SUMMER 2015 LEADER GUIDE BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS: EVERYDAY LEADERSHIP FROM JOSHUA AWAKE: THE CALL TO A RENEWED LIFE

Transcription

1 SUMMER 2015 LEADER GUIDE BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS: EVERYDAY LEADERSHIP FROM JOSHUA AWAKE: THE CALL TO A RENEWED LIFE

2 Be Strong and Courageous: Everyday Leadership from Joshua SUGGESTED FOR WEEK OF: TITLE PASSAGE PAGE Introduction 10 June 7 Session 1 Accept Your Leadership Role Joshua 1: June 14 Session 2 Be Confident in God s Power Joshua 3: June 21 Session 3 Stick to God s Plan Joshua 6:1-5,12-16,20 38 June 28 Session 4 Move Beyond Failure Joshua 7:13-15,19-21,25-26; 8:1 50 July 5 Session 5 Work Through Conflict Joshua 22:11-12,15-18,26-27, July 12 Session 6 Call Others to Step Forward Joshua 24:14-18, Looking Back: Be Strong and Courageous 86 Awake: The Call to a Renewed Life Introduction 88 July 19 Session 7 Return to God Jonah 1:1-3; 3:1-5,10 90 July 26 Session 8 Return to Your First Love Revelation 2: August 2 Session 9 Return to Prayer Nehemiah 1: August 9 Session 10 Return to God s Word Nehemiah 8: August 16 Session 11 Return to Unity Acts 4: August 23 Session 12 Return to the Task Acts 13:1-3, Looking Back: Awake 162 Hospitality: How Ordinary People Can Live on Mission August 30 Session 13 Hospitality Luke 14: COMMENTARY WRITERS Be Strong and Courageous: Everyday Leadership from Joshua. W. Wayne VanHorn, dean of the School of Christian Studies and the Arts at Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi. Awake: The Call to a Renewed Life. Gregory T. Pouncey and various other writers. Greg is pastor of First Baptist Church Tillman s Corner, Mobile, Alabama. Hospitality: How Ordinary People Can Live on Mission. Ronny Marriott. Ronny is the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, Temple, TX. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 3

3 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE KJV Adults Leader Guide SUMMER 2015 VOL. 2, NO. 4 ERIC GEIGER Vice President, Church Resources Plan of Salvation 2 A Word from Ronnie 5 Using Bible Studies for Life 6 5 Ways to Help Group Members 8 Ark of the Covenant 24 Coming in Fall 178 Bible Studies for Life Resources 179 Social Media Connect with a community of Bible Studies for Life users to respond to questions and share teaching ideas at facebook.com/ biblestudiesforlife Join the conversation on Twitter using hashtags provided with Question 1 of each session, or create your own. to get instant updates about new articles, giveaways, and more. Commentary Dig deeper into Scripture with the The Herschel Hobbs Commentary. It features in-depth Bible exposition on the passages studied in this book. Blog At BibleStudiesForLife.com/blog you will find the magazine articles we mention in this study guide and music playlists provided by LifeWay Worship. Plus, leaders and group members alike will benefit from blog posts written for people in every life stage men, women, singles, parents and boomers as well as media clips, connections between our study topics, current events, and more. RONNIE FLOYD General Editor DAVID FRANCIS Managing Editor JAMES JACKSON Content Editor PHILIP NATION Director, Adult Ministry Publishing FAITH WHATLEY Director, Adult Ministry Send questions/comments to: Content Editor Bible Studies for Life: KJV Adults One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the web at Bible Studies for Life: KJV Adults Leader Guide (ISSN ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay. For ordering or inquiries, visit call (800) , or write LifeWay Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription changes subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its Author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit doctrinalguideline. Printed in the United States of America 4

4 A Word from Ronnie In this past year, I have traveled a lot. In my involvement with both individual followers of Christ and their churches, I ve observed a need for two things. Leadership. I m not talking simply about pastors and church leaders. We are all leaders in some way. Even if you re a parent with one child, you re a leader! Paul Jimenez has authored a study from the Book of Joshua called Be Strong and Courageous: Everyday Leadership from Joshua. I pray that it will encourage and strengthen you in the ways you influence and lead others. Renewal. God is ever calling us to a closer walk with Him. This includes a call to repentance to return to the One who loves us. I am so passionate about encouraging Christians to experience renewal in their lives that I wrote the study Awake: The Call to a Renewed Life. This study will definitely challenge all of us, but such challenge brings with it great encouragement and joy. Alongside this study, let me invite you to read a 16-page e-book I have written. It is a call for us to humbly come together before God in clear agreement, visible union, and in extraordinary prayer for the next great awakening and for the world to be reached for Christ. This e-book is a free download at lifeway.com, and we have included it on the Leader Pack DVD-ROM. I hope you will share this e-book with your group members. These two studies touch us where we live every day. Let the Bible meet your life and watch what God does! I am confident you and your group will benefit greatly from opening God s Word and discussing the truths of Scripture. I d love to hear from you and learn what God is doing in you and your Bible study group. General Editor

