Session Purpose
Building on the practice introduced in Session 4, we will study why meditation matters through . We will consider Joshua’s particular calling and how attention to God’s Word strengthens faithful obedience. Our memory passage is , beginning with verse 8 if needed.
Opening Prayer
Father, help us treasure your Word, understand it rightly, and obey it faithfully. Give us courage to follow you and confidence in your presence. Through your Spirit, shape our thoughts, words, and actions according to your truth. Amen.
Memory Passage
“This law scroll must not leave your lips. You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful. I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do.” - NET2
If you are unable to memorize both verses, begin with . Continue working on verse 9 as you are able.
Memorize the passage in phrases:
- This law scroll must not leave your lips.
- You must memorize it day and night
- so you can carefully obey all that is written in it.
- Then you will prosper and be successful.
- I repeat, be strong and brave!
- Don’t be afraid and don’t panic,
- for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do.
Bible Study
Read slowly at least twice.
Joshua’s Calling and God’s Promise
- What responsibility does God give Joshua after Moses’ death?
- What promises does God give Joshua in verses 3–6?
- Why would God’s presence matter more than Joshua’s natural confidence or leadership ability?
God’s Word and Joshua’s Obedience
- What commands concerning God’s law appear in verses 7–8?
- How would keeping God’s instruction on his lips “day and night” help Joshua lead faithfully?
- According to verse 8, what is the intended result of meditation?
Courageous and Faithful Service
- In Joshua’s particular calling, what do “prosper” and “be successful” mean?
- What relationships do you see among God’s Word, God’s presence, obedience, courage, and faithful service?
Interpretive Summary, Prayer and Action
God commissioned Joshua to lead Israel into the land promised under the old covenant. Joshua’s courage and effectiveness would not arise from self-confidence but from God’s promised presence and his faithful attention to God’s instruction. He was to keep God’s Word upon his lips, meditate upon it continually, and carefully obey it.
Joshua’s calling and promises were given within his unique role in Israel’s history. We should not assume that every promise made to Joshua applies to us in precisely the same way. Nevertheless, the passage establishes an enduring pattern: God’s people are strengthened for faithful service as they receive, remember, meditate upon, and obey his Word.
Jesus is the greater Joshua who perfectly obeyed his Father and leads his people into their promised inheritance. United to Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, believers can meditate upon God’s Word and follow him with trusting courage.
Restate the Main Truth
Complete this sentence in your own words:
God gave Joshua his Word so that:
Respond in Prayer and Action
- What fear, responsibility, or difficult act of obedience do you need to face with confidence in God’s presence?
- What presently occupies your thoughts more consistently than God’s Word? What particular truth from Scripture do you need to bring into your thinking and speech?
- What specific act of obedience should result from meditating upon that truth?
Turn your answers into prayer. Thank God for speaking through his Word, confess where fear or distraction has controlled you, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you courage and faithful obedience.
Preparing for Session 6
Before the next meeting:
Learn at a manageable pace, including the reference. Review a small selection of earlier passages, rotating them through the week. Begin with the first verse if needed.
Continue your Daily Quiet Times and consider one truth from that strengthens faithful obedience in your circumstances.
Explain to a fellow participant how meditation leads from understanding God’s Word to trusting obedience.
Bring one insight or question and one experience of applying the passage. Share only what you choose.