🔥Chapter 4 – Zero to Hero

10 mins:   [✨🔥]

ACTIVITY: Singing Time

Teach the children a song about serving God faithfully. Encourage them to sing along with simple actions. You may also use the Tamil song provided with this lesson.

30 mins:   [🔥]

Bible Passage: Exodus 7:14 – 14
Bible Event: Joshua becomes Zero to Hero

God did mighty miracles and led the people of Israel out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land, Canaan. Moses was their leader—a faithful man who served the people just as God wanted him to. God trusted Moses.

But not everyone was happy with Moses. Even though Moses was patient and kind, some people became rebellious. They thought Moses was acting like a boss and ordering everyone around.

Do you want to hear what they said to Moses?

(Read Numbers 16:2–3.)

Were they right? No! They were not.

As you continue reading the story, you will see that God dealt with the rebels and honoured Moses.

But among this difficult crowd was a young man who was different. His name was Joshua. Joshua did not need a title to serve God. He did not need to be called “leader” or “commander.” He simply served faithfully—and God had a great plan for him.

Today, we are going to learn how Joshua served when he was a “zero” and how God made him a “hero.”

Joshua Served When He Had No Title

The Israelites had crossed the Red Sea and were camping at a place called Rephidim. While they were waiting for God to show them where to go next, the Amalekites attacked them. This was the first battle Israel faced as a nation. Can you imagine how frightening that must have been?

Moses told Joshua to choose some men and lead them into battle against the Amalekites. Joshua obeyed. He wasn’t introduced as a great military commander. He wasn’t given an impressive title. Moses simply asked him to lead—and Joshua served. And God gave Israel a great victory! This is the first time we read about this young man named Joshua.

Joshua Stayed Faithful

The next time we see Joshua, he is with Moses on Mount Sinai.

While Moses was meeting with God, the Israelites became impatient and made a golden calf to worship. But Joshua was not part of their rebellion. He remained faithful to God and continued to serve Moses.

Later, Moses sent twelve men—one from each tribe—to spy out the Promised Land. Joshua was one of them. Ten spies came back with a frightening report. They were afraid of the people in the land and made everyone else afraid too. But Joshua and Caleb said, in effect, “Do not be afraid. God is with us. He will help us!”

Joshua wasn’t looking for a position or trying to become famous. He simply wanted to do what was right and help God’s people.

What Was Joshua’s Secret?

How was Joshua able to remain so faithful when so many others were complaining, rebelling, and fighting for positions?

There is a beautiful clue in the Bible.

Whenever Moses went to the Tabernacle to meet with God, Joshua would go with him. Moses would enter the Tabernacle and speak with the Lord. Joshua could not go inside with Moses. But when Moses left, Joshua stayed there.

Why?

Perhaps Joshua simply loved being near God. He didn’t have a title. He didn’t have a position. He didn’t have a crowd cheering for him.

But he had something much more important: He wanted God’s presence.

The Israelites had said, “You speak to us through Moses.” But Joshua was different. He wanted to stay close to God. And that made all the difference.

The more Joshua stayed near God, the more his life reflected God. He wasn’t competing with anyone. He wasn’t trying to take Moses’ place. He wasn’t running after a title.

God was enough for Joshua.

So Joshua served. He obeyed. He helped people. He remained faithful.

Did God Notice Joshua?

Do you think God noticed him? Yes!

God chose Joshua to become Moses’ successor. When Moses’ work was finished, God told Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God promised Joshua: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.”

And God did mighty things through Joshua. One of the most amazing miracles happened during a battle when God caused the sun to stand still so that Israel could finish the battle and win!

The young man who once served quietly became a great leader whom God used mightily.

From Zero to Hero

God even allowed Joshua’s story to become part of the Bible. The book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Bible, coming right after the five books associated with Moses. Joshua’s name was remembered for generations.

And here is something very interesting: Joshua and Jesus are forms of the same Hebrew name, meaning “The Lord saves.” Even today, thousands of years later, we still remember Joshua.

Why? Because Joshua didn’t spend his life trying to become somebody.

He spent his life serving God.

And God made him somebody great.

So, what can we learn from Joshua?

You don’t have to wait until you have a title.

You don’t have to wait until everyone notices you.

You don’t have to be the leader before you start serving.

Serve God where you are.
Help people where you can.
Stay close to God.
Do what He asks you to do.

God sees faithful hearts.

And when we are faithful with what He gives us today, He can use us for something much greater tomorrow.

You may feel like a “zero” today—but when God is with you, He can make your life a “hero” story for His glory.

Do you want to be like Joshua—not someone who runs after a title, but someone who runs after God?

(Let’s pray.)

20 mins:   [✨🔥]

Activity: Zero or Hero?

Things Needed:

• Small white paper cards (4 × 6 inches)
• Crayons
• On some cards, write “TITLE” and on the rest write “GOD.”
• Make sure there are enough cards for every child to receive one.
• On the back of the “GOD” cards, secretly write “HERO” in white crayon. On the back of the “TITLE” cards, write “ZERO.”

Method:

1. Before Sunday School begins, hide the cards in different places around the room.
2. When you say “Go!”, let the children search for a card. Each child should find one card.
3. Once everyone has a card, ask them to colour the back of their card using a crayon.
4. As they colour, the hidden words will appear!
5. Those who found “GOD” will discover “HERO.” Those who found “TITLE” will discover “ZERO.”

Share the Message:

Ask the children: “What did you choose—TITLE or GOD?”

Remind them:

“When we run after titles, attention, and popularity, we may become ‘zeros.’ But when we seek God and faithfully serve Him, He can make us ‘heroes’ for His glory!”