5 HOW TO USE BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE Pray Because God is the guide for your study, invite Him to show you how to be the best facilitator for your group. Read the Bible passage several times, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you its meaning and application. Read Read and reread the Bible passage. Let God s Word become a part of your thoughts, words, and actions. Personal Study Guide Read the Personal Study Guide. Its content provides the foundation and direction for Bible study and discussion by your group. You and your group will find commentary as well as an activity to apply the Bible passage. At the end of each session you ll find three practical ways for group members to apply The Point in their lives. Each group member can pick one from those three, or compose a fourth that works best for his or her life. Encourage your group members to read the Personal Study Guide prior to the group meeting. (Some group members will prefer to read the Personal Study Guide after the meeting as a way to follow up and reflect on what they have learned and discussed.) Leader Guide Read the commentary to help you understand the Bible passage. Incorporate insights from the commentary as needed during the group discussion. Follow the simple directives in the group plan. This plan will guide you in engaging your group in discussion around the Bible passage and commentary. Leader Pack Pull in the posters from the Leader Pack as guided by the group plan. The Leader Pack also includes a DVD-ROM with an electronic version of the group plan and a video presentation from the study author to help you prepare. 6

6 For Those Who Want To Go Deeper Advanced Bible Commentary is written for group members who desire more extensive commentary. It includes exposition of each session s Scripture passage, an examination of Key Words, an introduction to the setting of the passage and biblical life and times, questions to guide the study, and interactive responses to help readers apply God s truths to their lives today. The Herschel Hobbs Commentary is designed specifically for leaders and provides a comprehensive, KJV-based exposition of each session s Scripture passages. Specific attention is given to items in the biblical text that readers likely would miss without a commentary to point them out. You can subscribe to Advanced Bible Commentary or the Herschel Hobbs Commentary by going to or by calling Each quarter Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth background information on Bible customs, history, culture, and archaeology, and word studies through vivid photography, engaging maps, graphics, and lesson-targeted articles. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to illustrator or by calling Forty additional PDF ed articles to support this quarter s Bible studies are available for $3.00 per bundle at Additional Ideas Additional discussion questions and suggestions for leaders are available online for affinity groups (women, men, parents, boomers, and singles) at Blog.Lifeway.com/BibleStudiesforLife. You ll also find all the magazine articles we mention in this study guide and music downloads provided by LifeWay Worship. Plus, leaders and group members alike will benefit from the blog posts written for people in every life stage singles, parents, boomers, and senior adults as well as media clips, connections between our study topics, current events, and much more. Join the Conversation! To join the conversation about each Bible study on Twitter (@biblemeetslife), use the hashtag (sample: #BeStrong) printed under Question 1 in the Personal Study Guide and after the first suggested group plan activity in the Leader Guide. Each hashtag gathers tweets on a particular topic. Encourage your group to use the hashtags to share ways to apply that session s Bible study. You also have the option of creating a hashtag specifically for your group (for example #ninethirtyclass). Encourage group members to join the conversation with others on our Facebook page (facebook.com/biblestudiesforlife); as well as our blog (biblestudiesforlife.com/blog). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 7

7 5 WAYS TO HELP GROUP MEMBERS WHO RESIST GUIDANCE BY KEN BRADDY If you ve ever tried leading a group of people, you know one or two people are always in the group who don t see things your way. This is especially important when you lead a Bible study group, because you must exercise great skill and tact if you want them to continue following your leadership. What do you do when a person resists your guidance? Do you do what you want anyway? Do you take time to think through their objections, concerns, and comments? Or do you play the I m in charge card? Here are five approaches for working with group members who resist guidance. 1. Don t hang a label on the person. One of the temptations any leader faces is to hang a label on someone. We may use words like stubborn, unreasonable, or troublemaker. But hanging a label on a fellow believer, group member, and perhaps friend is wrong. It could forever influence the way you see that person; or worse, it might lead others to see that person in a negative light. Instead of using a label, view the person as perhaps overusing a strength. For example, if a person you lead is objecting to a plan of action you d like to implement, he or she may simply be overusing a good quality: cautiousness. 2. Seek to hear the real objection. Listen for the reason behind the reason when a group member objects to something you want to lead the group to do or to become. Watch for body language clues as to what the person is feeling. Ask your 8

