Difficult Discipleship
Joshua 5:1-12

Review:

1. The soldiers’ circumcision proves that the pursuit of holiness in a sinful world is hard work.
2. When God stopped giving manna to His people, it demonstrates that God is not going to do for us what we can do for ourselves.
3. Obedience to God often leads us to vulnerability in the face of others, but this is a great way to demonstrate our trust in God

Go further: Read Matthew 5:38-48

1. In verse 39, Jesus tells us not to resist evil people. How does non-resistance follow Jesus’ own example?
2. In verse 39, Jesus is describing a physical, personal, humiliating attack – being slapped in the face. How does he tell us to respond?
3. What example of non-resistance does Jesus give us in verse 40? What does this say about the way Christians should seek justice for ourselves in court?
4. Verse 41 describes a situation Jesus’ listeners might have personally experienced, as Roman soldiers could force people to carry their gear for them. How does Jesus tell us to respond to such arbitrary conscription?
5. What does verse 42 tell us about what we should do with our possessions? What does this verse tell us about who really owns what we possess?
6. What does Jesus tell us to do for our enemies in verse 44? Have you ever done this? What happened as a result?
7. Verses 43, 46 and 47 describe what we might call commonsensical behavior. How does the unbelieving world say we should behave toward our friends and enemies? How does verse 44 provide such a stark contrast to this?
8. What does verse 45 tell us about the way that God treats people? How does loving our enemies model what God does?
9. In verse 48, the word “perfect” can also be translated as “complete” or “finished.” How does this whole passage help us understand how we can be more completely like God?

Apply:

1. How should Christians deal with the desire for personal revenge?
2. Have you ever had the opportunity to forgive someone who has hurt you? What happened to your relationship as a result?
3. How does this passage speak to the question of a Christian’s rights? When do you think it is appropriate for us to stand up for our rights or the rights of other people? When would it be inappropriate?
4. Why do you think the sort of vulnerability that Jesus prescribes in this passage is such an essential part of bearing witness to Him?