Jesus showed us the way to be happy and resist temptation.
2 Chronicles 9:7
“Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.”
Joshua 24:15
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
My “Decision to Follow Jesus” Rewards List
OBJECTIVE: Help children choose to serve the Lord.
Share several stories or examples of people who followed Jesus or the prophet and were happy. Talk about how they would be in the dark if they did not know how to follow the teachings of Jesus to light their way.
Example: Just like the children of Israel in the stories below, we can also be guided.
Compare this or other stories to this simple puzzle match.
• Place a SMILE next to each reward for following Jesus.
• Place a FROWN next to the consequence for not following Him.
ANSWERS (below*)
TO MAKE Print and cut out the I Choose to Follow Jesus reward list for each youth.
ACTIVITY:
A story to tell: A guide led a group of people into a dimly lit cave. When they were in the middle of the cave, the lights were turned off. The guide told them not to panic; he was demonstrating total darkness. While in total darkness, the guide asked the people to point in the direction they thought was the exit. He told them to keep pointing. He then turned the lights back on. Everyone was pointing in a different direction!
Perhaps ask a child to volunteer to be blindfolded to demonstrate how easy it could be to lose our way in the dark. Have the child close his or her eyes while blindfolded to block out any light. Ask the children to be very quiet. Walk the blindfolded child around the room a few times. Before you remove the blindfold, have the child try to point to his or her chair.
Explain to the children the two kinds of light, physical light (what the blindfold blocks out) and the more important spiritual light. Have the children read John 8:12. Explain that by choosing to follow Jesus, we will live in the light, but choosing to follow Satan, puts us in spiritual darkness. Ask the children to listen to the account of Joshua to see whom he chose to follow.
DISCUSSION POINTS (Scriptures, Jesus Christ)
Talk about Joshua who was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses was to ordain him as the new Prophet. The people were to follow him as they did Moses as Joshua was a man of wisdom and a trusted servant of God (Deuteronomy 34:9).
Joshua 1:1–3, 5–11—The Lord tells Joshua to take possession of the promised land.
Joshua 1:16–18—Joshua is commanded to have courage.
Joshua 2:1–24—Joshua sends spies to Jericho, where Rahab protects them. They promise to save Rahab and her household.
Joshua 3:6–17; 4:13–18—The Israelites cross the Jordan on dry ground.
Joshua 6:1–25—The walls of Jericho fall and the city is destroyed; only Rahab and her household are saved.
Joshua 24:14–15, 24, 31—Joshua and his people covenant to serve the Lord.
BIBLE SCRIPTURES TO UNDERLINE:
Joshua 24:15
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
1 Peter 2:21
“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”
2 Chronicles 9:7
“Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.”
LET GOD’S WORD WORK IN YOU
1 Thessalonians 2:13
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
Psalm 100:4
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
Isaiah 55:6
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”
Psalm 63:1
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee …”
Deuteronomy 34:9
“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.”
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
Great For Sunday School, Lesson Activities, Family Fun, Daily Devotionals