24- The Captain of the Lord's Army and Joshua

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen

Lesson No. (24)

References:
Joshua 5:13-15.

Notes for Servants
-Through baptism, we have received a special mark that distinguishes us as children of the Lord,
and by the Lord's flesh and blood, we have become His people.
-The Lord protects us and defends us. Joshua may have begun to think what to do before a
fortified city.

Objectives
General: The Lord sends his angels to the Saints.
Specific:
The children will be able to ...
A. Know some knowledge about angels and their ranks and work.
B. Learn about Archangels and their duties.
C. Imagine Heaven and the Throne of God and the angels around Him.

Bible Verse
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid.”

(Joshua 1:9)

Teaching Aids
A picture of Joshua and the commander of the Lord's army and a wooden sword.

Instruction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
(4) The servant concentrates onGod's care and love for us, that He sends to us His angels to help
and guard us.
(5) Teacher should prepare the appropriate questions to emphasize the objectives during the
lesson.

Story Time
The Israelites stayed at Gilgal in Canaan, resting, until they were ready to move westwards to the
great city of Jericho. But the people of Jericho were afraid of the Israelites and the power of their God,
and bolted every gate into the city. "I want you to find some way of getting into the city secretly," Joshua
said to two of his spies, "and report back everything you see to me." So the spies searched all around the
walls of the fortress, until they found a hidden door. A woman called Rahab saw them there and
recognized them as Israelites. "The people of Jericho are terrified of you," she told them, "because they
know you want to attack their city and kill everyone in it. But if you promise to spare me and my family
I will help you." The spies promised Rahab and she let them into the city.
The men looked around them. "It's more like a fortress than a city," one of them remarked, noting
the massive walls and the towers manned by well-armed soldiers. "Yes, and judging by those sacks of
wheat and meal they're prepared for a long siege," replied the other. When the two spies had seen all they
wanted, Rahab let them out the same way as they had come and they returned to Joshua. But, Joshua was
still not clear in his mind how he and his small band of badly-armed men could storm such a great
fortification. He climbed a hill overlooking the city and stood there alone, trying to prepare a plan of attack.
Suddenly a man appeared before him, holding a drawn sword in his hand.
"Are you on our side or on our enemy's?" Joshua asked the stranger, and the man replied:
"I am here as captain of the army of our Lord. Take off your sandals; you are standing on holy
ground." Joshua fell on his knees at once, and God spoke these words through his angel:
"This is howI shall deliver Jericho and her king into your hands. You must march once around the
city with all your warriors, every day for six days, with the Ark of the Covenant carried in front of you.
Seven priests blowing trumpets made from rams' horns will march in front of the Ark. On the seventh day
you must march around the city seven times, and then the priests will blow their trumpets. This will be the
signal for your whole army to shout. Shout, my people, as loud as you can, and the roar of your voices will
knock down the city's walls."
Everyday for six days the priests and the soldiers marched around the city in silence, carrying the
Ark and blowing their trumpets. On the seventh day all the people of Israel joined the march, circling the
city seven times. The priests blew their trumpets and then Joshua gave the word. The people let out a
great shout. The earth rumbled and shook, and the walls of the city trembled. Then they split right open
and crumbled into dust at the feet of the Israelites. They walked over the remains of the walls into the city
and destroyed every single thing in it, except Rahab and her family.

Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.

Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.