Joshua Leader Guide: Winning the Worry Battle - Softcover

Roose

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1501813625 ISBN 13: 9781501813627

Publisher: Abingdon Press, 2018

Synopsis

Be Victorious Over Worry in Your Life!

About this title

About the Author

Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and events across the country, including the Aspire Women's Events, She Speaks, and many more. She is the author of three books, Surrendered Devotional, Winning the Worry Battle, and Enough Already, and five Bible studies, Breakthrough, Surrendered, I'm Waiting, God, Joshua, and Beautiful Already. Barb blogs regularly at BarbRoose.com and hosts the "Better Together" Facebook Live events and podcast. Barb lives in Toledo, Ohio, is a proud empty nest mom of three adult children.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Leader Guide

By Barb Roose

Abingdon Press

Copyright © 2018 Abingdon Press
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-5018-1362-7

Contents

About the Author, 
Introduction, 
Leader Helps, 
Week 1: On the Edge of Uncertainty Facing Our Fears (Joshua 1), 
Week 2: God, Knock Down My Worry Walls! Letting God Fight for Us (Joshua 2–6), 
Week 3: Fighting Friends to Help Us Getting into Position (Joshua 7–8), 
Week 4: Defeating the Kings of Worry Attacking the Roots of Our Worries (Joshua 9–11), 
Week 5: Claiming Our Inheritance Receiving Our Victory (Joshua 12–18), 
Week 6: Amen! Living in Victory (Joshua 18–24), 
Video Viewer Guide Answers, 
Group Roster, 

CHAPTER 1

WEEK 1

On the Edge of Uncertainty

Facing Our Fears (Joshua 1)

Leader Prep

Bible Story and Theme Overview

This week we've been introduced to Joshua, who will take the reins from Moses and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Naturally, he has some fears to face, but Joshua teaches us to trust God when we're at the edge of uncertainty. Joshua has to depend on the hard fact that God has promised to be with him wherever he goes, even straight into battle.

Main Point

God's command to Joshua to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9) isn't a command to fake it until he feels it. Joshua actually is to assume strength and courage before he ever goes into his first battle. God wants to dig Joshua's strength-and-courage well and fill it up before he ever needs it. And when it comes to the worry battle, God wants to do the same for us. If we will give Him the time and commitment to retool our hearts and minds, He will set us up for victory before worry even shows up to start a fight.

Key Scriptures

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

(Joshua 1:9 ESV)

25 "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life — whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

(Matthew 6:25-27)

"Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

(Luke 22:42)

What You Will Need

• Joshua DVD and a DVD player

• Markerboard or chart paper and markers

• Stick-on name tags and markers (optional)

• Smartphone or tablet and portable speaker (optional)

Session Outline

Welcome and Opening Prayer (2 minutes)

To create a warm, welcoming environment as the women are gathering before the session begins, consider lighting one or more candles, providing coffee or other refreshments, and/or playing worship music. (Bring a smartphone or tablet and a portable speaker if desired.) Be sure to provide name tags if the women do not know one another or you have new participants in your group. Then, when you are ready to begin, pray the following prayer or offer your own:

Dear God, we are so grateful that You give us the strength and courage to face any fear that comes against us. Help us to stand in Your Word and Your presence when we are overcome with worry. Come fill us now as we study and share together. Amen.

Icebreaker (3 minutes)

Invite the women to share short, "popcorn" responses to the following question:

• What is your "eight-legged worry"?

Video (20–25 minutes)

Play the Week 1 video segment on the DVD. Invite participants to complete the Video Viewer Guide for Week 1 in the participant workbook as they watch (page 39).

Group Discussion (25–35 minutes, depending on session length)

Note: More material is provided than you will have time to include. Before the session, select what you want to cover, putting a check mark beside it in your book. Page references are provided for questions related to questions or activities in the participant workbook. For these questions, invite participants to share the answers they wrote in their books.

Video Discussion Questions

• What is a "what if" question that has caused you to worry recently? How might insecurity be at the heart of that worry?

