The month of May is a paradox. It is a month of beginnings, as spring has
fully arrived. It is also a month of endings, as the end of the school year
approaches. Many families this month
will celebrate a graduation, whether it is from preschool or high school, it
will mark an end, but also the beginning of something new. Standing in this overlap of endings and
beginnings, May is the perfect time to gather our family to study His word and
take time to mark the good works that God has done in our lives. At the end of this devotion you will find two
variations of the family activity; one to create on ongoing family practice,
and one for large family gatherings or marking a significant milestone. May God bless you as you lead your family in
this devotion.
Materials You Will
Need:
·
A Bible
·
Flat, light colored rocks approximately the size of your palm –
one per person but at least 5.
·
One or more Sharpies
Introduction: How many times do you think the word remember is used in the bible? (Let everyone guess) It is used 166 times (NIV). Over and over God commands his children to remember the good things He has done for them. We can also read many times where God tells us He remembered His children or His promises to them. Remembering is an important trait to God and therefore it should be important to us as well. In today’s devotion we will read about one way the people of Israel were told to remember God’s goodness to them.
Our reading is from the Old Testament book of Joshua. The Israelites have been wandering for 40
years since leaving Egypt. They have
faced many hardships, but again and again God has showed His mercy and love to
them. In today’s reading we find the Israelites on
the shore of the Jordan River. They are
on the last step of their journey toward entering the Promised Land. All they have to do is cross the river. But this is not a little river or trickling
stream. Scripture says it was at flood
stage, meaning it was fast, deep and running over its banks. As you hear the reading, listen for two
things; how did the people cross the river, and what were they asked to do
first on the other side.
Reading: Joshua 3:14 -4:9
(parent note- this is a long reading. If
you have young children, pause at the end of chapter 3 and discuss the first
question, then read 4-4:9 and discuss the second.)
Reading Questions:
1.
How were the Israelites able to safely cross the
Jordan River?
2.
What did God tell Joshua to have the people do
once they had crossed the river? Why did
God want them to do this?
After 40 years of wandering, the Israelites finally reach the Promised Land. It is the end of their time as a wandering tribe, and the beginning of a new nation. As soon as they had finished crossing the river, God tells Joshua to have the leaders of the tribes build a memorial tower of stones. God doesn’t want the people to head on their way and forget this amazing miracle. He wants them to remember and to have a symbol to remind them to tell other people about what God had done.
Just like the Israelites
were ending one season of life to start a new one, we are as well. The school year is about to end, winter is
over and summer is just about to begin. Now
is a good time to stop and think about how God may have blessed are family in
the past 9-12 months. After our
discussion, we will make a memorial tower of our own.
Family Discussion: Take
time to discuss each of these questions
1.
Think back to the beginning of the school year (or
about 9-12 months ago). Big or small,
what challenges were you concerned with? A new school, learning to read,
illness, learning fractions, dealing with a bully? Perhaps during this time your family has faced
hardships or difficulties at home? Sickness,
Injury, unemployment, a death in the family?
Discuss the challenges large and small you have faced this year. Allow each family member to identify something
unique.
(Parent note – For young children, a week ago seems like a
long time. They may need to be prompted
about events or challenges they have faced this year.)
2.
How has God provided for you in that situation? The situation may be over and behind you so
that you can look back and see how it was resolved, but maybe it is still going
on. Many challenges continue for a long
time. Think of the Israelites wandering
for 40 years! But even while we are
still dealing with a challenge we can look for ways God is helping us in that
situation. Strength? Support of friends? Peace?
Church family?
Give each member of your family a stone (or several for
smaller families). Choose a word or two
to describe how God has provided for you in the situation you shared above. For example:
new house, friends, Church family, new job, braveness, peace, healing. Write your word(s) on your rock. Select a place in your house to place your
tower where everyone can see it. Once
everyone’s rocks are ready, have each person offer a prayer thanking God for
what they wrote on their rock. From largest rock to smallest, stack your rocks
into a tower.
Joshua 4:6-7 says, “…to
serve as a sign among you. In the future
when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the
flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the
Jordan were cut off. These stone are to
be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” God wanted them to remember and to tell
others about what He had done for them that day. Try to leave your memorial tower in place for
at least a month. See if anyone who
visits your home asks, “Why do you have that pile of rocks there.” If they do, take the opportunity to share
with them the good God has been working in your family.
A parent should end your family time with a prayer of
thanksgiving.
Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for being a God who loves us, who cares for us,
and who blesses us. Thank you for this
time together as a family to study your Word.
We thank you for each rock placed in this tower and the story it
represents of your faithfulness to us.
We thank you Lord for the ways you have acted and are currently acting
in each of our lives. Help us to be a
family who remembers Your good in our lives, and shares these stories openly
with our friends and family. In your
Son’s name, Amen.
An on-going practice:If you would like to have a stone memorial be an ongoing
tradition or practice in your family consider using smaller rocks and placing
them in a glass vase. Small polished
rocks can be purchased at a craft supply store.
Be sure to purchase ones that are light enough in color to write on. After your children have learned about this
biblical tradition, a small rock could appear on their pillows or dinner plates
on special days allowing them to add to your family’s “stone tower” without
having it take over your family room.
Marking a special milestone: If your family has a big milestone coming up, such as a high
school graduation or a grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary,
consider having party guests contribute a memorial rock to a communal
vase. Each rock could mark a time or way
the celebrated person has displayed faith and inspired faith in others. Allow
time at your celebration to let each guest share their story, blessing the receiver
as they add their rock. Silk or dried flowers
can be added. 
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