View an in-depth discussion of Choose this Day! in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
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With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 23rd of December 2025

As a true and faithful leader, Joshua respects the free will of his people and wishes that Israel would serve the Lord out of free choice rather than compulsion. That was exactly the point made by the deliberate use of the verb “chosen” (see Joshua 24:22). In other passages baḥar, “to choose,” describes Yahweh’s election of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-7; Deuteronomy 10:15; Deuteronomy 14:2). Israel is free to say “no” to Yahweh after their divine election, but that would be nonsensical and absurd. Israel can say “yes” to God and continue to live, or they can turn their backs on Him and cease to exist.

Image © Providence Collection at Goodsalt.com

In their categorically positive answer, the Israelites recognize that the God of the patriarchs and of their fathers is now also “our God” (Joshua 24:17-18, NKJV), whom they are willing to serve with undivided allegiance. After such an unquestionable affirmation of their loyalty, we would expect words of affirmation and encouragement from Joshua. However, this is not the case. The dialogue between Joshua and the people takes a radical turn in which Joshua seems to play the role of the devil’s advocate. He shifts from speaking about God’s gracious providence in the past to threatening the Israelites with a picture of a God who is not easy to serve.

Joshua knows the instability of the first generation, who promised to obey God in similar terms (Exodus 19:8, Exodus 24:3, Deuteronomy 5:27) yet who forgot their promises while the words were still on their lips (Exodus 32:1-35). Thus, Joshua, by means of rhetoric, wants to make the Israelites aware of several things. First, the decision to serve God is a serious one. It will have to shape the entire nation according to God’s revelation. The blessings of pursuing that goal are evident, but the consequences of disobedience must also be fully understood. Forgiveness of sins is not an unalienable right of humanity but a miracle of God’s grace.

Second, the decision of the Israelites to serve God must be their own decision, not something imposed by a leader, even Joshua.

Third, Israel must realize that humans cannot serve God in their own strength. Serving God is not achieved by a mechanical adherence to the stipulations of the covenant but by a personal relationship with the saving Lord (compare with Exodus 20:1-2; Deuteronomy 5:6-7).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-13-free-to-serve/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-13-free-to-serve

As we work our way through the book of Joshua this quarter, we will see that he is ready to 
Fight The Good Fight – Hymn 613 and to move forward into the Promised Land. We may still use last quarter’s theme hymn as this will pop up throughout this quarter as well:
Hymn 620 – On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand. These two hymns will resound throughout the quarter.

 Lord, I have Made Thy Word My Choice! – Hymn 273 will add to this weeks’ lesson title of “Choose This Day!” It is a pity that sometimes the people of Israel (just like us today) did not follow God’s instructions. Sunday tells us they had to do nothing but follow. So today I wish to say 
I Will Follow Thee, My Saviour – Hymn 623.

Monday clarifies a little more with the last paragraph talking of a faithful person. May we encourage each other by saying
O Brother, Be Faithful – Hymn 602.

 We learn more about the free choices we can make on Tuesday, with the ending of the days’ study telling us more details on how to be able to serve God. I wish to be a servant of God, and go where He wants as we will understand from 
Ye Servants of God – Hymn 256.

With “The Dangers of Idolatry” the Israelites did say “We will listen to His voice”. Are we willing to listen to God’s voice? We can then say 
I Hear Thy Welcome Voice – Hymn 282.

 God’s wonderful blessings to you all as we complete the last lesson study pamphlet for 2025. We will commence more studies afresh in 2026, and so much closer to our Lord Jesus coming soon and very soon.

 Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

 To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given. 

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/13-choose-this-day-sining-with-inspiration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=13-choose-this-day-sining-with-inspiration

Key Thought: Joshua seta a tension between two paths: one conformity, stability, and unity; the other toward disloyalty, uncertainty, and disintegration. At the crossroads, such a decision rests..
December 27, 2025

1. Have a volunteer read Joshua 24:2-13.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What is the main thrust of God’s message to Israel?
3. Personal Application: What are better ways that we, as a church, can have a better sense of corporate identity and that what we do affects everyone in the church? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: How do we serve God in sincerity and truth? What are some distractions in our lives that may prevent your full devotion to God? How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Joshua 24:22-24.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What was Israel’s response to Joshua’s appeal? Why do you think Joshua reacted to their answer the way he did?
3. Personal Application: In Joshua’s life, the conclusion was that during his leadership, the Israelites served the Lord. What conclusion will people draw about your life? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What are some ways the church leaders can pass the torch to the next generation?” How would you respond to your relative?

3. Have a volunteer read Joshua 24: 19,20

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why would Joshua need to repeat his appeal to the Israelites to get rid of their idols?
3. Personal Application: How often have we promised the Lord we would do something, only to fail to follow through? What does your answer say about grace? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Even though we didn’t worship statues of gods, how can idolatry still be a threat to your faith?” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read Joshua 24:29-33.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How do you see these words not only looking back to Joshua’s live, but also looking to the future?
3. Personal Application: What was the key to Joshua’s success? What decisions do you need to make to finish with the same assurance? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Inform the class about your plans for the week and share them 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).

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/13-choose-this-day-teaching-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=13-choose-this-day-teaching-plan

Daily Lesson for Monday 22nd of December 2025

Joshua’s appeal clearly expresses the fact that the Israelites have to decide whether, through loyalty to their Creator, to keep their uniqueness and live in the land or to fade back into being one among many idolatrous peoples, with no clear identity, purpose, or mission. The choice is theirs.

Image © Bible Adventure Collection at Goodsalt.com

Joshua’s appeal is twofold: Israel should fear the Lord and serve Him “in sincerity and in truth.” To fear the Lord does not mean a life of perpetual trembling and emotional insecurity. It rather refers to the reverence and awe that stem from the recognition of the unfathomable greatness, holiness, and infinity of God on the one hand and our smallness, sinfulness, and finitude on the other. To fear God is a constant awareness of the magnitude of His demands, a recognition that He is not only our heavenly Father but also our Divine King. Such awareness will lead to a life of obedience to God (Leviticus 19:14, Leviticus 25:17, Deuteronomy 17:19, 2 Kings 17:34). While “fear” describes the inner attitude that must characterize an Israelite, the practical outcome of reverence to God is service.

The service that is required of Israel is characterized by two Hebrew terms: “in sincerity” and “in truth.” The first term (tamim) is mostly used as an adjective to describe the perfection of the sacrificial animal. The second term that describes Israel’s service is “truth,” or “faithfulness” (Heb. ’emet). The term generally connotes constancy and stability. It usually refers to God, whose character is intrinsically characterized by faithfulness, which is manifested toward Israel.

A faithful person is somebody who is dependable and trustworthy. Basically, Joshua is asking Israel to demonstrate the same loyalty to God that God has displayed toward His people in the course of their history. It is not merely outward compliance to His requirements but what springs from an undivided inner consistency of the heart. Their lives should reflect gratefulness to God for what He has done for them. Basically, it is how we today should relate to Jesus, as well.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-13-in-sincerity-and-truth/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-13-in-sincerity-and-truth