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Joshua - Week 1

Tomilee Adamson and Bobbye Brooks
The Book of Joshua had its beginnings with Moses. Moses was called by God to be the leader of the Hebrew people. He was the one who led the Hebrews out of their slavery and bondage in Egypt. They would leave the familiarity of Egypt, represented as bondage and oppression, to head into the desert. God’s plan was not to keep them in the desert.  However, their ungratefulness, doubt and resentment brought devastating consequences forfeiting their entrance into the promise land. As a result, the Jews wandered in a hot, dry desert land for forty years. But God remained faithful to them even though they were stiff-necked and complaining. God’s mercy was evident as He took care of them through all of their sufferings. And God was faithful to fulfill His promises to these people as He raised up Joshua to lead their children into the promised land of Israel. 

1.  From the following verses, describe some of the roles Joshua performed in the wilderness with Moses?  
      a. Exodus 17:8-13 
      b. Exodus 24:13 
      c. Exodus 33:11 
      d. Numbers 14:6-10

 Joshua’s commission and key verse is found in Numbers 27:22-23, “Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses.”

2.  What does the name “Joshua” mean? What is he commissioned to do?

Leaders come in different shapes, sizes and styles. We need different kinds of leaders to perform different kinds of tasks. A leader in the workforce is different than a leader of a children’s Sunday school class.  A leader of the nation is different than a leader of Girl Scouts. We will be looking at Joshua’s call to lead the Israelites out of the desert, across the Jordan and into the promise land. But, with all Joshua’s faith and training, God knew that it would not be easy for him to lead these people.

 3. What did God tell Moses to do as he anointed and appointed Joshua to replace him?

      a. Deuteronomy 1:38    
      b. Deuteronomy 3:28 

God instructed Moses to encourage Joshua. After Moses’ words, Joshua was on his own. Scripture does not record a wife, friend or partner for Joshua. He did not have anyone to encourage him through his many battles. He had the Lord. Joshua needed to remember the words of Moses and depend on the faithfulness of God to continue to move forward. Whatever role God may call you to fulfill, you will need encouragement to continue. The Lord wants you to depend on Him, finding strength and encouragement through His Word and prayer, just as Joshua did. 

4. From Deuteronomy 34, answer the following questions:  
      a. From verses 1-8, summarize what happened with Moses. 
      b. From verse 9, describe Joshua.  
      c. From verses 10-12, describe Moses.

Joshua had very big shoes to fill. Joshua was Moses’ assistant and successor. He was one of the two adults who experienced the Egyptian slavery and lived to enter into the promise land. He was called by God and was empowered to be a leader and military strategist.  He did not compromise nor lose focus.

5. Joshua said in Joshua 24:14-15 says, "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 

      a. What word does Joshua use repeatedly in these verses? 
      b. What choice is Joshua asking the people to make? 
      c. If you were to evaluate how you spend your time and your money, what god do you serve? Explain. 
     d. Write out a prayer, expressing the desire of your heart to serve Him. Be Honest. The Lord   already knows where you are and             how you are feeling.

The Book of Joshua consists of three sections: The first section deals with the conquest of the land from Joshua 1-12.  During Joshua’s leadership, six nations and thirty-one kings were conquered (Joshua 11:18-23; Joshua 12:24). The second section deals with the allotment of the land given to the different tribes (each son of Jacob became known as a tribe). These chapters range from Joshua 13-22. The last section is the farewell addresses of Joshua with an account of his death in Joshua 23-24. These principles that were established during the Exodus into the times of Joshua still impact our lives today.

6. How do you view the teachings of the Old Testament in comparison to the New Testament?
7. What do you think the Book of Joshua has to do with Jesus Christ? And being a Christian? 

The Old Testament teaches us about the nature, character, plan and purposes of God Almighty. It is in knowing, believing and understanding the character of God that helps us live according to His will in Spirit and truth today. The Bible contains sixty-six books written by forty different men but all from the same Author. As we become more familiar with the Old Testament, we will see how God laid the foundation for what and Who was to come in the New Testament. Joshua is a type of Christ. Pray that the Lord will teach you about His purposes in the Old Testament as He shows you the foreshadowing of His plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

8. What do you want to see God do in you as a result of studying Joshua?

We can see the hand of God on Joshua’s life as we have the whole picture written in the scriptures. But Joshua was not told that God would use him to replace Moses until much later in his life (like 40 years). God would use all of these experiences in Joshua’s life to help others. We can all identify with Joshua. We each have leadership roles that we are called to fulfill from being a parent to a citizen in our community. And, as a Christian, God has called each of us to lead others to Christ and to take a stand for God.  Some of us are more prone to seek out a leadership position while others question why they were asked. Regardless of who you are, what you have done or where you are today, God has specifically led you to this place. He has arranged and ordained your background, experiences and present day circumstances to serve Him.

9. What are your reasons as to why you feel God cannot or should not use you?

God knows the paths that we take. Even though we may be embarrassed by our past today and even live in the consequences of them, God can cause all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and desire to be used by Him.  God has a way of making those bad things seem as if He knew exactly what we needed to get us to where we are today. Nothing is impossible for God. He calls sinners to salvation and uses the weak to strengthen and lead the strong. There is no sin too great or insecurity too deep to hinder God’s will for you, if you are willing! He will empower you if you will embrace His love.

10. What things in your past have surprised you that God has used to help others?

God has placed Joshua’s story in the Bible for us to understand the call of God on our lives too. Who, me, a leader? Like Joshua? Take a minute to stop and pray. Close your eyes as you ask the Lord to open your heart and to fill your mind with His thoughts. Ask the Lord to allow His Spirit to speak to your soul as you learn from His truths. Tell Him that you need to hear from Him and that you only want to do His will. All in and for Jesus alone…Amen

* Editor's note:  Seven of the 16 lessons are available on Christianity.com.  Click here to purchase the entire Daily Disciples Joshua study. 


Taken from the Bible study Joshua and Used by permission of  Daily Disciples.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc., founded by Tonilee Adamson and Bobbye Brooks, embraces a vision to reach the world for Christ by teaching others how to be His daily disciples. Their mission is to evangelize the lost and to re-awaken the saved to live lives empowered by the Word of God and His Holy Spirit, and to teach and to train those who desire to grow, to serve and to have all that God has for them…encouraging everyone to be a daily disciple of Jesus Christ. From Bible studies to daily devotionals to daily radio programs to a comprehensive discipleshipprogram, Bobbye  & Tonilee have a passion to help others apply the Word