Sermon Tone Analysis

Joshua’s Final Encouragement

Bible Passage:

Main Point: Joshua encouraged the people to worship God alone.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Whom can we trust?

We can trust God to take care of us.

Small Group opening

(10–15 minutes)

Large Group Bible study

(25–30 minutes)

Small Group activities

(25–30 minutes)

Leader BIBLE STUDY

Joshua was “getting on in years” (), so he gathered together the people of Israel to give an exhortation.

First, Joshua reminded them that God had fought for His people, and He had kept every one of His promises.

() Joshua wanted the people to remember and to live their lives based on what they knew to be true about God: God can be trusted.

He is good, and He is faithful.

In , Joshua issued a challenge: “Be very strong and continue obeying all that is written in the book of the law of Moses.”

Reading, studying, and obeying God’s Word is a mark of belief in God.

Joshua reminded the people that they were successful over their enemies because of their obedience to God.

Finally, Joshua gave the Israelites a warning.

Just as all the good things God promised had been fulfilled, so would all the bad things He promised if the Israelites disobeyed Him.

(See ,.)

Joshua gathered the people at the place where God had made a promise to Abraham.

(See .)

Joshua reminded the leaders of the past—from the birth of Isaac to Israel’s escape from Egypt.

Joshua said, “Choose for yourselves today the one you will worship … As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh” ().

The Israelites had a choice: Continue to worship God or choose to serve other gods.

In response to God’s faithfulness to His promises, the Israelites renewed their covenant to be faithful to the Lord.

As you share the story of Joshua’s legacy with kids, point them to a greater legacy found in Jesus Christ.

After Christ’s resurrection, He sent His disciples out to tell the nations about Him.

Jesus calls all people who trust in Him to tell others about Him.

The BIBLE Story

Joshua’s Final Encouragement

Many years had passed since Joshua and the Israelites had defeated Jericho, Ai (AY igh), and the kings of the land.

God allowed the Israelites to rest from battles against their enemies.

Now Joshua was getting old and knew he would die soon.

He gathered all the people of Israel because he had some important things to say to them.

Joshua said, “You have seen everything the Lord your God has done—He has fought your battles for you.”

Then he said, “Be careful to obey everything that is in the book of the law of Moses,” and he said, “If you disobey God, He will no longer help you win battles.

In fact, you will die here if you disobey Him.”

Joshua reminded all the people about the things God had done for them in the past.

Joshua reminded them of everything, like when God called Abraham and gave him a son, Isaac, and when God gave Isaac two sons, Jacob and Esau.

He reminded them that Jacob’s children went to Egypt, where God sent Moses and Aaron.

Joshua told the people about how God had rescued the Israelites from the Egyptians, bringing them safely across the Red Sea and saving them from the Egyptians who were chasing them.

Joshua reminded them of the many battles they had fought and won because God was fighting for them.

God had done so many great things for His people!

Joshua commanded the people to make a choice.

“Fear the Lord and worship Him.

If you don’t want to worship God, choose to worship the gods your fathers worshiped.

As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh,” he said.

The people replied, “We will certainly not abandon the Lord to worship other gods!

We know how much God has done for us, and we love Him!”

Joshua warned the people, “If you do abandon God to worship other gods, God will turn against you and harm you.

He will destroy you, after all of the good things He has done for you!”

“No!” the people said.

“We will worship Yahweh!”

On that day, Joshua made a covenant with the people.

He set up a large stone under an oak tree next to the sanctuary of the Lord.

Joshua said, “This stone will be a reminder of your duty to serve the Lord, who fulfilled every promise in bringing you into this land.”

Then Joshua sent the people away, and each man went home.

Christ Connection: As Joshua prepared for his own death, he left a legacy of obedience to God.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He appeared to the disciples and left them with a legacy: to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded.

()

Small Group Opening

Session Title: Joshua’s Final Encouragement

Bible Passage:

Main Point: Joshua encouraged the people to worship God alone.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Whom can we trust?

We can trust God to take care of us.

Welcome time

Greet each kid as he or she arrives.

Use this time to connect to your group and make sure each student is checked in.

As kids arrive, invite them to share about a time they felt encouraged.

Explain that encouraged means “to feel confidence or hope.”

Say • What kind of words make you feel encouraged?

What might you say to someone who needs to be encouraged?

Today we are going to hear how Joshua, a leader of the Israelites, encouraged the people.

Table Wars

Large Group LEADER

Session Title: Joshua’s Final Encouragement

Bible Passage:

Main Point: Joshua encouraged the people to worship God alone.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Whom can we trust?

We can trust God to take care of us.

For some cool reason all of our stories so far have included animals of some kind.

Today we have a new animal.

This animal is the biggest land animal in the world.

It can lift up to 600 pounds, and its trunk contains around 10,000 muscles.

No way!

Any guesses?

[Allow kids to guess.]

Yes!

An elephant.

You know what they say about elephants, right?

Elephants never forget.

Now, I’m not sure how they figured that out, but scientists say that elephants can remember faces.

They remember other elephants, even if they haven’t seen each other in several years.

That reminds me of our Bible story today.