The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Joshua 15-18
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 4: The Land: God’s place for his people
Background Information: Joshua 15-18
This tedious appointing of the land is the fulfilment of what had been approved by Moses. Seven tribes had yet to receive their distribution of the land, so a survey was taken, maps were made, and lots were cast to understand God’s will on their allotment. We don’t know exactly what these “lots” were, perhaps stones, or sticks, or a kind of dice. God allowed them to be used to discern his will at that time. The last recorded use was when the disciples sought to discern who would replace Judas in Acts 1. After the giving of the Spirit at Pentecost, the church no longer needed this convention to discern God’s will. Now we have God’s Word, God’s Spirit, and God’s people to discern the will of God. Much attention has been given to the written law of God, and now we see attention being given to the land God had for his people. The law guided the people in their lives, and a map book was written as a guide to how the land was to be distributed. The Covenant declared that Israel would be a distinct people in a distinct place. Thus, God gave them the law and the land. We are now God’s people with the law written on our hearts by the Spirit and our “land” is not of this world. We are, as Peter wrote, “strangers and aliens” in the world. (1 Peter 2:11)
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for those in our church who are sick. Ask God to strengthen their faith in this sickness. Pray that they would be encouraged. Ask God to protect and heal their body.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call some now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.
Review the Storyline Map: Where we are in the Bible
Act 1 God’s Plan for All People
Scene 1: The Creation: The God of all of life.
Scene 2: The Fall: Rejecting God’s vision for life
Scene 3: The Flood: God judges and makes a covenant to preserve life
Act 2 God’s Covenant People
Scene 1: The People: God calls a Covenant People
Scene 2: Deliverance: God rescues his people.
Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people
Week 12:
Scene 4: The Land: God’s place for his people
Day 1: Joshua 3-6
Day 2: Joshua 7-10
Day 3: Joshua 11-14
Day 4: Joshua 15-18
Day 5: Joshua 19-22
Day 6: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people.
Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God’s people
Scene 8: Exile: God disciplines his people
Scene 9: Return: God delivers his people again
Act 3 God’s New Covenant People
Scene 1: Christ’s coming: God’s true king arrives
Scene 2: Christ’s ministry: God’s true king manifest his kingdom
Scene 3: Christ’s deliverance of his people: God’s work through the death, resurrection, and enthronement of his king
Scene 4: Christ’s church: God’s people advance the kingdom
Scene 5: Christ second coming: God future for the kingdom