Experience the Miracle of Moving Forward with God.
God is ready to do something amazing in your life, just as He did for the Israelites when they faced the impossible barrier of the Jordan River. Join us as we discover how stepping out in faith even when the path ahead seems flooded allows God to open doors and clear a way for His promises to be fulfilled in your story today!
Fellowship Bible Study: Stepping Into Your Promised Future
In this passage, we see that when we follow God’s lead, He turns our obstacles into opportunities for His power to be displayed in our lives.
Fellowship Bible Study & Sermon Outline: Joshua 3:7-17
The Theme of Joshua 3:7-17
This scripture beautifully illustrates the theme of courageous obedience: when we fully trust in God’s presence and follow His specific instructions, He prepares the way for us to experience His faithfulness and power in ways we never thought possible.
A New Chapter of Faith: Embracing Your Next Season with God.
How to walk confidently when God calls you to move.
Introduction to the Scripture Have you ever felt like you were standing on the edge of a massive change, wondering how you were ever going to get to the other side? That is exactly where Joshua and the Israelites found themselves, and God’s promise to them is the exact encouragement you need for the “Jordan Rivers” you are facing in your life right now.
The Events in the Scripture God commands the priests to step into the flooding Jordan River, and as soon as their feet touch the water, the river stops flowing, allowing the entire nation to cross on dry ground. It is a powerful reminder that God often requires our step of faith before He reveals the miraculous solution to our problems.
Every Tuesday: Next Week’s Complete Sermon Outline!
Join pastors and teachers who get next Sunday’s Bible study and sermon outline delivered to their inbox every Tuesday morning. Plus, get a full sample Bible Study and Sermon the moment you Sign-Up!
NIV Scripture for the Bible Study & Sermon: Joshua 3:7-17
7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”
9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.
12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord the Lord of all the earth set foot in the Jordan, his waters from upstream will stop flowing. They will pile up in a heap.”
14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Ministry
Are you looking for deep, practical, and heart-centered resources to help your congregation truly engage with the Bible? Our premium resources offer comprehensive, verse-by-verse breakdowns that connect ancient truth to modern challenges, helping you lead with confidence and warmth every single week.
Divine Reassurance and Divine Presence Joshua 3:7-8
God confirms His leadership through Joshua, reminding us that He is with us just as He has been with those who came before. When we embrace His presence, we can step forward into the unknown with true confidence and peace.
Proclaiming God’s Power Joshua 3:9-11
Joshua calls the people to listen, shifting their focus from the intimidating obstacles ahead to the living God walking with them. When we fix our eyes on the Lord, fear loses its grip and faith begins to rise.
The Step of Faith Joshua 3:12-13
The miracle only begins when the priests are willing to step into the water, demonstrating that obedience is the trigger for God’s intervention. God is waiting for you to take that first brave step before He parts your personal “Jordan.”
Walking Through the Breakthrough Joshua 3:14-17
Even at flood stage, the waters part, proving that no obstacle is too great when you are walking according to God’s plan. Because they followed Him, the entire nation walked across on dry ground, arriving exactly where God intended them to be.
When God Call Us Forward – Joshua 3:7-17
Fellowship Bible Study & Sermon Outline:
-
God’s Presence Gives Us Courage Joshua 3:7-8
-
Listen for What God Is Doing Joshua 3:9-11
-
Take the Next Faithful Step Joshua 3:12-13
-
Keep Moving Together Joshua 3:14-17
God goes ahead of His people. As we trust His presence and follow His direction, we can take faithful steps even when the way forward looks impossible.
God’s Presence Gives Us Courage Joshua 3:7-8
God tells Joshua that the people will see His presence with him, just as He was with Moses. Then He gives the priests a clear instruction: step into the Jordan and stand there. God’s promise does not mean the next step will always feel easy, but it reminds us we do not have to take it alone.
When you face a new season or an uncertain decision, remember that God is faithful. Listen for His direction, and let His presence steady your heart.
Listen for What God Is Doing Joshua 3:9-11
Joshua gathers the people to hear God’s words and points them toward the “living God” who is among them. Their attention could have stayed fixed on the nations ahead or the river before them. Instead, Joshua helps them remember who is leading them.
