YEA Lesson Library
Faith in Action
About This Lesson
This lesson details the faith exhibited by Rahab and exhorts the student to similarly impact the people around him by his faithful witness.
Scriptures
Joshua 2
Hebrews 11:1-2
Hebrews 11:4-7
Hebrews 11:31
James 2:25
Words to Know
COMMEND - praise
HEFFALUMP - like an elephant
FLAX - a type of plant used for making linen
The Lesson
Have you ever watched Pooh's "Heffalump Movie"? Early one morning in the Hundred-Acre Wood, everyone hears a heffalump trumpeting. Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, and Tigger run terrified. Roo has never heard of a heffalump and he eagerly bounces over to see what is going on. Tigger, Rabbit, Pooh, and Piglet proceed to tell Roo about the horrible heffalump with three heads, a pointy tail, and a tendency to smash everything in sight. Roo is impressed, but still eager to capture one. When Roo finally does meet up with Lumpy, a real heffalump, he is nothing like Rabbit, Tigger, Pooh, and Piglet had said.
Many times the rumors that arrive before you see someone are not accurate. They have been blown out of proportion. But that's not what happened to Rahab and the people of Jericho.
Joshua was ready to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. The first thing they would do was capture Jericho. So Joshua sent two spies to look over the land, and especially Jericho. These two spies went to the house of Rahab. The outer wall of the house was part of the wall of the city. The king of Jericho heard that the spies had come to Rahab's house. He sent a message to her to bring the men out. Instead, Rahab hid the spies on her roof under some flax. Then she told the men looking for the spies that they had gone. The king's men took off towards the Jordan River looking for the spies.
Rahab went to talk to the spies before they went to sleep for the night. She told them that she knew God had given the land to the Israelites. A great fear had fallen on the people of Jericho. They had all heard of what God had done for the Israelites - how He parted the waters of the Red Sea when they came out of Egypt and how God gave them the victory against the kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan River. In fact, the hearts of the people of Jericho melted and their courage failed. They knew that God was with the Israelites and that no one could stand against them. Then Rahab told the spies, "... for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”
Then Rahab asked the spies to give her a sure sign that they would spare her life and all of her family. The spies agreed. If Rahab would help them escape, they would save the lives of everyone in the house. They told Rahab to tie a scarlet cord in the window where she let them down after the city gates were closed. The spies promised to spare everyone in the house as long as the scarlet cord was in the window, but if the scarlet cord was missing, no one would be saved. Also, only the people in the house would be saved.
Rahab told the spies to go into the hills and hide themselves for three days until the king's men had quit looking for them.Then she lowered the men out through the window and tied the scarlet cord where it could be seen.
The spies hid in the hills as Rahab suggested. Then they reported back to Joshua, "The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”
What Rahab did is remarkable because of her faith in God. She did not have a relationship with Him, but she made a confession of faith in God, rejecting the gods of Canaan. In fact, her faith is mentioned in the faith chapter - Hebrews 11:31. Her demonstration of faith by helping to save the spies, people God had chosen as His own, is so remarkable that it is recorded as righteousness in James 2:25. In addition, she gave the spies vital military information that all of the people's hearts were melting in fear.
What about your Faith in Action? Do you believe in God so much that your actions show that to everyone around you? Would you be listed in Hebrews and James because of your faith and your actions? We want you to be able to answer YES!
Think about it! When our actions show the Lord Jesus Christ to people around us, they are able to see what God has done and is doing for us. Each of these things becomes a witness - like the witness of God parting the Red Sea, and defeating the kings of the Amorites. And who knows? Maybe seeing God's work in our lives will cause someone else to believe and to be saved. That's a powerful thought, isn't it?
Activity
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - Teaching Time: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 20 mins.
Activity (Teacher book): Jigsaw Puzzle - Time: 15 mins.
Song: "Jesus Bids Us Shine”- page 37 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Activity (Student book): Jericho Puzzle - Time: 10 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: God’s Deeds
*Journal Jot: Commendation
*Word Study: sure - hupostasis and certain - elegchos
*Just Toolin’ Around: Faith
*Did you Know? Rehab’s House
*Stretch It Out: Reader’s Theatre
*Music Notes: A Mighty Fortress is Our God
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to show Your love in my life to those around me.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: Hebrews 11:1-2
Monday: James 2:25
Tuesday: Hebrews 11:31
Wednesday: Hebrews 11:4-7
Thursday: Joshua 2:8-13
Friday: Joshua 2:14-21
Saturday: Joshua 2:22-24
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Relate the story of Joshua 2.
