#7
Brave Hearts and Conquest
In the Kingdom
OR
Who Makes the Walls Fall
Down?
Joshua 1:1-11
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved.
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#7:
Brave Hearts and Conquest
In the Kingdom
INTRODUCTION
Brief Overview of Today’s Story: After Moses dies, God commissions their new leader, Joshua, promising
to deliver His people from their enemies and lead them to take possession of the Promised Land, including
important commands for Joshua to follow and blessings for him to experience.
Summary Verse:
“I hereby command you:
Be strong and courageous;
Do not be frightened or dismayed,
for the Lord your God
is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Introduction to Today’s Story and Themes:
Remember Joseph? He dreamed as a young boy of being exalted over his brothers in a place of privilege.
After thirteen years of “wilderness training,” having been rejected by his family, having served in a foreigner’s
house and having been forgotten in Pharaoh’s prison, his dreams finally came true. Exalted in Pharaoh’s court, his
brothers did come to bow down. But so did Joseph bow down before his own God in realizing that all along God’s
favor permeated his life, even in the suffering and frustration. These lessons of humility would serve Joseph well
as an engineer of compassion and justice in Egypt’s famine.
Joseph’s story is also Israel’s story. The dream of Mt. Sinai also hiccupped over a generation of
wandering and wondering. “Why are we stuck in this wilderness? Why can’t we go back? Why did we ever get
hoodwinked into leaving?”
Yet all along, God’s presence remained and as with Joseph, prepared them: community training in
worship, gratitude, covenant keeping, forgiveness and offerings…Moses mentoring Joshua…vision shaping and
disciplining the grumblers. All these combined in an unlikely way to set the stage for Israel to enter the Promised
Land, and to do so in a way that they would never forget who made their dream come true. In the end, their
dreams came true too; their enemies bowed down as well.
After finishing his leadership training from Moses, his mentor, Joshua very capably led Israel’s army into
victory after victory over the Canaanites. But like Joseph he could never forget the lesson of his forty-year boot
camp and the first miracle, the “tithe” of Jericho: “the battle belongs to the Lord.” His mentor Moses had taught
him to sing, “How could one chase a thousand and two put 10,000 to flight unless their Rock has sold them and
the Lord has given them up?” These lessons served as a foundation for the courage, and his perspective of success
that were to motivate and permeate Joshua’s entire life.
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved
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SETTING UP THE STORY: An overview of JOSHUA
Author: Joshua was a leader known for his trust in God. He walked alongside Moses through the parting of
the promise land and was anointed as the one who would take the Israelites to the promise land upon Moses'
death. He was also intelligent in battle and politics.
Setting: The land of Canaan, the Promised Land.
Summary of the Book and its Purpose:
Joshua is the story of how the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership and God's own mighty help,
conquered and settled in the Promised Land. The Lord's triumph over the Canaanites testified to the world
that the God of Israel is the one true and living God, who rightly claimed worldwide allegiance.
The first half of Joshua sees the Israelites beginning to move forward toward the Promised Land with
Joshua and Caleb. Military victory leads them to conquer much of the land. Though the Lord wanted them to
eliminate all of the Canaanites, the Israelites let some of them stay and live in slavery (Cf., Ju. 1) The second
half of the book discusses the distribution of land among tribes. At the end of the book, Joshua gives the 12
tribes his farewell speech, and instructs them to follow Yahweh and not forget His faithfulness. Repenting
from their sinfulness, the people rededicate their lives to the Lord in another covenant at Shechem.
Chapter by chapter overview
Joshua is called by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. The Lord promises to protect
them and help them conquer their enemies. Joshua is called to be "strong and courageous...strong and very
courageous" and to meditate on and obey the law of Moses. (1)
The first thing that Joshua does as a leader is to send spies into Jericho and investigate the enemies.
Two spies enter Jericho and stay with Rahab, a prostitute. Rahab saves the men by lying to the king that the
men had left the city, though really she was hiding them on her roof. Because of this, Rahab and her family
are also saved in the conquering of Jericho. (2)
The Israelites next must cross the Jordan. Just like at the Red Sea forty years before, God dried up
the river as the Israelites crossed it with the Ark of the Covenant. In remembrance of God's great act, each
leader of the twelve tribes chose a stone to build a memorial so their children would know of God's saving
power. (3, 4)
The Israelites must conquer Jericho first to get to the Promised Land. Joshua follows God's
