Marching Orders
Joshua 8
Review:
1. God’s justice is certain and complete. And while He doesn’t want us to spread our faith by force, He does sometimes use nations to carry out His judgment on others.
2. In standing up for God’s kingdom, we should not fear or be dismayed. God is Almighty, and the forces of evil are not nearly as powerful as they sometimes seem to be.
3. God alone is responsible for all our victories, but we are still called to fight the forces of wickedness within us and around us.
Go Further: Read John 15:1-20
1. In verse 1, how does Jesus describe Himself and the Father?
2. In verse 5, how does Jesus describe Himself and those who believe in Him?
3. In verse 2, what does Jesus say the Father does to the branches and why?
4. In verses 4 and 5, how does Jesus say the branches can produce fruit? What happens to the fruitfulness of a branch that isn’t connected to the vine?
5. In verse 6, what does Jesus say happens to branches that have become disconnected from the vine?
6. What promise does Jesus make about prayer in verse 7? Why is our connection to Him critical in order for this promise to be fulfilled?
7. In verses 8-11, what sorts of fruit does Jesus say our lives should produce?
8. What commandment does Jesus give us in verses 12 and 17?
9. How does Jesus describe love in verses 12-13?
10. What does Jesus call us in verses 14 and 15, and why does He call us this?
11. In verse 16, why does Jesus say He has called us?
12. What does Jesus say will happen to His followers in verses 18 and 20?
13. In verses 19 and 20, why does Jesus say His followers will have opposition from the unbelieving world?
14. What do you think is the connection between Jesus’ great commandment in verses 12 and 17 and the way we are called to face opposition in verses 18-20?
Apply:
1. What sorts of things help you nurture your connection to Jesus?
2. What sorts of temptation have you been able to overcome with God’s help? How did God help you in these situations?
3. How can we use the fruit Jesus produces in our lives as we face persecution and opposition?
