God Answers Joshua and the Blind Man - Yes

TEXT: Joshua 10:12-14; Luke 18:35-43

OBJECTIVE

The students will be able to explain that God answers some of our prayers with a Yes.

BIBLE LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction: Bring an electric clock to class, as described in the In-class Activity for this lesson. We can unplug the clock and make the hands stop, but does time stop or go backward? Tell your class that today you are going to talk about a time when that did happen—in answer to prayer.

1. Joshua prayed for God to make the sun and moon stand still because the army of Israel was in battle with a heathen nation.
2. God answered his prayer with a yes and stopped the sun and moon for about a whole day.
3. In the New Testament, we read how a blind man heard Jesus passing by, and he cried out to the Master.
4. Though people told him to be quiet, he cried out again, and Jesus called the blind man to Him.
5. Jesus asked him what he wanted, and he requested his sight.

Climax: Again the answer was Yes, and Jesus healed the blind man's eyes.

Conclusion: There are times when God's answer to our prayers is Yes.

Response: Your students will be able to describe the prayers of the two examples given in today's text, and will tell how God responded in each case.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Joshua, an Ephraimite, son of Nun, though born in Egyptian bondage about 1500 B.C. was named, significantly, Hoshea, meaning "salvation." Two months after Israel's exodus he was appointed Moses' commander. Later he represented Ephraim in spying out Canaan and returned insisting that Israel, if faithful to God, could conquer the land. This was opposed to the majority report and almost cost him his life. Subsequently, however, for having "wholly followed the Lord," he not only escaped destruction but also received assurance, unique to himself and Caleb, of entering the Promised Land.

In the spring of 1406 B.C., Joshua was chosen by God to be Moses' successor. God promised to be with him as He was with Moses, saying, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." God warned him, though, of coming apostasy, but even here God promised Joshua the successful conquest of Canaan. In just six years Joshua took the whole land, and "left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses."

It was God's presence with Joshua that brought the victories in the many battles against the Canaanites. When Israel was defeated, it was because sin was in the camp. Many times Israel faced overwhelming odds, but God's miraculous power intervened and the victory was won. It was not the numbers or the skills of the armies of Israel but God who had promised: "I have delivered them into thine hand." Joshua believed God. He dared to command the sun to stand still upon Gibeon and the moon in the valley of Ajalon. God didn't fail him.

Ajalon was a city of Dan assigned to the Levite sons of Kohath. It is identified today with the modern Yalo, 14 miles from Jerusalem, north of the Jaffa road.

Our God is not just a God of Old Testament times but He also revealed Himself through the ministry of Jesus. The blind man that Jesus healed as He came toward Jericho, had to exercise the same faith that Joshua had in God Jehovah. And it is faith in God and obedience to His Word that brings answers to prayer today.

IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

• Use a sandbox with dolls, Fisher-Price figures, or Playmobile figures. Make a sun and moon of construction paper to hang over the box. Show the children what the sun and moon usually do, then explain what the sun and moon did after Joshua prayed and asked God to help him.
• Bring an electric clock with a second hand, or make a clock of construction paper, with moveable hands (see Patterns). Explain how time never stops—turn hands as you talk. Explain very simply Joshua's asking God to have the sun and moon stand still. That was their clock. God made the sun and moon stand still. Time stood still when God answered Joshua's prayer.
• Have your students draw what they think the expressions might have been on the blind man's face before and after Jesus healed him (see Patterns).
• Give each child a copy of the flip-sided chart of the blind man which shows the change in his eyes when Jesus healed him (see Patterns).
• Have students write a list or draw a picture showing how Jesus has answered their prayers with a Yes. Display their pictures on the bulletin board.
• Make paper eyeglasses with no eye holes for each of the children (see Patterns). Have them wear the glasses while you tell the story. Then remove them at the end to emphasize the blind man's receiving sight and what a great answer to his prayer that was!

QUESTIONS

1. Why did Joshua want the sun to stand still?
2. If the sun had not stood still, what would have happened in the battle?
3. Could anyone but God make the sun stand still? Explain.
4. "With God all things are possible." What does this mean?
5. Both Joshua and the blind man prayed for one special answer from God. They both knew exactly what they wanted and God said Yes. How can we follow this example?
6. Why did the blind man call to Jesus when he heard that Jesus was passing by?
7. We know that Jesus knows everything about every one of us. Why then, did He ask the blind man, "What will ye that I shall do unto you?" How did the blind man's faith "save" him?
8. How much faith do we need to have God answer our prayers?
9. Tell about a time when God answered a special prayer for you or your family.
10. What must we remember to do when God answers our prayers?

PRE-SCHOOL SUGGESTIONS

• Use a flannelgraph of Joshua, showing the moon and sun. Give the children a figure from the set, and as you tell the story, let them place the figure on the background at the appropriate time.
• Give each child a sack puppet representing the blind man whose eyes were opened (see Patterns).
• Show pictures of birthdays or Christmas parties. How happy we are when we get what we want. Show how Jesus likes to make us smile.
• To illustrate when the blind man was healed: Have children cover their eyes, or you could blindfold them if they wouldn't be afraid. Have them say what the blind man said to Jesus. Take the blindfolds off or have them uncover their eyes as you say, "Receive thy sight, thy faith hath saved thee."

REVIEW IDEAS ‍

Have several students or teachers come up carrying a posterboard showing something they once asked God for. (The illustrations can be simple line drawings, pictures cut from magazines, etc.) Have them briefly tell their story, including what the circumstances were surrounding their request. Then have them turn their posterboard over to show the word Yes—God's answer.

Make a "Prayer-Memory Box." To do so, collect several items which might trigger your memory of a time when God answered Yes to one of your prayers. (A toy car might remind you of a vacation, or a ribbon might bring back memories of a special gift). Tie a string to each item, put the item into the box, and let the string hang over the edge. Ask some of the students to come forward, one at a time, and choose a string. As you pull each item from the box, make a comment such as: "Oh, that reminds me of the time . . . " Tell your students that each time they pray they will be adding to their own prayer memories.

SUPPORT MATERIAL

The Man Born Blind — Palm Tree Bible Series, Con­cordia

The Beggar's Greatest Wish — Arch Book, Concordia