Read Together: Joshua 3:7–4:7, 19–24

These chapters in Joshua tell the story of Israel crossing the Jordan River as they enter the Promised Land. They cross the Jordan just as they crossed the Red Sea—on dry ground. After they cross, Joshua instructs a man from each of the twelve tribes to take a stone from the Jordan to set up a memorial of this miraculous crossing. This memorial would provide opportunities for parents in the future to tell their children about God’s mighty power in giving them the Promised Land.

In verse 24, Joshua gives the ultimate purpose of all of this: that the nations might know the Lord’s might and that his people would fear the Lord their God forever. God’s mighty act of drying up the Jordan was meant to draw God’s people into a proper fear of the Lord. It was the fear of the Lord that was the foundation for Israel’s success and prosperity in the Promised Land. And as Pastor Jerry preached on Sunday, the fear of the Lord is the foundation for our joy and faith today.

This story teaches us a primary way we grow in the fear of the Lord and help our children to fear the Lord: we remember God’s mighty work of redeeming and saving his people. The greatest and most glorious work of our God is the salvation Jesus has won for those who trust in him. Jesus is leading a new Exodus and a new crossing of the Jordan into the Promised Land. And the center of this salvation and hope of glory is Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Therefore, we grow in the fear of the Lord most when we dwell on the cross and what it means.^* In our own personal discipleship and in the training of our children, the cross and the gospel must be central. So, let’s be people and families who learn to fear the Lord our God, to stand in awe before him because of his holy power and gracious love revealed most clearly in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1. What does Joshua say is the purpose of the miracle in this story (hint: see 4:24)?
2. What does it mean to fear the Lord?
3. How do God’s mighty works help us grow in the fear of the Lord?

Ideas for Younger Kids

• Retell the story of Israel’s crossing the Jordan in your own words. Collect twelve rocks/stones and have your children stack or pile them up. Talk about how this was to remind Israel of what God had done. Talk about how the same God who led Israel into the Promised Land works today to save us and lead us to heaven through Jesus.
• Read “Free at Last” in The Biggest Story Bible Storybook (pages 84–91). This tells the story of the plagues and the Exodus, which could be a starting point for discussion about God saving his people and how this leads us to love him and obey him.

Memorization: “and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)

Song: Listen to “The Power of the Cross” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend and reflect on what the cross means and how it teaches us the fear of the Lord.

Pray Together

• Praise the Lord for all his mighty works, especially the salvation we have through Jesus.
• Confess before him our imperfect fear, awe, and love.
• Ask him to help you grow in the fear of Lord by opening your eyes afresh to the glory of who he is and what he has done through Jesus.
• Ask him to help your children or grandchildren and the children in our congregation come to know the fear of the Lord and that the fear of the Lord would be the foundation for their faith and joy.

Go Together

• In your home, set up a memorial that will remind you of God’s mighty works. Print out a picture, find a painting or some artwork, or have your kids create some “art” that will remind you of God’s works but will also lead others to ask questions about it and give you opportunities to talk about the Lord and in so doing help you grow in the fear of the Lord.

^*Michael Reeves, Rejoice and Tremble, 116–24.

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas related to this Family Faith Talk guide or future guides, please let us know by leaving a comment!