• What has worry stolen from your life?

• What are the three kinds of victory that God gave to Joshua? Which of these three kinds of victory do you most need in your life right now, and why?

•Practically speaking, how might you begin to replace "what if" thoughts with "God, if ..." prayers? How could believing that God is with you and for you in every circumstance change your life?

Participant Workbook Discussion Questions

1. Worrying begins when you face unpredictable situations and you don't know what will happen next. I don't like it when I can't see what's coming. I'm not comfortable when I can't name or prevent the dangers that lurk down the street and around the corner. All of those unknown events in my life and yours are what we call uncertainty. (Day 1)

• Are you dealing with an area of uncertainty in your life? If so, what feels open-ended and unknown? (page 15)

• How do uncertainty and worry manifest themselves in your day-to-day life?

• How comfortable are you with uncertainty? Why do you think that is?

2. Jesus taught on a hillside to a crowd of people from all walks of life. But everyone in the crowd had something in common: they worried. How do we know they worried? Because Jesus was teaching on it!

If you've been feeling guilty because you worry too much, I encourage you to let go of that guilt. Jesus taught on worry because He knew that it would be a struggle for us. You aren't alone in your struggle. (Day 1)

• Read Matthew 6:25-27. What three things does Jesus tell us not to worry about? (page 16)

• Look at verse 27. How productive is worry? (page 16)

• How do Jesus' words apply to your life right now? (page 16)

3. As the Book of Joshua opens, millions of Israelite men, women, and children stand clustered together east of the Jordan River. Before his death, their leader Moses had gathered all the people to tell them what to expect, what to do, and how to live. Even with all of that new knowledge, I'm sure there were a few people with some lingering worries or concerns. Now Moses has died, and their new leader, Joshua, stands before the people. (Day 2)

• What might some of Joshua's worries have been?

• What might some of the Israelites' worries have been?

• What would you say was their only course of action in the face of change and uncertainty?

4. You can't worry and trust God at the same time. When you say "Father, if ...," you acknowledge that even if bad people make bad decisions that hurt or harm you, God is still with you. Likewise, when you say "Father, if ..." and then bad situations break your heart or kill your dreams, you've already invited God's power to bring about blessing in the midst of brokenness and pain. (Day 2)

• How will your life be different if you stop worrying? (page 21)

• Why do you think that God wants you to be victorious over worry? (page 21)

• Read Luke 22:42. How does Jesus' obedience teach us to trust God instead of worry?

5. One of the major themes in the Book of Joshua is that God always keeps His promises. Canaan wasn't just an idea that God came up with while the Israelites were wandering around. God wasn't panicked, thinking that maybe He should get them off the road and settled because they'd been adrift for too long. In fact, God was about to bring a promise to pass that He'd made many centuries before. Long before the Israelites arrived at the eastern edge of the Jordan, God had made a promise to a man named Abram, later renamed Abraham. (Day 3)

• Read Genesis 12:1-3. What did God promise Abram? (page 23)

• Read Joshua 1:3. What has God promised Joshua? (page 24)

• Read Joshua 1:4-5. What are the next promises that God makes to Joshua? (page 24)

6. I'm not sure if Joshua knew in advance that he'd lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. But if he did, I imagine that despite years of preparation, the weight of that impeding role still would have felt heavy on his shoulders.

We're no different. With every new opportunity comes an unknown frontier. So, whenever we're not sure about what we're facing, the most important thing that we can do is look up. (Day 3)

• When have you felt the weight of an unknown frontier or new responsibility? In what ways did you "look up" during that time? (pages 26–27)

• Read Deuteronomy 31:7-8. What guarantee does Moses give Joshua regarding God's help? (page 27)

• Read Hebrews 13:6. Why do we not need to fear? (page 27)

7. While the words "warrior" and "worrier" begin and end with the same letters, what happens in-between tells the real story. When I think about the "a" in warrior, I associate it with "anchored." A warrior knows who she is and doesn't get swept away by worries that tell her otherwise. Conversely, I associate the "o" in worrier with "overpowered." A worrier is overpowered by her negative thinking patterns and cannot control them. (Day 4)

• How do God's instructions to Joshua in chapter 1, verse 6 help him move from worrier to warrior?

