Joshua 約書亞記 1-2
Objective:
- Members be active and take ownership of what they heard from God and continually seek their higher calling from God.
Warm-up:
- Have you been asked to do mission impossible? What's your greatest responsibility?
- What's your approach for handling it?
Alternate:
- What truths have you heard or is close to your heart but you have not ready/willing to go forward?
Background: (optional based on your group)
- Joshua - Hebrew meaning Jesus (Greek), descendant of Joseph (Both lived to 110) Judges 2:6-8
- 400 years after Israelites lived in Egypt. God is leading back to Canaan. Moses was their leader from Egypt to the desert.
- 1 of 12 spies Moses send to Canaan. Numbers 13:8, 16
- 1 of 2 adults originally exited Egypt and lived to enter Canaan. Numbers 14:6-9, 30
- 40 years in desert, now time to enter Canaan. But Moses is dying.
- God appointed Joshua to be next leader. Deut 1:38, 3:28, 31:3, 14:23, 34:9
(Brought Joseph's bones to Canaan. Numbers 14:36-38)
Scripture:
Joshua 1:1-9 God’s direct revelation of His calling – the promised land
- What is God asking Joshua to do? lead Israelites to Canaan and battle for land
(Imagine having to follow Steve Jobb, Wayne Gretzky, Pastor Dan, etc) - Who is Joshua leading? Second generation to stubborn, unfaithful crowd (>1 million people)
- If you were Joshua, how would you feel?
- Would you step out in Faith?
- If the promised land is Joshua’s calling, then what is yours?
(Who is the caller? Note: calling is not your gift/talent) - Who got Joshua's back?
- What is God's promise?
- What’s Joshua’s secret to success? Follow God
Joshua 1:10-18 Companions/followers echo God’s calling with their compliance
- What preparation is needed before crossing Jordan?
- What is Joshua commanding the 2 ½ tribes to do?
- If you were them, will you fight in the front line?
- What is their response? It is not like them to be so easy going!
- Who are they telling Joshua to look up to?
- Have God affirmed your desire to serve by others’ obedience?
- Big task... Is Joshua qualified?
- Been leading Israel in battle in desert Exo 17:9
- Moses's assistance since youth Num 11:28
- Went to Mt. Sinai with Moses Exo 24:13
- Stayed with Moses while He is in tent-of-meeting outside Israel camp Exo 33:11
Joshua 2:1, 23-24 Enemies’ fear confirms God’s calling
- Joshua knew to cross Jordan River and God will give them the land, why do you think he still sends spies?
- What is prerequisite to attain God's blessings? Due diligence on our part, take action
- What are the spies to do?
- Little details... How do you think the spies find Rahab’s house?
- If you have time, read all of Ch2…
- What blessing do you see with the spies received due to Rahab’s faith?
- Who have helped you with their faith?
- How can you benefit others with your faith?
- What message did the spies bring back?
Challenge:
God trained Joshua for His task with Moses. Yet the only instruction for Joshua was to follow God and take courageous action.
- How near is God's word to you? It’s also in your phone…
- Deut 30:14 but the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
- Rom 10:8 …the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that is the word of faith that we preach.
- What value does God’s command hold in your life? Joshua 1:7-9
- Can you share from past experience how you trusted God and/or what it does “trust” mean to you?
- what/who blocks you from trusting God to lead you with your tasks (big/small)?
Invitation to prayer:
- Based on responsibilities/calling shared in warm-up and status of member’s relationship with God, pray for their respond to God.
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