Lesson 6 – Joshua: Strong and Courageous
LESSON FOCUS
In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, he closes his comments with a strong admonition to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11). He challenges the Ephesians to “be strong” in the Lord. Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed by life and overcome by our circumstances. We can question whether or not God can really use us. We often are reluctant to follow God’s call in our lives because we don’t trust ourselves. In this lesson, we will use Joshua as man who learned to trust God and he became a great man of God. We can learn to be adorned by God’s armor and we can learn to walk in His power so that He might use us in our day in service to His kingdom.
HELPFUL INSIGHT
Joshua is one of the most fascinating books in the Bible. At one level, it relates the story of an ancient Hebrew leader and the people whom God called him to lead into the Promised Land. At another level, it’s a personal story. It’s the story of promise and of the great expectations that God has for us. It’s as if God takes on the qualities of the perceptive coach, teacher, or pastor who becomes excited about what we can become if we use the gifts He’s given to us. The study of this book helps us see ourselves in this light. It makes us question whether or not we are living up to our potential and God’s promise.
-John A. Huffman, Jr., The Communicator’s Commentary: Joshua, Word Books, p. 24
Focal Passages
Joshua 1; Ephesians 6:10-17
Bible Readings
The purposes of God are not accomplished in our own power and strength. God intervenes in history to respond to the faith and obedience of His people. He rescued Israel with His mighty hand of deliverance. He empowered the leaders of Israel to lead the people forward. Joshua was one of those leaders. He was a man of faith. He spied out the Promised Land and he believed God had given it to His people. He trusted God to empower the people to accomplish what was set before them. His example of courageous faith led him to become Moses’ successor. As we read this story unfolding before us this week in our readings, let’s continue to search for clues that will assist us in living out God’s purposes in our day.
Monday: Exodus 12
Tuesday: Exodus 13-14
Wednesday: Numbers 13
Thursday: Numbers 14
Friday: Joshua 1
ISSUES/QUESTIONS TO ADDRESS
- God has chosen to work through human beings to accomplish His will on earth. Are there differences in how that works today and how it worked during the times of Joshua or Paul?
- Why does God call us to lives that require His strength and His power?
- How is God’s strength and power on display today through His people?