8 group member to restate the objection, or say something like, I hear you saying. Is that right? Ask for clarification until you have peeled back the layers and understand what is really behind her resistance. 3. Pray with the person. Before a meeting with the person ends, take a few minutes to take turns praying for each other. Ask the Lord to bring about unity in the relationship and clarity of vision for the task at hand. 4. Find a compromise. Find a win-win. There may be a middle ground that will allow you to accomplish your goals without sacrificing the relationship with the other person. Occasionally you may find yourself on one of those hills worth dying on, but those are usually pretty rare. Instead, ask yourself if there is another way to accomplish your goal, one that you may have not considered until now. 5. Listen. This may be the most important thing you can do with the group member who resists your guidance. If he feels you don t care to hear him or you don t value his opinion and advice, he may build a wall that will take a long time to tear down. As you talk with the person, maintain eye contact, nod, restate some of the things he says, and ask questions. All of this will assure him you are listening, hearing, and valuing what he is trying to tell you. Every situation is different and every person is unique. Guiding resistant group members is more of an art than a science. Seek God s wisdom, ask for patience, and always love the people in your group. The high road is always the best ground on which to travel. Ken Braddy is manager of LifeWay s ongoing adult Bible studies, and he has served for more than 18 years as a pastor of Christian education. He and his wife Tammy lead an ongoing Bible study group at their church in Tennessee. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 9

9 10 BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS: EVERYDAY LEADERSHIP FROM JOSHUA

10 When you say the word leader, what face or name comes to mind? > > An entrepreneur or CEO > > A pastor > > A coach > > A general Let me add one more: YOU! Do you think of yourself as a leader? You are. You may not lead a business, a church, a team, or a military unit, but you are still called to lead. > > A husband becomes a leader when he says, I do. > > Parents become leaders as soon as the baby is born. > > Employees who have responsibility for others are leaders in the workplace. > > Church members are leaders when they serve guests in the parking lots, teach children and students, or serve on the financial team. So what s your blueprint for leading? We have a great model of leadership in Joshua, the man tapped to move God s people from wandering in the wilderness to the conquest of their own land. Throughout the Book of Joshua, God has given us a blueprint on how to be godly and effective leaders. So let s explore leadership from God s Word. Think of the leadership role God has given you. Picture in your mind the faces of the people you lead and influence. Open your heart to what God can do by His power through available servants and leaders like you. Let s walk through this door together and be changed into the leaders God desires. Paul Jimenez Paul Jimenez is senior pastor at Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina. Paul served on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, before God called him to seminary and serving the local church. He is married to his best friend, Cheri, and together they deeply love and parent a daughter and a son. Most of all he wants to see the kingdom of God break through in his family, his church, and throughout the world. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 11

11 SESSION 1 ACCEPT YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLE 12 Session 1

12 The Point As you lead, submit to God s authority and direction. GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes The Bible Meets Life Leadership takes many forms, and we are all leaders in one way or another. Whether leadership is carried out in the business world, the family, the playing field, or the church, how we lead is ultimately a reflection of our relationship with Christ. A person s approach toward leadership says much about his or her dependence on and commitment to God. Our leadership and influence are to be carried out under the leadership and influence of God s Spirit in our lives. The Passage Joshua 1:1-9 The Setting God had led His people through Moses for a lengthy and eventful time from enslavement in Egypt, through the 10 plagues, out of Egypt, across the Red Sea, and for 40 years in the wilderness. Moses had been at the helm through the giving of the Law, surveying of the promised land, and constructing of the tabernacle. Though some had challenged Moses leadership, most of those alive had known no other. But now Joshua had to fill those shoes. GUIDE: Direct attention to the contents page in the Personal Study Guide ([PSG] p. 3). Note that today the group begins a six-session study from the Book of Joshua. Review the titles. (ENHANCEMENT: Note the session titles on Pack Item 1: Be Strong and Courageous Unit Poster.) #BSFLBeStrong GUIDE: Direct the group to look at the picture (see p. 12; PSG, p. 8). DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 8): When have you wondered, Am I ready for this? GUIDE: Direct attention to The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 9). Point out that all our stress-inducing situations fall somewhere between the first-day-of-kindergarten stress we see in the picture and the D-Day stress Eisenhower faced. Nevertheless, neither the kindergartner nor the general allowed fear and doubt to keep him from acting. Neither can we. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF JUNE 7 13

13 THE POINT As you lead, submit to God s authority and direction. STUDY THE BIBLE Joshua 1: minutes GUIDE: Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 9): As you lead, submit to God s authority and direction. Comment that when we are called to lead and influence others, God will help us overcome fear and doubt. READ: Invite a volunteer to read Joshua 1:1-6. GUIDE: Direct attention to verse 1. Say, Some of us have a sense of what Joshua may have been feeling. Invite group members to reflect on times they have experienced a leadership transition, whether it was a boss s retirement, the death of a parent, or some other time they were left to assume responsibilities in place of another. Joshua 1:1 6 1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. God calls you to lead. Verses 1 2. The Book of Joshua opens with a somber reminder Moses had died. The phrase after the death of Moses and the statement Moses my servant is dead remind us God s work goes on even after we experience the loss of a great leader. But who fills the leadership void, stepping in to carry out what the deceased leader left undone? We find the first part of the answer in the title used of Moses, the servant of the Lord. When God approached Moses to lead His people, the Hebrew was an 80-year-old shepherd tending his father-in-law s sheep (Ex. 3:1; 7:7). Initially, Moses declined God s invitation to lead, citing several excuses to avoid leadership responsibilities (Ex. 3 4). When he died forty years later (Deut. 34:7), the reluctant shepherd truly had become the servant of the Lord. Leadership voids are filled by people who are willing to serve. To be the servant 14 Session 1

