Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Genesis to Revelation: Joshua, Judges, Ruth Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible
    Genesis to Revelation: Joshua, Judges, Ruth Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible
    Genesis to Revelation: Joshua, Judges, Ruth Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible
    Ebook210 pages2 hours

    Genesis to Revelation: Joshua, Judges, Ruth Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible

    By Ray Newell

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Study the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth, beginning with Joshua's story, then moving through Judges, and ending with the story of Ruth. Some of the major ideas explored are: sanctity and wonders, mercy in the face of judgment, judging the motive rather than the act, rest as an active state, God's positive and negative promises, putting our deeds in perspective, vengeance destroys the avenger, the visitor in our midst, and God's providence.
    Leader Guide includes:

    A verse-by-verse, in-depth look at the Scriptures.
    Background material, including word studies and history of the biblical setting.
    Answers to questions asked in the Participant Book.
    Application of the Scripture to daily life situations.
    Discussion suggestions.
    A variety of study options.
    Practical tips for leaders to use.


    More than 3.5 million copies of the series have been sold.

    This revision of the Abingdon classic Genesis to Revelation Series is a comprehensive, verse-by-verse, book-by-book study of the Bible based on the NIV. These studies help readers strengthen their understanding and appreciation of the Bible by enabling them to engage the Scripture on three levels:

    What does the Bible say? Questions to consider while reading the passage for each session.
    What does the passage mean? Unpacks key verses in the selected passage.
    How does the Scripture relate to my life? Provides three major ideas that have meaning for our lives today.


    The meaning of the selected passages are made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words. The simple format makes the study easy to use.
    Updates will include:

    New cover designs.
    New interior designs.
    Leader Guide per matching Participant Book (rather than multiple volumes in one book).
    Updated to 2011 revision of the New International Version Translation (NIV).
    Updated references to New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible.
    Include biblical chapters on the contents page beside session lesson titles for at-a-glance overview of biblical structure.
    Include larger divisions within the contents page to reflect macro-structure of each biblical book. Ex: Genesis 1-11; Genesis 12-50; Exodus 1-15; Exodus 16-40; Isaiah 1-39; Isaiah 40-66.


    The simple format makes the study easy to use. Each volume is 13 sessions.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAbingdon Press
    Release dateSep 18, 2018
    ISBN9781501855351
    Genesis to Revelation: Joshua, Judges, Ruth Leader Guide: A Comprehensive Verse-by-Verse Exploration of the Bible

    Related to Genesis to Revelation

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      How To Find A New Church

      Jan 26, 2023

      How To Find A New Church
      4 min read

    • Article

      Ask Val

      Jun 24, 2022

      Ask Val
      2 min read

    • Article

      THE WAR FOR OUR YOUTH Why creation still matters

      Dec 30, 2019

      We’re being told by public education systems, universities, media, some parents, and unfortunately many church leaders, that parts of the Bible are not relevant anymore and that we need to reinvent God’s word. So, with this situation, in order to und

      3 min read

    • Article

      Remember the Sabbath

      Jun 24, 2022

      Remember the Sabbath
      3 min read

    • Article

      Future Glory

      Mar 16, 2021

      For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ROMANS 8:18 (ESV) SCRIPTURE TELLS US that we are to glory in our sufferings. Because of faith, we can see the blessing in ev

      1 min read

    • Article

      Why Do The Wicked Prosper?

      Sep 4, 2020

      Why Do The Wicked Prosper?
      3 min read

    • Article

      fearless IN A FEARFUL WORLD

      Sep 4, 2020

      fearless IN A FEARFUL WORLD
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Miracles of Holy Week

      Mar 26, 2022

      The Miracles of Holy Week
      4 min read

    • Article

      Famous Fathers In The Bible

      May 20, 2019

      Scripture is filled with people who we can learn much from. When it comes to the challenging vocation of fatherhood, several fathers in the Bible show what is wise to do—and what is not wise to do. Of course, the most important father figure in the B

      2 min read

    • Article

      CHARACTERS OF THE BIBLE Jonah

      Jun 15, 2020

      We like to throw around the term “man of God” today, with the implication that such a person is mighty, anointed by God, and spiritually superior to all others. Often, people love to call themselves a “prophet” for similar reasons. They believe that

      3 min read

    • Article

      What Gospel Are You Sharing?

      Apr 13, 2020

      What Gospel Are You Sharing?
      2 min read

    • Article

      Thursday, September 30

      Aug 14, 2021

      DO YOU EVER FEEL OVERWHELMED with bad news? In the last few years, I’ve had tough circumstances touch my life. A good friend got breast cancer, my husband had hip-replacement surgery, one of my sons had his heart broken, and several friends shared wi

      1 min read

    • Article

      Stumbling Blocks That Delay Church Transformation Part 5

      May 20, 2022

      In my previous writings I have pointed out that institutionalised Christianity is fading away. Organised religious systems are sucking the life of Christ out of believers. In many cases, believers are busy with the church programme, but not with God.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Where is God IN THE CHAOS?