commands by marching around the city six times, playing trumpets, and shouting. The walls of Jericho
crumbled and the Israelites took over the city. Because Jericho was first among the cities conquered, it is like
a tithe, dedicated and set aside. Except for Rahab and her family, and for gold and silver for the Lord's
treasury, nothing was spared. The entire city went up in flames as a "burnt offering." (5, 6)
The people were commanded not to take anything from the city for themselves. Achan takes from
God's spoils at Jericho and hides the goods. After Israel is routed by Ai and then makes its investigation,
Achan admits that he was the man that stole. He and his family are stoned by the people and used as an
example of how even one individual's sin can infect the entire community. God needed to dramatically
remind them of His holiness and their call to absolute obedience. (7)
With God's protection, Joshua and the Israelites destroy Ai and enter the Promise Land (8). Joshua
builds an altar at Shechem to represent a renewal of the covenant at Sinai. The people give burnt offerings
and Joshua copies the law of Moses onto new stones (8). The lands are divided up according to tribes. (1319) As in the book of Numbers, cities of refuge are set up and towns for the Levites are designated. (20-21).
Joshua sends out the tribes into their inherited land, only to have a near civil war nearly begun between the
tribes on each side of the Jordan river (22).
At the end of the book, Joshua gives a farewell speech in his old age. (23) In remembrance of God's
faithfulness, the people make a Second renewal of the covenant at Shechem and promise to throw away their
foreign gods and idols and remain loyal to God. Joshua records laws and decrees into the Book of the Law of
God. The people bury Joshua in the land of his inheritance. (24)
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved
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LOOKING AT THE STORY (Summary): To do before the group gathering using the pages that
follow
#1-PASSAGE: Read JOSHUA 1:1-11, printed in this lesson, preferably out loud. Imagine yourself in the
midst of the story as you read, allowing God’s Spirit to engage both your mind and your feelings.
#2-WORDS: Reread the passage and this time pay close attention to the words that are either repeated,
similar or contrasting (Strongly suggested: use your own system of highlighting these three kinds of words).
Let these help you notice the themes, flow and tensions within the overall story.
#3-OUTLINE: Follow the instructions to see the overall flow and structure of the passage.
#4-RETELLING: Read (ideally, out loud) today’s passage rewritten 1st person from the perspective of one
of the story’s character. You will find it on the website under this lesson. What stands out to you as you
experience the story from this perspective?
“He who is fond of bravery but complains of poverty is going to create disorder.”
Confucius
“If we would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable
assistance of God from Heaven. For he who gives us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is
ready to come to the aid of those that fight and do trust in his grace.”
Thomas A Kempis
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved
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LOOKING AT THE STORY #1-Passage & #2-Words: Joshua 1:1-11
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After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses'
assistant, saying, 2"My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this
people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. 3Every place that the sole of your
foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. 4From the wilderness and the
Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in
the west shall be your territory. 5No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life.
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6Be strong and
courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to
give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law
that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that
you may be successful wherever you go. 8This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth;
you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that
is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. 9I
hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD
your God is with you wherever you go.”
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Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people,
“Pass through the camp, and command the people: ‘Prepare your provisions; for in three days you
are to cross over the Jordan, to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God gives
you to possess.’ ”
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved
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LOOKING AT THE STORY #3-Outline
Write one or more important observations you want to remember under each section below.
A 1:1-2) “Cross the Jordan/Receive the land” (God to Joshua, new leader to the people)
B 1:3-5) Promises (All places, All times) - list them below 1st:

