The Gospel Project Faith Talk - Joshua 1-4

Sunday: March 2, 2025
Scripture: Joshua 1-4

Preschool

Main Idea: Crossing the Jordan River (Joshua 1-4)

Summary
  • Joshua told the Israelites, “We are crossing the river into the Promised Land.” Everyone said, “We will do what you say, Joshua!”
  • The priests stepped into the river with the ark of God, and the water stopped flowing! The people walked across on dry ground.
  • God told Joshua to pick up 12 big rocks from the middle of the river. God wanted the people to remember how amazing and powerful He is.

Review Questions
  1. Why did God want Joshua to pick up 12 big rocks?
  2. How can we be strong and courageous for God like Joshua?

Kids

Main Idea: Crossing the Jordan River (Joshua 1-4)

Summary 
  • God promised the help Joshua lead the people into the land of Canaan.
  • When the priests carrying the ark stepped into the Jordan River, the water stopped flowing. The people crossed the river on dry ground.
  • Men from each tribe piled up 12 stones from the middle of the river as a way to remember God’s faithfulness.

Review Questions
  1. Why did God tell Joshua to be strong and courageous?
  2. How does God presence in our lives encourage us?

Students

Main Idea: Remembering God’s faithfulness helps us remain faithful. (Joshua 3:12-17; 4:1-7) 

Summary
Joshua chose twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, to stand in the middle of the Jordan River while the priests carrying the ark caused the river to stop flowing, allowing all the people to cross on dry ground. After everyone had crossed, God told Joshua to have the twelve men each take a stone from the middle of the river and build a memorial at their camp. This stack of twelve stones would serve as a reminder to future generations of how God miraculously stopped the Jordan River so the Israelites could enter the Promised Land.

Review Questions
  1. How does Joshua’s leading the people into the promised land hint at what Jesus does for us? 
  2. According to Joshua 4:6-7, what should be part of our motivation to remember God’s faithfulness? 

Adults

Main Idea: God is with His people as He leads them. (Joshua 3)

Summary
Joshua 1-4 recounts how God commissioned Joshua to lead the Israelites after Moses's death, instructing him to be strong and courageous as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Joshua sent spies to Jericho who were saved by Rahab, then miraculously led the people across the Jordan River on dry ground as the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stood in the middle of the riverbed. Afterward, Joshua had twelve stones set up as a memorial of this miracle at Gilgal, where the people also celebrated Passover and where the male Israelites born in the wilderness were circumcised.
 
Review Questions
  1. The priests carrying the Ark had to step into the flowing Jordan River before the waters parted (Joshua 3:13-17). What does this teach us about the relationship between faith, action, and God's provision in our own lives? 
  2. Joshua 3:7 shows God promising to exalt Joshua in the eyes of Israel. How does this crossing event parallel Moses's Red Sea crossing, and what might this reveal about God's pattern of confirming new leadership? 

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