SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

For more resources like this, please visit mtbethel.org/media

OCTOBER 19, 2014 THE MAN WHO SUCCEEDED MOSES Dr. Randy Mickler Instructions This sermon discussion guide provides a format for personalC study or interaction with other Christians in a small group setting. Through the deeper understanding UM of onthe Biblical message, we may grow deeper in our relation- ship with God, we may be transformed, and weActi may take action to make a difference in the lives of others in our community and our world.eth inelto . B sion ScriptureMtmpas Take time Coto read through the scripture and meditate on the words. Pray for God to open your heart and mind to what He has to say to you through His words.

Joshua 1:2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.”

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Scripture Discussion Ask each participant to share the most meaningful insightful idea from the sermon.

Sermon Discussion Joshua had God’s perspective in mind. • Joshua was part of God’s succession plan when Moses died. Joshua was with Moses as God parted the Red Sea as the Israelites escaped from Egypt. Joshua was with Moses as he received the 10 Commandments, writ- ten by the finger of God. Although Moses was a legend in his own time, Joshua was God’s man to lead Israel after Moses was gone. • In the first few verses of Joshua chapter 1, God reminds Joshua several times, “Be strong and courageous.” What do these words mean in respect to having God’s perspective? How does God use words to give us His perspective in the situation? Who has God used in your life to help us to understand God’s perspective in a particular instance? • Recall a time when you were reminded that God’s perspective is different from ours. What was the situation? What was your perspective? What was God’s perspective? After looking back over the experience, what did God teach you? How does this change the way you look at things now?

Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church / 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068 / 770.971.2880 / mtbethel.org SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

For more resources like this, please visit mtbethel.org/media

Joshua had God’s purpose in mind. • Recalling the story of Joshua, what are some of the places where God has His hand on Joshua and depends on his leadership to carry through His plan? Looking back on your own life, what purposes does God have for your life? How does one make themselves more open to understand and discover God’s purpose for their life? • Viktor Frankl lived through imprisonment in a Nazi concentration camp and wrote about it in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning.* In the book, he says, “ThoseC who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.” What does that mean? How do you interpret UM this onquote? • When we think about living life with purpose, Acti we think about causes that are “bigger than us.” What is your purpose? How do youeth live out thatinel topurpose? If you have not ever thought about your purpose, how can your spiritual mentors. B helpsion you find that purpose? Who would be your mentors that you would ask? Mtmpas Joshua hadCo God’s promise in mind. • What promise had God made to the people of Israel? How did Joshua keep that promise in mind as he led the people of Israel? • Randy mentioned God’s promise that God would be with not only Joshua, but the people of Israel. In the scripture from the sermon, God reminds the people not to be discouraged nor to be afraid, for He is with them. How has God been with you in time a difficult time? In an ordinary time? During a time when you were afraid? During a time when you were discouraged?

Joshua had God’s presence. • Not only did Joshua have assurance that God was with him as he began to lead the people of Israel, but we can have His presence as well. When have you felt God’s presence in your life? What was the situation? What about the experience allowed you to be in His presence? • At times, God uses special places that draw us close into His presence. Sometimes it can be a place where we have met God in a very real and substantive experience. At other times, God has drawn us into His presence with a segment of His creation. Where is your sacred place where you feel the presence of God? What is it about that place that draws you near to Him? How does His presence move beyond that special place into your everyday life?

Closing Prayer Either individually or as a group, close in prayer. Ask for God to take the lessons learned from this study to more fully commit your life to be filled with His presence and His service to others.

*Man’s Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl, can be ordered through the Mt. Bethel bookstore, Chapter and Verse, by emailing Janet at [email protected].

Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church / 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068 / 770.971.2880 / mtbethel.org