Joshua and the Crossing of the Jordan River

Subject: Christian Religious Studies

Class: Primary 3

Term: First Term

Week: 9

Topic: Joshua and the Crossing of the Jordan River

Duration: 45 minutes

Previous Knowledge: Basic understanding of key figures in the Bible.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about Joshua’s leadership in preparing to enter Canaan.
2. Understand the significance of Rahab’s role in the story.
3. Explore the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and its symbolism.
4. Reflect on the importance of following God’s instructions.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Reflection
• Story comprehension
• Moral reasoning

Learning Materials:

• Visual aids (images of Joshua, spies, Rahab, and Jordan River)
• Storyboard or illustrations of the narrative
• Small stones for hands-on activity
• Bible passages (Joshua 3-4)

Content:

Before Invading Canaan: Joshua’s Story with Rahab

1. Spies Sent:
   • Joshua sent two spies to check Canaan.
   • Rahab, a woman in Canaan, helped them.
2. Preparation for Crossing Jordan:
   • Joshua told people to wash, wear clean clothes, and avoid certain activities.
   • People gathered behind the ark of the covenant.
3. Crossing the Jordan:
   • Joshua instructed priests to carry the ark into the swollen Jordan River.
   • When priests stepped in, the river stopped flowing, creating dry ground.
   • The entire nation crossed safely.
4. 12 Stones Memorial:
   • God commanded Joshua to pick 12 stones from the riverbed.
   • Joshua stacked them as a memorial, signifying God’s miracle like the Red Sea parting in Egypt.
5. Significance of the Memorial:
   • Joshua explained the stones were a sign for all nations that God parted the Jordan waters.
6. Priests’ Safe Return:
   • After everyone crossed, priests with the ark left the riverbed.
   • Jordan waters rushed back.

Key Lesson:

• Trust in God’s power and follow His instructions.

👉 Remember: God’s miracles are signs for everyone to see and believe

Evaluation

1. Joshua sent __________ spies to scout the land of Canaan. a) One b) Two c) Three d) Four
2. Rahab, the woman in Canaan, helped the __________ spies. a) Brave b) Wise c) Friendly d) Two
3. Before crossing the Jordan, Joshua told people to wash, wear clean clothes, and avoid certain __________. a) Foods b) Games c) Activities d) Songs
4. The people gathered behind the __________ of the covenant. a) Bible b) Scroll c) Ark d) Mountain
5. Joshua instructed __________ to carry the ark into the swollen Jordan River. a) Soldiers b) Women c) Priests d) Spies
6. When priests stepped into the river, it stopped flowing, creating __________ ground. a) Wet b) Swampy c) Dry d) Slippery
7. The entire __________ crossed the Jordan safely. a) Family b) Nation c) City d) Village
8. God commanded Joshua to pick __________ stones from the riverbed. a) Six b) Ten c) Twelve d) Fifteen
9. Joshua stacked the stones as a __________ of God’s miracle. a) Tower b) Memorial c) Garden d) Bridge
10. The stones were a sign for all nations that God parted the Jordan __________. a) Mountains b) Waters c) Deserts d) Forests
11. After everyone crossed, priests with the ark left the __________. a) Village b) Desert c) Riverbed d) Mountain
12. The Jordan waters rushed back after the __________ left. a) Spies b) Soldiers c) Priests d) Women
13. The key lesson from the story is to trust in God’s power and follow __________ instructions. a) Human b) Wise c) Your d) His
14. The memorial of __________ stones reminded people of God’s miracles. a) Six b) Ten c) Twelve d) Fifteen
15. God’s miracles are signs for everyone to see and __________. a) Believe b) Doubt c) Ignore d) Fear

Presentation:

1. Step 1 – Introduction (5 mins):
   • Discuss the importance of learning from Bible stories.
   • Introduce the topic: “Today, we’ll dive into the exciting story of Joshua leading the Israelites to cross the Jordan River.”
2. Step 2 – Joshua’s Preparation (10 mins):
   • Share background information on Joshua.
   • Explain the purpose of sending spies and Rahab’s role in helping them.
3. Step 3 – Crossing the Jordan (15 mins):
   • Narrate the events of Joshua instructing the people to prepare and the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River.
   • Discuss the significance of God’s intervention.
4. Step 4 – The Memorial of Stones (10 mins):
   • Talk about Joshua building a memorial with 12 stones.
   • Discuss the purpose of the memorial and its message to future generations.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Facilitate discussions on key points.
• Use visual aids to enhance storytelling.
• Encourage questions and reflections from students.
• Guide the hands-on activity of arranging small stones.

Learners’ Activities:

• Engage in class discussions.
• Listen attentively to the story.
• Participate in the hands-on activity of creating a small memorial with stones.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the key lessons learned from Joshua’s story.
• Emphasize the importance of trust and obedience in following God’s guidance.

Evaluation Questions:

1. Who helped Joshua’s spies in the land of Canaan?
2. Why did Joshua ask the people to consecrate themselves before crossing the Jordan?
3. What was the significance of the memorial of stones?
4. What lessons can we learn from Joshua’s leadership in this story?