week of 3/30

Unit 07  Session 5

GOD DESERVES WORSHIP

JOSHUA 24:14-25

 

Key Concept:

God rightly deserves our full worship, which includes obedience to Him.

The Israelites had taken the promised land and divided it among the tribes. In Joshua 24, Joshua recounted Israel's history and reminded them of God's faithfulness. God delivered them from Egypt, carried them in the wilderness, and gave them land they didn't have to labor for, cities they did not have to build, and vineyards they didn't have to plant (Joshua 24:13). Joshua called the people to respond to God's gracious gift through worship and obedience.

As you examine Joshua 24:14-25:

✞   Consider for yourself the question Joshua posed to the Israelites about whom to serve,

    the God Who helped them or the false gods of the Canaanites.

     

✞   Recognize that the call to worship God alone requires faith in God, knowing Who God is 

    and what He has done for His people.  

week of 3/23

Unit 07  Session 4

GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES

JOSHUA 11:16-23

 

Key Concept:

God fights for His people  is faithful in keeping His promises.

The next few chapters of Joshua describe the various battles that the Israelites fought as they took over the land of Canaan. Despite Achan's sin in Joshua 7, the Lord forgave the people and continued to go with them as He had promised Joshua. Joshua 10:42 says, "Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel." The Lord led Israel in battle, and now the time came for them to divide the land among the tribes.

As you examine Joshua 11:16-23:

✞   Consider that God fulfilled His promise to drive out His enemies through Joshua's 

    faithful obedience.

     

✞   Recognize that the Israelites received the land as an inheritance as God had promised 

    Abraham. 

week of 3/16

Unit 07  Session 3

GOD JUDGES DISOBEDIENCE

JOSHUA 7:2-6, 10-12, 19-21, 25-26

 

Key Concept:

Sin deserves God's judgment.

God miraculously provided the people of Israel a victory at Jericho. The entire city was meant to be devoted to destruction; only Rahab and her family were spared. The silver, gold, and bronze of the city was dedicated to the Lord's treasury (Joshua 6:19). However, one man did not follow God's commands, and the entire nation would be affected by this man's sin.

As you examine Joshua 7:2-6, 10-12, 19-21, 25-26:

✞   Consider that no one sins in a vacuum; sin always hurts the community of God's people.

     

✞   Recall the gospel, that Jesus, the only sinless man, died on the cross to pay the penalty of 

    sin for all who believe in Him.

week of 3/8

Unit 07  Session 2

GOD CONQUERS HIS ENEMIES

JOSHUA 6:1-5, 15-21

 

Key Concept:

God is sovereign over His enemies and their destruction.

Joshua and the Israelites miraculously crossed the Jordan River, an echo of the Red Sea crossing of the previous generation. Then the new generation celebrated their first Passover in the promised land (Joshua 5:1-12). After the Passover, the commander of the Lord's army met Joshua, who was told to take off his sandals (v. 15), similar to Moses' experience with God at the burning bush. The Lord promised to fight for Israel as they began their conquest of the promised land, starting with the fortified city of Jericho.

As you examine Joshua 6:1-5, 15-21:

✞   Recognize that Jericho's defenses could not thwart God's judgment.

     

✞   Rejoice that, like Rahab, those who trust in God's mercy will be saved.

week of 3/2

 Unit 07  Session 1

GOD LEADS HIS PEOPLE

JOSHUA 3:1-14

 

Key Concept:

God is with His people as He leads them.

As the book of Joshua opens after the death of Moses, God encouraged the newly appointed leader for His people. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, but Joshua would lead them into the promised land. A miraculous parting of waters bookends the journey of both leaders. Beyond the Red Sea, the Israelites faced a wilderness where God's stubborn people would learn to depend on Him and Him alone. Beyond the Jordan was civilization where God's chosen people would learn that not one of God's good promises would fail (Joshua 21:45).

As you examine Joshua 3:1-14:

✞   Note that God displayed His power to the new generation by parting the Jordan River.

     

✞   Remember that God promises to be with His people, and He never fails to keep His

    promises.

week of 2/23

Unit 06  Session 4

WARNING TO THE DESCENDANTS

DEUTERONOMY 32:1-9, 44-47

 

Key Concept:

God's people must never forget or ignore God's words of life.

Deuteronomy means "second law". This book records Moses' final words to the second generation of Israelites after leaving Egypt. They were about to enter the promised land, though Moses would not enter because of his disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:1-13). On the plains of Moab, Moses repeated the law to the new generation before his death. Deuteronomy ends with the Song of Moses (chapter 32), his blessings for each of the twelve tribes (chapter 33), and his death (chapter 34). The book is a beautiful reminder that God keeps His covenant in every generation.

As you examine Deuteronomy 32:1-9, 44-47:

✞   Identify ways that God blessed us and called us His people without us deserving it.

     

✞   Consider how Moses called on God's people to remember His goodness and take God's

     words - our life - to heart.

week of 2/16

Unit 06  Session 3

HEALING OF THE IMPATIENT

NUMBERS 21:1-9

 

Key Concept:

Confession and repentance will lead to healing.

Numbers 21 is yet another account of Israel's complaining and grumbling and God's punishing them for it. One would think, after numerous cycles of plagues and punishments, Israel would learn the lesson. But again, we should not assume we are any different from the Israelites; our fallen nature virtually guarantees we will always repeat this pattern. This time, the people rebelled and God sent venomous snakes throughout the camp. This time, however, when they confessed their sin, God made a way for them to be healed.

As you examine Numbers 21:1-9:

✞   Consider that impatience leads to ungratefulness, which leads to judgment.

     

✞   Meditate on Jesus comparing the bronze snake to Himself when He spoke to 

    Nicodemus (John 3:14-18).