PRAYER / WORSHIP ACTIVITY
OPTION 1
5 mins
Gather conkers, pine cones, autumn leaves and sticks beforehand or ask your congregation to collect some to bring them. Divide into mixed-age groups and ask each group to think of some words to describe God. Choose one of those words and ‘write’ it out with the material collected. Pray together as a group, thanking God for these characteristics.
OPTION 2
15 mins
Divide into mixed-age groups. Sit each group in a circle and give them a packet or pot of Love Hearts. Choose one person to read the beginning of Psalm 136 with everyone saying ‘his love endures forever’ aloud together:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures for ever.
Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures for ever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His love endures for ever.
Play some music and pass around the pot of Love Hearts. When the music stops, the chosen person says their own short one-line ‘thank you’ prayer and everyone in the group responds with ‘his love endures forever’. They can eat the sweet and the game continues.
STORY
10mins
Read the story with full dramatic effects, following the instructions in italics. You will need: two signs, one saying, ‘Israelite Camp’ and another saying, ‘Jericho’; a homemade ‘ark of the covenant’ which can be made by spray painting a box with gold paint or covering it with gold wrapping paper, you can add poles for carrying it; seven trumpets – real or homemade; a well-practised ‘war cry’ (you can practise this beforehand for some fun!); a group of people to be the ‘walls of Jericho’; a group of people to be the Israelites; a group to be the people of Jericho inside the wall; someone to play Joshua and music that builds tension.
As the story starts, the Israelites are in their camp with the sign next to them. The ‘Jericho’ sign is on the other side of the room with the ‘city wall’ nearby standing in a circle facing outwards. The people of Jericho stand inside the walls.
The Israelites had been waiting 40 years for this. Can you imagine that? They had crossed the River Jordan into the land God had promised them and were about to take their first city, Jericho. Jericho was full of treasure and conquering it was important. The walls of the city were high and it looked like an impossible task but the bustle in the camp was one of excitement. Joshua, their leader, knew they had a tough battle ahead but he’d been speaking to God about it and he knew exactly what to do.
‘I’ve already got this, Joshua’. God had said to him. ‘All you need to do is walk round the city once a day for six days with the ark. You can blow your trumpets, but no shouting! Then, on the seventh day, walk round it seven times. On that last circuit, shout your loudest war cry and the walls will just collapse in front of you!’ ‘I’m on it!’ replied Joshua. So, he organised the people.
Organise the Israelites in a line ready to walk around the walls. The ark is to be carried and the trumpet players walk in front.
It was Sunday. ‘Go!’ shouted Joshua. The Israelites marched around Jericho, trumpets blaring but otherwise in silence. The people inside the city walls trembled as they saw this large army encroaching. What was going to happen?
Begin to play the music to build the tension.
But the Israelites simply walked around and left.
Israelites return to their ‘camp’.
Monday arrived and brought the silent march round the city walls again. Israelites march again.
Tuesday. Israelites march.
Wednesday. Israelites march.
Thursday. Israelites march.
Friday. Israelites march.
The people of Jericho were confused now. Were the Israelites actually going to attack? What was this strange war plan they had concocted? Or were they just too scared? Saturday came. The Israelites knew today was the day. Fully confident, they began to march, not once but seven times around the city. The people of Jericho knew something was different. It was a terrifying sight. As they neared the end of the seventh march, Joshua’s heart began to race. The time had come. ‘Now! Shout!’ he bellowed.
With a blast of the triumphant trumpets, the Israelites roared their thunderous war cry. Now is the time for the well-practised war cry!
And the walls of the city crumbled. ‘Walls’ now fall to the floor.
The God of the Israelites had defeated Jericho! Big cheers from everyone.
REFLECTIVE RESPONSE TO THE STORY
OPTION 1
10 mins
Give everyone a shoebox or something similar. Invite them to write or draw a prayer or their own thoughts on their box. Read out these questions and put them on a screen to aid reflection and encourage parents to help children with this:
- Is there anything in my life that feels like a ‘Jericho’?
- Am I fearful at the moment?
- Can I give thanks for a victory?
- Do I need to hear from God for a particular plan or purpose?
- Is God asking me to do something that is different from the norm?
Once completed, they can build them all up to make a large wall. Encourage everyone to walk around the wall, reading the prayers and looking at the pictures.
OPTION 2
10 mins
Around the room, lay out boxes containing different items that represent various aspects of the story. Give everyone a paper bag and encourage them to walk around, collecting items they most identify with. They can choose up to five items. These may be taken home as a reminder and to pray with if necessary. Encourage parents to help their children with this so that it is done thoughtfully. These items could include: a picture of mouth (voice), a picture of feet (go), a picture of lightning (power), stones (walls, barriers, impossibilities), keys (doors opening), gemstones (treasure), coins (provision), map (following God’s plan), a picture of ears (listening) and nails and screws (building).
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
5 mins
Divide into mixed-age groups and ask the questions below. Provide some paper ‘trumpets’ for under-fives to decorate but ensure they are still included in the discussion.
- What is your favourite part of the story?
- How do you think Joshua felt when God gave him the strange plan?
- Why do you think the Israelites had to be silent?
- What do you think the people of Jericho said to each other every day when the Israelites walked around but didn’t attack?
- I wonder which part of the story is most like your life at the moment?
