SUNDAY SCHOOL

Decisions Reflect Our Values

Printed Text • Joshua 24:1-3, 13-15, 21-24

Aim for Change - By the end of the lesson, we will: AFFIRM our loyalty to God and God alone; RESOLVE to put God first in all Things; and COMMIT to obeying His teachings and commandments.

In Focus - Bryce sighed as he saw his supervisor approaching with a stack of files. He hoped to leave work on time, but this was the end of the fiscal year, which meant crunch time at his accounting firm. For the next four weeks, Bryce knew he would be working longer-than-usual hours and wouldn't get to do what he really loved, which was acting.

He came alive whenever he performed on stage or before the cameras, even if he was just a face in a crowd scene or had a single line in a TV commercial. Making a living as an actor, however, required constant effort offstage. He constantly needed to update his demo reel, social media, and photos. Bryce had to continuously look for casting notices, attend auditions, and go to acting classes when he could spare the money and the time. Working at the accounting firm was steady, but Bryce struggled to focus on numbers when he wanted to be in rehearsal. Bryce thought about concentrating full time on acting, but the fear of being broke always made him push that thought aside. However, he fought fear today and decided to step out on faith.

Bryce remembered the first time his mother saw him act in the church production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. He was 12 years old, and his Mom was in the front row, smiling at his every word. When it was over, she told him, “You have a gift from God, son. I am so blessed to see you use it.” Bryce knew his Mom would not be happy to see him behind a desk going through the motions. He needed to make a decision that reflected the important values his Mom taught him, which was to use the talents God gave him to the fullest.

Can we do our best for God if we put our energy into things God has not called us to do?

Keep in Mind

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whethe the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15, KJV).

1. Remembering God's Promise - [JOSHUA 25: 1-3]

[1] And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

[2] And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

[3] And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

2. Recognizing God's Provision [JOSHUA 25: 13-15]

[13] And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.

[14] Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

[15] And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

3. Reaffirming Our Piety [JOSHUA 25: 21-24]

[21] And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.

[22] And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.

[23] Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.

[24] And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.