TGP Parent's Help week of 4/21-4/27

Unit 8, Session 4: The Defeat of Ai

Joshua 8

Christ Connection:

The Israelites were under a covenant in which their obedience was directly related to God’s presence with them. We are under a new covenant through Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for our sin on Himself. Because of Christ, we are in right standing with God. We are victorious over our enemies because of our faith in Christ (Romans 8:37).

Adult Connection Point:

Works are not the cause of salvation, but they are the fruit of salvation. They do not precede our justification by faith alone through grace alone, but they certainly result from the decisive act of God in our lives. God’s people are constituted by grace alone through faith in Jesus alone (Gal. 2:1521).

They are marked by faith in Jesus alone that results in good works.

Family Devotion:

Materials: Bible, interlocking bricks (two different colors to represent Ai and Israelite soldiers)

Take a few minutes before your devotional to build a small city of Ai out of interlocking bricks. Set some interlocking bricks aside to use as soldiers during the story.

Say: The Bible story today takes us back to the city of Ai. Does anyone remember what happened the last time the Israelites tried to attack Ai? (See Joshua 7.)

Read Joshua 8:12.

Ask: What was different about this battle from the first time they attacked Ai? (See Joshua 7:3.)

Read Joshua 8:322.

As you read, position the Israelite soldiers in and around the city of Ai.

Ask: Why was this battle against Ai successful and the first one was not?

Say: The Israelites did not obey God’s plan during the first battle of Ai. Achan sinned. This time, however, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s specific instructions on how to attack Ai, and they won the battle. We cannot earn victory over our enemies by obedience only. Once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the battle has been won. When we trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will want to obey Him because of what He has done for us. Faith in Jesus and obeying Him will reap great rewards.

Pray and ask Jesus to help you obey God’s commands. Thank Him for winning the battle over our enemies through Jesus Christ.