Discussion Questions
The teacher highlights Deuteronomy 28 to argue that God’s promises in conquest were *conditional* (“if you diligently obey…”); how does this reshape your view of God’s character compared to a view that assumes God blesses His people regardless of obedience? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Deuteronomy 28 says God’s blessings depend on obedience. How does that change how you see God compared to thinking He blesses His people no matter what they do?
The speaker says God “required their obedience and their participation” and “wasn’t going to do it Himself”; what does Joshua’s conquest suggest about how God normally works with His people—especially in contrast to modern assumptions that God’s grace means passive Christianity? JumpstartAnother way to ask: In Joshua, God expects the people to obey and take action, not just wait. What does this teach about how God usually works with His people, compared to the idea that grace means doing nothing?
Joshua reinstates circumcision, celebrates Passover, and only then engages Jericho; what do these covenant signs *before* battle imply about early Israel (and early Christian) assumptions regarding holiness, identity, and readiness for spiritual conflict? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Joshua restores circumcision and celebrates Passover before fighting Jericho. What does that show about how Israel (and early Christians) viewed holiness and being ready for spiritual battles?
The defeat at Ai is traced to “one man’s hidden sin” affecting the whole community; where does your church culture resist the idea that private sin can bring corporate weakness, and what practices would have to change if you truly believed the teacher’s “my choices affect the community” takeaway? JumpstartAnother way to ask: At Ai, one person’s hidden sin hurts the whole group. Where does your church push back on the idea that private sin can weaken everyone, and what would need to change if you truly believed your choices affect the community?
When the Canaanite nations unite for war, Joshua responds by building an altar, reading the Law publicly (blessings and curses), and reaffirming covenant; what does this reveal about what God considers “best preparation” for conflict, and what does it expose about the church’s usual preparation methods (strategy, platforms, political power, etc.)? JumpstartAnother way to ask: When enemies gather to fight, Joshua reads God’s Law and renews the covenant instead of focusing on battle plans. What does this say God sees as the best way to prepare for conflict, and how does that challenge the church’s usual methods like strategy or political power?
The teacher connects Joshua writing the Law on stone to Jeremiah’s new covenant promise of God writing the Law on hearts, describing the “law of Christ” as something we *live*; what specific evidence would show that God’s commands are written on your heart rather than merely known in your head? JumpstartAnother way to ask: If God’s commands are written on your heart, not just in your head, what would that look like in your daily life? What specific signs would show you are actually living them?
In the Gibeonite deception, the rulers “took some of their provisions, but they did not inquire of the Lord,” yet the teacher notes that “God remains silent”; what does God’s silence here suggest about His willingness to let leaders bear consequences of decisions made with limited information? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The leaders didn’t ask God for guidance with the Gibeonites, and God stayed silent. What does this suggest about God letting leaders live with the results of choices they make without enough information?
The speaker claims deception “normally appeals to our emotions rather than to logic,” pointing to the Gibeonites’ worn clothes, moldy bread, and “we come in the name of the Lord”; what kinds of “religious” emotional signals most easily bypass your discernment today, and how would you slow down to test them without becoming cynical? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The Gibeonites used emotional and “religious” signs to trick Israel. What kinds of religious emotions or signals most easily fool you today, and how can you slow down and test them without becoming distrustful of everyone?
Joshua insists on honoring the covenant even after discovering he was tricked, fearing “wrath will come upon us because of the oath”; what does this teach about God’s seriousness regarding vows, and how does that confront modern Christian ways of escaping commitments when circumstances change? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Joshua keeps his oath to the Gibeonites even after learning it was a trick. What does this teach about how seriously God takes vows, and how does that challenge how Christians today sometimes back out of commitments when things change?
The teacher ends by pressing covenant faithfulness through concrete vows (baptismal renunciation of Satan/world, marriage vows, ordination vows, membership promises, even loan agreements); which specific vow or commitment are you most tempted to treat as adjustable, and what would repentance and renewed faithfulness look like in measurable actions this week? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The teacher lists real-life vows like baptism, marriage, church membership, or loans. Which promise are you most tempted to treat like it can change, and what would turning back and being faithful look like in clear actions this week?