This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - 9AM Worship Service” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
Crossing Your Jordan
Small Group Discussion Guide
Based on the Sermon from Joshua 3:1–5, 15–17
"Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." — Joshua 3:5
A NOTE TO YOUR FACILITATOR
Welcome, and thank you for leading this group! You don't need to be a biblical expert to guide a meaningful conversation — your job is simply to create a safe space where people can engage honestly with God's Word and with each other. This guide gives you everything you need. Feel free to skip questions that don't fit your group, spend more time where conversation is flowing naturally, and trust the Holy Spirit to lead.
Estimated Total Time: 60–90 minutes Best Group Size: 4–12 people
SERMON OVERVIEW
(For facilitators to read or paraphrase before the group begins)
In this message, the preacher used the story of Israel crossing the Jordan River in Joshua 3 to explore how God leads his people through the obstacles that stand between them and the life he has promised. Drawing three key points from the text — Preparation, Following God, and God's Amazing Power — the sermon challenged us to examine what "Jordan Rivers" are blocking our own paths, and to trust that the same God who parted the waters for Israel is able to move every barrier in our lives today. The central call was this: stop standing safely on the riverbank and step out in faith.
SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER
(5–10 minutes)
Start here to help everyone relax and get talking. There are no wrong answers!
Opening Question:
Think about a time in your life when you had to do something that felt risky or uncertain — maybe a new job, a move, a difficult conversation, or a major decision. What did it feel like to take that first step, and what happened when you did?
[Leader Tip]: Keep this light and fun. You go first to model vulnerability and set the tone. Remind the group that this is a safe space — no one has to share anything they're not comfortable with. If the group is quiet, try: "It doesn't have to be dramatic — even something small counts!"
SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING
(5 minutes)
Ask a volunteer to read the passage aloud. Invite the group to listen for one word or phrase that stands out to them.
Primary Text — Joshua 3:1–5, 15–17 (NKJV)
"Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; and they commanded the people, saying, 'When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.' And Joshua said to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.'"
"...and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan." — Joshua 3:1–5, 15–17 (NKJV)
Supporting Text — Psalm 95:1–6 (NKJV) (Read as the opening scripture of the service)
"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." — Psalm 95:1–6 (NKJV)
Quick Context for Facilitators: The Jordan River crossing happened at flood stage — the river was normally 3–6 feet deep and 33 feet wide, but during harvest season it had expanded to nearly a mile wide and 20 feet deep. This was the worst possible time to attempt a crossing with nearly 2 million people, including children, elderly, and livestock. God didn't part the waters before the priests stepped in — the miracle happened when their feet touched the water. That sequence matters: faith first, miracle second.
SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(30–45 minutes)
Work through as many questions as time allows. Questions are organized to move from observation → interpretation → personal application. You don't have to cover every question — follow the conversation where it leads.
THEME A: The Wilderness — Understanding Where We Are
(Start here — these questions are accessible for everyone)
Question 1 (Observational — 5 minutes)
The preacher described Israel's "spiritual amnesia" — forgetting that God had parted the Red Sea, provided manna, and led them with a pillar of cloud and fire. What do you think caused them to forget so quickly, and why do you think we sometimes forget what God has already done for us?
Question 2 (Interpretive — 5 minutes)
The sermon described the wilderness as a place of "development" — not punishment, but preparation. The preacher compared it to a pregnancy: development is happening even when you can't see it yet. What do you think God might be trying to develop or grow in a person during a difficult season of life?
[Leader Tip]: If the group is hesitant to go personal right away, try asking: "What qualities or character traits do you think tend to grow in people who go through hard times?" This lets people answer generally before sharing personally.
Question 3 (Personal — 5–7 minutes)
The preacher said, "We determine how long we will be in the wilderness of life." That's a challenging statement. Without going into details you're not comfortable sharing, can you think of a time when your own choices prolonged a difficult season — or when choosing to trust God helped move you through it faster?
[Leader Tip]: This question can surface real vulnerability. Affirm honesty. If someone shares something heavy, resist the urge to immediately offer advice — sometimes just saying "Thank you for sharing that" is the most powerful response. Remind the group that the goal isn't to figure out who's to blame, but to recognize God's faithfulness through it all.
THEME B: Preparation — Getting Ready to Cross
(Moving deeper)
Question 4 (Interpretive — 5 minutes)
Joshua prepared the people for three days before they attempted to cross the Jordan. The preacher said, "Preparation is key to becoming all that God desires for us to be." He also gave a pointed challenge: "If it doesn't glorify God, let it go. If it's a habit keeping you back, let it go. If it's a friend pulling you down, let them go."
