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Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Joshua 1:1-5
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
- 1. Hold unto God’s Promises
Joshua 1:5 and 1:9
1:5 - No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- 2. Remember that God is always with you
Joshua 1:7-8
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
- 3. Abide by God’s Word
Discussion Time:
- In this portion of God’s Word, God instructs Joshua to be strong and courageous 3 times. When we become fearful, it often leads to us making poor decisions. Discuss when in your life, have you made a poor decision because of fear with your small group.
- Read Joshua 1:2-5. Here, God reminds Joshua of His promise to the Israelites. By being reminded of God’s promises, Joshua can be less fearful, even in this potentially scary situation. How can you, the next time you are feeling fearful, remind yourself of God’s promises, and how could that change the way you act?
- Read Joshua 1:5 and 9. Here, God reminds Joshua that He will always be with him. In what situations do you most need to be reminded that God is always with you?
- Read Joshua 1:7-8. God commands Joshua to do all that His law has said to do, and not to turn from it. In your life, are you more prone to add to God’s Word, or to take away from it? In what specific areas do you tend to add or take away from God’s Word?
- What is your biggest take away about how this passage affects your life? How can your small group keep you accountable to accomplishing this?
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?