LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Joshua 14:5-15; 15:13-15; and 21:43-45, we see God faithfully fulfilling His promises to His people as they settle into the land He had given them. After many years of waiting, Caleb reminds Joshua of a promise made to him decades earlier when he trusted God as a young spy. Even at eighty-five years old, Caleb boldly asks for a difficult mountain region filled with strong enemies. His confidence is not in his own strength, but in God’s power to help him overcome. God honors Caleb’s lifelong faith and gives him victory over the giants, demonstrating that obedience and trust are rewarded.
This passage also highlights that God’s promises are always kept. The land is distributed among the tribes, and Scripture confirms that not one of God’s good promises failed. Caleb’s story reminds us that age does not limit usefulness in God’s kingdom. Whether young or old, God works through people who trust Him. This lesson encourages both children and adults to see that faithfulness over time matters, and God can use anyone at any stage of life to accomplish His purposes.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00-6:15 | Giant Stomp
Items Needed:
- Bubble wrap taped to floor
- 2 paper “giant feet” cutouts (per child)
- Markers
- Masking Tape
Kids decorate two giant feet cutouts and then tap them to their hands. They walk on their hands to and stomp on the bubble wrap. Tell them in our story tonight, we’re going to learn about how an old man helped defeat giants who were really big.
BIBLE STORY 6:15-6:25
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? (Joshua)
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? (Old Testament)
Today we are going to hear about a very brave man named Caleb.
Object Lesson: Bring a pair of very large men’s shoes or boots. Let the kids try to walk in them. While they are clomping around say, “These are big shoes! Caleb had to go face people who were GIANT. But even though those people were big, God was BIGGER.” Then hold the shoes up and say, “Caleb did not look at how big the giants were. He looked at how big GOD was!”
God made a promise to His people. He said, “I am going to give you a special land to live in!” And God ALWAYS keeps His promises. Can everybody say that with me? “God always keeps His promises!”
[Wait for response]
There was a man named Caleb. Can you say “Caleb”?
[Wait for response]
When Caleb was a younger man, he and some friends were sent to go look at the new land God had promised. They were called SPIES. They snuck around and looked at the land to see what it was like. Can you tiptoe like a spy?
[Let kids tiptoe in place]
Shhh, shhh, tiptoe, tiptoe! Good job, spies!
When the spies came back, some of them were very scared. The people who lived in the land were BIG. Very, very big. Like giants! Some of the spies said, “We cannot do it! Those people are too big!”
But not Caleb. Caleb said, “I am NOT scared because GOD will help us!”
Because Caleb trusted God, God made a special promise just for Caleb. God said one day, Caleb would get his own piece of land. Caleb waited and waited. He waited forty-five years! That is a very, very long time. How old are you?
[Let kids answer]
Caleb waited many, many years longer than you have even been alive! But did he stop trusting God?
[Wait for response]
NO! Caleb kept right on trusting God!
Now Caleb was very old, 85 years old. Can you say “85?”
[Wait for response]
Caleb said, “I am still strong! And I still want to do big things for God!” Can you flex your muscles like strong Caleb?
[Let kids flex muscles]
Look at those muscles! Caleb was strong and brave, even when he was old.
Caleb went to his friend Joshua, who was the leader of God’s people. Caleb said, “Joshua, do you remember that promise? I want MY land. Even though there are giants there, I am not afraid because God will help me!”
Can you say, “God will help me!”
[Wait for response]
Joshua smiled and said, “Go, Caleb! God is with you!” And Caleb went to the mountain. The giants were living there. Can you stomp your feet like you are marching to the mountain?
[Let kids stomp and march]
March, march, march! Here comes Caleb!
And guess what happened? God helped Caleb, and the giants had to leave! Caleb won because God was with him!
Caleb moved his whole family to that mountain. God had kept His promise. It took a long time, but God did it. And the Bible tells us that ALL of the land God promised to His people, He gave to them. Can you say, “God keeps His promises!”
[Wait for response]
God keeps His promises! Every single time.
Theological Questions:
- Caleb was very old when he fought the giants. Does God only use young people, or can He use old people too?
- God made a promise to Caleb, and He kept it. Do you think God ever forgets His promises?
Life Application Questions:
- When something feels too big or too scary, what can you remember about God that helps you feel brave?
- Do you know someone who is old, like a grandma, grandpa, or a friend from church? How could you show them you love them this week?
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You that You always keep Your promises, just like You kept Your promise to Caleb. Help us to be brave and trust You no matter how big or how scary things seem, because You are always with us. Amen!
WORSHIP IN SONG 6:25-6:35
PRAYER 6:35-6:45 p.m.
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time.
Pray for courage to trust God and for the older people in our lives who follow Him faithfully.
BIBLE STORY GAME 6:45-6:55 | Cookie on the Nose
Items Needed:
- One small round cookie per child
Have each child sit in a chair or criss cross on the floor. Place one cookie on each child’s nose. Tell them they must wait and hold it there without eating it. The last one to drop their cookie wins. While they are waiting say in a slow dramatic voice, “Caleb waited. And waited. And waited. Can you keep waiting? God always comes through!”
BIBLE CRAFT 6:55-7:10 | Promises in God’s Word
Items Needed
- Promises in God’s Word
- Crayons
- Masking Tape
- Ziplock Bags
Precut out the Bible and use double-side glue to glue the edges together (keep the top open). Allow kids to decorate their “Bible”. Cut out each of the scriptures and put them individually into Ziplock bags. Tape the Ziplock bags to the wall. Then have kids take turns picking a promise off the wall and read them the scripture. Kids drop each scripture into the “Bible” pocket they have decorated.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 7:10-7:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks while watching the Bible Story Video.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Balloon Muscle Man
Items Needed:
- One small balloon per child
- A hand pump
- Permanent marker
Draw a simple stick figure face on each balloon while it is deflated. Show kids the small flat balloon and say, “When the other spies saw the giants they felt small and weak.” Then slowly pump air into the balloon and watch the face stretch and grow bigger. Say, “But Caleb knew that God made him strong! When we trust God He fills us up with courage and strength just like this balloon fills up with air!”
Let each child hold their balloon while a teacher pumps it up. Give each child their balloon to take home as a reminder that God fills us with courage.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV) | Joshua 21:43-45
“So the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed, all came to pass.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: God Keeps His Promises
What I learned today:
God keeps all of His promises. Caleb trusted God even when he was very old. God can use people of all ages to do His work.
Questions to ask me:
Theological Questions:
- Who helped Caleb defeat the giants? (God)
- Does God keep His promises? (Yes)
- What did Caleb trust in? (God’s power)
- Who gave the land to Israel? (God)
- Can God use older people? (Yes)
Life Application Questions:
- Can God use you right now? (Yes)
- What should you do when something feels scary? (Trust God)
- Who is an older person you can learn from? (Answers will vary)
- How can you trust God this week? (Pray and obey Him)
- How can you show respect to older people? (Be kind and listen)
Memory Verse: ““Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” -Joshua 21:45