Teaching resource for Lifeway’s Explore the Bible lesson for June 21

Ideas and questions to help group members and teachers prepare for Joshua 3:14–17; 4:1–9, 24.

First, divide the group into pairs.

Second, use the following icebreaker: Do you have anything in your house or yard that serves as a “memorial stone” to remind you of something God did in your past or a promise for the future?

Joshua 3:14-17

1. What are similarities and differences between the crossing of the Jordan and crossing of the Red Sea?
2. Why was the ark ahead of and not behind the people? In Joshua 3:4, what instructions were the people given about the ark?
3. For what reason did the writer of Joshua mention in 3:15 the season and that the Jordan overflows its banks? If it had not been spring when the snows of Mt. Hermon were melting, would the crossing of the river had been such a big deal?
4. If the water of the Jordan had just stopped flowing, what would have been the condition of the ground on the river bed?  

Joshua 4:1-7

1. Did the Lord instruct Joshua to get stones from any place where the Jordan had dried up or was there a certain location?  
2. According to 4:6, what was the purpose of gathering the stones and placing them at the camp site?
3. If those stones had not been set up, would future generations likely be reminded of the Lord’s miracle at the Jordan River?
4. What “memorial stones” can churches have to remind future generations of God’s miracles in the life of the church from her beginning?
5. What about for families?
6. What about for individuals?

 Joshua 4:8–9, 24

1. Was the raising of stones common in the Old Testament?   
2. What insight does Psalm 114:3-4 shed on our text?
3. What could Psalm 114:7 be alluding to?
4. Were memorials common in the ancient world? If so, what was the difference between some of these and the one set up here by Joshua?
5. What two reasons do Joshua 4:19-24 give for the miracle at the Jordan River?

Answers for Joshua 3:14–17

1. They were both miraculous and involved crossing water that had been parted or stopped. The ground underneath was dry and not sticky mud. At the Rea Sea, they were leaving bondage into freedom. At the Jordan they were crossing into enemy territory.
2. So, the people would know in which direction to go and be led by God’s presence. See Joshua 3:4. They were instructed to stay back about 1000 yards behind the ark.  
3. It is estimated that at this season the Jordan was 100’ wide and 10’ deep. This fact made the crossing that much more miraculous.
4. Very muddy and sticky, making the crossing much more treacherous. The Lord even made the ground dry.

Answers for Joshua 4:1–7

1. From near the ark was located.
2. To serve as a sign for them and their children in the future.
3. Not near as likely.  The presence of the stones would cause the children to ask what was their meaning.
4. Setting up and maintaining an historical room will remind present and future generations of God’s faithfulness over the years in various ways and times. A written history of the church as well.   
5. Photographs or paintings of family members, events, etc. Physical objects. Family tree or history. Written testimonies. Prayer journals.
6. Same answer as #5.

 Answers for Joshua 4:8–9,24

1. Yes. See Joshua 7:26; 24:26–27; Genesis 28:18–22; 31:45–47; 1 Samuel 7:12.
2. The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains skipped like lambs, the hills like lambs. Psalm 114:3-4. The psalmist is celebrating both.   
3. An earthquake. Some say an earthquake may have triggered a landslide that stopped the flow in the Jordan. Even if this is the case, the Lord had to time an earthquake, and it is just as much a miracle.  
4. Kings sometimes erected “steles” to their military exploits with their name or image on them. Joshua’s memorial was for the glory of God and not himself. (Biblical Illustrator, Spring 2016)
5. “So that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”  Joshua 4:24