2. State that in Hebrews 11:31, Rahab was commended for her actions based on her faith.
3. Explain how actions that demonstrate our faith in God can impact others.
Topics & Themes
Faith
Holy Conduct
Jericho
Lying
Rahab
Spies
Witnesses
Women
Rahab
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students' and Teacher's books, pencils and pens, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, songbook, music player, CD or cassette, chalkboard and chalk, poster board jigsaw puzzles, markers and crayons, ziplock bags with the students’ jigsaw puzzle pieces, candle (preferably scented), matches, jar or tin can
Preparation
We may have a tendency to avoid talking about Rahab with our students because of two things: the lies and her profession. But she is an incredible example of someone who believes in God based on what He has done in the lives of His people. With all the examples of godly people in the Bible, it is significant that Rahab is listed in both Hebrews and in James. We believe the Scripture is inspired by God. So it is not an accident that Rahab was chosen to exemplify faith (Hebrews 11:31) and righteousness (James 2:25). Spend time thinking about these two negatives that we can focus on, instead of her example of faith. She is called a prostitute, although some commentators have given the alternative occupation of innkeeper. Regardless, she wouldn't be the last prostitute that God used to show His glory. The Rahab of Joshua 2 may be the same Rahab listed in Matthew 1:5 in the ancestry of Jesus. The second issue is that of lying. We know that God hates all liars and they will be destroyed (Revelation 21:8). But a distinction must be made between someone who tells a lie once and the habitual liar. Once we get past that, we must deal with the whole idea of God using a lie to accomplish His purpose. Ideally, each of God's servants will trust Him completely and follow His ways without error. Realistically, we are all imperfect servants. God does not condone lying, but He can work the circumstances to effect His will.
The bottom line is that we want our children to demonstrate the kind of faith that Rahab had while realizing that lying and prostitution are not God's will for their lives.
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How to Teach This Lesson
Open the class with prayer.
Light a candle - Begin the lesson by lighting a candle. Ask: What can this candle do? (Provide light, heat, and give a scent.) Can the candle do any of these things if it is not lit? The ability to do each of these things comes from fire. If we cover the candle with a tin can or a jar, will it still be able to do these things? No. Cover the candle and put it out until later in the lesson.
Retell Joshua 2 - Work through the story in Joshua 2 with the students telling the story as much as possible. Point out Rahab's confession of faith and the vital military information she gave to the spies. Read Hebrews 11:31. Talk about the inclusion of Rahab in the "Faith" chapter.
Hiding the spies - Discuss how Rahab hid the spies. This may be a good place to discuss the practice of lying (see Preparation).
The Agreement - Emphasize the agreement made between the spies and Rahab. If she broke her part of the agreement (if she betrayed the spies, if the scarlet cord was not in the window, or if someone wasn't in the house), then the Israelites would not save her (and her family) when God gave Jericho to the Israelites.
Reporting to Joshua - Discuss the spies' escape from Jericho and their report to Joshua. Read James 2:25. Note that Rahab is mentioned among several people in Hebrews 11, but is she one of the two examples cited in James. Her faith was remarkably strong to stand against her culture.
God's presence evidence - Ask: Why were the people of Jericho so afraid of the Israelites?
Our witness to a darkened world - God uses people to display His glory. Through our actions God becomes evident to the people around us. Discuss these two statements and come up with examples of how this is true. Then talk about how seeing God's involvement in our lives can lead others to have faith in God and be saved from their sin and this darkened world. Now go back to the candle.
God in us - We are like the candle. God is like the fire that lights the candle. Without His involvement in our lives we cannot perform our jobs that impact the world around us. If we hide our actions from those around us, people will not be able to see God's involvement in our lives. If we display God's involvement in our lives, people can be impacted for their good.
Review Questions
1. What vital military information did Rahab give to the Israelite spies?
2. Where in the Bible does it talk about Rahab's faith?
3. What was Rahab's part of the agreement?
4. What would have happened if Rahab had broken her part of the agreement?
5. How can God's involvement in our lives lead others to have faith in God?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Jigsaw Puzzles
Continue working on your jigsaw puzzle, using the pieces for Lesson Five. On one side, write "Rahab." On the other side, write "faith in God." Give students their ziplock bags so they can continue with their jigsaw puzzle pieces.
REACH Activity
Back to the Bible: God’s Deeds
Joshua 2:10-11 is an amazing statement. Jericho’s heart is melting for fear because of what God did to Egypt and to Sihon and Og. Sihon and Og were defeated just prior to crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. That the news of that defeat would strike the people of Jericho with terror is understandable. What is truly remarkable is that Jericho was still talking about the Red Sea crossing! This is 40 years later! For all of those people who think this wasn’t a mighty miracle, that it was just the Israelites crossing the Sea of Reeds, this statement by Rahab completely refutes that belief!
