Joshua 3 · Grade 4
The Living God Goes Ahead
Read and Think
After three days, the officers told the people to follow the ark of the covenant. They were to stay about two thousand cubits back. The ark showed that God Himself was leading. You have not passed this way before, the officers said, so the people needed to follow.
Joshua told the people to sanctify themselves, because tomorrow Yahweh would do wonders. The miracle would prove that the living God was among them. God also said He would make Joshua great. Then all Israel would know God was with him as with Moses.
It was harvest, and the Jordan overflowed its banks. The priests stepped into the edge of the water. Then the waters upstream rose up in one heap at Adam, the city beside Zarethan. The priests stood on dry ground until all Israel had crossed. In the New Testament, God's people passing through water as on dry land is remembered as an act of faith (Hebrews 11:29).
Show What You Know
How far behind the ark did the people walk?
What would the miracle prove?
Near what city did the waters stand in a heap?
Which New Testament verse remembers crossing water as on dry land by faith?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- After three days, the officers told the people to follow the of the covenant.
- The ark showed that Himself was leading.
- Joshua told the people to sanctify themselves, because tomorrow Yahweh would do .
- It was harvest, and the overflowed its banks.
- The stepped into the edge of the water.
Think About It
The people had never gone this way before. How does following God help when the path is new?
The priests had to step into the water before it stopped. What does that teach about trusting God?
Memory Verse
“The priests who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the nation had passed completely over the Jordan.”
Joshua 3:17 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for making a way for me. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- What did the crossing show about the living God?
- How did God show He was with Joshua?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.