------------------------------------------------------------------ Joshua E-Mail Bible Study ------------------------------------------------------------------ Week 1 - Joshua 1:1-11 BE STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS God's promises and commission ------------------------------------------------------------------ We'll be completing this lesson in one week. However, some of the longer lessons we study will extend over two weeks. The beginning of this chapter is about fear. Fear, of course, is the flip side of faith and courage. And when we encounter change and obstacles and strong enemies, fear has a way of debilitating us. MONDAY AND TUESDAY ------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ LEVEL 1: OBSERVATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY? ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.1 Where is this message given to Joshua? (see Deuteronomy 34:8 and Joshua 2:2). 1.2 EXTRA CREDIT. Who is Joshua, and what is his role in Israel up to this point? Exodus 17:9-10, 13-14; 24:13; 32:17; 33:11 Numbers 11:28; 13:16; 14:6, 30, 38; 26:65; 27:18, 22; 32:12, 28; 34:17; Deuteronomy 1:38; 3:21, 28; 31:3, 7, 14, 23; 32:44; 34:9 WEDNESDAY ---------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ LEVEL 2: INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN? ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2.1 What kinds of things might Joshua be tempted to fear if he were to allow himself to dwell on his anxieties? 2.2 Why would a predecessor like Moses be a hard act to follow? How could Joshua ever fill those shoes? THURSDAY -------- 2.3 What was Joshua's task and commission as outlined in Chap. 1? 2.4 What promises is Joshua given with regard to this commission? 2.5 Which commands are Joshua given to enable him to fulfill his commission? FRIDAY ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ LEVEL 3: APPLICATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME? ------------------------------------------------------------------ 3.1 When has fear kept you from doing God's will? (Fear has crippled all of us at times, including your teacher.) 3.2 What do you find in this passage which is an effective antidote to fear? From the standpoint of psychology and faith, why does this antidote work? What do you need to change in your life or thinking to incorporate this antidote into your life? Possible memory verses: Joshua 1:8 and Hebrews 13:5-6 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright 1998, Ralph F. Wilson, all rights reserved. Joyful Heart is a trademark of Joyful Heart Ministries. For reprint permission contact pastor@joyfulheart.com