Big Idea: Faith is strength and courage.
Read: Deuteronomy 34:9-12 and Joshua 1
Discuss: What was Moses most known for? What do you think it would be like to be known as someone whom “the Lord knew face to face”? What was Joshua known for (Deut 34:9)? How would you define wisdom? What does God promise Joshua? As you read through Joshua chapter 1 do you notice a key phrase that is repeated? Why do you think that is?
Activity: Do one thing today requires you to be “strong and courageous.”
Read: Joshua 2 and 6
Discuss: For both stories list out the characters, identify the problem, identify the climax, and the falling action. Compare the report of the spies in Joshua 2 with the report given to Moses in Numbers 13. How were they different? Why do you think they were different? Why do you think God had the people of Israel march around the city of Jericho?
Activity: Kids: Act out the defeat of Jericho and/or draw a picture of what happened.
Read: Joshua 3-5
Discuss: What does the crossing of the Jordan remind you of? Why does God have the people of Israel set up 12 stones? Why did the Lord command the circumcision to happen? What is the importance of circumcision? What feast did the people celebrate and what accompanied the feast? Why do you think this is important? What do you think is important about the coming of the commander of the Lord’s Army?
Activity: Find some largish stones and get a sharpie. Right on each stone one word that reminds you of a way that God has done something great in your life or the life of your family.
Read: Joshua 23-24
Discuss: How would you summarize Joshua’s speech in chapter 23? What do you think are the most important points? How does keeping “strong and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses” connect with “Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God”? How many of God’s promises to Abraham did he fulfill (23:14-15)? What does Joshua challenge the people to do? What is his great worry? Read verse 24:31. How long did Israel keep to the promises made to Joshua? Why do you think it ended when it did? How do you think it could have been different?
Activity: List out all the things in your life that compete with your love of God. Then, destroy the list and ask God to help you love him most of all.