What does "preparation" look like in a person's spiritual life? What kinds of things might God be asking us to let go of in order to move forward?
Question 5 (Application — 5 minutes)
The preacher made a bold statement: "We must remove from our lives that which is between us and total surrender to God." What do you think "total surrender" to God actually looks like in everyday life — in the way we make decisions, spend our time, or handle relationships?
[Leader Tip]: "Total surrender" can sound abstract or even intimidating. If the group seems stuck, try a more concrete follow-up: "What's one area of life where surrender to God is easy for most people? What's one area where it tends to be hardest?"
THEME C: Following God — Trusting His Direction
(The heart of the message)
Question 6 (Interpretive — 5–7 minutes)
The ark of the covenant was mentioned 14 times in Joshua chapter 3. It represented the very presence, holiness, and power of God. Israel was instructed: "When you see the ark move, you move. When it stops, you stop. Wherever it goes, you follow."
What does it look like practically for a person today to "follow God" the way Israel followed the ark? How do we know which direction God is leading us?
[Leader Tip]: This is a rich question that could go in many directions — prayer, Scripture, community, the Holy Spirit, wise counsel. Let the group explore it. If it stalls, try: "The preacher compared the Holy Spirit to a GPS system. What do you think of that comparison? Where does it hold up, and where does it fall short?"
Question 7 (Personal — 5 minutes)
The preacher shared a story about a staff member who came to him in crisis, they prayed together, and the answer came before the person even left the building. Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt like God clearly responded to a prayer — maybe not instantly, but in a way that was unmistakably him? What was that like?
THEME D: God's Amazing Power — Stepping Out in Faith
(The climax of the sermon)
Question 8 (Observational — 5 minutes)
The miracle at the Jordan didn't happen when Israel planned to cross, or when they prayed about crossing, or even when they walked toward the river. It happened when the priests' feet actually touched the water. The waters didn't part first — faith came first, miracle second.
What do you think is the significance of that sequence? Why do you think God sometimes waits for us to take a step before he moves?
Question 9 (Application — 5–7 minutes)
The preacher listed miracle after miracle — from Noah's flood to Daniel in the lion's den, from the feeding of 5,000 to the resurrection of Jesus — and then said: "That same God with all power in his hands can help us cross our Jordan today."
What is the "Jordan River" in your life right now — the barrier, the obstacle, the impossible situation that seems to be standing between you and where God is calling you to go? What would it look like to "step into the water" in that situation?
[Leader Tip]: This is the most personal and potentially vulnerable question in the guide. Give people time to think quietly before anyone speaks. You might say: "Take 30 seconds to just think about this before we share." Nobody should feel pressured to name their Jordan publicly — it's okay if people share in general terms. If the group is close-knit and trust is high, this question can open up powerful prayer and support.
Question 10 (Community — 5 minutes)
The entire nation of Israel crossed the Jordan together — 2 million people, side by side, on dry ground. Nobody crossed alone. How can this group help each other "cross our Jordans"? What does it look like to be the kind of community that walks through hard things together?
SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION
(10–15 minutes)
Invite group members to reflect quietly on these questions before sharing. Remind them that they only need to share what they're comfortable with.
Reflective Questions:
Where are you right now? On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you feel like you're currently living in the "wilderness" (dry, stuck, wandering) versus the "promised land" (fruitful, purposeful, moving forward)? What do you think is contributing to where you are?
What needs to be let go? The preacher was direct: "Whatever is blocking you — let it go." Is there something specific — a habit, a relationship, a fear, an attitude, a distraction — that you sense God may be asking you to release in order to move forward? You don't have to name it out loud, but take a moment to be honest with yourself and with God.
What is your next step of faith? The priests had to step into the water before the miracle happened. What is one concrete step of faith you could take this week — something that requires you to trust God with a part of your life that feels uncertain or risky?
Who are you walking with? Israel didn't cross the Jordan alone. Who in your life is walking with you through your current season? If you don't have that person or community, what is one step you could take toward building that kind of relationship?
✅ THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
Choose one (or more) that fits where you are:
Pray specifically. Identify your "Jordan River" by name and bring it to God in prayer every day this week. Be specific — not just "God, help me" but "God, here is exactly what I'm facing, and I'm trusting you with it."
Take one step. Identify one action you've been hesitating to take out of fear or uncertainty, and take it this week. It doesn't have to be huge — just step into the water.
Let something go. Prayerfully identify one thing that is blocking your spiritual growth or your obedience to God, and take a concrete step toward releasing it.
Tell someone. Share your "Jordan River" with a trusted friend, family member, or someone in this group. Ask them to pray for you and check in with you next week.
