Public Victory

“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Acacia Grove and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.’ Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’”

Joshua 3:1-5 NIV

Joshua told them to prepare in 3 strategic ways

1. PROPER PREPARATION REQUIRED BREAKING FORMATION.

“When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions…”

Joshua 3:3 NIV

2. PROPER PREPARATION REQUIRED FOLLOWING NOT JUST WATCHING.

“…you are to move out from your positions and follow it.”

Joshua 3:3 NIV

3. PROPER PREPARATION REQUIRED CONSECRATION.

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

Joshua 3:5 NIV

Consecration was their deepest level of readiness

Consecration – 2 basic definitions: “set apart” or to be “Dedicated”

LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS

1) (Self Reflection) Is there an area of your life where God is asking you to “break formation” — step out of your comfort or routine to follow Him? Share.

2) What is the difference between watching God move and actually following Him? Share examples from your own life.

3) What does it practically look like for you to “consecrate” — set apart and dedicate — yourself before God this week?