My students think being brave means not feeling scared. How do I address that?

Joshua 1:9 is actually a great corrective here because God acknowledges both fear and discouragement as real possibilities by telling Joshua not to give in to them. If courage meant never feeling afraid, the command wouldn't be necessary. Help students see that God is not asking them to pretend the fear isn't there. He is inviting them to choose trust in His presence even when the fear is very real.

Is Joshua 1:9 an appropriate memory verse for young children?

Absolutely, though for PreK and Kindergarten you may want to start with a shortened anchor phrase like 'God is with you wherever you go' before building toward the full verse. The language is direct and the promise is deeply comforting, making it one of the more child-accessible verses in the Old Testament. Repetition, motion, and simple visuals all help younger children internalize it.

How do I handle it if a child says they prayed for courage but still felt scared?

This is a beautiful pastoral moment, and Joshua 1:9 actually holds the answer. God's promise is not that fear will disappear but that He will be present through it. You can gently point out that God told Joshua the same thing before a very scary situation, and Joshua still had to choose to walk forward. Feeling scared and trusting God are not opposites, and helping kids understand that early builds genuine, honest faith.

Joshua 1:9 Sunday School Lesson for Kids

“Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””
— Joshua 1:9

Scripture: World English Bible (Public Domain).

Big Idea

Because God is always with us, we can be brave even when things feel scary.

Opening Hook

Ask the class to think of a time they felt nervous about something, like the first day of school or trying something new. After a few share, ask, 'Did anything or anyone help you feel braver?' Then let them know today's verse has the best answer to that question.

Teaching Points

This was a real command from God to a real person facing something genuinely hard. Joshua was about to lead a whole nation into a land full of unknowns, and God's first instruction was about courage, not strategy.
God's promise, 'I will be with you wherever you go,' is what makes the command to be brave possible. The courage isn't something Joshua had to manufacture on his own.
This promise belongs to us too. The same God who walked with Joshua through the Jordan River walks with your students through whatever they are facing.

See also:Isaiah 41:10 — another lesson about presence of God→

Discussion Questions

Why do you think God had to tell Joshua to be brave more than once? Do you ever need to hear something more than once before it really helps?
What is something coming up that feels a little scary or hard for you? How does knowing God is with you change how you think about it?
Is being brave the same as not feeling scared at all? What do you think the difference is?

Sample Slide Titles

Meet Joshua: A Big Job, A Big PromiseWhat Does It Mean to Be Courageous?God Said: 'I Am With You Wherever You Go'Brave Because of HIMJoshua 1:9. Say It Together

Sample Word Search Terms

BRAVESTRONGAFRAIDLORDJOSHUACOMMANDGOD

Application & Send-Off

Challenge students to think of one thing this week that feels scary or hard, and to say Joshua 1:9 out loud before they face it, because the promise in that verse is as real for them as it was for Joshua.

Bible Context

Joshua 1:9 comes at the very opening of the book of Joshua, immediately after Moses has died and God is commissioning Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land. The call to be strong and courageous appears three times in the first nine verses alone, which signals just how weighty this moment was. This passage sits at a major transition in Israel's story, from the wilderness wandering under Moses to the new chapter of entering Canaan, and God's repeated promise of presence is what anchors Joshua for everything ahead.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Keep it concrete and personal. At that age, courage is best understood as 'doing the hard thing even when your tummy feels funny.' Tie the verse directly to God's promise, 'He is with you wherever you go,' and let that be the anchor. Avoid abstract explanations and instead ask them to name something that scares them, then affirm that God is right there in that exact place.