14 of the Lord means to surrender one s own desires in favor of following God s plan. The second part of the answer to the question, Who fills the leadership void? is to realize God selects another person to undertake the leadership position before the current leader leaves the scene. 1 Joshua the son of Nun aided Moses during the exodus from Egypt, being mentioned as early as Exodus 17:9 14 in reference to the defeat of Amalek. Joshua was first called Moses minister in Exodus 24:13. Numbers 11:28 indicates Joshua had assisted Moses since he was a young man. Moses sent Oshea the son of Nun as one of the spies to scout out the land of Canaan (Num. 13:8,16). Only Joshua and Caleb had encouraged the people to trust the Lord and invade the land (14:6 9). God was so displeased with His people s lack of faith He declared that only Joshua and Caleb would enter the promised land; the unbelieving adults 20 years and older would die in the wilderness (14:20 38; 26:64 65). Then, even as Moses took his first glimpses of the promised land, the Lord reminded him he would not lead the people into the land because of his disobedience in striking the rock to bring forth water at Meribah (27:12 14; see also 20:7-13). Moses therefore appealed to God to select a new leader for Israel to lead them, and God instructed Moses to commission Joshua son of Nun (27:15 23). Tying together the two parts of the answer to our question, Who fills the leadership void? is the fact that the leader God had chosen to replace Moses was himself a servant; Joshua was described as Moses minister. Not everyone is called to lead exactly like Joshua. God gave him the specific task of preparing the people to go over this Jordan unto the land that He was giving to the children of Israel. However, God s interaction with Joshua holds valuable principles applicable to all people in all forms of leadership. First, when God calls someone to lead, that person needs to realize the Lord will be actively involved in the endeavor. In the Hebrew, the terminology used of God giving the Israelites the land stresses continuous action in the present time. God works ahead of and alongside us as we lead others to do His will. Moses already had tied the Lord s leadership to Joshua s succession to leadership (Deut. 31:3-8). A second principle of leadership is for potential leaders to be aware of the spiritual nature of the leadership role. Every type of leadership to which God invites every Christian is within God s overarching plan of redemption. Christian doctors, lawyers, teachers, factory workers, and others are positioned by the Lord within the avenues of human activity for the explicit purpose of leading non-christians to the Lord. SUMMARIZE: The encouraging message in the Book of Joshua is that God is in control. He was in control as Joshua took up the leadership challenge, and He is in control as we exercise our influence in the challenges we face. After leading the Israelite people for many decades, Moses died just outside the promised land. God then called Joshua, Moses assistant, to lead the people across the Jordan River and into the land. GUIDE: Point out the three statements in bold print on PSG pages to emphasize the ways God was in control of Joshua s leadership situation. The numbers below correspond to sections of the teaching commentary that can give additional information to aid in your teaching. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 15

15 THE POINT As you lead, submit to God s authority and direction. God had engineered all that had happened up to this point in Joshua s life. Comment that Joshua likely had seen the supernatural power of God as He brought His people out of Egypt and miraculously took care of them for 40 years. As Moses aide, God had prepared Joshua well for the task ahead 1 (p.15). God had engineered the circumstances of the people Joshua was leading. Note that hundreds of years earlier, God promised the patriarchs of the Israelites that He would give the land of Canaan to their future generations. He was at work to fulfill the promises He had made. God was ready to engineer the circumstances of what was ahead. Emphasize that God mapped out the steps ahead for Joshua and the people regarding the land they were to inherit. Additionally, God wouldn t allow any other nations to prevent them from inheriting the land God had promised to them 2. Verse 3. A third principle gleaned from God s interaction with Joshua is the assurance each leader has of God s trustworthiness. The Lord assured Joshua and the Israelites every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. The word your is a plural pronoun and includes all the people. In the Hebrew, the verb given indicates an accomplished action, although God was declaring the action before Joshua and the Israelites ever took their first steps into the promised land. 2 God could declare a future event as an accomplished fact based on His promise to Moses. When God called Moses to leadership at the burning bush (Ex. 3:2-10), He promised Moses He would bring the people unto a land flowing with milk and honey (v. 8). Joshua and the Israelites could trust God precisely because His word was good. By telling Moses He would bring the Israelites into the land, God obligated Himself to work on their behalf, ensuring their success in the venture. Everyone God calls to lead has this assurance. Verse 4. The Lord mentioned specific places that would serve as the promised land s boundaries. The wilderness most likely referred to the southern part of the region, a desert area extending southward toward the Gulf of Aqaba. To the north, Lebanon would mark the boundary along with the river Euphrates to the northeast, with the great sea the Mediterranean Sea forming the western boundary. The vast Arabian desert separating the promised land from Babylon served as the eastern boundary and possibly was included in the term wilderness. The Hittites were Indo-European people who lived within the population of Canaan and probably migrated from the region of modern Turkey. The phrase all the land of the Hittites likely referred to the entire region enclosed within the boundaries specifically named. The fourth principle of leadership is to remember that the God who calls people to positions of leadership is intricately involved in and knowledgeable of the world in which they live. The Lord does not lead people into territory unknown to Him; He is more than aware of all that awaits His leaders. The fifth principle is to remember God s promises are not just generally true; they are specifically true, tied to the very time and space His people inhabit. Who jumps at the chance to follow in the footsteps of leaders recognized for their great accomplishments? Moses was the greatest leader the Israelites ever had. But what made Moses a great leader? Was it not his obedience in following the Lord and trusting His words? 16 Session 1

