Bible Study for April 10, 2017
Choices & Consequences: An Unlikely Hero
Joshua 2
CREATE INTEREST
1. SAY: To introduce our Bible study topic for today, we’re going to play a made up game called, “What
would it take…” Here’s how we’ll play: I’m going to ask what it would take for you to make some
proposed lifestyle changes, and we’ll let volunteers tell us what it would take to get you to make the
proposed change. (Maybe nothing would!) We’ll start with a simple one:
What would it take for you to change brands of toothpaste? (For each question, allow one or
two participants to say what it would take.)
What would it take for you to give up coffee, (or carbonated soda), for a week? (Discuss).
What would it take to get you to switch doctors or dentist? (discuss).
What would it take to get you to change from being a Dallas Cowboys fan to being a Houston
Texans fan? (Discuss. If they say, no way, ask: What WOULD it take? What would you do it for?
A million dollars??)
Optional: What would it take to get you to switch political parties? (NOTE: be careful not to let
this topic get out of hand and become a bashing of a political party or candidate).
2. ASK: In your opinion, why is it so difficult for people to make changes? (Discuss)
3. ASK: Here’s one more game question and don’t answer out-loud, only think about: What would it
take to get you to change from being a Christ-follower to become an agnostic; (or any other religion)?
Pause. SAY: “This is one change I could never be convinced to make, and I hope you would never make
either.”
BIBLE STUDY
4. SAY: Today’s study on choices and consequences from Joshua 2 centers on a very unlikely person.
Read Joshua 2:1a. “The Joshua, son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. ‘Go look over the land,’
he said, ‘especially Jericho.’”
SAY: This phrase “Joshua, son of Nun,” is written 10 times in the book. Our lesson writer suggests the
phrase is used to introduce a new story or episode about Joshua and God’s people.
The place where the spies were departing from, “Shittim” is the word meaning, “Acacia Trees.”
This type of tree was what the portable tabernacle frame was built out of.
These spies were sent to look specifically at one city: Jericho. From our lesson writer: “Jericho
has the lowest elevation of any town on the planet. Located on the western edge of the Jordan Valley
and northwest of the Dead Sea, it is 750-feet below sea level. It is commonly called ‘the oldest city in the
world’ as it is the earliest fortified town that archaeologists have ever discovered. Rich soil and an
incredible water source (a natural spring) made it an attractive place for settlement. It was settled
before 9000 BC and became a walled city by 8000 BC. The strategic importance of the location of
Jericho cannot be overstated. It controlled the major road leading out of the Jordan Valley into the
Judean and Samarian highlands. The Israelites had no hope of controlling the mountainous regions of
Canaan without the conquest of Jericho. This walled city is central to the story of this book.”
5. ASK: If spies were going into the land, what would be the “obvious give-aways” that they were “spies”
to the current residents? (Discuss; possible answers: language; accents; culture; looks).
ASK: How would you try to disguise yourself if you had been one of these two spies? (Discuss).
We are going to encounter a lady named Rahab in our story today. ASK: Does anyone know or
remember anything about a person named Rahab from their New Testament studies? (Answers: She is
one of four women listed in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, Matt. 1:5; She is mentioned by James as one
who showed her faith by her actions, James 2:25; And she is mentioned in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews
11:31 beside Abraham.)
6. SAY: Let’s read more about Rahab and the two spies. (Read verse 1b). “So they (the spies) went and
entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.” SAY: Rahab was a prostitute (in
Hebrew, it is where we get the word “pornography.” Yet she is mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy, and
acclaimed for her faith. That’s why I call this lesson, “an unlikely hero.”
ASK: Why do you think the spies went to a prostitute’s home? (Discuss. Any answers will be speculation.
“That’s where God led them”).
SAY: If you’re thinking this story is now a bit awkward, you’re not alone. Our lesson writer states it has
been “problematic” for many readers of the Bible. The problematic question is, “How could God lead His
people to someone for help who so clearly breaks His laws in the 10 commandments.” Let’s see if there
are answers as we continue reading.
7. Have volunteer read Joshua 2:2-7. ASK: Why do you think Rahab took the side of these Hebrew spies
and then lied to her own people (governmental authorities)? (Discuss. Perhaps she was marginalized in
her society, and wanted out. (Again, all answers are speculation). Let’s continue reading. Have volunteer
read verses 8-13. SAY: It’s been said that “The Bible is a book written by adults, for adults.” This story is
one example, meaning, would you want to explain this story to your younger children? And yet it’s in
God’s word. Rahab’s occupation required her to deal with men. It was a part of her “occupation.” She
attempted to strike a deal with these “spies” on behalf of her family. Let’s read the rest of the story.
Have volunteer read 14-24.
APPLY TO LIFE
8. SAY: The book of James mentions Rahab: Let me read it for you: “In the same way, was not even
Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent
them off in a different direction?” SAY: This story became a living testimony to God’s people about how
God acts on behalf of his people, so much so that Rahab became an example of “living faith” in God
because of what she did.
9. Our study in Joshua and Judges is entitled, “Choices and Consequences.” When the spies came to
Rahab’s house, she had a choice to make. What would she do? Who would she side with? She ultimately
chose to side with these people who she knew were being led by a God greater than any she knew. Her
words: “I know that the Lord has given this land to you.” “We have heard how the Lord has parted the
waters…” “For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”
10. ASK: What are the takeaways from this story? Why is it included in God’s word? What can we learn?
(Discuss). Conclude with this answer: We should never be exclusive in our understanding of who God
can use and how he can use others. He uses the most unlikely people, (at least from our perspective),
and that means he can and wants to use each of us. As we live our faith; (or as our pastor would say, as
we “faith” our living), we too can save lives like Rahab did: maybe physically, and certainly spiritually.
11. Going back to our game we started with, “What would it take?” Think on this: What will it take for
you and me to demonstrate our faith in Jesus to those we live and work with? Will we act on our faith to
make a difference in this world and in someone else’s life? What are the consequences if we don’t?