In what ways can we teach future generations about God's faithfulness, as seen here? Scripture Snapshot “and said to them, ‘Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for the twelve tribes of Israel,’” (Joshua 4:5) Why Twelve Stones? Tangible Remembrance • God directed an unmistakable, visible memorial. • The stones would stand long after the people moved on, silently proclaiming, “The LORD kept His promise and cut off the Jordan.” (Joshua 4:6–7) • Future generations could touch, see, and ask about that pile; memory became discipleship. Time-Tested Ways to Pass On God’s Faithfulness Build Visible Reminders • Create physical markers—art, plaques, journals, or even a simple stone on a shelf—that prompt conversation. • 1 Samuel 7:12: “Then Samuel took a stone… and named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’” Memorials invite fresh retelling. Retell the Story Often • Deuteronomy 6:6-9 calls parents to speak of God’s works “when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road.” Ordinary moments become teaching moments. • Psalm 78:4: “We will not hide them from their children; we will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD.” Share victories, answered prayers, and hard-won lessons. Celebrate Through Rhythms and Traditions • Feasts, anniversaries, communion, and baptism all echo Joshua’s stones—sacred rhythms that keep memory alive. • Luke 22:19: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Jesus Himself tied remembrance to repeated action. Write It Down • Keep family faith journals, photo books with captions, or recorded testimonies. • Psalm 102:18: “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.” Written words outlast spoken ones. Sing and Worship Together • Songs lodge truth in the heart. Exodus 15, Judges 5, and the Psalms model how worship preserves history. • Encourage children to contribute—new melodies, artwork, or poetry expressing what God has done. Model Obedience in Real Time • The men carried the stones on their shoulders—costly, visible obedience. Let younger eyes see faith in action: service projects, sacrificial giving, hospitality. • Philippians 4:9: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things.” Example is a living curriculum. Mentor and Multiply • 2 Timothy 2:2: “And what you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Arrange one-to-one or small-group mentoring across generations. • Encourage grandparents, aunts, uncles, and church elders to tell their Jordan stories. Other Scriptural Echoes • Exodus 12:26-27 – Passover questions lead to gospel answers. • Psalm 145:4 – “One generation shall declare Your works to the next.” • Hebrews 11 – A written memorial of God’s faithfulness through the ages. Living It Out Today Gather your own “stones,” rehearse the story again and again, weave remembrance into worship and everyday life, and invite the young to carry the testimony forward. The God who stopped the Jordan still proves faithful, and every deliberate reminder prepares the next generation to trust Him for their own crossings. |
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