Over the next three months we are embarking upon a study of the Old Testament book of Joshua.

· It teaches us how to live once we’ve place our faith in Jesus the Savior.
· It shows, through the examples of others, how to possess what God has promised us.
· It demonstrates the blessings of obedience and the price of stubborn disobedience.
· It illustrates the reality of spiritual warfare and the danger of compromise.
· It challenges us to be decisive, determined, and devoted.

Joshua covers the period of time when the Hebrew people, the Israelites, crossed over the Jordan River. They were to inherit the land that God had promised their forefather, Abraham, back in the book of Genesis.
Its theme is about moving from HERE to THERE. The book conveys countless spiritual lessons for us today in line with that theme.

Talk about a time when you crossed over, from here to there. When you arrived somewhere for the first time.
What were a few of the first things you did?

In chapter 5 of Joshua we see that the Jews have arrived. They were probably excited but thinking, now what??
From the human point of view, it was the perfect time for Joshua to act (fight and conquer the enemies).
Joshua 5:1
The nation of Israel had arrived at the border of the Promised Land and then waited.
Waiting...most of us don't like it. It's the passage of time when we could be doing something.
But we have to remember that preparation IS doing something!

God had a three-fold strategy to prepare His people to be victors.

Bobby Knight, famous basketball coach at the University of Indiana once said, "The key is not the will to win, everybody has that. It is the will to PREPARE to win that is important."

While the Hebrews waited, the Lord was preparing them:

First - RENEWING God's COVENANT.
Joshua 5:1-9
Romans 9:4-5
A covenant is a formal, binding, and solemn agreement that involves unconditional promises and commitments.
God wants us to be as committed to Him as He is to us!

Second - REMEMBERING God's CEREMONY.
Joshua 5:10-12 (see Exodus 12)
Passover was a ceremony instituted when God delivered the Jews from Egypt. The death of the lamb and its blood illustrated the fact that one day Jesus would give His life to pay for the sins of humanity.

Third - RECOGNIZING God's COMMAND.
Joshua 5:13-15
Joshua quickly learns that God is the authority in life and we are to take our marching orders and commands from Him.
The quality of our Christian life will be determined by our response to God's leadership all of the time.

Conclusion
Ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I one of God’s children? Have I been delivered from sin by my complete faith in Jesus as my Savior?

2. Am I grateful for what God has done for me and am I committed to living a godly life that honors Him?

3. Am I under the authority of the Lord in all areas of my life?

H.O.M.E. Group Discussion Questions:

1. Read Joshua 5 and make some notes about any questions and observations you might have.

2. Look of the following web link about the biblical circumcision. What questions do you have?
http://www.biblestudymagazine.com/bible-study-magazine blog/2017/1/12/why-circumcision

3. Review the three-fold strategy that was talked about in the message which God used to prepare His people to inherit the Promised Land. What questions do you have about the Covenant, the Ceremony, or the Commander?

4. Review and talk about these questions:

a. Am I one of God’s children? Have I been delivered from sin by my complete faith in Jesus as my Savior?

b. Am I grateful for what God has done for me and am I committed to living a godly life that honors Him?

c. Am I under the authority of the Lord in all areas of my life?

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Monday, January 27 - Erin Stephens
Tuesday, January 28 - Gary Hogle
Thursday, January 30 - Chris Webster
Friday, January 31 - Connor Odette