Rahab: A Pathway to Freedom: Day 1

Transcription

1 ! Rahab: A Pathway to Freedom: Day 1 For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:11b And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. Joshua 2:21b Focus: Read Joshua 1:1-5. After Moses died, God spoke to Joshua and reminded him who He is and the promise He made to Moses, which still stood. Think about Joshua 1: 5 and consider what we need to remember, too. Feed: 1. It is time for the children of Israel to move forward, with Joshua as their leader. Joshua 1:6-11 tells the people they will enter into the Promised Land in three days. What two words are used repeatedly to encourage God's people? and. 2. Read Joshua 2: 1-7 and meet our Leading Lady. What do you learn about Rahab in these verses? 3. Read Joshua 2:8-24. If you had a conversation with the two spies, how do you think they would describe their encounter with Rahab? 4. Read Deuteronomy 7:7-9, regarding the faithfulness of God. Can you see this in the details of entering into Jericho for these spies? How? Follow: 5. Reflecting on your own life, write down one promise God has made to you: Can you trust Him as you see His hand moving you forward? Explain: Read Psalm 143:8, Proverbs 3:5,6 and Isaiah 26:2-4. Which one speaks to you most? Why?_

2 # Rahab, Day 1, Page 2 Further: 6. Read Joshua 1. Imagine what the children of Israel experienced as they were about to see a promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses fulfilled: (For more background, read Genesis 12: 6-8, 15:7,18-21, and Exodus 23:20.) After the leader Joshua had spent time with God, we see great conviction, inspiration, motivation, and purpose. Share how you think God's spoken words to Joshua in chapter 1 helped him to follow His Leader: 7. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 gives to us five clear directions. Write them down and share what each one means to you personally: a. b. c. d. e. 8. How does time set aside to listen and seek God s face shape your own life? 9. Psalm 46:10 calls us to do something. What is it? 10. Joshua 2: 1-7 has given us an example of God's guiding hand. How does Isaiah 42:16 also speak to you?

3 $ Rahab, Day 2 Focus: Read Psalms 5:11. Write it in your own words, and spend a moment doing what it says! Feed: 1. Read Joshua 2: What did Rahab tell the spies about the people of Jericho? What caused this reaction? (For background: Read Deuteronomy 2:25, Exodus 14:29-31 and Numbers 21:23-31.) 2. In Joshua 2:11, did Rahab include herself as she spoke of the fear that gripped her city?. Now ask yourself: Where do I go in the face of gripping fear? 3. What did Rahab proclaim in Johsua 2:11b? From her actions, how do you see that she was dissatisfied with her old life and that she desired a new life of faith in the one True God? Write down your thoughts on Rahab s decision: How does John 20:29b relate to Rahab? Read Hebrews 11:1. How would you describe faith? Rahab took a step of faith based on hearing of the power of God, to align herself and seek mercy from the people of Israel. Read Hebrews 11:31. How does this verse describe Rahab's decision and its outcome? Follow: 4. Reflecting on your own life, was there a time of revelation that caused you to review your existing life and desire a big change? Explain: How does Philippians 3: 7-8 speak to your life today?

4 % Rahab, Day 2, Page 4 Further: 5. Considering what you know thus far about Rahab, what are the signs of her dissatisfaction with her city and lifestyle? 6. Isaiah 55:7 gives clear direction for us when we desire great change. Write this verse in your own words: 7. What does Psalm 111:10 say about the fear of the Lord? Do you think the fear of the Lord is different from having a fear for your life? Explain: Read Isaiah 8: What does this say about fear? Read Psalm 37:8. What is the end result of fearing everything but God? 8. The fear of the Lord is another way of describing faith in God. How does Proverbs 14:27 describe it? Ephesians 2:1-5 describes a life lived apart from faith and the fear of the Lord. What words pop out to you as you read these verses? What phrase is repeated in verses 1 and 5? Why do you think this a fitting description? How and why are we changed, in verses 4-5? 9. In Luke 1:76-79, John the Baptist is given a prophesy by his father Zechariah at his birth--a great commission for this babe! What are some of the spoken words over John? How is God's mercy described?

5 & Rahab, Day 3 Focus: Read Joshua 24:15. Rahab made a choice, and it determined her future. Consider how this one choice to serve God shapes all of your other decisions today. Feed: 1. Look at Joshua 2: Rahab asked for deliverance from judgment and certain death. Did she ask only for herself? If no, who else? What does this tell you about Rahab? What does this tell you about God's desire for your own family? Rahab asked for kindness. How would you describe or define kindness? 2. Rahab is really asking for mercy. How does the prayer in Psalm 57:1 express Rahab's experience? Read Isaiah 55:7. What can you learn from this verse about mercy? How would you describe or define mercy? 3. Micah 6:8 gives us directions for life. What does it say, in your own words? 4. How does James 2:25 describe Rahab's faith in action? Follow: 5. The decision to follow God and live His way, among His people, following His steps, is a crossroad we all need to face. Rahab chose to leave her old life behind and walk humbly in a new place, with new people, purpose and path. Romans 3:23 reminds us that our sin is the same--we have all missed the mark. What does it mean to you to view your life as forgiven? How does Romans 5:8 speak to you today?

