Sunday, August 7th, 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:
- What do you make of all of the destruction that is present in this chapter? Does that change how you view God?
- How does this chapter fit in within the story of Joshua as a whole? How does this chapter fit into the story of the Promised Land that Israel has been pursuing for so long now?
- Why do the northern armies oppose God’s people, even after hearing about their victories? How in your life do you see yourself in the shoes of the northern kings, rejecting the work of God instead of joining him in the work he is doing?
- The horses and chariots of the northern armies were a huge technological advantage over the Israelites, yet the northern armies were still defeated. How in your lives have you relied on practical or prudent things/decisions/skills instead of in the power of the Lord? How much more fulfilling is faith in God than faith in the works of man?
- How does this chapter in Joshua fit into the overall story of God redeeming this world and us? How do we see the goodness of the gospel at work in Joshua 11?