The Lord spoke to Joshua after what event had happened?
What were the twelve men, one from each tribe, supposed to do?
Where exactly were the men supposed to take the stones from? Where were they supposed to take them?
What was the purpose of the stones? How were the people supposed to answer when their children asked what the stones meant?
Where did the priests who carried the ark stand? How long?
Who came after the people, when they had all crossed over?
Who else joined those who were settling across the Jordan? Why? How many of them?
Who exalted Joshua on that day? How did the people feel about Joshua? Who was he compared to?
What did the Lord tell Joshua to tell the priests?
What happened as soon as the priests with the ark left the riverbank?
What was the date that they arrived? Where did they camp then?
Where did they set up the twelve stones?
Again, what were they to tell their children about these stones?
Why was this miracle performed?

Thought Questions

Can you think of any instances in more recent history when God clearly and powerfully led His people? Did the people involved in that situation set up any type of historical monument to commemorate it? What have you learned about God from those stories?
Have you ever experienced God’s guidance in a powerful way in your own life, and (at least metaphorically) “set up a monument” to remember that time? At least, do you keep a journal of the ways God has answered your prayers, guided, and blessed you and your loved ones? How has this taught you about God and strengthened your faith? Could it teach others, as well?
What stories would you choose to tell a child about what God has done for His people in history? How about in your own experience?
Do we usually think of God being in the business of exalting humans? Why would God exalt Joshua (vs. 14)? Was it because Joshua was a great guy and God admired him, or some other reason?
Would you rather be exalted by humans, or God?
Contemplate verse 24. How does that verse sum up the whole story? Can God work in such mighty ways again in our day?

My prayer is:
That I would look for all the ways God has led His people through history, and learn of His glory from them;
That I would be in the habit of personally commemorating the ways He has blessed and led me and my loved ones, and remember those situations;
And that I would learn more about God’s ways and have faith in Him and in His power to lead and guide in our day as well.

How quickly after the spies returned did Joshua prepare to go to the Jordan River? Who came with him?
How long did they camp by the river?
Who was to bear the ark of the covenant? What were the people supposed to do when they saw the ark?
How much space were they supposed to leave between the ark and themselves? Why?
What were the people supposed to do to prepare for the Lord’s wonders that He was going to do for them?
What did the Lord say he was going to do for Joshua? Why?
What did the Lord say to command the priests who were carrying the ark?
What was the purpose of the miracles they were about to see?
What was going to happen when the priests stepped into the water?
Where did the waters stand still?
How did all the people get across the Jordan River?

Thought Questions

Did Joshua waste any time in claiming God’s promises for His people? After 40 years of tarrying in the desert, how did he know the time was right to move so quickly? Have you had an experience where you have known that it’s time to move? Or have delayed your response to God’s call?
Why was there to be a space between the people and the ark? How do you treat holy things? Why are holy things holy?
What was in the Ark of the Covenant that made it holy? Are the same things holy for us today?
What are some things that you think the Israelites were to do to sanctify themselves? See also Exodus 19:14-15. Is sanctification primarily an external thing (washing, etc.) or involving our hearts and minds? What would you do if you wanted to sanctify yourself?
When God exalts a ruler, is it for his own sake or for the sake of the people? In verse 7, who was really being glorified?
Why did God recreate the same miracle for the Israelites at the Jordan as He did at the Red Sea? Was it only a way to get the people across the river, or did it have any other meaning?

My prayer is:
That I would listen to God’s call to move forward and claim His promises, and act on them, at the appropriate time;
That I would follow holy things, such as God’s Law which was in the Ark, and keep them holy;
And that I would sanctify myself in the presence of holy things at holy times.