Golden Text
“The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.” (Psalm 121:7, BSB) · Read in the Bible
Joshua faces the Amorites in defense of the Gibeonites and prays for the sun and the moon to stand still — and God answers. The lesson teaches Kindergarten children that our Heavenly Father is so powerful that He can even stop the sun to defend His people, and that nothing is impossible when we pray with faith.
In the first two lessons, we saw amazing things: a baby saved inside a little basket in the river and a whole people guided through the wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night. But today the story is going to get even more surprising. Today we are going to learn about the day when Father God did something that had never happened before and never happened again afterward: He stopped the sun in the middle of the sky.
That's right — the sun stood still! And all because a man named Joshua prayed in faith, and Father God heard his prayer.
What is a battle?
Before telling the story, let's talk about an important word: battle. When two armies fight against each other, that is a battle. But there is also a battle that we do not see with our eyes — the battle between good and evil. The Bible teaches us that Father God's angels fight every day to protect us from evil. And we, with our prayer, take part in that battle.
In today's story, the battle is real: soldiers on one side, soldiers on the other. And in the middle of it all, Father God, showing that He is stronger than any army in the world.
Joshua, the new leader
Do you remember Moses? He was the leader who brought the people of Israel out of Egypt and walked with them through the wilderness. Well, Moses grew very old and, before departing, asked Father God to choose someone to take care of the people in his place.
Father God chose a man named Joshua. He was brave, obedient, and God-fearing. Joshua talked with Father God through prayer and liked to please the Lord in everything. Father God said to Joshua: "Do not be afraid! I will be with you just as I was with Moses."
Under Joshua's leadership, the people of Israel went on conquering the lands that Father God had promised. They won many battles — and everyone nearby came to know that the army of Israel did not lose, because Father God fought alongside them.
The Gibeonites ask for help
Some neighboring cities, upon hearing about Israel's victories, became so afraid that they preferred to make friends with the people of God instead of fighting against them. That was the case with a city called Gibeon. The Gibeonites made a peace treaty with Joshua and became allies of Israel.
But this did not please everyone. Five kings of enemy cities were furious with the Gibeonites for having made friends with Israel. "You allied yourselves with the people of God? Then we are going to attack you!" they said.
The Gibeonites were desperate. Those five kings were gathering their armies to destroy Gibeon! So they sent messengers running to Joshua: "Joshua, please, come help us! The Amorites are coming to attack us with everything they have!"
The night march
Joshua could have been afraid — after all, there were five kings against him. But Father God spoke to his heart: "Do not be afraid of them, Joshua. I have already delivered victory into your hands. Not one of them will stand against you."
With that promise in his heart, Joshua gathered his best soldiers and did something bold: he marched all night long to reach Gibeon before the enemies noticed. When day broke, Joshua and his army arrived by surprise, like lightning!
The Amorites did not expect that. They were so frightened that they started running, fleeing in fear. The soldiers of Israel pursued the enemies, and Father God helped in an extraordinary way: He sent a huge rain of hailstones from the sky, which fell upon the Amorites. The Bible tells us that more enemies were defeated by the hailstones than by the sword of the soldiers!
The sun stopped
But the battle was not over yet. Joshua needed more time to defeat all the enemies, and the sun was already beginning to set. If night came, the Amorites could hide in the darkness and escape.
Then Joshua did something no one had ever done before. Right there, before all the people, he prayed to Father God out loud: "Lord, make the sun and the moon stand still!"
And do you know what happened? (Pause and let the children answer.)
Father God heard Joshua's prayer. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky. The moon stayed where it was. The day did not end! The sun kept shining for hours and hours longer, until Joshua and his soldiers completely defeated the enemies.
The Bible says that never before and never after was there a day like that — a day when Father God heard the voice of a man and held the sun in the sky. Joshua and his army returned to the camp celebrating the victory, praising the Lord.
❤ For the child's heart. If Father God can stop the sun — the huge, bright sun that no one can even look at because it is so strong — imagine what He can do for you! No problem is too big for our God. When you are afraid, talk to Him. If He stopped the sun, He can take care of anything in your life.
Nothing is impossible for Father God
Think with me: we cannot hold the sun. We cannot even look straight at it without closing our eyes. But Father God, who created the sun, the moon, and the stars, can control them however He wants. He can do what no human being could ever do.
If someone asked you: "Is there anything that Father God cannot do?", what would the answer be? The answer is: nothing is too hard for our God. He can heal the sick, bring joy to those who are sad, protect those who are in danger — and, if needed, even stop the sun in the sky.
