Tuesday, January 15
Read Joshua 4
Think About It:
After the Israelites safely crossed the river, what would be next? Conquering the land? Not yet! God had other plans, He directed them to build a memorial from 12 stones drawn from the river by 12 men, one from each tribe. This may seem like an insignificant step in their mission of conquering the land, but God did not want His people to plunge into their task unprepared. They needed to focus on Him and remember who was guiding them.
- What can we learn from this example? When you are busy doing your God-given tasks, do you rush ahead with your ideas and plans, or do you set aside quiet moments to focus on God, times to build your own memorial to God’s power. Too much activity may shift your focus away from God.
- The memorial of 12 stones was to be a constant reminder of the day the Israelites crossed the Jordon River on dry ground. God instructed them to tell their descendants what the stone memorial meant, to teach them about The Lord God who dried up the Jordon River for them to cross over. What two reasons did God have for doing this? (verse 24)
- Do you have traditions, special dates or places to help your children, grandchildren and others learn about the ways God has worked in your life? Do you take time to tell them what God has done for you?
Family Time:
- Can you imagine what that would’ve looked and sounded like when the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as soon as the priests set their feet on dry land?
- What is a memorial?
- Why is it important to remember the things God has done for us? How can we remember the things God has done for us?
- Craft: Use modeling clay or real rocks to build a 12-stone memorial. Depict the river with blue clay or tissue paper.
- Here is a coloring picture of the Israelites crossing the Jordan. https://ministry-to-children.com/crossing-the-jordan-coloring-page/
