Lesson #23: Old Testament: Promised Land

HIGHS AND LOWS:
Write down one high and one low from your week in your prayer journal.  Pastor Breen or a student volunteer will gather them in prayer.

LENTEN WORSHIP CHALLENGE:
This is the last week that we will be studying the story of Moses.  As we study, be mindful that these are the same stories that we will be sharing during our midweek Lenten services in February and March.  What are some creative ways that you would tell this story or help someone else to experience it in a new way?  Keep these questions in mind as we study tonight.

CONNECT BIBLE ACTIVITY, part 1:  Turn in your Connect Bible to page 253 and read the paragraph of background information under “Joshua 4:19-24.”

DWELLING IN THE WORD:  Joshua 3:14-17 and Joshua 4:15-24

Read Joshua 3:14-17 and Joshua 4:15-24 from the New Revised Standard version of the Bible.  Underline things you have questions about.  Circle things you like or would like to discuss more.

Comprehension Questions:
Chapter 3

1. What were the people setting out to do? (verse 14)
2. Who went in front of the people? (verse 14)
3. What does the Jordan do at the time of the harvest? (verse 15)
4. In what were the feet of those who bore the ark and the priests dipped? (verse 15)
5. What happened to the waters? (verse 16)
6. What happened after this happened to the waters? (verse 16)
7. On what did Israel cross? (verse 17)
8. Where did the priests stand? For how long? (verse 17)

Chapter 4

1. What did the Lord tell Joshua to command? (verse 15-16)
2. What happened when they obeyed Joshua’s command? (verse 18)
3. How many stones did they take out of the Jordan? (verse 20)
4. What did they do with the stones? Why? (verse 20-22)
5. What did the Lord do? (verse 23)
6. Why did the Lord do this? (verse 24)

Content Questions: Answer the following questions as completely as possible (group activity:  do this with your parents):

What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?

What is my favorite part of this text?  Why?

What stories or memories does this text stir up in you?  You might remember a time when you witnessed or heard about a miracle, or a time when a hard journey all of a sudden got easier, for example.

What is God doing in this text?  What is God up to?

OUT LOUD PRAYER: CONNECT BIBLE ACTIVITY, part 2:
Turn in your Connect Bible to page 253 and read the section in bold type. Then, complete the activity described on real stones.  Put your family name on one side, and a place where you feel close to God on the other.  Share your work with the class (take a copy to show to Pastor Breen if you do this activity at home)

LENTEN WORSHIP CHALLENGE:
How will we invite people into this story during our midweek Lenten services this year?  A skit?  A dramatic retelling?  Multimedia music/videos/graphics?  A craft project?  A prayer experience?

TALKING TO GOD/TAKING IT HOME

1. During this week, in your prayers, try using “Miraculous” as your title for God. Make a special effort to emphasize “thy kingdom come” when you pray the Lord’s Prayer this week.
2. Write a one sentence summary in your prayer journal. In this sentence, describe your answer to the question “What did you learn about in Confirmation class this week?” in as much detail as possible.
3. Conclude your time together with the Lord’s Prayer.