Crossing the Jordan
This week’s Redemption Kids lesson is about Joshua!
Sunday Story Time
Each Sunday we have a story time, discussion time, worship time, and close by recapping the lesson.
Story Time
Start by reading this week’s lesson to your children, or by having them read it to you. Then watch this week’s lesson video.
Read the Passage: Joshua 1-4 (ESV)
Watch the Video: Check out this morning’s lesson from Pastor Robin about an impossible crossing done by not humans but God!
Discussion Time
After watching the video, ask the following questions to further teach and apply today’s lesson.
Minis/Littles Discussion Questions
Ask the following questions, leading discussion as suggested:
Who led the Israelites to the Jordan River? (Joshua)
What remind the people that God was with them? (the ark of God)
Did God’s people have to swim across the Jordan River? (No, God stopped the water and they walked)
Why did God tell the people to pick up 12 stones from the middle of the river? (so they would remember that God helped them cross the river)
How can we glorify God? (We can glorify God by loving Him and obeying Him)
Bigs/Elementary Discussion Questions
What did God tell Joshua as he became the new leader of the Israelites? (Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid; Josh. 1:9)
How did God help the people cross the Jordan? (God stopped the flow of the water so that it piled up on one side, Josh. 3:16)
What did Joshua do to remember the amazing thing God had done for His people? (He instructed men from the twelve tribes to take 12 stones from the middle of the riverbed and set them up as a memorial, Josh. 4:3-7)
Why do you think God helped His people cross the Jordan? (Guide kids to discuss the fact that most of the people who had seen God’s amazing miracles in Egypt and at the Red Sea had died. God helped them cross the Jordan River in an amazing way to demonstrate His power to them and strengthen their faith in Him)
Why do you think God wanted the people to have the stones to remember what He did for them? (Guide kids to discuss the fact that God proves His faithfulness again and again, but people tend to forget and walk into sin. God wanted them to have a reminder that He is good and trustworthy)
God told Joshua to be strong and courageous and to obey His commands. What commands do Christians need strength and courage to obey? (Discuss the different commands Jesus talks about, such as loving God, loving people, sharing the gospel, and so forth)
Worship Time
Let’s stand up, lift our voices, raise our hands - and SING!
Minis/Little - Printable Lyrics
Let’s Recap
We close each Sunday by recapping the the lesson with this week’s question & answer, big idea, and Bible verse that we’ll come back to throughout the week.
Big Picture Question: How can we glorify God?
Big Picture Answer: We can glorify God by loving Him and obeying Him.
Big Idea: God held back the Jordan River for His people to cross.
Bible Verse to Memorize - It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. - Deuteronomy 31:8
Tuesday’s Tales
Story Time
Each Tuesday we take some time to watch a video that reinforces this week’s lesson.
Minis/Littles: Bible Story Video
Bigs/Elementary: Crossing the Jordan; Questions From Kids
Let’s Recap
We close each Sunday by recapping the the lesson with this week’s question & answer, big idea, and Bible verse that we’ll come back to throughout the week.
Big Picture Question: How can we glorify God?
Big Picture Answer: We can glorify God by loving Him and obeying Him.
Big Idea: God held back the Jordan River for His people to cross.
Bible Verse to Memorize - It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. - Deuteronomy 31:8
Friday Family Fun
Activity Time
Each Friday we have some fun! Print out the activity sheets and use the Family Discussion & Activity Tips to engage with this week’s lesson.
Minis/Littles: Look & Find (p11-12)
Bigs: Crazy Crossing (p11-12)
Elementary: Remember the Time (p11-12)
Let’s Recap
Let’s see how much of this week’s lesson everyone remembers!
Big Picture Question: How can we glorify God?
Big Picture Answer: We can glorify God by loving Him and obeying Him.
Big Idea: God held back the Jordan River for His people to cross.
Bible Verse to Memorize - It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. - Deuteronomy 31:8
