Sabbath School Lesson



The book of Joshua is about new possibilities. Moses, who had dominated 40 years of Israel’s history, belonged in the past. The Exodus from Egypt and the wanderings in the wilderness, tragically marked by rebellion and stubbornness, had ended. A new generation, willing to obey God, was ready to enter the Promised Land, not as an expectation to live up to but as a possibility to live into. Let’s study the way God opened up a new chapter in Israel’s life and how He can do the same in ours, as well.



Memory Text: Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go (Joshua 1:7, NKJV).

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Sunday, September 28
A New Moses

Read Deuteronomy 18:15-22, Joshua 1:1-9, Numbers 27:18, Numbers 32:12, Deuteronomy 34:9.

However different the circumstances of Joshua’s life and experiences are from ours, what spiritual principles can we take away from his life that we can apply to our own?

Monday, September 29
Cross! Take! Divide! Serve!

The first chapter of Joshua serves as an introduction to the whole book. It comprises four speeches that correspond to the four main sections of the book:

Crossing (Joshua 1:2-9)
Conquering (Joshua 1:10-11)
Dividing the land (Joshua 1:12-15)
Serving by obedience to the law (Joshua 1:16-18)

In the end, the promises of God concerning the occupation of the land would be fulfilled.

Discuss the relationship between God’s promises and our obedience to Him. How do they complement one another? What are the dangers of overemphasizing one at the expense of the other? That is, what danger comes from pushing the law at the expense of eclipsing grace? Or of pushing grace at the expense of eclipsing the law?

Tuesday, September 30
Heirs of Promises

Read Joshua 1:4-6 and Hebrews 6:17-18. At that moment, the Promised Land was exactly that, a promise. Yet, God calls it an inheritance.

What does it mean to be the heirs of God’s promises?

Wednesday, October 1
Be Strong!

Read Joshua 1:7-9, Ephesians 6:10-18.

Although we are not required today to participate in military combat, how can we apply the words of encouragement given to Joshua in our daily spiritual struggles?

Thursday, October 2
Prosperous and Successful

Read Joshua 1:7-9, Genesis 24:40, Isaiah 53:10, and Psalm 1:1-3.

Based on these texts, what does it mean to be prosperous and successful?

Please share any other comments you may have about the Sabbath School lessons in general.