16 Verse 5. God had made promises to Moses; now He also made promises to Joshua. The Lord deliberately used the phrase as I was with Moses so that Joshua would make the connection. Moses true greatness was bound up in his relationship with God. Thus, just as He had promised Moses earlier, God now promised Joshua no one would be able to stand before him (Deut. 7:24). Note carefully the promise was not a guarantee of no opposition; in his quest to take the land from its sinful inhabitants, Joshua would face many adversaries. Rather, the Lord meant all such opponents ultimately would fail. By adding all the days of thy life God essentially gave Joshua a lifetime guarantee. This verse provides a sixth principle of leadership. Godcalled leaders are assured of His presence throughout the course of their lives. He did not abandon Moses during his leadership years. God s promise to Joshua, I will not fail thee nor forsake thee, is as applicable to Christians today as when He uttered these words to Joshua (Heb. 13:5). Verse 6. The Lord had commanded Joshua and the people to prepare to cross over the Jordan (Josh. 1:2). Obeying the command would involve crossing a flooded river (3:15-16; 4:16) and facing many hostile kingdoms. Such natural and human obstacles could dissuade anyone. Thus, God commanded Joshua to be strong and of a good courage. Earlier the Lord through Moses had given the command three times to be strong and of a good courage, once to Joshua and the people (Deut. 31:6; the Hebrew verbs are plural) and twice to Joshua in particular (vv. 7,23; the Hebrew verbs are singular). Three times in Joshua 1:6-9, the Lord commanded Joshua to be strong and of a good courage. Even the people got in on the act, promising to obey Joshua and commanding him to be strong and of a good courage (v. 18). The best way for Joshua to demonstrate godly leadership was to be strong in the conviction of God s presence and guidance and be of a good courage in implementing His prescribed actions. This analysis provides us a seventh applicable principle of leadership; namely, that a godly leader s boldness is derived from his or her faith in the Lord s presence and in following His prescribed plan of action. As noted earlier, God is good for His word. His promise that unto this people Joshua would divide for an inheritance the land was based on the oath He had given by promising the land unto their fathers. The phrase unto their fathers is used to bracket the Israelite conquest of the promised land, appearing in Joshua 1:6 before the conquest and in 21:43 after the conquest. Their fathers most likely referred to the Lord s promises to Israel s patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen. 12:7; 13:14-15; 15:18; 17:8; 24:7; 26:3; 35:12). GUIDE: Point out that later in the session you will have a chance to personalize these three points. DISCUSS: Question 2 (PSG, p. 13): When in your past can you see evidence of God s faithfulness? (Alternate: Which part of God s promise to Joshua is most encouraging to you?) TRANSITION: IN ADVANCE, search the Internet for a list of most challenging jobs and print it out. If you have the means to do so, show a preview for a reality show about a difficult jobs. Comment there may have been times when we did not feel we were the right match for a job. Read aloud several of the job descriptions, pointing out the skills required for the job. Note that when God calls us to lead or use our influence, He does not leave us ill-equipped or unprepared. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 17

