Key Thought: Joshua, near the end of his life, glances back at the victories of Israel, but at the same time, the path of future success for the Israelites.
December 20, 2025
1. Have a volunteer read Joshua 23:1-5.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
- What are the major focal points of Joshua’s introduction?
- Personal Application: With so many promises before us, why is it so easy to sin? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your relatives states, “If Israel conquered Canaan. Is it possible for Christians to conquer sin in their lives?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Joshua 23:6-8. 12-13.
- Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- Why did Joshua take such a strong stand concerning Israel’s relations with the surrounding nations?
- Personal Application: How can we find a balanced relationship with the society surrounding us? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your friends states, “Is it possible for a Christian to be true to God and still be friends with the world and comfortable with the society they live in? How can we live a holy life in an unholy and anti-Christian society?.” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Joshua 23:15,16.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- How should we interpret God’s wrath and justice in Joshua?
- Personal Application: How do you respond when things don’t go the way you hoped for and prayed for when claimed promises are met with silence?. Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “How can you present the wrath of God as part of good news? Why aren’t we supposed to fear God because we aren’t living the way He wants us to? Doesn’t His wrath go against sin?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Joshua 23:11 and Deuteronomy 6:5.
- Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- Joshua tells Israel to love the Lord your God, and love can’t be forced. So in what sense can love be commanded?
- Personal Application: How can you share God’s love with others? How can we show our love for God? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared. ”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).
