When Moses died, Joshua became the leader of the Israelites. In Joshua 1, God reaffirmed his promises to give the promised land to the Israelites. God told Joshua to be strong and brave three times between verses 6 through 9 just in chapter 1 of Joshua. God promised to be with Joshua, as He was with Moses.
In chapter 3, Joshua began to rally the Israelites to get prepared to cross the Jordan river and into the promised land. The Israelites approached the Jordan river and then set up camp there. The priests prepared the Ark of the Covenant to be carried into the Jordan river. Remember that the Ark of the Covenant was created by Moses under instruction from God. They placed the 2nd set of stone tablets that had the 10 Commandments written on them into the Ark of the Covenant (anyone remember what happened to the 1st set of stone tablets?).
Joshua told the people that they need to watch for the Ark of the Covenant, and when they see it pass by, to follow along, but not too close (about 1000 ft behind). So the priests picked up the Ark of the Covenant and carried it into the Jordan River. As they entered the river, the water began to pile upstream so that it stopped flowing. The priests were standing in the middle of the river on dry ground!
Joshua chose 12 men - one from each of the 12 tribes of Israel - to gather a stone from the middle of the river and carry it across. Joshua wanted a physical reminder of where they had been, so he piled up the stones as a monument to this very important event. He told the Israelites to tell the story of how God led them across the river on dry ground to all of their children when they asked about that pile of stones.
After the men gathered the 12 stones and all of the Israelites had crossed the river, Joshua ordered the priests to finish carrying the Ark of the Covenant across the river. As soon as they stepped onto the river's bank, the water began to flow again.
Ask students questions about major events that have happened in their lives, or important people:
We remember things that have been important to us.
If you have pictures of important events in your life (your wedding, birth of children, graduation from high school, etc) or church (your first service, old pictures of members, previous buildings, etc) show them to the students and talk about what happened.
In our Bible story today, God tells the Israelites to remember something that happened to them that was very important.
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or tell the story yourself.
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: Joshua 3:5-7, 11-17; 4:1-3
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
Heads up! Reinforcement activity from lesson 20
Scripture Exodus 25:10-22
Supplies cardboard box, 2 broom sticks
Heads up! make sure index card will completely cover the opening of the glass
Scripture Right away the water that was coming down the river stopped flowing. It piled up far away at a town called Adam near Zarethan. The water that was flowing down to the Dead Sea was completely cut off. So the people went across the Jordan River opposite Jericho. Joshua 3:16
Supplies glass, water, index card
Scripture Do not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14
Supplies colored beads, leather, string
Scripture He said to them, "Go back to the middle of the Jordan River. Go to where the ark of the Lord your God is. Each one of you must pick up a stone. You must carry it on your shoulder. There will be as many stones as there are tribes in Israel. Joshua 4:5
Supplies a field with rocks or stones in it
Heads up! Opening activity with students of special holidays that we celebrate with
Scripture Joshua 4:5
Supplies Items for Christmas (ornament), Thanksgiving (turkey pinecone), Holloween (pumkin), Easter (plastic egg), etc
Scripture He said to them, "Go back to the middle of the Jordan River. Go to where the ark of the Lord your God is. Each one of you must pick up a stone. You must carry it on your shoulder. There will be as many stones as there are tribes in Israel. Joshua 4:5
Supplies one stone per child
Heads up! Can use cereal box cardboard, instead of card stock
Scripture "Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight." Joshua 4:2
Supplies 12 small stones, per student, cardstock, glue (possibly hot glue gun, depending on size of pebbles), blue paint, white paint. paint brush
Heads up! Write one word of the memory verse on separate stones
Scripture He said to them, "Go back to the middle of the Jordan River. Go to where the ark of the Lord your God is. Each one of you must pick up a stone. You must carry it on your shoulder. There will be as many stones as there are tribes in Israel. Joshua 4:5
Supplies 12 or 24 stones
Scripture The stones will serve as a reminder to you. In days to come, your children will ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' Tell them that the Lord cut off the flow of water in the Jordan River. Joshua 4:6-7
Supplies small journal for each student
Scripture He said to them, "Go back to the middle of the Jordan River. Go to where the ark of the Lord your God is. Each one of you must pick up a stone. You must carry it on your shoulder. There will be as many stones as there are tribes in Israel. Joshua 4:5
Supplies 12 stones per student, 3 small sticks per student, twine, glue gun
Scripture He said to them, "Go back to the middle of the Jordan River. Go to where the ark of the Lord your God is. Each one of you must pick up a stone. You must carry it on your shoulder. There will be as many stones as there are tribes in Israel. Joshua 4:5
Supplies thin colored wire, 1 stone per student, needle nose pliers, Ribbon