The Invitation & Welcome
Welcome, friend! We are so glad you’re here. Life can feel overwhelming sometimes, but you don’t have to walk through it alone. This study is a safe place to pull up a chair, open our hearts, and discover the incredible, life-changing joy that comes from following Jesus together. We’re going to look at some timeless wisdom that will help you grow closer to God and find real purpose for your everyday life. Come just as you are we’ve saved a seat for you!
How Making One Daily Choice Can Transform Your Life Forever
Fellowship Bible Study: Walking Together in Faith and Purpose
This passage invites us to make an intentional, heartfelt decision to place God at the center of our lives, showing us that our devotion to Him is the surest path to true joy and stability.
Fellowship Bible Study & Sermon Outline: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Theme of the Scripture
At the heart of this passage is the powerful, life-altering invitation to choose whom we will serve. It’s a gentle yet firm call to move beyond casual belief and into a committed, loving relationship with God. It reminds us that our faith is not just something we hold, but something we live out every single day, and that choosing God is the most practical, rewarding decision we can ever make.
The Power of Your Choice: Deciding Today to Follow God Completely
Introduction to the Scripture
Imagine standing at a crossroads. That is exactly where the people of Israel found themselves in this passage. Joshua, their leader, knows his time is coming to an end, and he wants to ensure they have a firm foundation for the future. He gathers them together to remind them of all that God has done and to ask them one simple, yet profound question: Will you continue to follow Him?
The Events in the Scripture
Joshua gathers all the tribes of Israel at Shechem to review their history, reminding them how God had been faithful from the time of Abraham to their deliverance from Egypt. He challenges the people to put away the idols they had worshipped and to make a clear choice to serve the Lord alone. After the people affirm their commitment, Joshua helps them cement that decision by establishing a covenant, calling them to be witnesses to their own promise to walk in obedience to God.
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NIV Scripture for the Bible Study & Sermon
Joshua 24:1-3a
1 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, the leaders, the judges and the officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. 2 Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. 3 But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants.'”
Joshua 24:14-25
14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! 17 It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.
18 And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God.” 19 Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.” 21 But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the Lord.”
22 Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.” “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied. 23 “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 24 And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.” 25 On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws.
Fellowship Bible Study & Sermon Outline: Joshua 24:1–3a, 14–25
Remember God’s Faithfulness Joshua 24:1–3a
Joshua gathers Israel’s leaders and people before God and reminds them of their story. Their ancestors worshiped other gods, but the Lord called Abraham and led him into a new future. Before Joshua asks the people to make a choice, he points them to the God who has already been faithful. Remembering what God has done can strengthen our trust and help us follow Him today.
Choose Whom You Will Serve Joshua 24:14–15
Joshua calls the people to honor the Lord sincerely and let go of the gods that compete for their loyalty. Then he makes the choice plain: they must decide whom they will serve. His words, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord,” are a warm but firm example of commitment. Faith becomes real in the choices we make at home and in everyday life.
Respond to God’s Goodness Joshua 24:16–18
The people answer by recalling how God rescued and protected them. Their commitment grows from gratitude: they remember what the Lord has done and declare that they will serve Him. We, too, can let gratitude guide our response to God not as a way to earn His goodness, but as a heartfelt answer to His faithfulness.
Take Your Commitment Seriously Joshua 24:19–21
Joshua warns the people not to make a careless promise. God is holy, and serving Him calls for honesty and wholehearted devotion. The people renew their decision, but Joshua’s words invite them to look beyond a quick response and consider what faithfulness truly asks of them. A sincere commitment means turning from what draws us away from God.
Make Your Choice a Lasting Witness Joshua 24:22–25
Joshua calls the people to be witnesses to their own promise and urges them to put away foreign gods and turn their hearts to the Lord. He then establishes a covenant and records the people’s commitment. Their gathering ends with a clear reminder: choosing to serve God is not only something we say it is a promise to live out, day by day.
Practical Applications: Joshua 24:1–3a, 14–25
Remember God’s Faithfulness: Let gratitude strengthen your trust.
Take a few minutes to remember ways God has helped, guided, or comforted you. Recalling His faithfulness can bring hope when the next step feels uncertain.
Example: Write down one moment when you felt God’s help, and share it with someone you trust.
Choose Whom You Will Serve: Make your faith visible in everyday choices.
Following God is a daily decision, shaped by how we spend our time, treat others, and respond to challenges. Ask yourself whether your choices reflect the love and values you want to follow.
Example: Before a difficult conversation, pause to pray and choose words that show patience and respect.
Respond to God’s Goodness: Turn thankfulness into a loving response.
Let gratitude move beyond words and shape how you care for people around you. Small acts of kindness can be a meaningful way to reflect the goodness you have received.
Example: Send an encouraging message to someone who may be feeling alone.
Take Your Commitment Seriously: Be honest about what competes for your attention.
Notice habits or influences that pull your heart away from God. You don’t have to change everything at once; begin with one honest step toward a more faithful rhythm.
Example: Set aside a few quiet minutes each day for prayer or Scripture, and protect that time from distractions.
Make Your Choice a Lasting Witness: Let your actions support the promises you make.
A commitment to God grows stronger when it is practiced consistently and shared with others. Invite someone you trust to encourage you as you seek to live out your faith.
Example: Choose one way to serve your family, church, or community this week, and follow through with care.
Sermon: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25: The Choice Before Us
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