• How difficult is it for you to decide to be strong and courageous in the face of adversity?

• What keeps you from standing in strength and courage?

8. If God had to continually remind this valiant soldier, faithful assistant to Moses, and spy who stood up to the people, then maybe Joshua might understand what it's like for me to battle worry, too. (Day 4)

• What are some of the things that Joshua might worry about as the leader of the Israelite families and army? (page 31)

• If you asked the people who are closest to you whether you are a worrier or a warrior, which do you think they would choose? Why? (page 31)

• Read aloud Joshua 1:7, 8, and 16. What are some of the outcomes that God promises Joshua will experience if he leads with strength and courage? (page 32)

9. While Joshua's purpose was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, his priorities were to stay connected to God's teachings, be committed to obedience, and remain conscious of God's activity within and all around him. Having a job that would require life and death situations as well as the leadership of millions, Joshua surely knew that he had to put first things first. (Day 5)

• Read Deuteronomy 30:16 and Joshua 1:8. How do these verses help shape our priorities and remind us what's important in the face of uncertainty or challenges?

• What does it mean to seek God first above all else? (page 35)

• Read Matthew 6:33. Where should we look first for answers to life's uncertainties, and what is the promised result? (page 35)

10. If Joshua were standing before you, he could list the many responsibilities that he had as a military leader. Yet God's plan for Joshua's victory had nothing to do with his military duties or even a daily task list. God directed Joshua's attention toward the maintenance of his soul. For all of the obligations and situations in his life screaming DO, God invited Joshua to BE — to focus on God and God's Word, and to live out of that focus. Like Joshua, God calls us to devote time every day to the soul-enriching, life-ordering practice of focusing on Him. (Day 5)

• Is your life more about DO or BE right now? What's screaming DO in your life? (page 36)

• What do you think God might be able to do in your life if you were a little less DO and a little more BE? (page 37)

• What can you do to increase your wisdom-thoughts so that they outnumber your worry-thoughts? (page 37)

11. Think about all of your study and reflection this week.

• What thoughts or discoveries are sticking with you from this week's study?

Deeper Conversation (15 minutes)

Divide into smaller groups of two or three for deeper conversation. (Encourage the women to break into different groups each week.) Before the session, write on a markerboard or chart paper the question or questions you want the groups to discuss:

• What victory are you celebrating this week?

• Look back at your Worry Wheel on page 33 in the participant workbook. Discuss any thoughts, insights, or surprises that stand out to you as you evaluate your level of worry.

Give a two-minute warning before time is up so that the groups may wrap up their discussion.

Closing Prayer (3–5 minutes, depending on session length)

Close the session by taking personal prayer requests from group members and leading the group in prayer. As you progress to later weeks in the study, you might encourage members to participate in the Closing Prayer by praying out loud for each other and the requests given.

CHAPTER 2

WEEK 2

God, Knock Down My Worry Walls!

Letting God Fight for Us (Joshua 2–6)

Leader Prep

Bible Story and Theme Overview

This week we met Rahab, an unlikely character who became a key player because of her willingness to obey God. She was an outsider and one who had only heard the stories about God's people, but she knew that God's plan was to be taken seriously. Joshua and Rahab continue to teach us about trusting God's plan for victory over our own.

Main Point

Our victory is determined by who God is, not what we are facing!

Key Scriptures

... for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

(Joshua 2:11b NIV)

To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear?

Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.

