Life Group Questions

1. If you could not hear this week’s sermon, consider going to the church website and listening to it. What main ideas did you gain from the message? Do you have any questions?

2. Why do you think the writer brings Joshua back onto the scene in chapter two (cf. Joshua 24:28; Judges 1:1)? How does this impact the structure of the book? What message and implications does the mention of his death convey?

3. What does the writer want us to understand about the transition from Joshua’s leadership, followed by the elders who outlived him, and finally the next generation? Judging from the outcome, what failures or deficiencies might have existed on the part of Joshua and the elders (cf. Deuteronomy 6:1-3)? What are some things we may need to do to avoid a similar outcome?

4. What does it mean to be unfaithful to God? What are some of the consequences associated with unfaithfulness toward God and rejection of His commands (cf. Genesis 20:7; Exodus 7:14-18; Jeremiah 1:15-16; Ezekiel 24:14)? List some of the sins that Israel committed against God, according to the text? Do you feel that as a country and people, we are obeying any better than Israel? Do you think our country has become more or less faithful to God in the last 10, 20 or 50 years. Explain your answer in detail.

5. What are some ways in which you have been unfaithful to God? What consequences have you faced as a result of your attitude and actions? What about other people? Have you seen others face consequences as a result of their stubbornness or rejection of God? What lessons should we learn?

6. Do you agree that as humans, we are prone to wander from God? How is it that we can guard our ways, and why is that necessary (cf. Proverbs 4:20-27; Psalm 119:9-11)? How are you doing with guarding your Christian life? Read 2 Timothy 1:12-14 and elaborate on its truth and encouragement for us.

7. How do you explain the idea that God became angry with Israel, and yet He is a God of love (cf. Proverbs 6:16-19)? Is it difficult for you to embrace the idea that God becomes angry with people (cf. Exodus 4:14; Numbers 11:1; Deuteronomy 9:18; etc.)? Do you think God has ever been angry toward you? Explain.

8. Read the following passages and describe some of the warnings that God voiced to Israel: Leviticus 26:14-20; Deuteronomy 28:15-20? How did Israel respond to God’s warnings? What were some of the consequences they faced as a result of their disobedience?

by Terry Beatty /  Lead Teacher and Ministry Vision