Joshua - The Background

This week we will begin a new study in a new book. We will begin studying the book of Joshua. Before we dive into the book itself there is some background work we need to do. The background to the book of Joshua will be our focus this week. 

So let's dive in:

First we will begin by reading Joshua chapter 1. Read through the chapter and look for the main character and place. 

Did you notice who our main character is? It's Joshua. I want you to spend some time finding out who Joshua is, where has he been, what role has he had in the Bible until now? Look up the following verses and write down what you learn about Joshua.

• Exodus 17:8-16
• Exodus 24:12-13
• Numbers 11:28
• Numbers 13:1-16, 25-14:12
• Numbers 14:26-38
• Numbers 27:15-23
• Numbers 32:11-13
• Numbers 34:16-17
• Deuteronomy 1:34-39
• Deuteronomy 3:18-29
• Deuteronomy 31:1-8,14-23
• Deuteronomy 34:5-9

The main place in the book of Joshua is the land. God gave the people many instructions about life in the land. As you look up the following verses write down specific answers about what you learn about: 

• the boundaries and those inhabiting the land before Israel. 
• who is to possess the land and for how long. Watch for references to descendants.
• any conditions with respect to possessing or living in the land
• why the former occupants are being evicted and judged
• God’s role in the occupation of the land 

Below are the verses:

• Genesis 12:1-7 
• Genesis 13:12-18 
• Genesis 15:7-21 
• Genesis 17:1-8 
• Genesis 26:1-5 
• Genesis 28:1-4, 13-16
• Exodus 6:1, 8 
• Exodus 23:20-33
• Leviticus 18:1-3, 24-30—Leviticus 18 gives instructions to Israel of what behaviors would be unacceptable in the land. Does verse 27 give you insight as to why the former inhabitants are being evicted/judged?
• Leviticus 20:22-24 
• Leviticus 25:1-23 
• Leviticus 26:1-9 
• Numbers 33:40, 50-56
• Numbers 34:1-15
• Deuteronomy 7:1-6, 16-26 
• Deuteronomy 11:8-32 
• Deuteronomy 32:8-9 
• Deuteronomy 34:1-4 

Titus 3:8-11

Observation:

• Read Titus 3:1-11
• Read Titus 8-11 and look for any contrasts (hint: look for the word but)
• Answer the following questions in your journal:
• What is a trustworthy statement?
• What does Paul want Titus to speak confidently about? 
• How are good deed described?
• What is the contrast of good deeds? 
• How are these things described?

Interpretation:
Look up the following words using Blue Letter Bible

• trustworthy
• careful
• engage
• good
• profitable
• avoid
• foolish
• controversies
• genealogies
• disputes
• unprofitable
• worthless
• reject
• factious
• self-condemned

Look up the following cross references and write down how they connect with the things in this passage:

• Romans 3:28
• Roman 15:18
• Gal 2:16-21
• James 1:21-27
• James 2

Application:

What has the Lord showed you this week about a person who walks in good deeds vs a foolish and unprofitable person? What kind of person are you? 

Titus 3:3-7

Observation:

• Read Titus 3:1-7
• Read Titus 3:3-7 and mark any contrasts you see (look for the word but)
• Make a list about what we were vs. what God did

Interpretation:
Look up the following words using Blue Letter Bible:

• foolish
• disobedient
• deceived
• enslaved
• lusts
• pleasures
• malice
• envy
• hateful
• hating
• mercy
• regeneration
• renewing
• justified

Look up the following cross references and write down what you learn (how it relates to Titus):

• Ephesians 2:1-10 (what do you learn about grace?)
• John 3:3-6, 1 Peter 1:3, 2 Cor 5:14-21 (what do you learn about regeneration?)
• Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 Cor 12:13, Roman 8:9-17, Gal 5:16-25 (what do you learn about the Holy Spirit?)

Application:

What were we once? Who are we in Christ? Do you really believe that? Do you live like it is so? 

