Next: First Things First Study #7
Facing the Future with Faith
Joshua 1:1-9
INTRODUCTION: Moses was gone, and yet there were new, important things God was calling His people to do. To be sure, they were not easy things. They would require steps of faith, battles with enemies, a commitment to personal and corporate obedience to God’s Word (i.e., the Law) and God’s commands.
Christ Community Church faces like these ahead. Perhaps you also, very personally, are stepping into a next season of life. Let’s explore the road ahead with God’s word to Joshua resonating in our minds and hearts.
GETTING STARTED – Talk about what lies on the road ahead, as you see it
- What you think is on the road ahead for Christ Community Church? How would you explain it to someone?
- What’s ahead for you personally?
Use these questions to talk about the two bullets above
- What steps of faith need to be taken?
- What are the likely battles ahead?
- What steps of obedience is the Holy Spirit calling for?
IN THE WORD – Take a closer look together at Joshua 1:1-9. READ THIS OUT LOUD and then discuss below
1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Share 3 observations you make about…
- The challenge before Joshua
- God’s promises to Joshua
- Joshua’s responsibility in this
EVAL, DISCUSS AND APPLY – We understand that this chapter describes an historical situation that was unique to Joshua and the next generation of Israel. Yet Scripture like this is “written for our encouragement and instruction” (cf. Romans 15:4) that we might have hope.
As you survey the challenges, promises, and responsibility of Joshua’s situation, how might the observations you made re: Joshua apply in (1) the future of Christ Community Church, and (2) in your own walk with God in the months ahead?
Pray for CCC’s Joshua (Pastor Kyle Bartholic) as he begins to lead God’s people!