      Mar 18, 2022

      We live in extremely challenging times. Our unemployment rate is among the highest in the world. Our economy is tanking. Skilled people are emigrating. Crime, poverty, corruption, and violence are endemic in our society. Chaos seems to be overtaking

      3 min read

    • Article

      Wednesday, September 15

      Aug 14, 2021

      ON A RECENT VISIT TO my mom’s house, we were talking quietly one evening when the dogs started barking. I looked out the window and felt amazed to see how the security light illuminated so much of the yard. Quite a contrast to my childhood memories.

      1 min read

    • Article

      Manage Your Studies

      May 10, 2023

      Manage Your Studies
      2 min read

    • Article

      From the EDITOR

      Dec 29, 2023

      JOY! Magazine seeks to glorify God by educating and informing Christians of a biblical worldview and applying the Lordship of Jesus Christ to all areas of life. Strive for excellence and integrity in all things• Provide interesting, accurate, and ho

      1 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Genesis to Revelation

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Genesis to Revelation - Ray Newell

      1

      ENTERING THE

      PROMISED LAND

      Joshua 1–3

      DIMENSION ONE:

      WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

      Answer these questions by reading Joshua 1

      1. Who takes over the leadership of Israel when Moses dies? (Joshua 1:1-2)

      Joshua the son of Nun takes command.

      2. What part of the land the Israelites are about to enter will God give to them? (Joshua 1:3)

      Every place they set their foot will be given to them.

      3. What does the Lord promise to Joshua? (Joshua 1:5, 9)

      The Lord promises to be with Joshua wherever he goes.

      4. What condition does God lay down for the success of the coming conquest? (Joshua 1:7)

      Israel must be strong, courageous, and must strictly follow the law that Moses gave her.

      5. What is Joshua to do with the Book of the Law? (Joshua 1:8)

      He shall meditate on it day and night and do everything that is written in it.

      6. What does Joshua order the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to do? (Joshua 1:12-15)

      All the fully armed fighting men from these tribes shall cross over the Jordan and help the other tribes possess the land.

      7. How do these tribes respond to Joshua’s command? (Joshua 1:16-17)

      They will do whatever he commands and go wherever he sends them.

      Answer these questions by reading Joshua 2

      8. Where do the two spies go? (Joshua 2:1)

      They go to the house of Rahab, the prostitute, in Jericho.

      9. How does Rahab reply to the king of Jericho’s command to turn over the two men? (Joshua 2:4-5)

      She says the men left at dusk as the city gate was closing.

      10. Where are the two spies? (Joshua 2:6)

      Rahab has hidden them under the stalks of flax on her roof

      11. What does Rahab request of the two Israelite men? (Joshua 2:12-13)

      She asks them to swear to save the lives of her father’s house because she showed kindness to them.

      12. How do the two men respond to Rahab’s request? (Joshua 2:14)

      If Rahab will aid them, they promise to deal kindly and faithfully with her.

      13. What sign do the spies tell Rahab to display in order to save her family from death? (Joshua 2:18)

      They tell her to tie a scarlet cord in her window.

      14. What do the spies report to Joshua? (Joshua 2:24)

      They know that the Lord has given them the land because the people who live there are melting in fear of Israel.

      Answer these questions by reading Joshua 3

      15. What will lead the Israelites into the Promised Land? (Joshua 3:3)

      The people will follow the ark of the covenant into the land.

      16. How do the people prepare to cross the Jordan River? (Joshua 3:5)

      They consecrate themselves.

      17. Where does Joshua say the living God will be? (Joshua 3:10)

      Joshua says that the living God will be among the Israelites.

      18. Joshua says the waters will stop flowing when? (Joshua 3:13)

      The river will stop flowing as soon as the priests carrying the ark of the Lord set foot in the Jordan.

      19. What time of year does Israel cross the Jordan? (Joshua 3:15)

      The people cross during harvest time, when the Jordan is at flood stage.

      20. Where is the ark of the covenant while the people pass over the Jordan on dry ground? (Joshua 3:17)

      Priests carrying the ark are standing on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan.

      DIMENSION TWO:

      WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN?

      Background Information on Joshua 1–3

      The Book of Joshua is one part of a larger literary work called the Deuteronomic history. This history runs from Deuteronomy all the way through Second Kings and charts the history of Israel, from the conquest of the land to the fall of Jerusalem. The Book of Ruth was not originally part of this work.

      The final form of the Deuteronomic history was written during the Exile, about 550 BC, to explain why God’s people were in exile. When Jerusalem fell in 586 BC, the Israelites felt that God had broken the promise to give them the Promised Land and make them a nation. No doubt the Israelites had many questions about God’s faithfulness when they did not get all the things they expected. The Deuteronomic history was written in response to these questions to explain that God had not broken the covenant with the people of Israel. The Israelites were the ones who had broken their promise to obey God’s laws.

      Beginning with these laws of God (Deuteronomy), the Deuteronomic history shows how Israel continually acts against God’s will. In Deuteronomy, God promises Israel success if the people obey the laws. If they go against God’s will, they will be punished. The history shows that God is not at fault for Israel’s suffering. Israel alone bears the burden of guilt. In fact, the books of Joshua and Judges tell how God continuously shows mercy to Israel when the people should have been punished.