Titus 3:1-2

Observation:

• Read Titus 3
• Read Titus  3:1-2
• List out the things Paul is telling Titus to remind them

Interpretation:

Look up the following words using Blue letter Bible:

• remind
• subject
• obedient
• ready
• malign
• peaceable
• gentle
• consideration

Look up the following cross references and write down what you learn

• Romans 13:1-7 (What do you learn about being subject to rulers and authorities?)
• Matt 5:14-16, John 3:19-21 & James 2:12-26 (What do you learn about good deeds?)
• Gal 5:16-26 (How do these verses relate to Titus 3:2?)

Application:

Paul asks Titus to remind them to be subject to governing authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good deed. What about you? Are these things true in your life? Paul also tells Titus to remind them to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, and showing consideration for all men. Do you see these things in your life? If not, what is preventing these being displayed in your life? 

Titus 2:11-15

Observation:

• Read Titus 2:1-15
• Read Titus 2:11-15 and ask yourself the following questions and write the answers in your journal:
• What has appeared?
• Why did it appear?
• What did it instruct? What is our role?
• What does Jesus have to do with any of this?

Interpretation:
Look up the following Greek words using Blue Letter Bible and write down what you learn in your journal:

• grace
• bringing salvation
• instructing
• deny
• ungodliness
• sensibly
• godly
• blessed
• hope
• glory
• redeem
• purify
• zealous
• exhort
• reprove
• disregard

Look up the following cross references and write down what you learn. 

• John 1:1, 14-17 (What do you learn about the appearance of grace?)
• Hebrews 12:5-11 (What do you learn about instruction or discipline?)
• 1 John 3:1-10 (What do you learn about how God std us free from sin and equips us for good deeds?)
• 1 Corinthian 6:15-20 & 1 Peter 2:9-16 (What do you learn about being God's own possession?)

Application:

What has God done on our behalf? How does He expect us to live? Look at the list of things He calls us to in Titus 2:11-15, are these in your life? 

Titus 2:9-10

This week we will focus on bond slaves. 

Observation:

• Read Titus 2:1-10
• Make a list on what you learn about bond slaves
• Answer the following questions about the text:
• Who are bond slaves to be subject to?
• Why are bond slaves to be subject to them (what does it display?)

Interpretation:
Look up the following words using Blue Letter Bible and write down what you learn:

• subject
• well-pleasing
• argumentative
• pilfering
• showing
• good
• faith
• they will adorn
• doctrine

Look up the following cross references and write down what you learn:

• 1 Timothy 6:1-2
• Ephesians 6:5-8
• 1 Corinthians 7:21-23
• Galatians 1:10
• Colossians 3:22-23

Application:

Why does it matter how bondservants live? Why does it matter how we live? What does it show/display? Look at the lists we have made the last few weeks and ask yourselves, are these true of your life? 

Titus 2:1-8

This week we will head into chapter 2 of Titus. We will look at the relationships between older men and younger men, older women and younger women. 

Observation:

• Read Titus 2
• Read Titus 2:1-8 and mark references to older men, younger men, older women, and younger women and then make a list about what you learn about each group. 
• Ask yourself these questions and write down what you learn in your journal
• What is the relationship between older and younger women supposed to look like? 
• What is the relationship between older and younger men supposed to look like? 
• Do you see a key repeated words used in the lists? 

Interpretation:
Look up these words using Blue Letter Bible and write down what you learn:

• temperate
• dignified
• sensible
• love
• perseverance
• reverent
• malicious gossips
• teaching what is good
• encourage
• love their husbands
• love their children
• pure
• workers
• subject
• dishonored
• example
• purity
• dignified
• beyond reproach
• put to shame

Look up the following passages and write down what you learn about the relationships of younger women/men and older women/men:

• Ephesians 5:22-33
• 1 Timothy 5:14-15

Application:

What is the role of older men/women in the lives of younger men/women? Are you seeking that out in your own life? How? How do you see these relationships played out in the church? What is your role in that?