17 THE POINT As you lead, submit to God s authority and direction. STUDY THE BIBLE Joshua 1:7-8 5 minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read Joshua 1:7-8 SAY: One way God equips us is with His Word. GUIDE: Direct attention to verse 8 and the command to meditate therein day and night. Invite two or three volunteers to recite for the group a Bible verse they have memorized. After hearing several Scripture verses, note that many of us can quote favorite verses of Scripture because we spent time reading, reciting, and meditating on them. SAY: Because we know those portions of God s Word, we can call on them immediately for comfort, courage, or direction in whatever life throws at us. Joshua 1:7-8 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Key Words: meditate (v. 8) The Hebrew term also appears in Psalm 1:2. The modern idea of rehearsing something through repetition captures the meaning of the term perfectly. prosperous (v. 8) This term does not relate to making money, but rather to accomplishing God s directives and goals for us as revealed in His Word. good success (v. 8) This word is similar to prosperous but emphasizes developing the ability to see and to do things God s way, resulting in a Godhonoring lifestyle. God equips you with His Word. Verse 7. For the second time in two verses, the Lord commanded Joshua to be thou strong and very courageous. The adverb very renders the Hebrew term for exceedingly, and intensifies the command. The command is clarified by linking it to faithful obedience to God s teaching. To be an effective leader, Joshua would have to observe to do according to all the law God had given to Moses. God likewise had equipped Joshua with His Word through Moses. The phrase observe to do renders two Hebrew verbs indicating ongoing action. The term rendered observe meant to guard or to keep. The word implies showing great attentiveness to the Lord s instruction and knowing it thoroughly. The second term renders the Hebrew word meaning to work, make, act. It is never enough merely to learn about God s law; we must obey it. We fall short when our study of God s Word has no impact inside our hearts or outside our churches. 18 Session 1

18 The phrase all the law included all the ordinances, commands, and injunctions God provided for Israel through Moses. Indeed, the term law renders the Hebrew torah. This Hebrew word is associated with the first five books of the Old Testament. We cannot pick and choose what aspects of God s Word fit our self-chosen lifestyles and ignore the rest. God s command for Joshua to turn not from His instruction renders a Hebrew verb meaning to turn aside from something in an attempt to evade it. Rather than attempting to avoid God s guidance, Joshua was to seek it out. No turning was acceptable, either to the right hand or to the left. God declared Joshua s reward for remaining obedient to all the law. If Joshua would faithfully do according to all the law and turn not aside from it, God promised, thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. In this context, to prosper means to have victory in conquering the promised land and wresting it from the grip of sinful nations. Verse 8. The Lord referred to this book of the law, indicating Moses had written God s law under divine inspiration. God equipped first Moses and now Joshua for the leadership task by inspiring Moses to write His law in this book. Joshua was told not to let the instruction depart from his mouth. The Hebrew term translated depart has the sense of yielding or removing. The mouth signifies Joshua s thoughts being expressed by his words. Joshua was to consistently think and talk about God s instruction. When Joshua spoke words of instruction to Israel, he was to be uttering advice from God s book of the law. Joshua was instructed to meditate on the book day and night. The Hebrew verb translated meditate on indicates going back and forth over God s written instructions with a view toward becoming well versed in what the Lord wants, how He leads, and what He expects of His people. The phrase day and night indicates the full span of each day. God s instruction was to be so important to Joshua that he was to rehearse all day long every day the words Moses had written. Why study, meditate on, and rehearse God s Word? The goal was that all of Joshua s words and thoughts would reflect God s wisdom. Similarly, David prayed Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer (Ps. 19:14). The purpose of God s prescription is indicated by the word that. Everything that comes after that represents the outcome of Joshua s daily care to meditate on God s instruction. By thoroughly rehearsing God s Word, Joshua could observe to do according to all that is written therein, just as the Lord had commanded him (Josh. 1:7). GUIDE: Note the last sentence in verse 8: then thou shalt have good success. Clarify that this is not a promise guaranteeing financial prosperity or material success. In the Old Testament, to be prosperous meant that God by His goodness would enable a person to complete his or her endeavors. Success carries the idea of acting wisely and with insight as one carries out his or her God-given task or mission. GUIDE: Ask a volunteer to read the quote from Ulysses Grant (PSG, p. 14). Remind the group that Grant was instrumental in helping to rebuild the nation after it was torn apart by the Civil War. Comment that this gives special significance to his claim that we must look to God s Word as our guide in the future. DISCUSS: Question 3 (PSG, p. 15): How is God s Word useful for equipping us in leadership? (Alternate: What obstacles hinder you from making the most of God s Word in your life?) BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 19