(Jeremiah 6:10 ESV)

1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

(Psalm 46:1-3)

What You Will Need

• Joshua DVD and a DVD player

• Markerboard or chart paper and markers

• Stick-on name tags and markers (optional)

• Smartphone or tablet and portable speaker (optional)

Session Outline

Welcome and Opening Prayer (2 minutes)

To create a warm, welcoming environment as the women are gathering before the session begins, consider lighting one or more candles, providing coffee or other refreshments, and/or playing worship music. (Bring a smartphone or tablet and a portable speaker if desired.) Be sure to provide name tags if the women do not know one another or you have new participants in your group. Then, when you are ready to begin, pray the following prayer or offer your own:

Dear God, thank You for being our Refuge and our Strength. Thank You for Your promises all through the Scriptures that You are with us and will fight for us. We invite You to speak through our study and conversation today. Amen.

Icebreaker (3 minutes)

Invite the women to share short, "popcorn" responses to the following question:

• Barb was invited to face her fears by jumping out of an airplane. What is your "airplane"? What scary thing would you do to tangibly conquer a fear?

Video (20–25 minutes)

Play the Week 2 video segment on the DVD. Invite participants to complete the Video Viewer Guide for Week 2 in the participant workbook as they watch (pages 70–71).

Group Discussion (25–35 minutes, depending on session length)

Note: More material is provided than you will have time to include. Before the session, select what you want to cover, putting a check mark beside it in your book. Page references are provided for questions related to questions or activities in the participant workbook. For these questions, invite participants to share the answers they wrote in their books.

Video Discussion Questions

• When have you had a worry meltdown? How did it help you to see your limitations and turn to God?

• What can keep us from turning to God after a meltdown? Why do you think we're often reluctant to take our sin and questions and pain to God?

• How has remembering that God is always with you helped you to weather a storm in your life?

• Barb says that God's very best gifts are the gifts that He brings to us, rather than the gifts we have to take for ourselves. What are some of God's best gifts to you?

• What helps you to keep your mind fixed and focused on God?

Participant Workbook Discussion Questions

1. We know that we're rushing ahead of God when we start to worry about details. On the other hand, when we wait on God to lead us, we are far enough back to let Him pave the way for us. (Day 1)

• Read Joshua 3:2-3. What instructions are the people given? (page 42)

• Has there been a time when you rushed ahead of God instead of waiting on His timing? If so, how did you know that you were rushing ahead of Him? (page 43)

• Which one is more difficult for you: letting God lead or trying not to overtake God's lead? Why? (page 44)

2. God commands them to make the memorial so that as they travel by it, they will be reminded of what God did that day. And it won't just be the Israelites who will be reminded; anyone traveling by the memorial might inquire about the stones later and hear the story. (Day 1)

• Read Joshua 4:2-8. What does God instruct Joshua to do? What does Joshua say about the purpose of the memorial? (pages 45–46)

• Why do we need reminders to mark the moments in our lives when we have visibly seen the faithfulness of God? What are some markers in your own life of God's faithfulness?

3. When we're stubborn or closed off from a relationship, it might seem that we are getting our way, but what's really happening is that we're missing out on the blessing of connection. A covenant is for the blessing and benefit of both parties who have entered into agreement. (Day 2)

• Read Leviticus 26:40-42. What does an uncircumcised heart represent? (page 49)

• Can you think of a time when you were stubborn or closed off toward something that God was calling you to do? If so, briefly describe it. (page 49)

• Read Jeremiah 6:10. How are "they" in this passage missing out on the blessing of connection?

4. God is the best heart doctor ever! He knows exactly what's wrong with our hearts, and when we are willing, He performs surgery on us. Just as a doctor uses scalpels and sponges to do her work, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are God's tools.

The key to allowing God to circumcise our hearts can be captured in a word: willingness. (Day 2)

• What are some of the ways that a willing heart connects with God? (page 51)

• What does it mean to have a willingness for God to work on your heart? Is it easy or difficult to live in a place of willingness?

• When have you felt God at work on your heart?

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Leader Guide by Barb Roose. Copyright © 2018 Abingdon Press. Excerpted by permission of Abingdon Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1501813625
• ISBN 13: 9781501813627
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64