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After roaming the wilderness for decades, God's people finally reached the Promised Land. But there were still obstacles that stood in their way. Securing the land God had promised them would require strength, courage, and faith.
In this eight-session series, pastor Louie Giglio shows us that our story today isn't too far removed from Joshua and the Israelites: we need the same strength, courage, and faith to face the challenges in our lives. Join Louie and learn what it means to follow God faithfully, no matter what obstacles are before you.
Sessions provided by RightNow Media.
We won’t be able to study every verse of Joshua during the eight sessions of this study. So, we’ve created this reading plan to help you familiarize yourself with the entirety of the book so that you can dig deeper into God’s Word. Feel free to complete the weekly readings at a pace that makes the most sense to you and your group.
Week 1: Joshua 1–3
Week 2: Joshua 4–6
Week 3: Joshua 7–9
Week 4: Joshua 10–12
Week 5: Joshua 13–15
Week 6: Joshua 16–18
Week 7: Joshua 19–21
Week 8: Joshua 22–24
As you read these chapters, consider what the passage says about God, what it says about you, and what bearing it has on your life today.
Resources:
Joshua 1:1–2:24
Israel traveled a long way to get to the banks of the Jordan River. But when they arrived, they only saw huge obstacles. Taking hold of the promises of God wouldn’t be easy—it would require courage.
Life isn’t all that different for us today. We still face obstacles that threaten to keep us from all that God promises. We need the faith of Rahab. We need the courage of Joshua. We need the assurance of the spies that God will bring us through every obstacle we meet.
Commit to following God in faith, and he will prove himself faithful and capable of keeping all his promises.
Resources:
Handout
Joshua 3:1–17
Crossing the Jordan River was only the first step in claiming God’s Promised Land, but it was a moment that required significant trust in God. To see the power of God, Israel had to take an intimidating, unnatural step of faith. Would God deliver on his promises?
We ask the same question today. Will God show up when I am faithful? The path before us isn’t always clear, and even when it is, it doesn’t always make sense. Like Israel, if we want to witness the power of God, we need only take a step of faith. Don’t let your questions keep you from trusting the one who is in control. He will not lead you astray.
Resources
Handout
Joshua 4:1–5:15
One of the most repeated commands in the Bible is, “Remember.” Why? Because we’re quick to forget. And when we forget about God’s faithfulness to us, it doesn’t take long for us to get off track, become frustrated, or wonder why it feels like God isn’t doing much to help us out.
As we stare down obstacles in our lives, God’s call to remember still remains. Remember him, his promises, his goodness, and that he is in control. Looking to our past with God will lead us into the future with confidence and courage. There is no obstacle he cannot bring you through. Trust him.
Resources
Handout
Joshua 6:1–27
God assured his people that Jericho was theirs for the taking. But the way they would acquire it was unconventional militarily. They wouldn’t break through its walls or tear them down; instead, they would make loud noises. They would worship.
Worship is central for the people of God. In our worship, we praise God and fight against the challenges, trials, and strongholds we face. God takes our worship and does mighty things with it. When we encounter obstacles, let us remember that worship is an instrument God can use to overcome them.
Resources
Handout
Joshua 7:1–8:35
The story of Israel at Ai is our story. Obedience leads to blessing but sin is tempting, even though it leads us away from God and into cursing. The question before us today is, which way will we choose?
As we commit to following the ways of God, let us be vigilant in following Joshua’s example and not Achan’s. Remember that even if we fall into the pattern of Achan, in Christ, God’s grace and forgiveness overshadow our sin—he is ready and willing to welcome us back every time we try to hide our sin.
Resources
Handout
Joshua 9:1–10:15
God’s people are a praying people. We can be confident that God hears us when we pray and that he delights in answering bold prayers of faith. So, we pray for things large and small: wisdom, clarity, healing, and anything else we need. And like Joshua, we can even pray audacious prayers.
The sun might not halt its march across the sky today (or it might!), but God can do equally amazing things nonetheless—things that have never been done before. We need only to ask.
Resources
Handout
Joshua 10:16–23:16
We all have battles to fight and obstacles to overcome in this life. It can feel like it’s solely up to us to win those battles and conquer those challenges. But when we think we must fight alone, we can quickly find ourselves overwhelmed, outmatched, and rejecting the rest God has secured for us.
The good news for all of us is that God fights the battles for us. He can accomplish what we cannot; he will give us victory regardless of how insurmountable the odds may seem. We need only to trust and obey him. As we put our trust in God and the promises he’s made to us, he will carry us through to a day of rest.
Resources
Handout
Joshua 24:1–33
In his final words to the Israelites, Joshua recounted God’s faithfulness to them throughout their history and challenged Israel to respond by being faithful to God. His charge is as applicable to us today as it was to Israel then.
God has saved us through the finished work of Jesus Christ, but there remain challenges and obstacles before us. We can only overcome them by going all-in with God. So, let us choose this day who we’ll serve: the Lord our God who never leaves or abandons us.
Resources
Handout