D6 S-O w9: Life Lessons From Joshua

Connect

TH 9-3

Meet Joshua

Who knows who Joshua is? What is he most known for?

Joshua was among the key figures in the early days of Israel. His very name seemed to be an act of worship meaning, Yahweh saves. As a young man he served Moses faithfully in multiple roles, while learning from the leader of the Exodus. He demonstrated a desire for God’s glory, along with the courage to stand in the minority because of his faith in God. He was both a skilled warrior and a passionate worshiper. When Moses passed from the scene, Joshua led the nation into the next step in their development.

Joshua Served Moses and Israel in Ways That Prepared Him to Lead

Who knows what the Torah is? Anyone know another name for it? The Pentateuch!

In the Torah, we read of several occasions where Joshua served Moses and Israel. These experiences contributed to his becoming a strong and courageous leader.

Joshua in Exodus 17 can be seen as a military leader! After the crossing of the Red Sea, Moses proposed a strange battle plan. Joshua was to select some men and battle Amalek while Moses went to the top of a nearby hill holding his staff up toward Heaven. With the assistance of Aaron and Hur, Moses held his staff toward Heaven and God granted Joshua the nation’s first military victory

Joshua then, in other chatpers of Exodus, can be seen as Moses’ assistant.

When Moses climbed Mt. Sinai to receive the 10 Commandments, Joshua climbed with Him. Joshua likely wasn’t present when Moses encountered God, but he was somewhere on that mountain.

Joshua waited weeks while Moses was atop the mountain, but he remained faithful.

How can Joshua lead as an assistant? (God was preparing him to lead the nation of Israel, he was in training. He servant led).

We see Joshua as a worshipper in Exodus 33:11 “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.”

He encountered God in that tent.

Joshua was a spy in Number 13-14

As Israel approached Canaan (the Promised Land), the Lord instructed Moses to do some reconnaissance of the area. They selected a man from each tribe to cross the river and explore the land (Numbers 13:1–16). Joshua, representing the tribe of Ephraim, joined the team Moses and the other leaders sent to evaluate the condition of the people, the land, and their fortifications

After 40 days, the team returned. Everything God had promised about the land was true. Then their report turned dark. The cities were heavily fortified and the people looked like giants (Numbers 13:21–29). This report disheartened the listening crowd. Of the 12 men who spied out the land, only Caleb and Joshua reported that Israel could defeat the inhabitants of the land (Numbers 14:5–9). Moses, Caleb, and Joshua pleaded with the people to trust God.

Because of the rebellions of the people of Israel, God punished them by making them spend one year in the desert for every day the spy’s spent in the promised land!

Joshua was eventually selected by God to replace Moses as the leader of Israel and lead them into the promised land.

Joshua’s leadership was tested immediately. He first had to lead the people across the Jordan River, no easy feat with this many people. Second, they had to defeat Jericho. Anyone know how they did that? Third, they had another battle. And fourth, he had to make an alliance with the Gibeonites.

Joshua was known by strength and courage. Why?

Was it Joshua’s strength and courage? (no, time and time again it was proved to be from God)

Life Lessons

Life Lesson 1: Always trust God to keep His promises.

Those who trust God’s promises will see their problems in the light of His power. Joshua and Caleb understood that with God’s power, the seemingly powerful people in Canaan would be defeated by Israel’s promise-keeping God. God has designed for us to make decisions based on the fundamental belief that He will do what He promised.

The first generation of Israelites missed the Promised Land because they did not trust God to keep His promise. Why can we always trust God to keep His promises?

Which promise of God brings you comfort and courage?

Life Lesson 2: Serve God faithfully whatever the task.

Joshua’s faithfulness did not earn him salvation, but those years of faithful obedience shaped him into a man of wisdom who understood God’s character, power, and demands.

God told Joshua to be strong and courageous because God would be with him. For what task or situation do you need to be strong and courageous?

What does it look like to be faithful in serving God? How does that apply to you when life gets tough and discouraging?

If you are confused about what God has asked you to do, where can you find help and guidance?

Life Lesson 3: Go to God’s Word to find wisdom for living.

From Scripture we learn who God is, what God is like, what God wants from us, and how we relate to Him. God’s Word is the source of true success when we follow God faithfully.

Why is God’s Word the best place to go for wisdom and direction?

Culture is constantly changing. God’s truth does not change. Why is that important?

For what task or situation do you need to search the Scriptures for wisdom and direction?

Life Lesson 4: Seek God’s direction for decisions.

Joshua and the leaders made mistakes when they made decisions without consulting God in prayer

Why is it important to seek God’s direction for decisions?

Many times we inadvertently make prayer a last resort rather than our first decision. What can we do to make sure prayer is a priority?

Life Lesson 5: Love and serve God with your family.

Parental figures have a responsibility to ground their homes in the love and service of God. Each generation must choose to pursue God in faithful love and obedience.

Why do parental figures have the primary responsibility for passing on their faith to the next generation? How can teens join in that process?

Respond

Based on what you know about Joshua now, what questions would you ask Joshua if you could?

Use TH 9-4