We also need moments to pause and listen. When worries fill our minds, God’s truth can help us see beyond the obstacle and trust the One who is with us.
Take the Next Faithful Step Joshua 3:12-13
Joshua tells the people what will happen when the priests carrying the ark step into the Jordan. The instruction asks them to act before they can see the waters stop. Their obedience is a response to God’s promise, not a way to control Him.
Faith often grows one step at a time. You may not know how everything will work out, but you can choose to follow the guidance God has already given you.
Keep Moving Together Joshua 3:14-17
The Jordan is at flood stage, yet the waters stop when the priests’ feet touch the river’s edge. The priests stand in the middle of the river while all Israel crosses on dry ground. God makes a way for the whole community, not just for one person.
This passage invites us to trust God through difficult transitions and to support one another along the way. As we move forward together, we can remember that God remains present through every step.
The “Living It Out” Action Plan
Practical Application: Remember God Is With You!
Take Your Next Step with Courage – Let God’s presence steady you when the way ahead feels uncertain.
When you face a difficult choice or a new season, pause and remember that you are not facing it alone. Pray, reflect on what Scripture teaches, and ask a trusted believer to help you discern a faithful next step.
Example: Before a challenging conversation, take a moment to pray for wisdom and kindness, then make a plan to speak honestly and graciously.
Practical Application: Make Space to Listen
Turn Down the Noise – Give God’s truth room to shape your perspective.
Worries can take up so much space that we lose sight of what is true. Set aside a few quiet minutes to read a passage of Scripture and consider what it shows you about God and the choice before you.
Example: If you feel overwhelmed by a work decision, write down your main concern, read a short Bible passage, and ask: “What would trusting God look like in my next step?”
Practical Application: Act on the Guidance You Have
Start with One Faithful Step – You don’t need to see the whole path to begin.
Joshua 3 reminds us that the priests moved forward in response to God’s instruction before the river had stopped. In your own life, focus on the clear, wise action you can take now rather than waiting to feel certain about every outcome.
Example: If you need to repair a relationship, begin by reaching out with a sincere apology or asking for a calm conversation.
Practical Application: Move Forward with Others
Don’t Walk Alone – Faith grows stronger when we encourage one another.
The whole community crossed the Jordan together. Let trusted people encourage you, and look for ways to offer support to someone else who is facing a hard transition.
Example: Check in with a friend who is going through a change, listen without rushing to fix everything, and offer to pray or help with one practical task.
Sermon: When God Calls Us Forward! Joshua 3:7-17
Save Hours of Sermon Preparation Every Week
Get complete, scripturally grounded Bible studies and sermon resources that are researched, organized, and ready for you to personalize and preach.
Weekly Sermon & Bible Study Membership
Your membership includes:
- 3 complete lectionary sermons every week
- 3 matching Bible studies every week
- Commentary, applications, and teaching points
- Sermon prayers and outlines
- Practical ministry resources
- Materials you can personalize for your congregation and preaching style
Spend less time starting from scratch and more time ministering to people.
Start Your 7-Day Free Trial
Start your trial through PayPal and receive access to the membership after completing registration.
Your PayPal subscription will be charged $9 on the eighth day after sign-up. PayPal sends a reminder approximately one day before the charge. Cancel through PayPal before the scheduled billing date to avoid the charge.
A PayPal account is required.
After completing the PayPal setup, you’ll be directed to our registration page to create your username and password and provide your contact information. Membership access is available after you complete registration.
See the FAQ Below for details about billing, cancellation, delivery, and resource use.
FAQ: How the Free Trial Works
- Click Start My 7-Day Free Trial.
- Sign in to or create a PayPal account.
- Confirm the PayPal subscription.
- Complete your membership registration.
- Use the sermon and Bible study resources during your 7-day trial.
- PayPal charges $9 on day 8 unless you cancel the subscription beforehand.
Prefer to Purchase One Resource?
Purchase this complete sermon and matching Bible study individually for $4.99
This individual purchase includes:
- Bible Study
- Complete sermon including Prayers
- Applications
- Teaching points
