Faith Learned Early 1

“Now faith is assurance of (things) hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.” ASV “Now faith is assurance of (things) hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.” ASV “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”KJV “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”KJV What Is Faith? Heb. 11:1 2

Faith (Pistis) “is the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ: Heb 11:6” (Thayer) What Is Faith? Heb. 11:1 3

Substance (hupostasis) “a setting or placing under; thing put under, substructure, foundation:” (Thayer) (hupostasis) “a setting or placing under; thing put under, substructure, foundation:” (Thayer) “That which provides the basis for trust and reliance” (Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain) “That which provides the basis for trust and reliance” (Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain) What Is Faith? Heb. 11:1 4

Evidence (elengchos) a proof of the things we cannot see' or 'evidence that what we cannot see really exists' Heb 11:1” (Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain.) What Is Faith? Heb. 11:1 5

“What Mean Ye By These Stones?” Joshua 4:6, 20 6

Definition Memorial: “serving to help people remember some person or event.” Webster. Easy to forget. Deut. 6:10ff; Judges; Jer. 2:32; 3:21; Cf. 2 Pet. 1:12ff Jer. 2:32; 3:21; Cf. 2 Pet. 1:12ff 7

The Children’s Question “What Mean Ye By These Stones?” Josh. 4:6; 4:7; 4:21 “That this may be a sign among you. The erection of… huge piles of stones, as monuments of remarkable incidents, has been common among all people, especially in the early and rude periods of their history; and it is practiced by the Arabs still ('Researches and Missionary Labors,' by Joseph Wolff p. 492). They are the established means of perpetuating the memory of important transactions…” (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown) 8

The Children’s Question  Pillar of stones would attract the attention of a child!  Gilgal was a special place. 1 Sam. 11:14-15 Place where Saul was made king. 2 Sam. 19:15 Place where David was brought back. 9

The Children Children are special. Ps 127:3-5 “Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; (and) the fruit of the womb is (his) reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be put to shame, when they speak with their enemies in the gate.” Prov 17:6 “Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.” 10

The Children Children ask questions. Children ask questions. “Where is the lamb?” Gen. 22:7 “Where is the lamb?” Gen. 22:7 “What mean ye by this service?” Ex. 12:26; cf. 14 “What mean ye by this service?” Ex. 12:26; cf. 14 “Tell thy son…” Ex. 13:8 “Tell thy son…” Ex. 13:8 “What is this?” Ex. 13:14ff “What is this?” Ex. 13:14ff “What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances…” Deut. 6:20 “What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances…” Deut. 6:20 “What meaneth these stones?” Josh. 4:6,22 “What meaneth these stones?” Josh. 4:6,22 11

The Children They Are The Future. Of the home. Wives, Mothers, Husbands & Fathers. Eph. 5:22ff; Tit. 2:2ff Of the home. Wives, Mothers, Husbands & Fathers. Eph. 5:22ff; Tit. 2:2ff Of the church. 1 Tim. 3:1ff; Tit. 1:5ff; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:2 Elders, deacons, preachers, teachers & song leaders Of the church. 1 Tim. 3:1ff; Tit. 1:5ff; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:2 Elders, deacons, preachers, teachers & song leaders Pillars in the church. Gal. 2:9 Pillars in the church. Gal. 2:9 12

Those To Answer The Question Fathers are to satisfy the questions of their children. Joshua 4:6, 20; 1 Tim. 5:8; Deut. 6:6ff; Eph. 6:4 Fathers are to satisfy the questions of their children. Joshua 4:6, 20; 1 Tim. 5:8; Deut. 6:6ff; Eph. 6:4 Mother’s place. Cf. 2 Tim. 3:15 Mother’s place. Cf. 2 Tim. 3:15 Let’s tell the children. Ps. 78:1-6 Let’s tell the children. Ps. 78:1-6 13

Memorials  Rainbow. Gen. 9:12ff  The Passover. Ex. 12:14, 24; 13:8,14  Ark of the Covenant: Heb. 9:4 Omer of manna Ex. 16:33 Aaron’s rod. Ex. 7-8; Num. 17:6-10 Tablets of stone. Deut. 6:20  These twelve stones. Josh. 4:22  The Lord’s Supper. 1 Cor. 11:23ff 14

Lessons The wondrous works of God are for all time. Josh 3:10 “ye may know” Josh 4:24 “all the peoples of the earth may know” cf. Jno. 20:30-31 The wondrous works of God are for all time. Josh 3:10 “ye may know” Josh 4:24 “all the peoples of the earth may know” cf. Jno. 20:30-31 The importance of history. Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11 The importance of history. Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11 Providence. Eccl. 9:1; Dan. 2:21; 5:21; Joseph, Gen ; Esther Providence. Eccl. 9:1; Dan. 2:21; 5:21; Joseph, Gen ; Esther 15

Conclusion Tell your Children! God expects men to propagate His fame. Ex. 10:2; Rom. 9:17 The existence of the memorial is insufficient of itself to preserve the memory. Josh. 4:6-7, 22; Our children do not inherit our faith.! Cf. Judg. 2:10 Our children do not inherit our faith.! Cf. Judg. 2:10  We must teach the lessons!!! “What mean ye by these stones…?” “What mean ye by these stones…?” 16