6 ' Rahab, Day 3, Page 6 Further: 6. Read Luke 7: How do you think this woman is similar to Rahab? What are some of the qualities you see in this woman, who realized that great forgiveness and mercy had been extended to her? 7. Isaiah 1:18 contains a beautiful promise. What does it say? 8. Do you think Rahab fully understood the impact of the choice she made? Explain: Rahab had a life in Jericho that may or may not have been acceptable in that culture. However, it became unacceptable as a woman of faith and one who proclaimed trust in the one true God. Looking at where you came from, can you relate? 9. Read Psalm 28. Now write a prayer that reflects your own cry for mercy: 10. Review Joshua 2:1-14. How do you think Rahab's trust in God was partnered with actions--taking a step of faith? Now read James 1:22-25; 2: What do these verses say about faith and actions? How does this speak to y our own life today? Are there any actions you need to take to walk out your own trust in God? What might that look like?

7 ( Rahab, Day 4 Focus: Read Romans 10: What is sweet to your ears in these verses? Feed: Read Joshua 2: What promise did the spies give to Rahab, in verse 14? What was its condition? 2. How did Rahab help the spies in verses 15-16? Describe the plan, in verses 17-20: 3. Rahab was committed to this decision; she put her life on the line for these two spies. She had hope that she would be saved, along with her family. Then she waited. Micah 7:7 describes what Rahab may have felt. What does it say? Isn t waiting hard? How do you imagine Rahab felt after she hung the red cord in the window? 4. Read Exodus 12:21-23 and What do you find similar between the first Passover, when the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, and Rahab's deliverance? Follow: 5. What does 1 Peter 1:18,19 say about the price paid for our lives? The red cord hanging from Rahab's window was her means of salvation. Do you find any significance in the red cord that relates to the verses above? Our own salvation and hope are in the price Jesus paid on the cross with His blood. He is our Passover Lamb. How does Rahab's story illustrate your own hope for salvation through faith in Jesus?

8 ) Rahab, Day 4 Further: 6. The Passover Lamb was necessary for a covering and sacrifice for sin. Jesus is our Passover Lamb. Read the scriptures below and share your own thoughts about the blood of the Lamb that flowed as a sacrifice for our own sin: --Isaiah 53:3-12: --John 1:29: --Revelation 5:5-9: 7. Moving forward in time, read Joshua 3:5. What does Joshua tell the people? Continue by reading Joshua 3:6-4:24. What miracle is repeated for the Children of Israel, that the Lord doesn t want forgotten? How are they instructed to set up a reminder? In Joshua 4:21-24, for what important reason are the stones of remembrance set in place? How do you remember God's wonders in your life and His goodness to you? Do you have any stones of remembrance? Explain:

9 * Rahab, Day 5 Focus: Read John 3: 16-17, and consider how this speaks of Rahab's life. Now think about what it means to you today. Feed: 1. Read Joshua 6: 1-14 to find out what happens when the Israelites, in God s time and way, move to take Jericho. Describe the scene: 2. What does this tell you about God s leading versus our own-- in other words, whose fingerprints do you see and why is that important? Does this cause an adjustment in your understanding of why things have happened in a certain way in your own life? Share your thoughts: 3. Continue reading Joshua 6: Who in verse 17 is to be spared? Who did Joshua send to save Rahab and her family, in verses 22-23? 4. Read Joshua 6: What happened next to the city? What happened to Rahab? What does this tell you about our faith and God's faithfulness? Now read Matthew 1:5. Who is the mother of Boaz? Follow: 5. Not only did Rahab experience salvation from destruction by her acts of faith, but she was grafted into the Israelite nation: she married Salmon and bore a son named Boaz. She is in the bloodline of the Messiah, Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Isn t God amazing? He saves us from a world of sin and disgrace and places us in His family, with a rock solid purpose. That is my question isn t God amazing? My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness...on Christ the solid Rock I stand... How have you seen this amazing grace in your own life?

10 !+ Rahab, Day 5, Page 10 Further: 6. Read Joshua 5:1-8. What was the reaction of Israel's enemies after hearing about the miracle at the Jordan River? What command did the Lord give to Joshua in verse 2? Circumcision represented the removing of the sinful nature and having a soft, responsive heart to God. It was the sign of God's covenant among His people. Why do you think it was significant that the young men took this step before they went into battle at Jericho? 7. Also before the fall of Jericho, we read in Joshua 5:13-15 of the appearance of a being. How is this person described? What question does Joshua ask him? What answer is given and how does this being describe himself? What did Joshua do in response? If you were facing an overwhelming challenge, and then saw an angel, how might you respond? Why? 8. Sometimes we expect God to back up our plans, but clearly here in Joshua's life, God is asking him to follow His bigger plan, and surrender. What might this surrender to God's greater plan look like in your life right now? 9. Recall the first focus verse of this study, in Joshua 1:5. Write it out: After hearing Rahab's story, what does this verse now mean to you?

11 !! Rahab: A Pathway to Freedom For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:11b And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. Joshua 2:21b Finish: Prayerfully look back over this week s lesson. Ask the Lord to show you any statements or scriptures that He wants you to further understand. Be still and give Him time to speak to your heart. Then respond to the following: 1. Looking back over this week s study, what aspect of Rahab's life had the greatest impact on you? Why? 2. What was the most meaningful statement or Scripture you read this week? Why? (Or perhaps you thought of a different scripture that speaks to you regarding the life of Rahab. Take time to find it and write it out also.) 3. Can you reword this verse or statement into a prayer for your life? 4. If you had the opportunity to share with a friend what you learned about Rahab, and you had five minutes, what would it be? In other words, what do you believe God wants you to do in response to what you've learned? Notes: