Sunday, May 29th, 2016
The book of Joshua records the culmination of Israel’s journey to the Promised Land. Here we see God fulfill His promise to give the land of Canaan to Jacob’s descendants. Joshua portrays the Lord as their general, the One who would lead His people in victorious battle if they would trust and obey.
God is the ultimate promise-keeper. As faithful and present as He was with Israel, so He is with us. “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
As you read and study together, make sure to work hard at hearing from everyone that has gathered together. Pray for one another and be accountable to applying the word of God to your lives.
Questions for this week:
- God commands Joshua to meditate on His Word and instructions. What is the difference in meditating and memorizing? How do you see those two things playing out in your own life?
- God told Joshua to “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Since Christ has gone before us, we should boldly take the Good News to those around us. What are ways you as The Church are acting as a steward of the things of God to the world who desperately needs it? How are we too busy hoarding, or trembling with fear, or being dismayed by our broken world?
- Many bible teachers and scholars would say that the nation of Israel’s exodus from Egypt is the greatest act of redemption found in the Old Testament while the cross of Christ is clearly that in the New Testament. What commonality do you see in these two acts? What evidence in Joshua 1 do you see of how Joshua is now filling the leadership void left by Moses?
- “Rest” is a major Old Testament theme, and in verse 13, Joshua states that “the Lord your God is giving you rest, and has granted you this land.” How can receiving and entering the promise land be an opportunity to rest? Where in your life do you need to see the promises of God fulfilled so you can rest?
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Think of times in your life when you did do well to meditate on God’s word regularly. Discuss how it affected your mood, or how you handled problems. Have you noticed times when you or others focused on scripture reading or memorization too much–so that it became a form of legalism? Discuss how this can happen sometimes. How do you think you can focus more on meditating on God’s word in healthy ways.