Main Themes: Choice, Free Will, What it means to serve the Lord
(See background information below.)
Guide for Point of Light Groups
Welcome: Read the purpose of your group:
Our goal is to grow as disciples of Jesus and to make disciples of other people by inviting them to our group. Each person here has the potential to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom.
Worship: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Show a video with the lyrics, such as No Longer Slaves.
Opening Question: What are some good choices you have made in your life? What are some bad choices you have made in your life?
Introduction: Read the background information below.
Word: Read Joshua 24:1-15 aloud together. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story — keep at it until everyone knows the story.) Have someone tell the story in their own words. Ask others to add any details that were missed. When all the details are filled in, have someone tell the story in their own words.
Discussion: Discuss the questions below together. (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. Use them however you see fit and in whatever order you think best.)
Digging Deeper: For these questions, you may want to divide into two groups for males and females.
Prayer Time:
Pray for an empty chair, representing new people you want to join the group. Think of specific people to pray for by name.
Divide into two groups for males and females to pray for the needs of the members of the group.
Looking Ahead:
Assign group members to do different parts of the meeting as you prepare them (opening question; prayer time; read background info; lead group).
Ask each person the name of someone they will invite to the group for next week.
Background Information
Joshua has accomplished the purpose God has given him. He has led God's people to conquer and take possession of the promised land. He now calls the people together (verse 1). He reminds them of all the good things God has done for them (verses 2-13). Then Joshua tells them that each one of them must make a choice to serve God or not. (verses 14-15ab). Then Joshua tells them that no matter what everyone else decides, he, Joshua, chooses to follow and serve the Lord. Note that Joshua's choice will affect his family (household).
Joshua mentions 3 things that the people of God (us) must do in verse 14. First is to fear God. This means to follow Jesus and live the way he tells us in the Bible—to obey Him in the way we live. Second is to serve the Lord. This means to do His work on this earth of reaching other people so they can become followers of Jesus. Third is to put away other gods. This means to eliminate anything that comes before Jesus in our lives. Another way of saying this is to be transformed.
Key Verse: But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. — Joshua 24:15
Discussion Questions
What new thing did you discover in the story that you did not know before?
Put yourself in Joshua's position. How do you think he felt? What was he thinking? Can you relate to him? Put yourself in the people's position. How did they feel? think?
What did you learn about God from the story?
What do you learn about people from the story?
What important lessons for us do you see in this story?
What will you take away from this discussion?
What will you do with what you have learned? (Make sure everyone answers this.)
Digging Deeper Questions
What does it mean to fear the Lord? Do you fear the Lord?
What does it mean to serve the Lord? What choice do you want to take to serve the Lord?
Joshua tells the people to put away (throw away) the other gods so they can serve the Lord. What do you need to put away in your life so you can serve the Lord?