Book: The Way of the Word: Chapter 6: Joshua - Study Guide
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- 23 hours ago
- 6 min read
Welcome back to our journey through The Way of the Word. We’ve traveled through the wilderness of the Pentateuch, seeing God’s creative power in Genesis, His deliverance in Exodus, His holiness in Leviticus, His discipline in Numbers, and His heart in Deuteronomy. Now, the baton has passed. Moses, the great servant of the Lord, is dead. A new generation stands on the banks of the Jordan, looking across at a land flowing with milk and honey, but also filled with walled cities and formidable giants.
In Chapter 6 of our main text, we explored how the Book of Joshua isn't just a military history; it's a blueprint for spiritual victory. It’s about moving from promise to possession. It’s one thing to have a promise from God; it’s another thing entirely to walk in it, secure it, and live in the "rest" He has prepared for you.
This study guide is designed for small groups, Sunday school classes, or your own deep-dive personal study. We’re going to unpack the themes of Spirit-empowered courage, the necessity of consecration, and the reality of the battles we face as we seek to lay hold of our spiritual inheritance in Christ. Let’s dive in.
The Heart of the Matter: Transitioning into Victory
Joshua is a book of "firsts." The first time Israel enters the land as a nation. The first time they see the Jordan part (mirroring the Red Sea for a new generation). The first major victory at Jericho. But before the first sword was drawn, the first victory happened in the heart of a leader and the soul of a people.
Joshua 1:5 gives us the bedrock: "No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."
This is the Assemblies of God "Core Truth" in action: the authority of Scripture and the presence of God. We don't fight for victory; we fight from victory because the Lord of Hosts is already on the field.
Key Themes for Discussion
1. Courage Rooted in the Word (Joshua 1)
God tells Joshua to be "strong and courageous" three times in the first chapter. But this isn't a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" kind of courage. It’s a courage that is chemically bonded to the Word of God.
The Blueprint: Joshua is told that success comes from meditating on the Law day and night (Josh 1:8).
The Presence: The command is followed by the promise: "for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think God repeated the command to be "strong and courageous" so many times? What does this tell us about the human heart during seasons of transition?
In a modern context, how does "meditating on the Word" differ from just reading it? How does this practice fuel your courage when you face "giants" in your own life?
Joshua had to lead after a legend (Moses). How do we handle the pressure of expectations when God calls us to step into new roles of leadership or service?
2. Consecration Before the Miraculous (Joshua 3)
Before the Jordan River stopped flowing, the people had a job to do. Joshua told them: "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you" (Josh 3:5).
In our Pentecostal heritage, we understand that holiness isn't a legalistic burden; it's a preparation for power. If we want to see the "amazing things" of the Holy Spirit, we must be a people set apart for His use.
Discussion Questions: 4. What does "consecration" look like in the 21st century? Is it just about what we stop doing, or is it more about who we are turning toward? 5. Why does God often require a step of obedience (like the priests stepping into the water while it was still flowing) before He performs the miracle? 6. How does personal holiness affect the "corporate" power of a local church?
3. The Mercy of the Scarlet Cord (Joshua 2 & 6)
Rahab is one of the most incredible figures in the Bible. A Canaanite woman, a prostitute, and a resident of a doomed city, yet she becomes an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Her story reminds us that God's mercy isn't bound by our past or our pedigree.
Discussion Questions: 7. Rahab’s faith was based on hearing about what God had done (Josh 2:10-11). How does her story challenge us in our mission to share the "good news" with those who seem furthest from God? 8. The scarlet cord in Rahab's window is often seen as a "type" or shadow of the blood of Christ. How does this symbol provide comfort to those who feel they have "too much baggage" to be part of God's plan? 9. In what ways can our church be more like the house of Rahab, a place of refuge and transition for those coming out of "Jericho"?
Action Steps: Walking It Out
A study guide is only as good as the tracks it leaves in your daily life. Joshua didn't just study the map; he crossed the river. Here is how we apply these truths this week:
The "One Verse" Challenge: Identify a "giant" or a "walled city" in your life right now (a fear, a difficult situation, a transition). Find one specific scripture that addresses that issue. Meditate on it (speak it, write it, think on it) every morning and evening this week, just as Joshua was commanded.
The Consecration Audit: Spend 15 minutes in quiet reflection with the Holy Spirit. Ask: "Is there anything in my life, a habit, an attitude, a distraction, that is keeping me from being fully available for the 'amazing things' You want to do?" Be willing to lay it down.
The "Step Into the River" Act: Is there something you feel God has called you to do, but you’re waiting for the "water to part" first? Take one small, tangible step of obedience toward that goal this week. Trust that the water will move when your feet get wet.
Visualizing the Victory: An Overview of the Conquest
To help your group grasp the flow of the Book of Joshua, use this framework to see how God moves His people from the wilderness into the inheritance.
Deep Dive: The Problem of the "Ban"
One of the hardest parts of Joshua for modern readers is the command to completely destroy the Canaanite nations (the herem or "the ban"). From an Assemblies of God perspective, we understand this through the lens of God’s absolute holiness and His judgment on extreme, entrenched evil (like child sacrifice and pervasive idolatry).
However, we must also see that this was a unique, historical moment in the "theocracy" of Israel. Today, our "warfare" is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual principalities (Ephesians 6). The "walls" we bring down are the "arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Group Activity:
Read Joshua 5:13-15. When Joshua asks the Commander of the Lord’s Army, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" the answer is "Neither."
Discuss: Why is it dangerous to assume God is "on our side"? How do we make sure we are "on His side" in the spiritual battles of our culture today?
Memory Verse
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." , Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Conclusion
Joshua ends with a powerful choice: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15). Victory in the Promised Land wasn't a one-time event; it was a daily decision to stay in covenant with the King. As you go through this week, remember that you are not wandering. You are a child of the King, empowered by the Spirit, standing on the promises of God. Take the land!
About the Author
Layne McDonald, Ph.D., is a pastor, author, and educator dedicated to helping believers grow in biblical literacy and spiritual maturity. With a heart for the local church and a deep commitment to Assemblies of God theology, Dr. McDonald’s work blends historical insight with practical, Spirit-led application. He lives to see the body of Christ equipped to lead with heart and live with eternal purpose.
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Is there a specific area of your life where you feel like you've been "circling the walls" of Jericho for too long without seeing them fall? What is the one step of "consecration" you are afraid to take, and what might happen if you finally took it?
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