth Group
Private Christian school Bible class
Chapel for Christian schools
Children's Church
Homeschool Bible class
Family Bible time
Copyright ©️ Experience the Bible Creatively. Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
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