Sabbath School Lesson for September 27-October 3, 2025
Introduction of Lesson 1, Recipe for Success
Memory Text: ” ‘Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.’ “ Joshua 1:7 NKJV
Joshua and Caleb were the only two spies who gave a faith-filled report after visiting Canaan, when Moses and the encampment first arrived there after leaving Egypt. They were therefore, the only two remaining of that generation to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering about in the wilderness.
Both Moses and Aaron had passed away (Deuteronomy 34:5 and Numbers 33:38), and Joshua, Moses assistant, was the one chosen to take Moses’ leadership role. Caleb later inherited land for his faithfulness, and he chose the hill country around Hebron that was within Judah’s allotment (Joshua 14:6-15).
Joshua’s first chapter introduces him and the new generation that God had tenderly guided and nurtured for forty years. Just as Moses needed forty years as a shepherd to gain the strength and courage he needed to stand up to Pharaoh, Joshua and God’s people needed forty years with God to be able to stand up to the formidable enemies they would face in Canaan.
- Sunday: A New Moses
- Monday: Cross! Take! Divide! Serve!
- Tuesday: Heirs of Promises
- Wednesday: Be Strong!
- Thursday: Prosperous and Successful
Sunday: A New Moses
Joshua, the son of Nun, who had been Moses’ faithful servant, was appointed by God to carry on the task of leadership when Moses’ time on earth was finished. As Israel transitioned from one human leader to another, the first chapter of Joshua leaves no doubt that God is really the One in charge of their progress. God promised, once again, to provide them with strength and courage to finish the work Moses had begun back in Egypt.
Moses was called the servant of the Lord several times, and was a central figure in Joshua’s first chapter, with Joshua only identified as Moses’ assistant. It would take a lifetime of obedient, faithful service for Joshua to be identified as God’s servant (Joshua 24:29).
But there seems no doubt that Joshua turned out to be as fearless a leader as Moses had been. His military and spiritual guidance were evident throughout the difficult conquest of land promised to Abraham so many years before. A new Moses was born for the new times they were entering.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 1:1-9
- Why was the repetition of these promises so important after Moses’ death?
- What was Joshua told to do and say following the commission God gave him in these verses?
Exodus 33:11, Numbers 14:6, 30, 38, 27:18, and Deuteronomy 34:9
- What additional information are we given about Joshua, and why is it important to know these things about him?
Monday: Cross! Take! Divide! Serve!
After Joshua received his commission to lead the Israelites into Canaan, God outlined the organizational procedures necessary to achieve their goals. Four steps would give them victory in possessing the land. These four important directives are mentioned in Joshua’s first chapter and fleshed out in more detail in the rest of his book.
- They must CROSS over the Jordan River into the land (Joshua 1:2-9 and Joshua 1:1-5:12)
- They must conquer or TAKE the land (Joshua 1:10, 11 and Joshua 5:13-12:24)
- They must DIVIDE the land (Joshua 1:12-15 and Joshua 13:1-21:45)
- They must SERVE God by obeying His law (Joshua 1:16-18 and Joshua 22:1-24:3)
Verses and questions:
Joshua 1:10-18
- Why was God so careful in laying out Joshua’s battle plan right from the start?
- How did this help explain their need for strength and courage?
- What would they have to do to have and maintain such strength and courage?
Tuesday: Heirs of Promises
The first three verses of Joshua may be the cause of some confusion. Verse 2 talks as if their receiving of Canaan is in the future, but verse 3 says the land is already theirs. This may be because when God promises to give His heirs something, they can be assured it is theirs already. An inheritance from God, even when received fully some time in the future, feels the same as a present reality. It’s something “we can take to the bank”, as the saying goes.
This understanding of God’s promises brings a special kind of peace to the heir, when obstacles might otherwise seem insurmountable. It’s comforting to know that God is behind our plans. Joshua needed this reminder from the very start of his ministry.
Part of their inheritance was receiving courage and strength. For a military leader like Joshua, God’s promise of courage, instead of fear, must have been most reassuring at the time. Even with God’s presence, strength was needed to make their inheritance a reality. As always, God knew just what His people needed and when they needed it.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 1:1-6 and Hebrews 6:17-18
- How do you explain the meanings of a promise and an inheritance?
- What does it mean to be heirs of God’s promise?
- What part does hope and faith play in receiving God’s inheritance?
Wednesday: Be Strong!
Joshua certainly must have been anxious about the enemies they would face when they entered Canaan. Even Egypt, with its massive military strength and weapons, had failed to conquer its highly-fortified walled cities. The Canaanites also had well-trained armies protecting them, whereas the Hebrews had little military experience thus far in their travels.
God told Joshua several times to be strong and courageous. Holding on to their faith in God’s strength would be their salvation. It would give them the needed courage to do the things that must be done to receive the land of their inheritance.
God has promised to be with us too, right to the “end of the age”, as it says in Matthew 28:20. We can trust in Him and His promises of victory, no matter how formidable our enemies appear. The well-trained “soldier” of God has spiritual weapons that far surpass those of Satan’s forces. See Ephesians 6:10-18.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 1:7-9
- Why did God repeat His command for them to be strong and courageous?
- What is the difference in “being very courageous” and being “of good courage”?
Thursday: Prosperous and Successful
When God told Joshua to be prosperous and successful, it wasn’t just referring to having monetary wealth. We can also feel blessed with a good marriage, close friends, a long life, good health, and even an abundance of spiritual fruits like love, joy, peace, patience, etc.
God couldn’t be plainer in explaining how they would succeed and be prosperous in the land of their inheritance. They must cling to and obey the spiritual principles outlined in the commandments given to Moses. The law was designed to guide them into a deeper understanding of God, but also to serve as a reminder of their sinful condition.
The law couldn’t be kept properly though without God’s presence, without Christ’s righteousness covering their feeble efforts to obey on their own. This is why we must remember that law (and the justice it brings) and grace (and the love it brings) can never be separated. Law and grace are both character traits of our loving, just Creator. We must strive for a balance of law and grace. An emphasis of one above the other often leads to either legalism or cheap grace.
Verses and questions:
Joshua 1:7-9, Genesis 24:40, Isaiah 53:10, and Psalm 1:1-3
- How do these verses show us the full range of blessings that makes us prosperous and successful in this life?
Romans 3:31
- In what way do faith and the law work together in drawing us closer to God?
Friday: Final Thoughts
Like the travel-weary Hebrews that Joshua brought to the borders of Canaan, we are today standing on the border of the heavenly Canaan, waiting to be ushered into another “land of milk and honey”, where we can enjoy the constant companionship of our Creator God throughout eternity.
God often reminded Joshua to “be strong and courageous”, and we, too, must be brave and courageously conquer our foes, no matter who or what they are. Only by trusting and loving our Leader, and expressing our faith in Him by obeying His marching orders, will we be able to live in the Promised Land we have inherited.
This bravery will look different, in the various areas of life. Being strong and courageous in our families, might mean using more caution in our interactions. In our neighborhood, it might mean less caution. And at work, it might be something in between. But in all situations, we should remember not to invite confrontation, but not to walk away from it either. Boldly stand up for what you feel is right, and courageously express your convictions out of love, and with love.
Next Week: Surprised by Grace
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