CHILDREN STS LESSON 14 – JOSHUA’S FAREWELL MESSAGE AND DEATH

Bible Text: Joshua 23:1-16; 24:1-33

Joshua was a servant under the leadership of Moses. It was only him and Caleb that were faithful among the twelve spies that Moses sent to spy the Promised Land.

After the death of Moses, God told Joshua to take over the leadership of the nation of Israel. He was to lead them into the Promised Land. Joshua faithfully carried out the assignments. He led the children of Israel across River Jordan, conquered all their enemies, led them into the Promised Land and divided the land among the tribes (Joshua 1:1,2,10,11).

Now Joshua was old and about to die. He called the children of Israel and gave them a farewell message and encouraged them to continue to obey God. He reminded them of how God had been faithful in fulfilling all His promises to them. Joshua then commanded them to show their gratitude to God by constantly obeying the word of God. Joshua knew that his departure was at hand. He was not afraid of death. He knew that his reward awaited him in heaven.

God wants every boy and girl to obey His word. Therefore, you must repent of your sins, live a righteous life, serve God faithfully, enjoy His blessings in this life and be prepared to live eternally with Jesus in heaven after death.

1. Joshua’s Ministry: Life and Character

Texts: Joshua 23:1,2; 1:1-9; 12:13

After the death of Moses, God commanded Joshua to lead the children of Israel to the Promised Land. God gave Joshua His promise of being with him wherever he went as long as he obeyed and feared God. As a friend of Jesus, you need to keep obeying God’s command if you want God to be with you all the days of your life. Joshua kept the commandments of God and served Him. The following attributes of holiness summarize the life and ministry of Joshua. He was:

• Humble and honest
• Obedient and opposed to ungodly counsel
• Loving and labouring for God
• Innocent and incorruptible in his service
• Nurtured in the word and noble in character
• Exemplary and enduring persecution
• Submissive and saintly in character
• Separated from the world and single-minded

God gave Joshua victory over all his enemies and fulfilled all His covenant promises to Israel. He was able to lead the children of Israel to the Promised Land and divided the land amongst them. Jesus is always with His friends. He wants you to surrender your life to Him and obey Him at all times so that He can be with you as God was with Joshua.

2. Joshua’s Farewell Message

Texts: Joshua 23:1-16; 24:1-28; Philippians 4:8,9

When Joshua became old, he called the children of Israel and gave them a farewell message. He encouraged them to continue to follow God and obey His word. He warned them never to forsake God so that God would continue to bless them.

Paul the apostle warned the churches, early believers and the believers of today about what will happen in the last days, so that we can be well prepared for the coming of the Lord (2 Timothy 3:1-7). Farewell messages are not just ordinary talk; they are meant to serve important purposes in the lives of those that hear them.

There are some important lessons we need to learn from Joshua’s farewell message:

• To remind the children of Israel about the past goodness of God in their lives.
• To encourage them to continue to obey and never forsake God.
• To help the Israelites to have faith in the word of God and to put their trust in God.
• To remind the children of Israel of the condition of God’s blessings and of abiding in the blessings of God.

Farewell messages are usually given by elderly people in the family and leaders in the community. They give such messages when they become old and are going on a long journey from which they may not return immediately or they are about to die. It was also a common practice in the Bible days for God’s servants to give farewell messages to the people of God under their leadership:

• Jacob called his children together and blessed them (Genesis 49:1).
• David told Solomon to always seek God and never forsake Him (1 Chronicles 28:9).
• Paul gave farewell messages to churches and believers before his death (2 Timothy 4:1-8).

3. Joshua’s Death and Legacy

Text: Joshua 24:29-33

There is a time for everything in this world (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). After encouraging Israel to remain obedient to God, Joshua died peacefully at the age of one hundred and ten years (Joshua 24:28). Faithful service to the Lord brings long life (Psalm 91:16).

Joshua’s death reminds us that this world is not our permanent home. Death is the separation of the soul from the body—not the end. Believers go to heaven; sinners go to hell (Revelation 20:15).

If you are not born again, turn from sin, ask forgiveness, and invite Jesus into your heart. Believe God has saved you (Romans 10:9-13).

Questions

1. Who was Joshua?
2. Mention four lessons that you have learnt from the life and work of Joshua.
3. What did Joshua tell the children of Israel before he died?
4. Mention four people who encouraged others to love God before they died.
5. Joshua died at the age of _______
6. Where will (i) a sinner (ii) a friend of Jesus spend eternity?

Memory Verse

“And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” (Joshua 23:14)

Lesson

Death is the beginning of a glorious life for friends of Jesus.

Thought

I will serve God faithfully so as to live in heaven with Jesus at last.

Activity

Search the Scripture and write down the names of four people who served God faithfully and followed Him till the end.

Homework

Children are to search their homework book and list three men or women in Scripture who gave farewell messages before they died.

Congregational Song

GHS 58 – The Last Mile of the Way

Choruses

1. The Lord knows the way through the wilderness.
2. I’m thinking when my Lord shall come again.
3. There is a beautiful home in 

Bible Word Search

Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:

1. Legacy
2. Farewell
3. Generation
4. Church
5. Gratitude