Heart Prep:
About twenty years after settling into the Promised Land, Joshua gathered the Israelites for a final farewell. He reminded them of God’s faithfulness and challenged them to remain loyal to the Lord. He urged them to reject all foreign gods and to serve God wholeheartedly. Today we also are called to live faithfully by turning away from idols-anything that competes for our devotion-in order to worship God alone. We should lead obedient lives, constantly remembering and responding to all that God has accomplished for us through Christ.
Message:
Many years after settling into the Promised Land, Joshua, now very old, gathered the people and reminded them of everything God had done. He reminded them of how God had fought their battles, freed them from slavery, and fulfilled all His promises by giving them cities, land, and vineyards they did not build or plant. Joshua urged Israel’s leaders and the people to stay faithful, obey God’s commands, and worship only Him. He warned that turning to foreign gods would jeopardize their place in the land. He boldly declared that he and his family would serve the Lord, challenging the Israelites to make their choice clear. The people promised their loyalty, committing themselves to worship the God who rescued them. Joshua died at 110 and was buried in the promised land.
Main Point:
“Joshua reminded the people that God saved them from Egypt and gave them the Promised Land. He told them to worship God alone. Jesus is worthy of all worship because He saves those who trust in Him from sin and gives them eternal life.”
Discussion:
Why do you think Joshua reminded the Israelites about all God had done?
Think how God’s past actions strengthen our faith. Meditating on God’s faithfulness and His promises helps us trust Him, which then leads us to act by faith. God’s actions toward Israel reminded them He is the one true God and to be faithful to Him alone. (Option: read Ps. 52:8-9.)
Why should we worship God alone?
There is no one like God. He has no equal. Worship of anything else is sin. God alone is holy, good, and true. Worship of other things will only disappoint us and leave us still dead in our sins. (Option: read Isa. 46:5-9.)
How can we remember God’s faithfulness and obey His commands?
We can read our Bibles, listen to people’s testimonies, gather at church to hear God’s Word, and even read about other Christians to remember God’s faithfulness. Believers obey the commands of God through the Holy Spirit. Obedience to God’s commands doesn’t save us. The Holy Spirit transforms our desires to turn away from sin and turn toward God’s good ways. (Option: read Col. 3:16.)
