“Influencers” are the new heroes in our culture.
Kids dream of being popular on social media or even
becoming a professional TikTok creator. This series teaches how to be a godly influence in real life by
following God’s Word. Each lesson profiles a character in the Bible and shows how they influenced others by
living out their faith. Children will be challenged to follow Jesus and let his light shine out to influence
others.
Lesson #3: Be Trustworthy
• Big Idea: In order to influence others, they have to trust what you are saying. They have to
know that you keep your word and what you speak is the truth.
• Key Passage: Joshua’s speech to the tribes of Israel. Because of Joshua’s reputation of being an
instrument of God and a trustworthy person, he was able to remind the Israelites what God had
done for them and to encourage them to agree to follow the Lord instead of the many false gods
of the time.
• Memory Verse: Joshua 24:15 “….but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
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Lesson Title: Be Trustworthy
Big Idea: To influence others, they need to trust what you are saying. They must know that
you keep your word and that your words reflect the truth.
Key Passage: Joshua 24 – Joshua’s speech to the tribes of Israel.
Memory Verse: Joshua 24:15 – “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Lesson Outline
1. Introduction (10 minutes)
Objective: Set the stage for understanding trustworthiness and its significance in influencing
others.
o Start with a question:
“What does it mean to be trustworthy?”
Encourage the kids to share their thoughts.
o Discuss the importance of trust in relationships and influence, especially in the age of
social media. Ask:
“Why is it important to trust what we see or read online?”
o Introduce Joshua, a man known for his faithfulness and trustworthiness, and explain
that today we will learn how his character influenced the Israelites.
2. Bible Story: Joshua’s Call to Trust (Joshua 24) (15 minutes)
Objective: Teach the story of Joshua’s address to the Israelites, highlighting the importance
of trust in their relationship with God.
Story Summary:
o Joshua gathered the tribes of Israel and reminded them of all that God had done for
them.
o He challenged them to choose whom they would serve, urging them to remain faithful
to the Lord.
o Because of Joshua’s reputation as a trustworthy leader, the people listened and agreed
to follow God.
Read or Act Out the Story:
o Read key passages from Joshua 24:1-15.
o Have a few kids act out Joshua addressing the tribes, emphasizing his call to trust in
God.
o Discuss how Joshua’s integrity and trustworthiness led the people to reaffirm their
commitment to God.
3. Memory Verse Activity (10 minutes)
Objective: Help the children memorize the verse in a fun and engaging way.
Verse:
Joshua 24:15
o Teach the verse line by line, having the kids repeat after you.
o Play a memory game where each child adds a word to the verse while standing in a
circle. They must remember all previous words as they add theirs.
o Encourage them to reflect on what it means to serve the Lord with their families and
how that trust translates into their daily actions.
4. Activity: “Trust Builders” (15 minutes)
Objective: Help children practice trustworthiness in their interactions with others.
Instructions:
o Divide the children into small groups. Give each group a scenario where trust could be
tested (e.g., a friend tells a secret, sharing responsibilities for a project, etc.).
o Ask each group to discuss how they would handle the situation to build trust and
maintain their word.
o Afterward, have groups share their scenarios and solutions.
Discussion:
Talk about how being trustworthy builds strong friendships and influences others positively,
both in real life and online. Discuss examples of trustworthy behavior on social media, such as
sharing accurate information and supporting friends.
5. Application & Discussion (10 minutes)
Objective: Guide children to apply the lesson to their own lives.
Questions to Ask:
o “Why is it important for others to trust us?”
o “How did Joshua's trustworthiness help him influence the Israelites?”
o “What can we do to be trustworthy friends?”
o “How can we be careful about what we share on social media to maintain trust?”
Reflection:
Encourage the kids to think of one person they can show trustworthiness to this week. Discuss
how they can be honest and reliable in their friendships and online interactions.
6. Prayer (5 minutes)
Objective: Close the lesson with a prayer, asking God to help the children be trustworthy in
their friendships and online presence.
Sample Prayer:
"Dear God, thank You for the example of Joshua and for teaching us the importance of
trustworthiness. Help us to be honest and reliable friends, both in our lives and online. May
our words and actions reflect Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Take-Home Lesson Summary for Parents
Lesson #3: Be Trustworthy – Influencing Others with Honesty
Dear Parents,
Today, your child learned about Joshua’s powerful speech to the tribes of Israel from Joshua
24, focusing on the importance of being trustworthy in influencing others. Joshua reminded
the people of God’s faithfulness and challenged them to choose to serve the Lord. His
character and integrity made him a trusted leader, which influenced the people to commit to
following God.
Big Idea:
To influence others, they need to trust what we say. We should keep our word and share the
truth.
Memory Verse:
"… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15
Key Points Discussed:
• Joshua’s call for the Israelites to choose whom they would serve.
• The impact of being trustworthy on leadership and influence.
• The importance of honesty in relationships, both in person and on social media.
This Week’s Activity:
The children participated in a “Trust Builders” activity where they discussed how to maintain
trust in various scenarios. Encourage your child to practice being trustworthy at home,
whether by completing chores, keeping promises, or being honest with their siblings.
Discussion Questions for Parents:
1. Why is trust important in our family and friendships?
2. Can you think of a time when being trustworthy influenced someone positively?
3. How can we demonstrate trustworthiness in our digital lives?
We encourage you to continue this conversation at home and help your child apply the lesson
by being honest, reliable, and a positive influence in their daily interactions.
Thank you for partnering with us in teaching your child important biblical values!
Blessings,
GCBC Children’s Ministry
This lesson plan emphasizes the importance of trustworthiness in a way that connects with
children’s experiences, especially in the context of modern social media and relationships.