      Throughout Israel’s history, God commands the Israelites to be loyal. But finally God can no longer ignore the sins of the people. Judgment must fall. They must be sent into exile in order to shock them back to their primary loyalty to God. The Deuteronomic history chronicles this interaction of God’s law, judgment, prophetic word, and mercy with Israel’s continual disobedience. The history’s final purpose is to call the people back to God by reminding them that the Lord is a merciful God. If Israel turns to God in faith, God will surely restore the covenant with the people.

      As we look at Joshua and Judges, we are told of Israel invading and securing the Promised Land. We need to keep in mind that the end of the Deuteronomic history is the story of the loss of the land through the people’s disobedience. Joshua, Judges, and First Samuel portray God graciously giving the land to an Israel that does not deserve it. Second Samuel and First and Second Kings record how God passes judgment on Israel.

      Joshua 1:14. You can set the stage for this unit by showing the borders of the Promised Land as they are described in verse 4. (Use a map of the ancient Near East. You will find one in the back of many Bibles, or perhaps your church has wall-size maps available). You may also want to pinpoint Mount Nebo, where Moses died; Shittim, where the Israelites camp while the spies go into the land (Joshua 2:1); and Jericho (Joshua 2:1).

      Joshua 1:5-9. In these verses, God promises to be with Joshua during the conquest. God says, As I was with Moses, so I will be with you (v. 5). We can note, then, that the idea of Immanuel—God with us—belongs to the earliest sections of the Bible. In the Deuteronomic history, however, the continued presence of God depends on how humans respond. The proper human response consists of being strong, courageous, and obedient to all the law my servant Moses gave you (v. 7). The importance of the Book of the Law is emphasized in verse 8. Following the law is a response to God’s grace and the way of maintaining the already promised presence of God, but not a requirement for receiving God’s grace.

      Joshua 1:12-18. You might want to review the story of the conquest of land east of the Jordan (Numbers 32) and the story of how this land was given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Deuteronomy 3:12-20). Although this land is given by God to these tribes, it does not stand within the boundaries of Canaan, the Promised Land (see Joshua 22:19).

      Joshua 1:18. The tribes emphasize Joshua’s new absolute authority over them. His position as God’s spokesperson is assumed in the statement that anyone who disobeys his commands shall be put to death.

      Joshua 2:1. Joshua’s action of sending the spies into the land is ironic considering the admonition in 1:18 to be strong and courageous! The Israelites had once before sent out spies after God had promised a land to them and said, Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 1:21-40; vv. 21, 29). The first time spies were sent out, Israel became afraid and rebelled against God’s command. This distrust in God’s ability to fulfill the promise is why God does not allow any from this generation (except Joshua and Caleb) to enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 1:22 explains that after God has already given them the land, sending spies reveals a weakness of faith. Here Joshua, Moses’ successor and God’s spokesman, wavers in his total trust of God’s word.

      Jericho, named after the Semitic moon god, was one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. People have lived there since 8000 BC. After walls were built, about 6800 BC, Jericho became the earliest known fortified town in human history. Jericho’s major periods of habitation were 2900–2300 BC and 1750–1560 BC. At the end of both of these periods, Jericho’s defensive walls were destroyed. For the period of Joshua’s invasion (1250–1225 BC), we have very little archaeological evidence about Jericho.

      Rahab, the prostitute who became faithful to the Lord, was one of the four most beautiful women in the world, according to Jewish tradition. She is believed to be an ancestor of eight prophets (including Jeremiah and Ezekiel) and one prophetess, Hulda.

      Rahab is also important in the New Testament. According to Matthew 1:5, she is an ancestor of Jesus, being the mother of Boaz who married Ruth. James 2:25 claims Rahab was justified by works in her kindness to the Israelite spies. Hebrews 11:31, on the other hand, says her welcome to the spies revealed her faith.

      Joshua 2:2-11. Rahab chooses loyalty to the Lord, the God of Israel, over loyalty to her city and people. This primary loyalty demanded by God above all other human loyalties is demonstrated over and over in the Bible. Abram leaves his native land and family to follow God (Genesis 12:1), and even chooses God over his beloved son Isaac (Genesis 22:2). Jesus proclaims that faithfulness to God takes precedence over faithfulness to family (Luke 18:28-30).

      Rahab also reveals that her faith in the Lord is stronger than Israel’s. She states in verse 9, I know that the LORD has given you this land. Where Joshua and Israel timidly send spies to discover if God has truly given them the land, Rahab knows already this is what God has done. That one of Israel’s enemies trusts God’s power more than Israel does is ironic. Rahab gives the statement of faith Israel should have given! Israel sends spies out of weak faith; Rahab acts decisively out of her sure faith in God.

      Joshua 2:12-14. The two spies promise to spare Rahab and her family for the kindness she has shown them by hiding them from her king. Interestingly, by swearing to protect her, the two spies go beyond God’s command that no one who is defeated in the Promised Land shall live. By promising to let Rahab and her family live, the spies are breaking the letter of the law. Perhaps the point of this story is that the spirit of the law, calling for loyalty and faithfulness to God, takes precedence over slavishly following the letter of the

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1