Read Joshua 3.
How many of you were familiar with this story before this week? (Encourage people to read Joshua 1-3 this week.)
Summary of Joshua 3:
Joshua and the Israelites pack up their gear and head toward the Jordan River as they prepare for their big water crossing. They set up camp for the night, and Joshua tells Israel that they must sanctify themselves. Also, heads up Israelites–you are to follow the Ark of the Covenant at a distance of 2,000 cubits. God says to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses." (v 7) It's clear that Joshua is the new Moses. As Israel is preparing to cross the Jordan, one man from each tribe is selected to carry the Ark into the water. The Jordan River is in flood season at this time, too. When the feet of the Ark bearers enter the water, the Jordan begins to flow like a wall to their right and to their left, just like the Red Sea in Exodus. Once all of Israel made it to dry land, the priests bearing the Ark step out of the Jordan and the water returns to normal. Very cool miracle!
Questions based on the Scripture passage:
What barrier stood between Israel and the land?
What sign would be given to the people to tell when they should go forward?
How closely should the people follow? Why?
How was the ark carried? Why?
What did Joshua say was about to happen in verse 5? What was the purpose of it? (vs 7, 10)
What were the priests carrying the ark to do at the river?
What did Joshua specifically predict was going to happen (v 13)?
Describe the crossing of the river.
Application questions:
Joshua is pretty new to the position of leading the Israelites, and now he's asking them to trust God for a miracle. If you were in the crowd, would you find it easy or hard to follow Joshua's leadership? Why?
What role do you think your leader/Pastor has for your life?
When you are in a situation that requires great faith, what helps you to be bold?
What daily or weekly things do you do in order to make sure your "faith tank" is full for when you're going to need it? What kind of prep work do you do for when you're required to act in faith?
Share an example of when you displayed radical obedience.
Share a story of when you saw someone else have radical faith. How did that impact you?
Share an example of when God made the impossible possible for you.
As the people started to obey, it wasn't quickly evident that a miracle was actually happening. Have you ever obeyed God's commands, but then felt like He wasn't even noticing? What did you do next? What does scripture say about God that would encourage/help you?
Every step in this story of Joshua 3 seems just absolutely weird, stupid, crazy or pointless. Are you downplaying any of your steps like that?
Why is your next step that God asks you to take SO important? What could possibly be at stake?
Why is it SO important to not just know what your next step in faith is, but to actually take it NOW?
Give a good reason why you should wait to take the step God has asked you to take. What excuses do you make?
Do you think your next step could ever impact someone else?
Do you think God even has a next step for you? What is it? How will you listen to God and do what He says?
Nothing worth doing is ever easy. What can you do to help yourself when the going gets tough?
Write down the next step you think God wants you to take. If you're not sure, commit to praying about it this week.
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