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).

week of 2/9

Unit 06  Session 2

CONSEQUENCES FOR THE FAITHLESS

NUMBERS 14:11-24

 

Key Concept:

God is faithful both to forgive and to punish faithlessness.

Numbers 14 marks a tragic turning point in Israel's history. In Numbers 13, Moses sent spies into the promised land, charging them to scope out the land and bring a report back to the people. The spies came back and gave their "good news / bad news" report. The good news was that the land was everything the Lord had said it was. The bad news was that the cities were fortified, and the people were strong - also, giant (see Numbers 13:1-29). Despite the urging of Caleb and Joshua, the Israelites listened to the other ten spies and decided they wanted to go back to Egypt, and God judged them for their rebellion.

As you examine Numbers 14:11-24:

✞   Recognize that the Israelites deserved punishment and judgment for their faithlessness.

     

✞   Consider that God punished those who rebelled against Him but showed His faithful love 

    by not abandoning His covenant people.

week of 2/2

Unit 06  Session 1

COMPLAINTS OF THE UNGRATEFUL

NUMBERS 11:4-6, 10-23

 

Key Concept:

Complaining shows our ungratefulness about God's provision.

After Moses finished setting up the tabernacle and consecrating all that was needed per God's instructions, the Israelites celebrated their second Passover, the anniversary of their deliverance from Egypt. Perhaps as they celebrated the Passover, instead of remembering all that God has done, their spirit and their appetite led them to think about what they were missing. They had been eating manna daily through God's provision. But now in Numbers 11, the people complained to Moses that they were tired of manna and wanted meat.

As you examine Numbers 11:4-6, 10-23:

✞   Note that our complaints against God provoke Him to anger.

     

✞   Contemplate ways we can show our gratitude to the God Who provides for our daily 

    needs and our greatest need in sending His Son to be our Savior.

week of 1/26

Unit 05  Session 4

GOD'S PROVISION FOR REDEMPTION

LEVITICUS 16:1-6, 15-22

 

Key Concept:

God provided the sacrificial system for His people's sins to be forgiven and atoned for.

The book of Leviticus serves as a detailed guidebook for the priests and Levites as they served God. In Leviticus 1-15, God gave five types of ritual sacrifices for Israel, along with rules for the priests and purity of the community. Chapter 16 outlined the Day of Atonement, when the high priest entered the tabernacle each year to offer sacrifices to take away the sins of all the people. This ceremony illustrated God's grace and justice in forgiving the people while pointing toward His ultimate plan for permanent salvation through Jesus Christ.

As you examine Leviticus 16:1-6, 15-22:

✞   Identify that the sacrificial system God prescribed repaired fellowship between sinners 

    and a holy God.

     

✞   Consider that Jesus is our High Priest and all believers are part of the priesthood with 

    free access to the Father (Hebrews 10:19-22).

week of 1/18

Unit 05  Session 3

GOD 'S HOLY GLORY

EXODUS 40:9-17, 34-38

 

Key Concept:

Though God is holy, He desires to dwell with His people for His glory.

In the last chapter of Exodus, the Israelites dedicated the tabernacle. Just as God commanded, Moses anointed all the beautiful furnishings the people made, emphasizing God's holiness. Then God fulfilled His promise to dwell among His chosen people (Exodus 29:44-46) when His glory filled the tent. Exodus 40 underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant and our response in worship.

As you examine Exodus 40:9-17, 34-38:

✞   Contemplate that we cannot approach a holy God without being purified from our sins.

     

✞   Note ways that the purification required for the tabernacle underscores the necessity 

    of holiness for approaching God and points to Jesus' redemptive work.

week of 1/11

Unit 05  Session 2

GOD 'S JEALOUS LOVE

EXODUS 34:1-14

 

Key Concept:

God is compassionate and gracious, and He is also a jealous God.

With many miracles, Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. At Mount Sinai, they received God's laws. As Moses returned to the mountaintop to receive additional instructions, the people created a calf to worship, violating the first and second commandments. Moses shattered the tablets to show that the people had broken their covenant with God. Moses then returned to Mount Sinai and pleaded with God for mercy. In response, God showed mercy by equipping Moses to lead and renewing His covenant with the people.

As you examine Exodus 34:1-14:

✞   Identify God's characteristics, such as the Lord is compassionate and gracious, yet just.

     

✞   Reflect upon the fact that we are to destroy idols in our lives, keeping God first in everything.

week of 1/5

Unit 05  Session 1

GOD 'S GOOD LAW

EXODUS 20:2-17

 

Key Concept:

God's law reveals His good and holy expectations for His image-bearers.

God delivered the Israelites from cruel slavery in Egypt by His mighty hand. Then the Lord led them to Mount Sinai despite their doubts. God demonstrated His concern for human welfare, righteousness, and flourishing of His image-bearers by His giving of the Ten Commandments to His people. By giving the law on Mount Sinai, God showed His love by instructing His people how to live moral and devoted lives that bring blessing.

As you examine Exodus 20:2-17:

✞   Consider that God deserves exclusive worship for His glory but also for our benefit and

    good.

     

✞   Identify ways the Ten Commandments direct believers toward living with holiness in 

    their interactions with one another.