Leader Guide

Teaching

Three Signpost Cards
Cardstock or paper
Optional: tape
Bibles or the Superbook Bible App

Discipleship Challenge:

Promise Pouch
Heart Promises Page
Sample Challenge Craft made in Lesson 1

Copy the three Signpost Cards onto cardstock.

Copy the Heart Promises Page and Promise Pouch for any children who missed the previous lessons. See Lesson 1 for details.

The Battle Is the Lord’s: Trust in God’s Promises through any circumstance.

Have a child select the first Signpost card and read it aloud. Tape the card to the wall or prop it up so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the two remaining Signpost cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Signpost 1 Don’t Be Discouraged

What scene from the video is shown on this sign? A spy talks about the giants in the land.

How did the people feel when they heard the ten spies’ bad report? Discouraged and afraid.

The people had been delivered from slavery in Egypt through amazing miracles. God took care of them as they walked through the wilderness. Now they stood on the edge of the land God had promised them. All they had to do was believe the report from Joshua and Caleb and act by faith. Joshua and Caleb showed them samples of food from the land and said it was just like God had promised. It was truly a land flowing with milk and honey. Instead of trusting Joshua and Caleb’s report, who did the Israelites choose to believe? The ten fearful spies.

The people were afraid and discouraged. Instead of keeping their eyes on God and His promises, they lost hope. At times, we may feel discouraged, afraid or alone. We may feel pressure to act or speak in ways that don’t please God. Other times, we may feel hurt, unimportant, or like we don’t belong. In times like these, life seems unfair and can cause us to lose hope. This is not unusual. You might be surprised to know that many heroes of the Bible also felt this way at times. In Psalm 22, King David asked why God had abandoned him and seemed so far away when he groaned for help. Even though we may feel discouraged, remember there is always a path forward. God will help us move from discouragement and hopelessness to joy!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Numbers 13:27:

This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces.”

Deuteronomy 1:28 (CEV):

“We are afraid, because the men who explored the land told us that the cities are large, with walls that reach to the sky. The people who live there are taller and stronger than we are, and some of them are Anakim. We have nowhere to go.”

Psalm 22:1:

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?

Signpost 2 Remember God’s Promises

Can you name the four men in this image?

If necessary: Here is a hint: It is the Israelites’ leader, his brother, and the two faithful spies. Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb.

Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb were full of faith and tried to rally the Israelites to take possession of the Promised Land.

When we face difficult situations, God promises that He will cause everything to work together for our good. All we have to do is love Him and obediently live by faith and trust in His promises. Years later, when Joshua was about to die, he encouraged the people to remember all of God’s promises that had come to pass—not one had failed! It is important to remember God’s promises to encourage ourselves to press on!

Remembering God’s promises helps us battle discouragement. When King David was writing Psalm 22, he did not stay discouraged. He went on to praise God! David encouraged himself by praising the Lord and tells us to trust in God, too. As followers of Christ, we are not to live by sight—meaning what we see around us. Instead, what are we to live by? Faith.

Can someone share about a time when you trusted in a promise from God? Children answer.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Romans 8:28:

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

Joshua 23:14:

“Soon I will die, going the way of everything on earth. Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the LORD your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!”

Psalm 22:23–24:

²³ Praise the LORD, all you who fear Him! Honor Him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show Him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! ²⁴For He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned His back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.

Signpost 3 The Battle Is the Lord’s

Did you know that the struggles we face are not our own? God fights our battles for us if we trust Him. We are not alone because He is always with us. He strengthens and holds us up with His mighty hand. Joshua said, “The battle is the Lord’s!” We do not need to be discouraged for He will help us! When we are down, always remember that God keeps His promises and will fight for us. Jesus came to earth and won the battle over the enemy so we can live victorious lives in Him. All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ. The Israelites were set free from slavery in Egypt and stood at the border of the Promised Land—but they did not trust in God’s promises! Jesus has set us free from sin and death to love and serve Him. We simply need to believe and take hold of the promises of God by faith. Are you ready to do that?

Optional: if time is running short, you may use this paragraph instead of the prayer activity. Note that this scripture is written on the Necklace Craft in the Additional Activities for this lesson. This Bible story was taken from the book of Numbers. There is also a special blessing in that book that I will pray over you. Please stand, close your eyes, and hold out your hands as if to receive a wonderful gift. PRAY: May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show His favor and give you His peace.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Isaiah 41:10:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.”

Hebrews 10:14 (CEV):

By His one sacrifice He has forever set free from sin the people He brings to God.

John 3:16:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

1 Samuel 17:47:

“And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues His people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD‘s battle, and He will give you to us!”

2 Chronicles 20:15:

He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

2 Corinthians 1:20:

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.

Numbers 6:24–26:

²⁴ “May the LORD bless you and protect you. ²⁵May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. ²⁶May the LORD show you His favor and give you His peace.”

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give a Promise Pouch and Heart Promises Page to any children who missed Lessons 1 and 2.

Hold up the challenge craft. Did anyone try to memorize Proverbs 30:5? Can you say it for us now?

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection.

Would someone like to share a new promise you discovered when reading the Bible in the last challenge? Children answer.

Hold up the Heart Pouch and read Heart #5: Isaiah 41:13.

If time permits, have the children look up and read the verse:

“For I hold you by your right hand—I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’”

Our final challenge is to look up and read this verse each day, and discuss it with your family if possible. You may want to carry it with you as you learn it and stand on His promise! Also, continue to read your Bible each day to discover a new promise to write on Heart #6.

Don’t stop when this challenge ends. There are so many new promises we can discover in God’s Word. Remember to keep all of His promises deep in your own heart!

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