Faith

When God Makes a Way

Faith and Obedience go Hand and Hand

Pastor David Jones

Overview:

As Israel stood before an impossible obstacle, they discovered that God makes a way as we trust His promises by faith, respond in obedience, follow His presence, and remain steadfast while waiting for His promises to be fulfilled

Leader:

Please choose what best suits your group and fits your available time. This discussion is a little longer, so you do not need to cover every question. Feel free to create your own questions that better suit your group. Select two or three areas to focus on.

Have fun, Jesus people!

Discussion time:

Opening Prayer

Invite someone to open the group in prayer, asking God to speak through His Word and strengthen everyone's faith.

Opening for the group

Share about a time when you faced what seemed like an impossible situation. Looking back, how did you see God at work?

Read Together - Joshua 3:14–17

Setting the Scene

The Israelites had finally arrived at the edge of the Promised Land. There was only one problem. The Jordan River was in flood. There was no bridge, no boat, and no obvious way across. During the dry season the river could be around 30 metres wide, but during flood season it could expand to more than 800 metres across. From a human perspective, the promise seemed impossible.

Yet God instructed the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant and step into the river. Only when their feet touched the water did God stop the river and make a way.

God's Promises Require Faith

Read and Discuss

• 2 Corinthians 5:7

• Hebrews 11:1–2

• Hebrews 11:10

Faith is choosing to trust God's promises before we see the outcome. Abraham trusted God even though the fulfilment of God's promises took many years.

There are many circumstances and attitudes that weaken our faith, just to name a few; fear, negative words, looking back to your past, doubt, wrong influences in our life and, unconfessed sin.

Discussion Questions (Leader choose a couple of question that work for your group)

1. Why do you think God often asks us to trust Him before we see the answer?

2. What "Jordan River" are you currently facing?

3. Have you ever seen God fulfil a promise after a season of waiting?

4. What are some attitudes that weaken our faith?

5. How can we strengthen our faith while we wait?

Faith and Obedience Go Hand in Hand

"Faith is the root; obedience is the fruit."

Faith trusts God's promises, and obedience responds to God's Word. The Israelites still had to step into the Jordan before they saw the miracle. God could have stopped the river before they arrived or even prevented the flood altogether. Instead, He chose to work through their obedient step of faith. The moment the priests' feet touched the water; God made a way. Often, God invites us to take the first step in faith before He reveals the next step of His plan. Our obedience doesn't earn God's miracle, but it demonstrates our trust in the God who is faithful to keep His promises.Read

Read and Discuss - Matthew 14:22–33

Peter stepped out of the boat because Jesus said, "Come."

Discussion Questions (Leader choose a couple of question that work for your group)

1. Why do you think God often asks us to take the first step before revealing the miracle?

2. Is there an area where God is asking you to obey Him?

3. What fears or "what ifs" tend to hold people back?

4. How can obedience strengthen our faith?

5. Share about a time when obedience led to God opening a door.

God's Presence Goes Before Us

Read and Discuss

• Joshua 3:8

• Hebrews 13:5

One of the most significant details in Joshua 3 is that the Ark of the Covenant went first. The Ark represented the very presence of God among His people. It reminded Israel that God was not distant—He was leading them, guiding them, and dwelling in their midst.

Notice the order of events. The priests carrying the Ark stepped into the flooded Jordan before anyone else. God didn't ask the people to find a way across on their own; His presence entered the obstacle first. Only after the priests' feet touched the water did the river stop flowing. God was already making a way before His people walked through it.

The same principle applies to us today. Through the Holy Spirit, God lives within every believer. We no longer follow the Ark—we follow the Holy Spirit, who leads, strengthens, and guides us each day. Before you face the challenge, God has already gone before you.

The lesson from Joshua 3 is simple: don't focus on the river—focus on the presence of God. God's presence doesn't always remove every obstacle immediately, but it always gives us the strength and assurance to walk faithfully through them.

Discussion Questions (Leader choose a couple of question that work for your group)

1. Why is God's presence more important than simply receiving His promises?

2. How can we become more aware of God's presence in our everyday lives?

3. What does it look like to walk with the Holy Spirit one step at a time?

4. When have you experienced God's peace during a difficult season?

Reflection – Standing in the Middle

Read Joshua 3:17 again.

The priests stood faithfully in the middle of the Jordan until every Israelite had crossed safely. Sometimes, the hardest place in life is "the middle"—the place between receiving God's promise and seeing it fully realised. It can feel like everyone else is moving forward while you're standing still, watching others enter their breakthrough as you continue to wait. Yet it is often in the middle that God calls us to remain steadfast. Our responsibility is not to rush ahead but to stand faithfully where He has placed us, trusting that His timing is perfect and that He will complete what He has promised.

Read and discuss

• 1 Corinthians 15:58

• 1 Peter 5:9

Reflection Questions

1. Have you ever felt like you were "standing in the middle"?

2. How do we remain steadfast while waiting for God?

3. What encouragement do these verses give you today?

Personal Challenge - Ask each person to quietly reflect:

• What promise of God do I need to believe?

• What step of obedience is God asking me to take?

• Where do I need to trust God's presence instead of relying on my own strength?

• What river is God asking me to cross?

Prayer Time and Key Thought

The same God who made a way through the Jordan is still making a way today. Our part is to trust His promises, obey His voice, and follow His presence—one step at a time.

NOTES: