In what ways can we share God's past works with future generations today? Remembering the Jordan: Joshua 4:7 in Context “then you shall tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.” (Joshua 4:7) The Principle: Memorials for the Next Generation • God commanded Israel to set up twelve stones so children would ask, “What do these stones mean?” (Joshua 4:6). • Scripture continually calls parents and elders to recount God’s mighty acts: – “One generation shall declare Your works to the next.” (Psalm 145:4) – “We will not hide them from their children, but will declare... His wonders.” (Psalm 78:4) – “Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children.” (Joel 1:3) – “These words… you shall teach them diligently to your children.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) Practical Ways to Share God’s Works Today Tangible Memorials • Keep a “family faith journal” recording answered prayers, healings, provisions, and milestones. • Display faith-based art or photos that spark stories—mission trips, baptisms, weddings dedicated to Christ. • Celebrate anniversaries of God’s deliverances (e.g., recovery dates, restored marriages) as family “feast days.” Verbal Storytelling • Make testimony a normal part of meals: choose one night a week for each person to recount what God has done. • Grandparents share conversion stories or wartime deliverances at reunions. • Use bedtime to retell Bible narratives alongside personal parallels. Scripture Saturation • Memorize key passages together—Psalm 23, John 3:16, Romans 8—so truth is hidden in the heart (Psalm 119:11). • Post verses on mirrors, doors, and digital wallpapers (Deuteronomy 6:9). Digital Footprints • Record video testimonies; upload to a private family channel for future viewing. • Start a blog or social media series titled “Stones of Remembrance,” recounting weekly God-stories. • Compile a cloud-based photo book linking pictures to Scriptures and short testimonies. Worship and Ordinances • Regularly explain baptism and the Lord’s Supper: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26) • Sing hymns and modern worship songs that recount doctrine and divine acts; discuss their lyrics. Community Engagement • Invite younger believers on service projects; afterward, debrief how God showed up (Acts 14:27). • Host multigenerational small groups where seasoned saints share miracles and younger saints ask follow-ups. Linking Scripture to Life: Ensuring the Story Continues • Pair every personal testimony with a biblical parallel—e.g., provision with Elijah’s widow’s jar (1 Kings 17). • Encourage children to journal their own prayers and answers, forming the next layer of “stones.” • Model transparency: admit failures and emphasize God’s mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23). Encouragement for Faithful Storytellers • Your obedience builds faith in those yet unborn (Psalm 102:18). • Small, consistent acts—journaling, sharing at dinner, posting a testimony—form lasting memorials. • The God who parted the Jordan still works today; when we speak, we hand future generations stones they can stand on. |
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