Reflect on God's faithfulness. Make a list of 5–10 specific ways God has come through for you in the past. Keep it somewhere visible this week as a reminder that the God who was faithful then is faithful now.
SECTION 5: PRAYER FOCUS
(5–10 minutes)
Close your time together in prayer. Here are suggested ways to pray based on the sermon's themes.
Suggested Prayer Topics:
🙏 Gratitude — Thank God for the specific ways he has been faithful in your lives, even in difficult seasons.
🙏 Wilderness seasons — Pray for group members who are in a hard, dry, or confusing season right now. Ask God to bring clarity, growth, and hope.
🙏 Courage to step out — Pray for the faith to take the next step God is calling each person to take, even when it feels risky.
🙏 Letting go — Pray for the grace and strength to release whatever is standing between group members and full surrender to God.
🙏 Those who are grieving — The sermon acknowledged three funerals in the church family. Pray for those who have lost loved ones and are walking through pain right now.
🙏 The lost — Pray for people in your lives who don't yet know Jesus — that God would open doors and give you the courage to share your faith.
Suggested Prayer Format Options:
- Open group prayer — Anyone who wants to pray aloud can do so; close when it feels right.
- Popcorn prayer — Go around the circle; each person prays one sentence. Anyone can pass.
- Pair prayer — Break into pairs and pray specifically for each other's "Jordan River."
- Silent prayer with a spoken close — Allow 2 minutes of silent personal prayer, then the facilitator closes aloud.
SECTION 6: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
(For groups wanting to go further — 15–20 additional minutes)
These questions are designed for groups with more biblical background or more time. Use them if the conversation is going deep and people want to keep exploring.
Deep Dive Question 1 — The Ark and God's Presence
The ark of the covenant represented the presence, holiness, and power of God. Israel was told to keep a distance of 2,000 cubits (roughly half a mile) because of God's holiness. Yet through Jesus, we now have direct access to God's presence at any time.
Read Hebrews 4:14–16: "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
How does the contrast between Israel's distant relationship with God's presence (through the ark) and our direct access through Jesus change the way you approach prayer, especially in your hardest moments?
Deep Dive Question 2 — Wilderness as Formation
The preacher described the wilderness not as punishment but as a place of spiritual development. Many of the Bible's most significant figures spent significant time in the wilderness — Moses (40 years), Elijah (40 days), David (years as a fugitive), Paul (years in Arabia after his conversion), and even Jesus (40 days before his public ministry).
What patterns do you notice in how God uses wilderness seasons to prepare people for what's next? What qualities or lessons seem to emerge from those seasons that couldn't have come any other way?
Deep Dive Question 3 — Faith Before the Miracle
The priests had to step into a raging, flood-stage river before the waters parted. Compare this to the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, where God parted the waters before Israel walked through.
Read Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Why do you think God sometimes parts the waters before we step in, and other times asks us to step in before the waters part? What does that variation tell us about the nature of faith and about the character of God?
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES FOR FURTHER STUDY
For group members who want to explore the themes of this sermon throughout the week:
| Theme | Scripture |
|---|---|
| God's faithfulness in the wilderness | Deuteronomy 8:2–5 |
| Stepping out in faith | Hebrews 11:1–6 |
| God's amazing power | Ephesians 3:20–21 |
| Following God's guidance | Proverbs 3:5–6 |
| Letting go of what holds us back | Hebrews 12:1–2 |
| God's presence in hard times | Isaiah 43:1–3 |
| The invitation to come boldly | Hebrews 4:14–16 |
FACILITATOR CHECKLIST
Before your group meets, make sure you have:
- Read the sermon overview and the full scripture passage
- Prayed for your group members by name
- Selected which questions you'll prioritize based on your group's needs
- Reviewed the Leader Tips for questions you plan to use
- Printed or shared this guide digitally with group members
- Prepared a simple opening and closing for your time together
- Identified who will close in prayer (you, or a volunteer)
A FINAL WORD FOR FACILITATORS
You are not responsible for having all the answers — you're responsible for asking good questions and creating a safe space for honest conversation. The Holy Spirit is the real teacher in the room. Your job is to show up, be present, and trust God to do the rest.
If a question falls flat, move on. If one question sparks 20 minutes of rich conversation, stay there. The goal is not to finish the guide — the goal is for people to leave more connected to God and to each other than when they arrived.
Thank you for saying yes to this. What you're doing matters.
Franklin Avenue Baptist Church | Small Group Ministry "Exalting the Savior. Equipping the Saints. Evangelizing the Sinner." www.franklinabc.com