This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Joshua 4, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
A long time ago, the people of Israel were traveling across a river called the Jordan. After everyone had safely crossed, the Lord told Joshua to choose one man from each of the twelve tribes of Israel and tell them to pick up a big rock from the river where the priests had been standing. Joshua said to the twelve men, “Carry the rocks on your shoulders, and put them where we sleep tonight.”
When the children of the people of Israel saw the rocks, they would ask their parents, “What do these rocks mean?” Then their parents would say, “The Lord made a path for us to cross the river by stopping the water from flowing. The rocks are here to remind us that the Lord helped us get to the other side.” The Lord wanted the rocks to be a memory for the people of Israel to always remember what he had done for them.
So, Joshua called the priests carrying the ark of the Lord to come out of the river. The moment they stepped out, the water started to flow again. The people camped at a place called Gilgal, and Joshua placed the twelve rocks there too. Joshua told everyone to remember that the Lord had helped them cross the river, just like He had helped them cross the Red Sea.
Biblical Lessons
- The Lord is powerful and can do amazing things.
- It’s important to remember what the Lord has done for us.
- We should share the stories of what the Lord has done for us with our children.
- We should always give thanks to the Lord for His help.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
Pilgrim Theology
An accessible summary of Reformed theology that connects doctrine to the Christian life.
View on Amazon
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
A robust, Scripture-saturated theology of prayer with practical guidance for deepening communion with God.
View on Amazon
A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Walks through Paul's prayers to teach believers how to pray biblically and God-centeredly.
View on Amazon
The God Who Is There
Shows how the God of the Bible speaks into modern philosophical and cultural confusion.
View on Amazon
The Trellis and the Vine
A vision for church ministry centered on disciple-making rather than mere structures and programs.
View on Amazon
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
A classic Puritan work on mortifying sin and living in the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
Outlines nine biblical priorities for congregations that want to be faithful and healthy.
View on Amazon
Trusting God
Encourages believers to trust God's sovereignty, wisdom, and love in every circumstance.
View on Amazon
All of Grace
A simple, powerful explanation of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.
View on Amazon
A Body of Divinity
A warm, devotional exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism's doctrines.
View on Amazon
The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
View on Amazon
The Heidelberg Catechism
A beloved Reformation catechism that teaches comfort in Christ through a Q&A format.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Summarizes key doctrines of Scripture in concise questions and answers.
View on Amazon
Christ of the Covenants
Explains the biblical covenants and how they reveal Christ and God's plan of redemption.
View on Amazon
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
A Puritan classic on learning contentment in God in every circumstance.
View on Amazon
The Whole Christ
Deals with legalism, antinomianism, and the grace of God in union with Christ.
View on Amazon
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism
Encourages and equips Christians to share the gospel faithfully and simply.
View on Amazon
This Momentary Marriage
Shows how marriage is designed to display the covenant love of Christ and His church.
View on Amazon