V. 3:

V. 4:

V. 5:
B’ 1: 6-9) Commands and promised blessings (All places, All times) list them below 1st:
Commands:



Blessings/Results/Reasons to obeying these commands:



A’ 1:10-11) “Cross the Jordan/Take the land” (Joshua to officers to People)
1. Why might it be significant that God’s promises come before his commandments to Joshua?
2. What seems to be the flow of this commission?
3. Which part seems to be most important or the climax?
“It is pardonable to be defeated but never to be surprised.”
Frederick the Great (1712 – 1786)
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved
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LISTENING TO THE STORY: Questions to do during the gathering
“Lord, after hearing the story with fresh ears, help us consider together how the words, actions and feelings
of this story’s characters help us authentically explore the lesson’s theme and the questions below. Spirit,
speak to our perceptions and misperceptions, to both our real life and God’s ideal, to our own life and those
in our community.”
1. THE GOD QUESTION: What are several important and relevant ways God related to the characters?
(note especially: how does God love-or even seem not to love-them? How might God’s words and actions be good news for the
least, last or lost? Where do you see God located in the story?)
2. KINGDOM RELATIONSHIPS: What are several important and relevant ways the characters related to
God, people and/or the created world? (note especially: how do they love or not love, honor or mistreat them? How do
the insiders and outsiders, the powerful and the powerless relate to each other?)
3. LOOKING BACKWARDS AND FORWARD: Compare today’s story with a parallel and relevant
story we have already studied (backwards) or a Jesus story (forward). Notice where there is
continuity and discontinuity between the stories. List below several similarities and changes
with today’s story.
Class Example #1: Looking Backwards: ______________________________________________
Similarities:
Changes:
Class Example #2: Looking at a Forward: ______________________________________________
Similarities:
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved
Changes:
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LEANING INTO A KINGDOM THEME: Resource to be used after the group gathering
Major Theme of the week: COURAGE
"Courageous men and women never lose the zest for living even though their situation is zestless; cowardly men
and women, overwhelmed by the uncertainties of life, lose the will to live. We must constantly build walls of
courage to hold back the flood of fear."
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for
powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle.”
Bishop Phillips Brooks
“If we would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable
assistance of God from Heaven. For he who gives us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is
ready to succor those that fight manfully, and do trust in his grace.”
Thomas A Kempis
Questions about the theme in our everyday lives, our neighborhood, workplace, church and
ministry:
1. LIFE STORY: How does the theme of today’s story connect with your life story?
 How does the theme of today’s story-courage connect with your life story (hero’s, highpoints,
hard times, heritage)?
2. SMALL GROUP QUESTION:
 What situations in your life, in the church, in your ministry, in your city and in our world
demand our courage today? Each person names two.
3. GROUP EXERCISE:
 Putting the promises, commands and blessings from God to Joshua into your own modern
situation and language, draft a short letter together, addressed from God to either you, your team
or to this young generation of future leaders. One paragraph, 5-7 sentences.
Other Possible Issues and themes: Success and Mentoring
Success:
“Without Christ a man must fail miserably or succeed even more miserably.”
George MacDonald
“The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success comes only later.”
Confucius
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than the ones you
did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved
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Journaling: Hearing God’s Voice, Finding our Own
What follows are some suggestions for your heart’s reflection and your written response.
Suggestion #1: Approach – Explore God’s word to You by writing a letter or dialogue that involves two from
the following characters: you, God, a character in the story you identified with, the people/group you serve, a
community leader, a family member, a friend or a key person Holy Spirit has put on your heart.
Suggestion #2: Content – Consider using the categories of Know, Be, Go (see prompts below) to deepen your
reflections on this lesson’s story and themes.

Know: What is God inviting you to know and believe more deeply about Himself? About yourself
or others or the world and culture you live in? How is Holy Spirit challenging your perceptions or
cultural assumptions that affect your vision and behavior?

Be: How is God inviting you to become more like His Son, more who you already are and who you
also were meant to be? Is there a person who comes to mind who you can help grow? Who and
how? What do you need from God in order to grow or help others grow?

Go: How is God nudging you about your current way of serving others in our world or your
organization? How are you being challenged to relate to someone specific in your community or to
someone who is different than you or more vulnerable than you?
Write your letter or dialogue here or if you prefer, in your journal:
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved
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LIVING INTO THE STORY: Actions to take after the gathering-Pick now from below.
Note: Be prepared to share with the whole group briefly about what you chose to do.
#1: READ – what others say about these ideas

Leaning into a Kingdom Theme: Read this lesson page completely. Let God’s Spirit use
some of the quotes/questions to further your journey with this week’s lesson

Go to the website for this lesson and, under the “Featured Readings” link, read the Robert
Lupton, Theirs is the Kingdom selection or one of the other readings available there.
#2: REFLECT – on what God is saying to you and/or the world

Use the Journal page to WRITE something, reflecting on this lesson.

SHARE with God alone or with someone in person, expanding on how God spoke to you in the
group experience.
#3: RESPOND – in action

OBEYING HIS VOICE: In view of time you spent in this week’s gathering and your time reading
and reflecting above, name and commit to the steps of doing something for someone this week.

TRANSLATING GOD’S STORY: How would you communicate the Kingdom Story to someone
who doesn’t follow Jesus? In two paragraphs, summarize today’s story – or a theme, challenge,
tension or question that was raised – in a way that is both Biblically accurate and culturally
sensitively. Can you share this with someone this week?

WRITE a short poem (or lyrics to a song) that embodies your response to God’s call for you to
believe his promises and to live a life of courage.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IDEAS:
 Do a site visit and interview a leader whose community service that required significant
courage.
“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to
die. ‘He that will lose his life, the same shall save it,’ is not a piece of mysticism for saints and heroes. It is a
piece of everyday advice for sailors or mountaineers. It might be printed in an Alpine guide or a drill book.
The paradox is the whole principle of courage, even of quite earthy or quite brutal courage. A man cut off by
the sea may save his life if he will risk it on the precipice. He can only get away from death by continually
stepping within an inch of it. A soldier surrounded by enemies, if he is to cut his way out, needs to combine a
strong desire for living with a strange carelessness about dying. He must not merely cling to live, for then he
will be a coward, and will not escape. He must desire life like water and yet drink death like wine.”
G. K. Chesterton
© 2012 John Lewis. All Rights Reserved
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