Week 4: , Joshua, and Judges

OPEN IN PRAYER

CHECK-IN:

1. Have there been any “aha” moments in your reading that could be God speaking to you through His Word? How might He be inviting you to respond? How might you tangibly live that out in your life this week?

• This should be different from the questions sent into Chump the Stump. Get your group members thinking about applications. Feel free to help someone dig deeper if their response only scratches the surface by continuing to ask follow-up questions.

• Here are some examples:

o During this pandemic, I have noticed that I am like the Israelites. As soon as I feel panicked, I turn to other things, to lesser “gods”. Though I am not literally constructing a golden calf, I make working out, Netflix, books, food, my job, my family, or my own intelligence my idol and spend my time contemplating and dwelling on these things instead of focusing my gaze on the Lord.

o The direct command to Joshua from the Lord, “Do not fear” is a phrase I have heard repeatedly during this season. I find myself turning to the news to hear updates, almost as if I want something to fear. I have been convicted that, like Joshua, I must trust God and remember He is bigger and stronger than even an invisible and lethal virus. He is bigger than my bank account, my career, and my health. To be honest, this discipline of releasing my fears to the Lord is hard, but with the Spirit’s help, I commit to releasing these fears each morning (and not checking the news/stock market/unemployment rates, etc. multiple times a day).

o I see the sin of God’s people repeatedly in Judges and am reminded of my own continuous sin. They were encouraged to repent; I need to make confession and repentance a more regular practice in my own life, for I see the restoration it brings to our relationship with Christ.

QUESTIONS FROM THE TEXT:

1. Joshua: Recall the Israelites crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-14:21) and then their crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3:1-4:24). By crossing the waters, the Israelites were symbolically being “baptized” into their mission field. Later, we will read of Christ’s baptism (Matthew 3:13- 17) into His mission field, and then His final commission to all Christ followers: “Go therefore and make discipleship of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to do all I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20). With this heritage in mind, reflect on your own baptism. Do you view it as a “step into your ministry”? Where has God currently called you to be a blessing to the nations? How is He asking you to bless them?

• A little more background: The crossing of the Jordan opens us up to one of the most important sacraments/ordinances: Baptism.

o The first generation of Israelites were delivered from slavery from the Egyptians and “saved” to new life.

o The second generation of Israelites were led by Joshua and Caleb through the Jordan River. To get to their “mission field” of Canaan, they had to experience baptism. The Jordan River is where they experienced deliverance (from their slavery to the wilderness) to their mission field.

o When we look at Jesus, His baptism is wonderfully complex. He did not need to repent of sin (John the Baptist knew this), but Jesus says He is being baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus was not referring to any prophecy when he stated this. Instead His righteousness is part of being baptized into His mission field (His mission field is not the nations). Jesus’ mission field is to gather the sheep of Israel as their king. But He calls to Himself 12 followers, like the 12 tribes, to then go to their mission field of the nations.

▪ By His baptism, Christ is embodying Israel (what they were called to do in Exodus and Joshua).

▪ Christ is crucified as Israel’s king; He is who Israel is supposed to be (A Righteous and Holy people).

▪ When Jesus is baptized, he is not just picturing Israel’s story but also death and resurrection.

▪ When we are baptized, we are being baptized into death and resurrection as well as being initiated into our mission field.

• We aren’t just saved from sin; we are saved for God’s mission into this world.

▪ This is achieved through the death and resurrection of Jesus where we are brought into God’s people. God’s people with a king. God’s people with a mission.

o Baptized into our mission fields ▪ Remind your group that as New Testament Gentiles and Christians, our mission isn’t confined to the four corners or Israel/Canaan, but our mission has been expanded to the four corners of the world.

▪ Invite people to share their baptism experience (whether they were infants, teens, or adults). If someone has not been baptized and wants to know more about being baptized, please contact one of the pastors or Catie and they will be in touch.

▪ Our mission fields are every sphere in which we interact. Encourage group members to think holistically at first (naming all of their spheres: home, work, play), and then to consider specific people within those spheres God may be placing on their hearts and minds to “bless.”

▪ “Blessing” could look like a lot of things, but ultimately, as we bless people the ultimate blessing should be sharing the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Encourage people to share if they have examples of how they have done this in their lives.

2. Judges: In the book of Judges, we notice a four-part cycle that starts each time with the Israelites rebelling against Yahweh by worshiping other gods (see Judges 2:11-19 for the illustrative pattern). What are the other three parts to the cycle that inevitably follow?

1) The Israelites rebel against Yahweh by worshiping other gods (Judges 2:11-13); 2) God raises up an oppressor (Judges 2:14-15); 3) The Israelites cry out to Yahweh (Judges 2:18); and 4) God raises up a deliverer (Judge) (Judges 2:16-17,19).

3. Judges: In the two stories you read highlighting Deborah and Gideon, what does this cycle look like? What role did the judges play? What does their installation tell us about the character of God?

• Deborah, Judges 4-5: o The Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord (Judges 4:1) o The Lord sold them into the hands of King Jabin and Jabin was cruel to them (Judges 4:2-3) o Because of King Jabin’s cruelty, the Israelites cried out to God (4:3) o The Lord raises up Deborah to lead the people to their deliverance (4:4, 9, 14, 23-24; 5:31)

• Gideon, Judges 6-7 o The Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord (6:1) o For seven years they were given to the hands of the Midianites (6:1) o Midian was so harsh to the Israelites they cried out to the Lord (6:6) o God raises up Gideon (6:13-14) o The Israelites are delivered (7:17-25)

• Functions of a judge: o A judge, in the book of Judges, does not necessarily adjudicate cases. Instead, he or she is endowed by God’s spirit to liberate God’s people.

o Judges 2:16 gives some clarity to the role of a judge (specifically, the role of a judge mentioned in this book). A judge led God’s people into right worship, was empowered by the Holy Spirit, saved God’s people, and taught God’s people God’s word. The Spirit empowered the judge to deliver God’s people from oppression and bring them back to covenant fidelity.

o A judge could be any Israelite upon whom God sent His spirit to lead His people. Their ultimate goal was to deliver God’s people.

• How God’s character is revealed: o It must be remembered that God empowered the judge; therefore, they were not the hero in the Israelites' salvation, but God was the hero.

o This installation of a judge shows God’s kindness. He wants His people to live lives of Holiness so that He can be in relationship with them.

• We will continue seeing how He shows grace upon grace, gives second chance upon chance, so that His people can walk with Him. Our God is after restoration to what was-- walking with Him in the garden.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER EVERY WEEK

1. What did you learn about God (His character and nature)?

2. What did you learn about humanity (and our tendencies)?

3. How then shall we live (based on what we learned about God and humankind)?

WHAT QUESTIONS DID YOU HAVE?

Don’t forget to email Erin ([email protected]) to submit to Stump the Chump.