Archive for the ‘Canaan’ tag
The Twelve Spies in Canaan: September 9, 2012
The text for this lesson is Numbers 13–14.
Key Point
- By God’s power, Israel rose victorious over many great enemies; by the power of Christ who fought for us on the cross, we are victorious over the greater enemies of sin, death, and the devil.
- Law: I do not always believe God’s promises; instead, I grumble and am afraid.
- Gospel: God always keeps His promises, especially His promise to save me from my sin by the sacrifice of His Son.
Discussion Points
- Have you ever been asked to do something that you could not possibly do? How did you react to the request? How did you feel about the person who made the request of you?
- When have you seen someone accomplish something you had thought was impossible? How did he or she manage?
- Read Numbers 13:1–3. What kind of men were sent to spy out Canaan? Why would these have been chosen?
- Read Numbers 13:17–20. What were the spies sent to find out? Why were these important questions? Read Numbers 13:25–29. What was the Israelites’ outlook?
- Read Numbers 14:1–9. How did the people react to the news of their impossible mission? Why did Joshua and Caleb feel differently?
- In verse 10, the people were ready to stone Moses, Aaron, Caleb, and Joshua, and so God announced judgment against them. Read of God’s judgment in Numbers 14:26–35. Then read about the people’s reaction in Numbers 14:39–45. What messages does God send by this defeat?
- The Israelites faced an impossible mission, but God specializes in doing the impossible. What “impossible” work has God done in your life, and how did you respond?
- The Israelites stood on the edge of a Promised Land that they could not see but believed was there by the promise of God. So do we! What obstacles make it difficult to believe God’s promises? How does God work in our lives to keep our eyes on His promise of eternal life?
October 12, 2008: Deborah
The text for this lesson is Judges 4:1–5:31.
Key Points
- Through the unlikely acts of Deborah, Barak, and Jael, God brought about victory for His people and freed them from tyranny. Through the unlikely virgin birth and Christ’s death on the cross, God brought about our victory and freed us from the tyranny of hell.
- Law: Sin always leads us to slavery, and ultimately death, trapping me under its control.
- Gospel: Christ rescues me from the oppression of sin so that in Him I might have ultimate freedom.
- Bible Words: Romans 8:2.
- Faith Words: judge, retribution, justice, rebellion.
- Hymn: “Lord of Our Life” (LSB 659; LW 301; TLH 258)
- Catechism: The First Commandment, The Lord’s Prayer: Third Petition
October 5, 2008: The Fall of Jericho
The text for this lesson is Joshua 6:1–27.
Key Points
- God saved the Israelites by causing the fortress walls of Jericho to tumble and fall and by guiding them through His servant Joshua. God saves us by causing the fortress of sin and death to tumble and fall through the redeeming work of Jesus so that we might become and remain His people.
- Law: Prideful, I place my trust in the false walls of self-security; my works and my accomplishments weakly crumble around me.
- Gospel: God delivers me from the ruin of my sin and provides me a mighty fortress in Christ.
- Bible Words: Psalm 46:10.
- Faith Words: exalt, Jesus, salvation, sin.
- Catechism: The First Commandment.
