The Twelve Stones – Basic 6 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Meaning of stones

Stones are pieces of rock. In the Bible, stones were often used as memorials or reminders of important events.

THE TWELVE STONES AT RIVER JORDAN (Joshua 4:1-24)

God’s Command (Joshua 4:1-3):

• When all the nation finished crossing Jordan
• The LORD spoke to Joshua
• “Take twelve men from the people”
• “One man from every tribe”
• “Command them to take twelve stones”
• “From the middle of the Jordan”
• “From where the priests’ feet stood firm”
• “Carry them over and lay them down”
• “Where you lodge tonight”

Joshua’s Obedience (Joshua 4:4-7):

• Joshua called the twelve men
• One from each tribe
• He said: “Cross over before the Ark”
• “Each of you take up a stone on his shoulder”
• “According to the number of tribes”
• “That this may be a SIGN among you”

The Purpose – Future Generations (v.6-7):

• “When your CHILDREN ask in time to come”
• “What do these stones mean to you?”
• Then you shall answer them:
• “The waters of Jordan were CUT OFF”
• “Before the Ark of the Covenant”
• “When it crossed over the Jordan”
• “The waters were cut off”
• “These stones shall be for a MEMORIAL forever”

The Action (Joshua 4:8-9):

• The twelve men did as Joshua commanded
• They took twelve stones from the middle of Jordan
• Where the priests’ feet stood
• They carried them to their camping place
• They set them up there

Also:

• Joshua set up twelve stones IN the middle of Jordan
• Where the priests’ feet had stood
• They are there to this day

The Priests Come Out (Joshua 4:10-18):

• The priests stood in the middle of Jordan
• Until everything was finished
• The people hurried and crossed over
• When all finished, the Ark crossed
• And the priests, in the presence of the people
• Then Joshua commanded the priests
• “Come up from the Jordan”
• When their feet touched dry land
• The waters of Jordan RETURNED to their place
• Flowed over its banks as before

Two Sets of Stones:

1. Twelve stones at Gilgal (their camp) – Memorial on land
2. Twelve stones in the Jordan – Memorial in the river

Importance of the twelve stones

1. A Permanent Reminder

• Physical monument to remember God’s miracle
• Visible proof for generations
• Tangible evidence of God’s power

2. Teaching Tool for Children

• When children asked “What do these stones mean?”
• Parents would tell the story
• Each generation would learn about God
• Faith passed down through storytelling

3. Testimony to God’s Power

• Showed God can do the impossible
• Proved God was with Joshua
• Demonstrated God’s faithfulness

4. Symbol of Unity

• Twelve stones = twelve tribes
• Each tribe represented
• All crossed together
• United under God

5. Covenant Reminder

• God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
• God’s faithfulness to His word
• Entering the Promised Land

6. Encouragement for Future Battles

• If God could stop a river
• He could defeat enemies
• Past victory gives present courage
• Memorial of God’s might

7. Worship and Praise

• Place to remember and thank God
• Location to tell His mighty works
• Reason to glorify God

8. Warning Against Unbelief

• Remember what happened to unbelieving generation
• They died in wilderness
• Faith is essential
• Obedience brings blessing

Meaning of the twelve stones

Each Stone Represented:

• One of the twelve tribes of Israel
• All of God’s people included
• No one left out
• Corporate identity

The Twelve Tribes Were:

1. Reuben
2. Simeon
3. Levi
4. Judah
5. Zebulun
6. Issachar
7. Dan
8. Gad
9. Asher
10. Naphtali
11. Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh)
12. Benjamin

Spiritual Significance:

The Stones Spoke Of:

1. God’s Power – He controls nature
2. God’s Provision – He made a way
3. God’s Promise – He fulfilled His word
4. God’s Presence – The Ark (God’s presence) led them
5. God’s Purpose – Bringing them to their inheritance

Why Stones?

• Durable – Last for generations
• Solid – Can’t be easily destroyed
• Visible – Everyone can see them
• Heavy – Required effort to place (showed commitment)
• Natural – From the place of miracle

The Location – Gilgal:

• First camp in Canaan
• Place of circumcision renewal
• Place of first Passover in the land
• Base for conquering Canaan
• Spiritual significance

Modern Application:

We Should Also Remember:

1. Baptism – Our crossing from death to life
2. Salvation – When we were saved
3. God’s Miracles – Times God helped us
4. Answered Prayers – How God provided
5. Deliverance – Times God rescued us

Ways to Remember:

• Journal/Diary of God’s works
• Testimonies in church
• Teaching children
• Celebration of milestones
• Communion (remembering Jesus)

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – “These words…shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children”

Joshua 4:24 – “That all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. How many stones were taken from Jordan? 

1. A) Ten
2. B) Twelve
3. C) Seven
4. D) Twenty

1. Who took up the stones? 

1. A) Joshua alone
2. B) The priests
3. C) Twelve men, one from each tribe
4. D) All the people

1. Where were the stones taken from? 

1. A) The riverbank
2. B) The mountains
3. C) The middle of Jordan where priests stood
4. D) The desert

1. Why were the stones set up? 

1. A) For decoration
2. B) As a memorial to remember God’s miracle
3. C) To build a house
4. D) For no reason

1. What would children ask about the stones? 

1. A) “Can we play with them?”
2. B) “Where did they come from?”
3. C) “What do these stones mean?”
4. D) “Who put them there?”

Homework: Write about something God has done for you that you want to remember forever.

Answers: 1-B, 2-C, 3-C, 4-B, 5-C