19 THE POINT As you lead, submit to God s authority and direction. STUDY THE BIBLE Joshua 1:9 15 minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read Joshua 1:9. Reading and meditating on God s Word is the prerequisite for obeying His instruction. As a result, God promised Joshua, thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. The Hebrew rendered by the phrase thou shalt make prosperous in this context means to advance or prevail in God s enterprise of leading His people into the promised land. In a similar manner, the Hebrew translated thou shalt have good success, in this context, confirmed that if Joshua led Israel according to God s instructions both he and they would successfully defeat the sinful inhabitants and claim the promised land. DISCUSS: Question 4 (PSG, p. 16): When has God s presence given you courage in a difficult situation? GUIDE: Direct attention to the statements in bold print on PSG pages to encourage group members as they lead others: Be strong and courageous: 1. When you consider the great task in front of you. 2. So that you can respond diligently to the Word of God. 3. As you move forward. DISCUSS: Question 5 (PSG, p. 17): In what area of your life do you need to step up and lead? Joshua 1:9 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. God equips you with His presence. Verse 9. Our final verse provides yet another reminder that Joshua needed to be strong and of a good courage, here presented in a rhetorical question demanding an affirmative answer: Have I not commanded thee? God repeatedly told Joshua to be strong and of a good courage. Why did God remind him so frequently? The answer might be revealed in the additional command, Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. We reasonably can assume Joshua was afraid of the formidable task before him. Leading a band of former slaves against fortified cities and trained armies was a daunting task for Joshua. How could the Lord expect him to step out of Moses shadow and lead the people in such an undertaking? Yet, God commanded Joshua to be strong and of a good courage and also to be not afraid or dismayed for a very good reason. Joshua could be brave, courageous, unafraid, and encouraged because of this promise: the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. This assurance demonstrated the power of God s presence in His peoples lives. In Joshua 1:5, the Lord promised to be with Joshua as He was with Moses. When we consider Moses delivering the Hebrews from Pharaoh, the parting of the Red Sea, God s provisions in the wilderness, and the divinely-wrought military victories, we understand the full potential of the 20 Session 1

20 words the Lord thy God is with thee. The final phrase whithersoever thou goest assured Joshua that God s presence would be with him, precisely what (and who) he needed to succeed in claiming the promised land. What about you? Are you ready to accept your leadership role? A commitment to lead means submitting to God s authority and direction. As you consider the seven leadership principles gleaned from Joshua 1:1-6, ask whether God has called you to be a leader. Commit to meditate on His Word day and night and to implement its teachings in your daily life (v. 8). As you enter the leadership enterprise, be assured that, just as He was with Moses and Joshua, the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (v. 9). Providing godly leadership is a great way to tell God, I love you. Previous Biblical Illustrator articles Be Strong and Courageous (Spring 2000), Joshua: The New Leader (Fall 1993), Joshua: A Man on Mission (Winter 1990), and The Jordan River (Spring 1989) relate to this lesson and can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at biblicalillustrator. Look for Bundles: Bible Studies for Life. MAJORING IN ENGINEERING Reflect on what God engineered in Joshua s life to prepare him to lead His people (pp ). God can do the same feats of engineering in your life as well. God has engineered all that has happened in your life up to this point. Write down a life event that has shaped who you are today: (Alternate: What does being strong and of a good courage look like if you don t have God s presence?) DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to Majoring in Engineering (PSG, p. 17). SHARING THE GOOD NEWS We need not fear because Christ has removed our greatest danger: death. Jesus conquered death, and when we trust in Him, He gives us a new and eternal life. Make yourself available to speak with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. God has engineered the circumstances of the people you lead. Write down at least three people or groups you are responsible for leading: God will engineer the circumstances that lay ahead. Write down a life event coming up in the next six months to a year that will require wise leadership and decision making on your part.: BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 21

21 THE POINT As you lead, submit to God s authority and direction. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes DO: Emphasize The Point: As you lead, submit to God s authority and direction. GUIDE: Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 18; see text to the right). Invite group members to think about which application speaks most to their needs. Emphasize that our roles in leadership may have changed, but we can still influence others for Christ. Wrap It Up LIVE IT OUT Everybody every single one of us leads in some capacity. So how will you apply the truths from this passage to your life? > > Write. Write down what you feel your mission or responsibility is, whom you are called to lead, and why you feel challenged in doing so. Seeing it on paper will bring clarity and a reminder to ask God to grow you and the ones you lead. > > Memorize. Memorize Joshua 1:8 and allow its truth to strengthen and encourage you. > > Connect. Connect with others who lead in the same way you do. Preschool moms can encourage each other in leading their children. Coworkers can encourage each other as they lead in their assignments. Servants in the church can walk together in the ways they lead. You re not alone in your journey. God is with you, and He s provided others to encourage and help you grow as a leader. Am I ready for this? Don t worry. God s ready and He s with you. GUIDE: State that each of us still has a role to play in God s story. Those who are coming behind us are looking to us to finish the race well. PRAY: Thank God for His promise to be with us wherever we go. Pray that God will empower each member to place his or her full trust in the Lord as He calls them to exercise godly influence in the lives of others. 22 Session 1

22 My Thoughts My Group's Prayer Requests Additional suggestions for specific groups (women, men, boomers, and singles) are available at BibleStudiesForLife.com/blog. And for free online training on how to lead a group visit MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesForLife. Taking Up the Mantle I feel burdened to make sure we don t drop the ball, that we pass on our faith, [Ann Graham] Lotz said. We pass it to the next generation and the next generation, and we do that within our families because if you look at the world, that next generation is being lost. But at least for me and my house, we ll have that legacy and that foundation from generation to generation. To continue reading Taking Up the Mantle from Mature Living magazine, visit BibleStudiesforLife.com/articles, and enter the article title in the search bar. Or use your smartphone to access the article directly by scanning the QR code.. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 23

