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Bible Study: April 7, 2019


NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.

Bible Passages: Joshua 2:8-13; 6:15-17, 20-25

Discussion Questions:

— How do you live as your old, dead self at times? Why? How can you live as your new self?
— What are some ways God uses His people for His glory and mission?

Food for Thought:

Read Joshua 6:15-27. The battle was over. The once thriving, formidable city of Jericho was now a smoldering mound of ruins. But Joshua wasn’t done with Jericho just yet. It wasn’t enough that the city was destroyed; he cursed the pile of ruins, declaring that anyone who attempted to rebuild it would suffer greatly. This was not just an end for Jericho, it was to be the end.

But the end of Jericho was also a beginning for Rahab and her family. And in the same way, Rahab’s beginning was not just a beginning, it was the beginning. Her old self was as dead as the city she was leaving behind; she was now part of God’s people. Her faith in God had given her a new life. Her life was changed forever in this one event.

We see here a picture of the power of God to change us by grace through faith. When we trust in Christ, our old self is put to death and we are given new life in Christ.

When Rahab hid the spies, she asked them to promise that they would spare her and her family from death during Israel’s conquest of Jericho (2:12-13); but she would receive so much more. Removed from the city for their safety, they weren’t just sent on their way but were settled outside the Israelites’ camp. Later they were welcomed into the victorious people of God. In God’s mercy, Rahab and her family were allowed to live. In God’s grace, Rahab and her family were brought into the people of God.

Though Rahab was now part of God’s people, God still was not done with Rahab.

In Matthew 1, we see that her story continued. Rahab married Salmon and had a son named Boaz, who fathered Obed, who fathered Jesse. Then came David, the king whose descendant would be the promised King of kings — Jesus.

Surely Rahab had no idea what was in store for her on the day she asked in faith for two spies to spare her life.

The Gospel Project
The Gospel Project is a chronological, Christ-centered study for kids, students and adults. The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is one story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death. It is the story of redemption, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. More information can be found at LifeWay.com/gospelproject .

Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool or ordered at LifeWay Christian Stores.

    About the Author

  • Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources