WHAT MEAN YE BY THESE STONES. Joshua 4:1-24 KJVAfter God miraculously brought Israel across the Jordan River on dry ground, He commanded Joshua to take twelve stones from the river and establish a memorial. Those stones were more than rocks—they were a testimony. When future generations asked, "What mean ye by these stones?", God's people were to tell them what the Lord had done.In this opening lesson we examine why God established memorials and why remembering His works matters. The twelve stones reminded Israel of God's power in the past, His presence in the present, and His faithfulness for the future. They also gave parents an opportunity to teach their children the mighty works of God.Every generation needs its own "stones of remembrance"—testimonies of answered prayer, salvation, deliverance, provision, and the faithfulness of God. We must never allow the next generation to inherit our buildings, traditions, and Bibles without also hearing the story of what God has done."What mean ye by these stones?" — Joshua 4:6 KJVThe stones could not speak for themselves. Someone who remembered what God had done had to tell the story.Joshua 4 does not end with Israel merely crossing a river.It ends with a testimony being established.The water would begin flowing again.The footprints in the riverbed would disappear.The generation that crossed Jordan would eventually pass away.But the stones remained.Why?Because God knew something about us:We have a tendency to forget.We remember the trouble, but forget the deliverance.We remember the night we cried, but forget the morning when God answered.We remember how deep the Jordan looked,, but forget that God made a way through it!