23 THE ARK OF THE COVENANT IN JOSHUA S TIME By Robert C. Dunston The ark of the covenant played a significant role in the events described in the early chapters of the Book of Joshua. When the priests carried the ark into the Jordan River, God made the waters miraculously stop flowing, and Israel crossed into Canaan on dry ground (Josh. 3:1 4:24). When the priests carried the ark around the city of Jericho, God miraculously destroyed the city on the seventh day following the seventh circuit (6:1 21). After Israel s failure to take the city of Ai, Joshua prostrated himself before the ark seeking to discover the reason for Israel s defeat (7:1 15). Finally, the ark served as a focal point in worship when Israel renewed its covenant with God (8:30 35). While we may recognize the ark s importance in the Book of Joshua and throughout the Bible, we still may wonder exactly what the ark signified. God instructed Moses to make a box or ark in which Moses would place the covenant God would make with Israel (Ex. 25:10 22; 40:20). The ark also contained a jar of manna from the wilderness wanderings and Aaron s rod that budded overnight (Heb. 9:4). The ark served as a sacred object to help Israel focus on God without representing Him in an idolatrous form. Further, it provided a constant witness to Israel s dependency on God and the need for all Israelites of every generation to maintain God s covenant through their obedience to Him. 1 Israel believed the ark served as a footstool or throne for the invisible God (1 Chron. 28:2) who traveled with His people (Num. 10:34). God s purpose in commissioning the ark was to create a place where He could meet with His people and give His commands (Ex. 25:22). Here Israel could seek forgiveness (Lev. 16:11 17) and instruction. The ark reminded Israel they belonged solely to God. Examining how Joshua and his generation used the ark discloses four ways the ark helped them recognize God and His activity. First, the ark symbolized God s guiding presence (Josh. 3:11). When Israel left Egypt, 24

24 God led the people in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21) and continued to do so throughout Israel s wilderness wanderings (40:36 37). As Joshua and Israel prepared to enter Canaan, the goal of their journey from Egypt, God continued to lead them through the symbolism of the ark rather than the miracle of a pillar of cloud or fire. Second, the ark indicated God s powerful presence as He overcame obstacles threatening Israel. Israel s crossing of the Jordan River occurred at harvest time when the river roared along at flood stage (Josh. 3:15). Moving men, women, children, possessions, and livestock across the swollen, rushing river would have been dangerous if not impossible for Israel alone. 2 God s power provided a safe, dry passage across the swollen river and into the promised land. The Lord of all the earth had triumphed again. The symbol of the ark made God s powerful presence real to Israel. Third, the ark provided a method of seeking God. When Israel failed to capture the city of Ai, Joshua prostrated himself in prayer before the ark in accordance with God s desire to use the ark as a place for Israel to meet and inquire of Him. 3 God met with Joshua and provided instruction (7:10 15) just as He had promised (Ex. 25:22). Finally, the ark indicated God s holiness. Only the priests, those individuals specifically set aside for highest sacred service to God, carried the ark (Josh. 3:14; 4:16; 8:33). Joshua also commanded the Israelites to maintain about a thousand yards between themselves and the ark as it moved toward the Jordan River (3:4). Using priests to carry the ark and maintaining the distance separating the Israelites from the ark both symbolized God s holiness. Israel was not to attempt to trespass against or manipulate the Lord of all the earth. The Israelites needed to recognize His holiness and respectfully obey Him. 4 The trouble with symbols, as we know, is that people can come to view them as magical objects. If a sacred object brings victory or success, we may assume the object itself wields power rather than God. Some Israelites might have been tempted to view the ark as a magical guarantee of God s presence and help independent of either faith in or obedience to Him. According to the Book of Joshua, though, Joshua and the Israelites of his day avoided the temptation to attribute magical power to the ark. 5 The early accounts in the Book of Joshua emphasize the centrality of the ark in Israel s faith and life. The ark symbolized the holy presence of the God of the universe who led Israel and acted in their behalf but who also demanded Israel s exclusive loyalty and obedience. For Joshua and his generation the ark provided a constant reminder of God s commitment and grace as well as a center for worship. 1. E. John Hamlin, Joshua: Inheriting the Land, International Theological Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983), 24; Marten H. Woudstra, The Book of Joshua (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981), Woudstra, The Book of Joshua, Robert G. Boling, Joshua, The Anchor Bible (New York: Doubleday, 1982), Hamlin, Joshua: Inheriting the Land, 25-26; Woudstra, The Book of Joshua, Woudstra, The Book of Joshua, 80. This excerpt is based on a full-length article by Robert C. Dunston that originally appeared in the Fall 2001 issue of Biblical Illustrator magazine. Each quarter Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth articles and information that support our weekly Bible study lessons. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to com/biblicalillustrator, by using your church s quarterly literature order form, or by calling BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 25