Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist Church

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and [yes, even] forever.”
Hebrews 13:8

God bailed people out of impossible situations in Old Testament times and He ___________________________________.

“All I know is the coincidences happen much more frequently when I pray.”
-William Temple

“A miracle is an interference with nature by supernatural power.”
-C.S. Lewis, “Miracles”

A miracle is something that is humanly impossible that occurs in our world that is for the ___________________________.

“Although English speakers regularly use ‘miracle’ to refer to a broad range of wondrous events, the biblical concept is limited to those not explainable solely by natural processes, but which require the direct causal agency of a supernatural being, usually God. These occur throughout all major eras of history but do appear with greater frequency at key periods of God's self-revelation.” -Baker’s Dictionary of Theology

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.” Hebrews 11:30

Jericho is one of the oldest fortified cities in the world. It’s also one of the world’s geographically lowest at 750 feet below sea level. It was known as an oasis and was well supplied with spring water. This city was a symbol of military power and strength and the Canaanites considered it invincible. God had been patient with the Canaanites’ wickedness for centuries and we see His patience displayed in what happened to the wicked people of Jericho. He gave them time to repent of their sin and made provision for those like Rahab and her family who would turn from their wicked ways. The Lord’s attitude toward sinful people has never changed.

Archaeological notes about Jericho:

A tel is “a mound is a man-made hill that has accumulated layers of civilization built one over the other.”

The question of a true biblical archaeologist is this: Has evidence been found that matches the ancient text or not?

1. The Hebrew word for ‘collapsed’, literally means, the wall “fell beneath itself.” The wall fell outward and down to the base of the stone retaining wall.

“This find, of a collapsed city wall found at Jericho, is unique in archaeology. At no other site have we found evidence of a city wall that has fallen down.” -Dr. Bryant Wood

“. . . the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.”
Joshua 6:20

2. The mud bricks fell out and served as a ramp for the Israelites to go up into the city.

3. The easily identifiable burn layer.

Joshua 3:15 Joshua 6:24
Joshua 5:10 Joshua 6:18

4. On top of the destruction and burn layer, was an erosional layer.

Joshua 6:26

“The battle for Jericho is one of the most memorable stories in the Bible and since the Bible is our only ancient account for Jericho and since the details in the text match so well with the archaeological evidence found in Jericho, then the best conclusion that we can draw is that at the time of Joshua’s conquest, the walls of Jericho, really did come tumbling down.” -Joel Kramer

Lessons on Faith

Faith is complete confidence in God’s Word based on the fact that _________ ___________.

For a Jew to become a Christian in the first century, it was nearly always ________________.

Right action is based on right thinking, and right faith is based on __________ _________________.

Four types of faith:
There is . . .
· Faith that receives – God gives us salvation
· Faith that reckons – God undertakes for us
· Faith that _____________ – God does the impossible through us
· Faith that rests – God delivers us in the midst of our trials (pain, suffering and rejection)

Joshua 6:1 1 John 3:8

Although we still fight battles every day and sin seems to be everywhere, we have the assurance that the war has _____________________________.

Numbers 26

“Don’t pray for easy lives, pray to be better men and women. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for Holy Spirit power equal to your tasks.” -Phillips Brooks

2 Corinthians 10:3, 4 1 Peter 3:9
Proverbs 18:19 Romans 10:9, 10
John 6:44 John 19:25-17

What do your lips say about your faith?

Daily Meditations
Memory verse: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.” Hebrews 11:30

Monday
Read Joshua 5:13 - Joshua 6. Whom did Joshua meet outside of Jericho in Joshua 5:13, 14?

How did Joshua respond when the man who appeared said he was “commander of the army of the Lord” in 5:14?

Why do you think God chose this method for the Israelites to win the battle against the people of Jericho?

Tuesday

Read Joshua 6. What instructions did the Lord give to Joshua about defeating Jericho in 6:2-5?


What does this account teach us about the attitude God wants us to have whenever we succeed?

How do you imagine Joshua felt explaining to the Israelites the battle plans for their war against Jericho?

Wednesday

Read Joshua 6. How did the Israelites treat the ark of the Lord? See Joshua 6:6, 7.

What did the Israelites do differently on the seventh day of their siege of Jericho in 6:15?

How do you feel when God tells you to do something that you don’t think your friends will understand or approve of?

Thursday

Read Joshua 6. According to Joshua 6:16, who gave the city of Jericho over to the Israelites?

What is one change you can make in your life this week to move closer to being completely devoted to the Lord?

Make a list of ten friends who have walls around them that need broken down and pray for them daily.

Friday

Read Joshua 6. Why did Joshua instruct the Israelites to keep away from the devoted things in Jericho in Joshua 6:18?

According to Joshua 6:19, what were the Israelites supposed to do with all of the wealth of Jericho?

Why was it important for the Israelites to devote Jericho and all of its wealth to the Lord?

Saturday

Read Joshua 6. How did the fall of Jericho affect Joshua’s reputation in 6:27?

What does it mean to you to be devoted to the Lord?

What does this story teach us about the type of person God uses to accomplish His plans?