Latest revision as of 15:11, 24 January 2019

Objectives

• Student will recognize the blessings and discipline that occurred in the history of Israel.
• Students will look for and root out idolatry in their own life.

Introduction

• I don't mean to sound morbid, but imagine that you are giving a farewell speech, what items would you want to be sure to include in that speech?

Main Body

An Old General (23:1-3)

• According to Joshua 23:1-3, what was the status of everything in Israel?
  • God had provided peace
  • Joshua was old
  • Joshua was calling for a meeting

• What experiences had Joshua to draw upon at this point?
  • The Passover
  • The Exodus
  • The Wanderings
  • The Conquest

• How had God been faithful in each of these situations?
• How had Israel failed in the past?
• What concerns might Joshua have about Israel going forward?
• What important reminder does Joshua give in verse 3?

An Important Reminder (23:4-13)

• What concerns does Joshua express in verses 4-11?
  • There are nations remaining (V4)
  • Keeping the law requires courage (V6)
  • False Gods are all over the place (V7)
  • It is easy to forget to love God (V11)
  • There are many temptations (V12)

God's Faithfulness (23:14-16)

• Joshua was a great leader and with his passing the people might lose hope. In verse 14 Joshua provides an important reminder. What is that reminder?
  • It was God not Joshua who fulfills the promises, God who would keep promises, and God who would judge if Israel failed.

• According to Titus 1:2, what promise has God made to each of us?

Love (John 14:15-24)

• In Joshua 23:11 Joshua called on the Israelites to be very careful to love God. According to John 14:15-24, what does love for God look like?
  • This can be done in small groups
    • Keep God's commandments
    • Results in reciprocal love from God. (Note: 1 John 4:19 tells us that we love because He first loved us and so I think the idea is that God's universal love for us allows us to in turn love Him which results in obedience and ultimately saving faith that results in God's love for us as children of God.
• What additional insight into love is given by 1 John 2:15-17?

Discipline (Hebrews 12:5-13)

• Joshua's speech was both an exhortation to love God and a warning of discipline for those who do not. According to Hebrews 12:5-13, what is the purpose of discipline?

Conclusion

• What ultimately happened to Israel because of their idolatry?
• What warning does John give in 1 John 5:21?
• What are some examples of idols that Christians may embrace today?