God commanded Israel to carry stones from the Jordan River as a memorial. When they crossed over, 12 men each carried a stone to Gilgal, where Joshua set them up. He told Israel to teach their children about how God dried up the river so they could cross over, so all people would know God's mighty power.

1. God commanded that one man from each of the twelve tribes carry a stone out of Jordan.

2. 10 For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. 11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

3. 12 And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them: 13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life. These armed men passed over first to stand guard for the families who came behind them. Their families stayed East of Jordan.

4. The population of males in those tribes 20 years of age or older totaled 136,930 ( Num. 26:7 , 18 , 34 ). The 40,000 soldiers ( Josh. 4:13 ) were 29 percent of that adult male population -- less than one of every three adult males. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty. God did not require them to leave their families unprotected , while they fought for the other tribes.

5. God does not require that we neglect our own families in order to give or do in service unto Him.

6. A daddy's first ministry is to his wife and children . A mama's first ministry is to her husband and children. That doesn't mean that we neglect Christian service in other ways. We are commanded to give and do in the church, and as citizens of our nation and communities.

7. 15 And the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, 16 Com-mand the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan. 17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan. 18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.

8. Luke 9 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.

9. 19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho. 3 miles

10. As soon as they were all across , they marched 3 miles to Gilgal and made camp. Their first in the Promised Land . There was a time to wait at the Jordan River, But now it's time to move . When the Lord gets ready, we've got to move.

11. All had crossed the Jordan River

12. 20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal. Those 12 men carried those 12 stones on their shoulders for three miles to set up the memorial in Gilgal.

13. 21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

14. 22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which He dried up from before us, until we were gone over: 24 That all the people of the earth might know the Hand of the Lord, that it is Mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God forever.

15. Ephesians 6 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It's mama's job to help her husband bring up godly children, but it is daddy's responsibility in the Mind of God.

16. Deuteronomy 6 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

17. Training Opportunities

18. 24 That all the people of the earth might know the Hand of the Lord, that it is Mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God forever. It is no secret what God can do. What He's done for others, He'll do for you. With arms wide open, He'll pardon you. It is no secret what God can do.

19. Announcements? November 15, 2009