Using a Bible reference tool, find other references in the scriptures to what God did in Egypt or to Sihon and Og, i.e. Nehemiah 9:22. Record them in your Bible notebook under the heading “Recounting the Mighty Works of God.”
Journal Jot: Commendation
It’s very important to remember that Rahab was not commended for lying. The passages in Hebrews (11:31) and James (2:25) commend her for her faith in God, her acknowledgement that God is God, and her action of hiding the spies. But her faith would have also been evidenced by hanging the scarlet cord in her window and expressing her belief in God to her family to the point that they remained in the house with her even when all of the walls of Jericho were falling. The hanging of the scarlet cord also was a witness to the Israelites! Here is a person of a pagan nation who is expressing actionable faith in the God of the Universe. It was a visible reminder to them to honor their agreement and to likewise continue to live out their faith in God.
Our actions are seen by the people around us every day. We are witnesses of our faith in God by our actions. When you are out shopping, going to a movie, attending school, or whatever, people see you! If you are wearing a t-shirt which proclaims your faith in God, be sure you are acting in a way that exhibits your faith and honors God.
Write about this in your Bible notebook.
Word Study: sure - hupostasis and certain - elegchos
The word that is translated “sure” in Hebrews 11:1 is the Greek word which means “to be placed or stand under. In general, somewhat put under; therefore, used for a basis or foundation . . . confidence or confident expectation.” It is the foundation, therefore, of our hope.
The word that is translated “certain” in Hebrews 11:1 is the Greek word which means “conviction.” Conviction is the belief in God (in this instance) which results in actions which demonstrate that belief. (Source: Zodhiates’ NAS Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, 1990, G#5287 and G#1650).
The writer of Hebrews uses two distinct words which convey the strength of our faith in God. Our faith is not wavering, indeterminate, or nebulous. Our faith is a firm conviction, a solid foundation, a blessed assurance from which all of our actions flow.
Write these words, the definitions, and the scripture reference in your Bible notebook.
Just Toolin’ Around: Faith
When you read the definition of faith under “Word Study,” do you automatically think of scriptures which identify this kind of faith? Find five scriptures which talk about the kind of faith which pleases God. (Don’t only cite Hebrews 11!!) Write them down on index cards. Decorate them with your favorite art supplies. Then post them around your house to remind you to look to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith.
Did you Know? Rehab’s House
According to the NIV Archaeological Study Bible (2005, pg. 305), Rehab’s house was preserved when the walls of Jericho fell outward. “German excavations from 1907-1909 on the northern section of the site uncovered a portion of the lower city wall that did not fall as it did everywhere else. The still-standing section rose as high as 8 feet, with house built against it still intact. A second wall at the crest of the embankment revealed that these particular houses were situated between the upper and lower city walls and were thus ‘in the city wall.’ Since the lower wall also formed the back wall of the houses, an opening (window) in the wall would have provided a convenient escape route for the spies. From this northerly location it was only a short distance to the hills of the Judean wilderness, where the spies hid for three days.”
When you read the archaeological report which details how God saved Rahab and her house, while the remainder of the walls surrounding Jericho fell, it builds your faith in the gracious and mighty power of our Awesome God. In your Bible notebook, write a prayer of thanksgiving to God that He is gracious and merciful and all-powerful!
Stretch It Out: Reader’s Theatre
One of the best ways to remember the details of a story is to create a skit or play or to do a reader’s theatre. Divide Joshua 2 into the speaking parts of Rahab, the inhabitants of Jericho, and the spies, Joshua, and two narrators who can take turns reading the narrative. Video tape your presentation. That way you can play it for a younger class when they are studying Jericho.
Music Notes: A Mighty Fortress is Our God
This hymn is on page 4 of the CEM Hymnal.
Both the words and text of this hymn were written by Martin Luther. Inspired by Psalm 46, this hymn became associated with the Protestant Reformation. So, why are we singing it in connection to this lesson? Jericho knew that their walls were no defense against the will of Almighty God. Indeed, there is no security in this world which can withstand God’s power. So, if you want to stand firm and secure, build your life on the Lord, Jesus Christ!
Incidentally, in the second stanza, there’s a reference to Jehovah Saboath. Look up that Hebrew word and you will find that many English translations render it Lord of Hosts or Commander of the Armies of the Lord (Joshua 5:13-15). It means the God of Angel Armies, another reference to God’s invincibility.
Sing this hymn and then write your favorite lines in your Bible notebook.
Questions?
Write down any questions you have in your Bible notebook so that you can remember to ask your parents or your pastor.
Song
"Jesus Bids Us Shine" is on page 37 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students in prayer asking God to help them demonstrate His involvement in their lives to people around them.
Printable Pages
