Taking the Land
(Joshua 10-11)
August 10, 2025
Sunday Recap
•
Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
The promises of God never fail. Indeed, as Joshua continued to lead the people, God’s promise to give them the land of Canaan came true. God’s intervention and faithful provision were unmistakable as He fought for the Israelites in every battle to take the Promised Land.
How do we see God’s omnipotence at work in today’s Bible passage? How do we see Joshua’s faith at work?
In Joshua 10, the Lord spoke directly to Joshua to instill comfort and confidence and to remind him that the Lord had already established victory for His people. God brought destruction on His enemies by throwing them into confusion, leading them to run away in panic, striking them down with hailstones, and causing the sun to stand still so His people could win the battle. Following this, even more armies rallied their forces against Israel. But God promised Joshua that all of Israel’s opponents would soon be killed (Joshua 11:6). God proved Himself all-powerful by intervening against the forces of both man and nature to grant His people victory in battle.
Joshua took God at His Word and faithfully fulfilled his role as Israel’s leader. Joshua moved in confident submission toward the things of the Lord and trusted in God’s promised deliverance. Scripture even tells us that on a day like no other, Joshua asked the Lord for the sun to be still, and God listened to His servant! Joshua trusted in God’s promise of victory and led the Israelites to do the same.
Consider what an act of faith it was for God’s people to fight each battle, one city at a time, trusting God’s promises despite the opposition ahead. The belief that God is all-powerful not only aided the Israelites in their mission to conquer the land; it also serves to encourage us as we live by faith and not by sight. God trampled over the Israelites’ flesh-and-blood enemies. He has likewise vanquished the powers of sin and darkness by sending His Son. Lead the boys and girls in your care to see the power of God who fights on our behalf and the love of His Son who died on the cross in our place and rose again.
** Next week: Joshua’s Farewell (Joshua 23-24)
Family Discipleship Plan
•
Family Discipleship Plan •
-
Read Joshua 10–11 from the Bible.
-
Derek Redmond was ready to run the 400m race at the 1992 Olympic Games. Many thought Derek would win the race. But halfway through the race, Derek fell to the ground with an injured hamstring that made it impossible to run.
Determined to finish, Derek attempted to limp toward the finish line. Just then, Derek’s father, Jim, came from the crowd, lifted his son on his shoulder, and helped Derek finish the race. When he needed it the most, Derek’s father was there to help!
God had promised victory for the Israelite army. As Joshua and the Israelites fought the five kings’ armies, the Lord was with them. And when they needed it the most, God was there to help!
When Joshua prayed, God made the sun stand still and allowed the Israelites to conquer the enemy armies. Like a father who comes to help his children, God fought for His people and gave them the land He had promised.
God fought for Israel, and all their enemies were defeated. Jesus lived a sinless life and defeated our enemies––sin and death––when He died on the cross. If we believe in Him, we receive His righteousness.
Pray: God, we know that You are a loving Father. You love Your children and always want to help them in their time of need. We praise You because You saw our greatest need was salvation and You sent Jesus to be the Savior we needed. Amen.
-
Who is the King of glory? The Lord, who is strong and mighty. The Lord, who is mighty in battle.
Psalm 24:8 NIrV
-
Mornings
Thank God for the people who help you and take care of you. Ask God to help you show appreciation for the ways they serve you today. How has God met your needs through the help of others? How is this a sign of His love for you?
Evenings
Ask God to remind you of His power to do what might seem impossible. What thoughts did you have about God when you read of His miracle that helped Joshua? How does this story show us His power over creation?
-
For Fun
Take your family on an outing to a place where you can get a good view of the sunset (or sunrise). As you take in the beauty of the changing sun, talk about how God fought for His people by making the sun stand still. Remind your kids that God is in control of everything, and we can find comfort in trusting Him.
To Serve
Guide each family member to come up with a way they can serve another family member this week. It could be making their lunch, doing their chores, cleaning their room, and so forth.
Remind each family member that these acts of service for one another are just small reminders of how God loves and helps His people. The greatest example of this is Jesus, who came to serve as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.