Matthew 5:38-48 (HCSB)Go the Second Mile 38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with...  Read More

Deuteronomy 20:1-18 (HCSB)Rules for War20 “When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. 2 When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army. 3 He is to say to them: ‘Listen, Israel: Today you are abo...  Read More

Genesis 14:1-20  (HCSB)Abram Rescues Lot14 In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim 2 waged war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, as well as the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 All of these came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea). 4 ...  Read More

Disobedience Leads To DefeatThink carefully about your decisions and actions. Your choices will have an impact on those around you.KEY TRUTH: Our Choices Have Consequences for Us and for Others (Joshua 7:1–5, 10–26)KEY TRUTH: Disobeying God Leads to Failure and Judgment (Joshua 7:2–15))FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!How can thinking about the consequences of wrong actions ...  Read More

1. Think back on a time when your bad choices affected someone else. How did the experience change you?2. What’s something you have to repeatedly let go of in order to be obedient to God and His word? Is there a way to let it go completely?3. Are you in a season where obedience has become challenging? What parts of scripture builds you up when you are feeling weak?Want to dig deeper? Go directly t...  Read More

Joshua 8:30-35 (HCSB)Renewed Commitment to the Law30 At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the Lord, the God of Israel, 31 just as Moses the Lord’s servant had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the book of the law of Moses: an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used. Then they offered burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed fel...  Read More

Joshua 8:10-29 (HCSB)10 Joshua started early the next morning and mobilized them. Then he and the elders of Israel led the troops up to Ai. 11 All those who were with him went up and approached the city, arriving opposite Ai, and camped to the north of it, with a valley between them and the city. 12 Now Joshua had taken about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of t...  Read More

Joshua 8:1-9  (HCSB)Conquest of Ai8 The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole military force with you and go attack Ai. Look, I have handed over to you the king of Ai, his people, city, and land. 2 Treat Ai and its king as you did Jericho and its king; you may plunder its spoil and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.” 3 So Joshua and the whole m...  Read More

Joshua 7:16-26 (HCSB)Achan Judged16 Joshua got up early the next morning. He had Israel come forward tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was selected. 17 He had the clans of Judah come forward, and the Zerahite clan was selected. He had the Zerahite clan come forward by heads of families, and Zabdi was selected. 18 He then had Zabdi’s family come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, son ...  Read More

Joshua 7:1-15  (HCSB)Defeat at Ai7 The Israelites, however, were unfaithful regarding the things set apart for destruction. Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart, and the Lord’s anger burned against the Israelites. 2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and scout the land....  Read More

Obedience Leads To VictoryHonor God by dedicating all you have and all you are to Him.KEY TRUTH: God’s Instructions Don’t Always Make Sense to Us (Joshua 6:1–5)KEY TRUTH: Obeying God Leads to Godly Success and Blessing (Joshua 6:6–21)KEY TRUTH: Believers Should Keep Their Word Just as God Does (Joshua 6:22–27)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!How do you think you would have f...  Read More

1.  As a Christian, what motivates you to obey God’s commands? Is it fear? Is it peer pressure? Is it faith? What should be our motivation?2. What is a “wall” in your life right now that seems impossible to bring down?3. Are there areas where God is calling you to obey, but His direction seems illogical to you? Have there been times like this in the past?Want to dig deeper? Go directly to www.mike...  Read More