Associated Scripture: Joshua 1-2; 6; 8, 10-11; 23-24
Discussion Questions:
1.
How could Joshua be “strong and courageous” in
such intimidating situations? He
constantly believed in the Lord. The
Lord gave him strength in impossible situations. As long as he had Faith, he was given the
authority through the Lord to take over any task given to him by God. Jerimiah 17: 9-10 states God knows your
heart. That is how He can deliver sins
and be the punisher. Joshua 1:3-9 states
I will not fail or abandon you. Romans
8:31 states God is for us.
2.
What do you learn about God for the story of the
salvation of Rahab the prostitute? Rahab
believed all the previous miraculous things Israel had done with God in command
such as the parting to the Red Sea. She
believed in God’s power. When the spies
had entered her home, she lied for the King and hid the men. She lied that she had seen them go down the
road when they were actually on the roof hidden. She explained to the spies that since she had
hidden them, she would ask that her family members be spared. The spies promised they would as long as she
did not reveal the plan. Rahab believed
that her life would be spared. In doing
so her faith (as well as her family members I’m sure) was made even stronger as
the ENTIRE city fell before her!
3.
What do the string of amazing battle victories
the people experienced as they entered the land reveal about who is really in
charge of history? It revealed to them
that God was in control. In each of the
battles, they were against extreme odds.
God had a plan. They would rule
the land as believers in Christ and take all the others who had other gods. God was in control.
4.
Why did God order the Israelites to go to war
against others? How was the war
justified? The others had other
pagan-like gods or idols. They were not
obeying God as commanded. To rid the
others, God planned for the Israelites to win against the others. The war was justified through God.
5.
How did Joshua challenge the people in his final
speech? He challenged all others to
follow God’s commandments. As long as
they obeyed God, as he and the Israelites did, and followed God’s commands, all would be good. He challenged them as to what WILL happen if
they choose to follow the previous sinners.
God again is in control and God is also the punisher.
6.
Why do you think God lavished blessings on
Joshua and all the Israelites, who, like Joshua, trusted God? God did this to
show them that blessings would happen if they had faith in God and followed his
Rules and set an example. He also shows
what can happen if His word is not followed and they choose not to live a life through
faith in God. Once you align your life
with God’s word, your life is blessed.
7.
What practical steps can you take to gain a
deeper faith in God? I think we must
simply trust in him! Personal.
Video
1. What
did God call his people to do as they got ready to enter the Promised Land
(Joshua 1:1-11, The Story, pp. 89-91)?
Be strong and courageous. Study
His book of instruction daily. The Lord
and God is with you wherever you go.
Again in Psalms and Jerimiah: Be courageous. 1st Psalms- Mediate on it day or
night and Jeremiah 17:7-Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose
hope is the Lord For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which
spreads out its roots by the river..
2. The
first time spies were sent into the land, twelve of them went. Only two gave a good report; the other ten
were so negative that they convinced the people of Israel the rewards weren’t’
worth the risk. For decades later,
Joshua sent a team of only two into the land.
Randy said, “Committees seldom make courageous decisions.” Discuss the value of following a couple of
bold leaders rather than a committee when it comes to those moments when we
need to move forward quickly and with courage.
Sometimes things or people can be a distraction. Minimize distractions. Too many chiefs and not enough
Indians!!! Sometimes it is easier to
go with the Standard Act of Behavior. So
follow the few leaders that exhibit God’s example. Serve the Lord with a fertile heart and not a
shallow heart.
3. Just
like the people of Israel, we sometimes are fearful of challenges and don’t
want to deal with them. What challenge
in your life have you put on the back burner, but you know it is time to face
it and deal with it? How can your group
members pray for you, cheer you on, and keep you accountable in this
process? Several examples were given.
Michelle wants to quit smoking. Natalie
wants to choose the right people that reflect God’s word, Katie wants help in
prayer through a career selection and Haley wants prayer in deciding whether or
not to go back to work full time or part time…
4. How
does consistent and faith-filled reading of the Bible (God’s Story) help us
remain strong and courageous as we swim upstream against the currents of this
world? Perspective, Strength and
Wisdom! There always seems to be an
underdog with the battles in the bible.
God gives us these instructions to live. Michelle: During her last study leader of Captivating,
she really did not feel she could lead a bible study. God told her she would-- And she got through it—with constant prayer
and faith in the Lord!!!
5. Joshua
read the words of God’s story to all the people: children, teens and the
adults. What are ways we can help the
children and young people in our lives grow in their knowledge of and love for
the Bible? How can this be done in both
our homes and churches? The best way to
do this is be a model of Christ. They
will see your model of a Christ-like citizen and hopefully learn by
example. Also, we can each talk about
God. Pray with them and teach them how
to pray. We need to let our children (as
well as any child) know how important, loved and accepted they are if they
choose to lead their life in faith.
6. Chapter
7 of The Story teaches us that we should always talk with God to make sure he
is going before us and that we are not heading off on our own. Why is it so important to pray, listen to God
and follow his leading when we make life decisions? What are some of the possible consequences if
we forget to do this? What area of your
life do you need to commit to more prayer and listening? We need to pause, listen, and fellowship with
the Lord PRIOR to following our decisions!
The Lord will clear your path.
The second part of that question is for you to answer.
7. Baptism
is an outward sign of our identification with God. What is the meaning of baptism and why is
this public celebration so important and powerful? Share your stories. The meaning of baptism is that you are being
born again as a Christian. You are
publically professing to others that you choose to live a Christian path. For me, whenever I see a baptism, I remember
my commitment to the Lord as well. You
feel uplifted in that moment.
8. When Christians live in a world that flows so
strongly against the desires and heart of God, we often are identified as
believers simply by the way we live.
Name some actions and attitudes that show the world we are followers of
Jesus. Michelle gave her example of
reaching out to help someone at Wednesday night service. This woman had lost her partner and had not been comforted in a very long time. She told the lady she would pray for a her and keep her in her thoughts and prayers. This was the first
time Michelle had extended herself to someone that really was a complete stranger. She will continue
that relationship and provide that need.
Her children will witness that also—which is a wonderful way to show her
love for God and set that example for her children. For me, participating in prayer is a way we
are identified, rather it be alone at a restaurant at lunch or even
participation in group settings. Often
times while in state government we are told to separate Church and State. Many state meetings still do open in
prayer. I participate.
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