RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT'S MANUAL
LESSON TWENTY-THREE
SUNDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2020

TOPIC: JOSHUA

*SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN*

*1.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

*2.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

*3.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

*4.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

*5.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I'll be in Sunday School.

*6.* O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

MEMORY VERSE: "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto hi, and did as the LORD commanded Moses." -- Deuteronomy 34:9

BIBLE PASSAGE: JOSHUA 1:1-9

Joshua:1.1
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying:
Joshua:1.2
"Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them -- the children of Israel.
Joshua:1.3
"Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
Joshua:1.4
"From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.
Joshua:1.5
"No man shall [be able to] stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua:1.6
"Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
Joshua:1.7
"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
Joshua:1.8
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua:1.9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God [is] with you wherever you go."

INTRODUCTION
Joshua the son of Nun (Jo's. 1:1) can be described as the military aide of Moses (Exodus 17:8-9). He was ordained and appointed to succeed Moses. God and Moses ordained him (Numbers 27:18-23). He made his first appearance in Exodus 17:8-16. He is of the tribe of Ephraim and his original name was 'Hoshea' meaning 'Salvation' ( Deuteronomy 32:44) which is also spelt 'Oshea' (Numbers 13:. Moses renamed him Joshua meaning 'Jehovah saves' (Numbers 13:16). Alternative spelling of his name are 'Jehoshua' (Numbers 13:16). 'Jehoshuah' (1Chron. 7:27) and ' Jeshua' (Nehemiah 8:17). He died at the age of one hundred and ten (Joshua 24:29).


OUTLINES OUTLINES
1. CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2. LESSONS FROM JOSHUA'S LIFE

CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom (Deuteronomy 34:9). He was a warrior who led Israel to battle from the time of Moses (Exodus 17:9-15). He was optimistic together with Caleb ( Numbers 14:6). A faithful follower of Moses ( Exodus 33:8-11). He accompanied Moses to Mount Sinai and waited for him at the bottom of the mountain while Moses climbed the mountain to receive from God the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:13-14; Ex. 32:15-19). He was humble enough to understudy Moses. Joshua was committed to serving God and also made his family to serve God (Jo's. 24:15). He had a strong faith in God even in the battle such that he altered the course of nature ( Joshua 10:12-14). His farewell message condemned idolatry as he wanted Israel to serve God (Joshua 23 and 24). He took counsel from God before doing anything except in the case of the Gibeonite (Joshua 5:13+14) and the people of 'Ai' (Joshua 7:3) where he allowed people to influence his decisions.

Joshua succeeded Moses (Joshua 1:1-2,5). Joshua parted river Jordan ( Joshua 3:13-17). He took Israel to the Promised Land and divided the conquered cities among the tribes of Israel as God mandated him (Jo's. 1:6). Joshua led the miraculous and historical conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6). He was able to charge the Israelites not to deviate from serving God; a legacy that lasted after his death (Joshua 24:14-16; 20:24).

LESSONS FROM JOSHUA'S LIFE

Believers should hold on to God's counsel and remain strong to the end ( Jo's. 1:6-7; Eph. 6:10-11). We should learn to be obedient and follow through with detailed divine instructions ( Joshua 3; 6:1-21; 1Samuel 15:22; 2Corinthians 10:6). We should be bold in the face of challenges ( Joshua 5:13-14; Joshua 10:12-14; 2Timothy 1:7). Like Joshua believers must shun unfaithfulness ( Joshua 7:19-26; 1Corinthians 4:2).

CONCLUSION
Believers who remain obedient to divine instructions will enjoy divine help always.

QUESTIONS
1. Mention three attributes that characterized Joshua.
2. What lessons can believers learn from Joshua's life?