Rahab's Children's Study
The Woman with the Scarlet Cord
God’s people, the Israelites, had walked through the desert for forty years. Now they were ready to cross the Jordan River and enter the new land God had promised them. Their leader, Joshua, sent two spies to look at the city of Jericho.
The spies went to the house of a woman named Rahab. She lived a life that was different from most women. She entertained men in her home. She lived right on the city wall. Soon the king of Jericho heard about the strangers. He sent soldiers to find them. But Rahab had already hidden the spies under piles of flax on her roof!
She told the soldiers, “The men already left. Hurry after them!” The soldiers ran away.
Rahab went up to the roof. “I know your God has given this land to you,” she whispered to the spies. “Please save me and my family when you attack.”
The spies promised, “Hang this bright red cord from your window. When we see it, we will spare everyone in your house.”
Rahab tied the red cord and let it hang down the wall. Later, the Israelites marched around Jericho. The walls fell down except for Rahab’s house! The red cord saved her and her whole family.
God used Rahab, a woman with a hard past, to help His people. And guess what? She became the great great grandmother of King David and is even in the family tree of Jesus!
God can use anyone who trusts Him.
Devotional Lessons
Lesson 1: God Uses Ordinary People
Rahab wasn’t a queen or a warrior. She lived in a city that didn’t love God. But when she heard about God’s power, she chose to believe. God saw her heart, not her job or her past.
Big Truth Statement:
You don’t have to be perfect or famous for God to use you. He looks at your heart, not your reputation.
Kid Questions:
- What city did Rahab live in?
- Did Rahab know God from growing up in a church? How did she hear about Him?
- Why do you think God chose to save Rahab?
- Can God use you even if you’ve made mistakes? How?
Lesson 2: Faith Means Taking Brave Risks
Rahab hid the spies even though the king’s soldiers were looking for them. She could have been punished, but she trusted God more than she was scared. That’s what faith looks like.
Big Truth Statement:
Trusting God often means doing something brave, even when you feel afraid.
Kid Questions:
- Where did Rahab hide the spies?
- What did Rahab tell the king’s soldiers? Was that a lie, and why did she do it? (Help children understand God values protecting life, but honesty is still important—discuss gently.)
- Name a time you had to be brave to do the right thing.
- How can God help you be brave when you’re scared?
Lesson 3: God Keeps His Promises
The spies told Rahab to tie a red rope in her window. When the walls of Jericho fell, that red rope was a sign for the Israelites to save her family. God promised safety, and He kept His promise.
Big Truth Statement:
When God makes a promise, you can count on it 100%.
Kid Questions:
- What color rope did Rahab hang in her window?
- Who else was saved inside Rahab’s house?
- Did the walls of Jericho fall everywhere except Rahab’s house?
- What is one promise God has made to you in the Bible?
Lesson 4: God Turns Your Story into Something Beautiful
Rahab wasn’t always a hero. But after she helped God’s people, she became part of God’s big family. Later, she was even an ancestor of Jesus! God took her messy past and made it part of the most beautiful story ever.
Big Truth Statement:
God doesn’t waste your past. He can take the hard parts of your life and use them for good.
Kid Questions:
- What famous person came from Rahab’s family line many years later? (Hint: Jesus!)
- Does God only love people who have been good their whole lives?
- How does it feel to know God can use anything in your life for His purposes?
- What’s one thing from your past that God could turn into something good?
Four Big Ideas for Kids
- God sees your heart, not your history. Rahab wasn’t perfect, but God loved her faith.
- Brave faith takes action: Rahab didn’t just believe, she hid the spies and hung the rope.
- God’s promises are sure. The red rope worked because God kept His word.
- You can be part of God’s family tree. No matter where you come from, God has a place for you.
Three Children's Activities
- Red Rope Craft – Give each child a piece of red yarn or ribbon (about 12 inches). Have them tie it around a craft stick or a small cardboard “window” cutout. Explain that the red rope reminded Rahab of God’s promise. Children can hang their red rope somewhere at home as a reminder that God keeps promises.
- Wall of Jericho Snack – Provide graham crackers (walls) and frosting (mortar). Let children stack two crackers with frosting between and on top. Then give them a small gummy figure (Rahab) and a red candy licorice rope. As they build, tell the story: “The walls stood tall, but God knocked them down—except Rahab’s house with the red rope!”
- Trust Fall Game – Have children stand in a circle. One child stands in the middle, closes their eyes, and falls backward into the arms of two friends. Explain: “Rahab trusted God even though she couldn’t see exactly how He would save her. When we trust God, we can rest in His strong arms.”