Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: Lesson 49 “Israel Crosses the Jordan”
Featured Passage: Joshua 3-4
The spies that Joshua sent returned safely from Jericho with important information that Joshua needed to attack the city. However, before the Israelites could capture the city they had to make it past the first big obstacle—the Jordan River. The river flowed from the north in Galilee to the Dead Sea and at the time was a broad, wide river, filling its banks to the brim. How was Joshua supposed to get all the people safely across to the other side? Joshua trusted that God had a plan. The Ark of the Covenant would be carried down to the river and the people were to follow after it. But, how would they get across? God was about to perform another miracle before His people, this time intending to remind the people that Joshua had been chosen as Israel’s leader after Moses.
Discuss:
- The Israelites had been camping for three days near the Jordan River. How were the people supposed to know that it was time for them to move?
- What is the Ark of the Covenant? What did it represent? Why do you think God wanted the Ark to lead the people?
- What miracle did God perform to help the people cross the Jordan River? How was it similar to or different from the crossing of the Red Sea?
- Why did the twelve tribes set up memorial stones after crossing the river? Where did the stones come from? What did they mean?
Memory Challenge:
Joshua 3:5-6
And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.