Everything begins with prayer. Joshua prayed, and God answered. When we talk with Father God, He hears every word. Maybe He will not stop the sun for you, but He will take care of your problem in the best way.
Christ in the Lesson
Joshua is one of the characters in the Bible who is most like Jesus. Did you know that the name "Joshua" and the name "Jesus" mean the same thing? Both mean "the Lord saves." Joshua fought to free the people from the enemies of the land; Jesus fought — and won — to free us from the greatest enemy of all: sin.
On the cross, Jesus fought the greatest battle in history. And just as Joshua won because the Father was with him, Jesus won because He did the perfect will of the Father. The resurrection of Christ is the greatest victory ever won — greater than the sun stopping in the sky. And the most beautiful thing is that this victory is ours. Whoever trusts in Jesus is on the winning side forever.
The Bíblia de Estudo Pentecostal (CPAD, the Assemblies of God publishing house in Brazil) reminds us that "Joshua prayed asking for a miracle, and God answered his prayer. The believer should not hesitate to pray for the Lord to work wonders on his behalf."
Closing Prayer
Father God, You are the God who can do anything — even stop the sun in the sky! You heard Joshua's prayer and gave victory to Your people. Thank You because You hear our prayers too. Help each child in this room to trust in You, to talk with You every day, and to know that nothing is impossible for our God. Protect each one of them and their families from all danger. In Jesus' name, amen.
Soli Deo Gloria — Scripture governs; everything else, on its knees.
Frequently asked questions about this lesson
Why did Joshua ask God to stop the sun?+
Joshua was in battle against the Amorites to defend his Gibeonite allies. Night was approaching, and if it got dark, the enemies could escape. Joshua needed more time to win the battle. So he prayed to the Lord asking for the sun and the moon to stand still — and God answered his prayer, prolonging that day.
How to explain a biblical battle to 5- and 6-year-old children?+
Focus on God's protection, not on violence. Explain that a 'battle' is when a group needs to defend itself from people who want to do harm. Highlight Joshua's courage, obedience to our Heavenly Father, and the supernatural miracle. Avoid graphic details and emphasize that God fought for His people.
What is the memory verse for Kindergarten Lesson 3?+
"The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul." (Psalm 121:7). The suggestion is to make a large sun-shaped poster and write the verse on it.
What activities can the teacher use in this lesson?+
The activities include: (1) tracing the dotted name of Joshua and coloring the picture, developing motor skills; (2) completing sentences about the story by coloring the jar with the right answer; (3) free drawing of their favorite moment — the rain of hailstones or the sun standing still.
Teacher's Guide
Preparation. Hang the third smaller umbrella on the bulletin board with the lesson title. Make a large poster in the shape of a sun and write the verse on it (Psalm 121:7).
Welcome and praise. Welcome the students in a circle, ask how their week was, and say an opening prayer reinforcing gratitude for God's protection. Sing lively praise songs, introduce visitors, and collect offerings. Encourage the students to always invite a friend.
Lesson topic — Battle. Explain the concept of battle in an appropriate way: "When two armies fight, we call it a battle. There is a battle we do not see — Father God's angels fighting to protect us. But in today's story, the battle was visible, and Father God helped in a way no one ever imagined."
Verse (Psalm 121:7). Present the sun poster. Read the verse in the Bible and then ask the children to repeat it three times. Talk with them: "Father God keeps us from all danger. He is so powerful that He can even stop the sun to defend His people. No one can hold the sun — but Father God can, because He is the creator of everything."
Bible story (Joshua 10:6-15). Tell the story with excitement. Use gestures: soldiers marching at night (stomping feet), hailstones falling (clapping hands quickly), Joshua looking at the sun and praying (hands raised). Pause for questions: "Do you think the sun really stopped?" "Who commanded the sun to stop?"
Activities.
- Trace Joshua's name — The child traces the dotted word forming the name JOSHUA and then colors the picture. This develops fine motor coordination.
- Complete the sentences — The child colors the correct answer among three options for each sentence about the story. This serves as review and assessment.
- Free drawing — Hand a blank sheet of paper to each child to draw the moment they liked best: the rain of hailstones or the sun stopping in the sky.
Reinforcing the teaching. Reinforce the two extraordinary moments of the battle: the rain of hailstones and the sun stopping. Ask: "Which of these two moments do you think is more amazing?" Let the children express themselves freely.
Closing. Put away the materials, say a warm goodbye, wish everyone a week of victories, and encourage everyone to come back next Sunday to learn more about the wonders that Father God does.
