Joshua 5:1-12 Preparedness

Objectives

• Students will recognize God's power
• Students will exercise faith in the God who parts the waters.

Opening

Today we are going to talk about crossing the Jordan. In order to get us all in the right framework I thought it might be fun to have you work on the following puzzle.

River Crossing

You must transfer Joshua, his wife, a priest, the Ark of the covenant, a female Israelite and a male Israelite. across the Jordan river respecting the following rules:

You have a small raft that can carry no more than 2 people or one person and the Ark of the Covenant. Only Joshua, and the priest can operate the ferry. The Ark can not be alone with any of the Israelites w/out the priest.

How can you manage?

Joshua 5:1-12 Preparedness Handout

Main Body

Let's Try This Again (Joshua 3:1-11)

• What decision had been made the last time Israel prepared to enter the promised land?
  • The people were too afraid to enter the land and faced God's judgement as a result.

• What preparations are made in Joshua 3:1-6?
  • The people focus on sanctification and preparing the Ark of the Covenant. It appears that the people are making God their focus.

• What promise does God make to Joshua in Joshua 3:7-8?
  • God will be with him.

• What assurance of victory is given in Joshua 3:9-11?
  • God will drive out the inhabitants. This is not something the people need to worry about, it is God who leads the people.

• What are some biblical examples of unbelief and the consequences of unbelief? Why do people base their actions on what they think they can do instead of basing their actions on what God can do? What are the risks associated with solving problems using your own resources?

Faith (Joshua 3:12-17)

• What act of faith did God ask of the priests?

• We talk about God testing our faith, but God already knows the degree of faith we possess. Why do you think God chooses to test our faith?

• Part of our struggle to show faith is that we struggle to follow the things to which God has called us to follow. What do each of the following verses tell us to follow?
  • Romans 14:19
    • Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may [a]edify another.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:1
    • Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15
    • See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
  • 1 Timothy 6:11
    • But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
  • 1 Peter 2:21
    • For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for [a]us, leaving [b]us an example, that you should follow His steps:

• In what ways is faith necessary to follow the items mentioned in the list above? How can we display the faith that God expected of the Israelites when we think about the commands above?

Memorials (Joshua 4:1-24)

• Read Joshua 4:1-3, why do you suppose God asked the people to take the stones?

• What memorials of God's faithfulness exist in your life today? Why is it important to have those memorials?

Conclusion

• What are some ways in which God asks Christians to step into the flooded Jordan today?
• Can you think of any specific points in your life where God asked you to step out in faith?
• Are there any specific areas in which we, as a corporate body, are being asked to step out in faith?