Joshua Stones examples:n New Baby n Family Dedication n First Bible n School n Graduation n Mission Trip n Profession of Faith n Baptism n Engagement n Wedding n New Home n Call to Ministryn Celebration of Life

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www.vbmb.org

Virginia Baptist Mission Board of the Baptist General Association of Virginia

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spiritual stepping stones

spiritual stepping stones

Ideas to Collect Joshua StonesHow do you like to commemorate special events? Do you take lots of photographs and/or videos? Do you keep a journal? Do you create scrapbooks or memory boxes?

Choose a way that best suits you to collect memorabilia from events in each family member’s spiritual journey. You may start at any time in a person’s life. Make the collection an ongoing tradition. Following are some ways to create Joshua Stones, beginning at birth.

Throughout the life of every Christian, there are events that become stepping stones in that person’s spiritual walk. Many significant life events occur within the context of the church, and often those events are not recognized or celebrated. In this booklet you will find suggestions to help you look back on these events as milestones in your family members’ spiritual lives.

The term Joshua Stones is taken from the Old Testament book of Joshua; it refers to an event where God set up a way to commemorate and recognize His presence and faithfulness to His people. Much like the 12 stones in the fourth chapter of Joshua, the markers for the spiritual milestones in your family will create reverence for God and reminders of His faithfulness.

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What are

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Birth – ChildhoodNew Baby and Family Dedication. When the birth of a child is announced in a printed bulletin or newsletter at church, save at least one copy and

note the date of its printing. If you choose to participate in a family dedication service, save the printed program from the event and any photos or recordings of the ceremony. Save the certificate of dedication.

Presentation of First Bible. When your child receives his or her first Bible (usually around first grade), take pictures or video of the event and note

the date. Save any printed programs or bulletin announcements.

Service Projects. Keep a written record of any missions or service project, and take photographs or video footage of the participation. Write a journal

entry describing the experience.

Entering School/Back-to-School. When a child enters school for the first time (or perhaps enters each new grade), your church may do something

to commemorate the occasion. Save any printed programs from celebration ceremonies or photographs of such events. Write journal entries describing the events.

Youth and Young AdultsGraduations. Graduations from high school, college, or other institutions of learning are often times that churches celebrate together. Collect

memorabilia such as photographs, videos, letters, cards, and other items related to your church family. Save printed programs with graduates’ names. Remember to include photographs and writings from fellow graduates within the church. Take pictures of parties and celebrations.

A Mission Trip. Keep records of itineraries and schedules. Take photographs of preparations for the trip. Take pictures and videos of the actual

experience. Keep a journal during the trip describing the experiences. Collect and save any notes of encouragement from other church and family members.

From Joshua 4 (NIV):21 Then he spoke to the people of Israel. He said, “In days to come, your children after you will ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 Their parents must tell them, ‘Israel went across the Jordan River on dry ground.’ 23 The Lord your God dried up the Jordan for you until you had gone across it. He did to the Jordan River the same thing he had done to the Red Sea. He dried up the Red Sea ahead of us until we had gone across it. 24 He did it so that all of the nations on earth would know that he is powerful. He did it so that you would always have respect for the Lord your God.”

Non-Age-Specific Celebrations Profession of Faith. Note the date of a profession of faith. Consider purchasing a new study Bible for the new Christian. Write a journal entry describing the

joyous occasion. Collect and save any notes of encouragement written by church or family members.

Baptism. Take photographs or video footage of the baptism. Host a celebratory reception for close friends and family following the baptism

ceremony; take photographs of the celebration. Save the certificate of baptism. Write a journal entry describing the experience.

Engagements and Weddings. Collect and save any printed announcements of engagement or marriage in your church’s newsletter or bulletin.

Collect any cards or notes of encouragement and congratulations from church and family members. Take photographs and videos of any church celebrations or events related to the engagement or wedding. Save the wedding certificate. Write journal entries describing the events.

Establishment of a New Home. Take photo-graphs and/or video footage of the different phases of the home-establishment process. Keep a journal

telling stories of the experience.

A Call to Ministry. Take note of the date when an individual first feels called to ministry. Keep a journal chronicling the events leading up to the call and

record subsequent events that confirm the call. Collect and save any notes of encouragement and/or advice written by fellow church members and/or ministers.

Celebration of Life (Death of a Loved One). Collect and save cards and notes written by church and family members. Save printed programs from

memorial services and printed death notices from church publications. Save any recordings or photographs (if desired) of memorial services and related events of life celebration.