Joshua 1:6-9
Bible Study Questions
A Divine Formula for True Success
True success is a victorious and joyful life living in God’s presence
by His purpose, promises, precepts and power.
6) Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
7) Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.
8) This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:6-9, NASB).
1. What is success? How do we specifically define success for our own lives? What is it for you to be successful? How will this definition of success influence our lives?
2. Did the Lord use the word ‘success’ in 1:6-9? Where exactly? What do you think he meant by it in its context?
Note: The Hebrew here for ‘success’ literally means ‘to cause a person to be wise, understanding or prosperous.’ The assumption is that when one understands a situation well, then he will be successful. The word for prosper literally means ‘cause a person to rush ahead or advance.’
3. Name three examples of those who were successful in the Bible and three that were not. What made the difference in their lives?
4. Go through verses 6-9 carefully and find all the commands that God gave to Joshua. Which one did he repeat? How many times?
5. What is the context of Joshua 1? What has happened before this? What is going to happen next?
6. Why do you think the Lord so strongly emphasized the command, “Be strong and courageous!” What did the Lord ask Joshua to do? Think of the context. What does it mean to be strong?
7. Do most people have some kind of fear or timidity? What about you? Name one or two things that you are timid or afraid of? How does that fear affect your decision making?
8. Read Joshua 1:6 carefully. Why doesn’t God just tell him to conquer the land rather than to give them the land as a possession?
9. How does God tell Joshua to treat the law in 1:7? What is the law? What is the result of obedience to the law?
10. What further things does God tell Joshua to do with regards to God’s Word in verse 1:8?
11. What does meditate mean? What is the difference between eastern mediation and biblical meditation?
12. Read Psalm 1:2 alongside Joshua 1:8 How would you explain meditation on God’s Word to a new Christian? How is it different than memorization?
13. How important is meditation in a Christian’s life? Using Joshua’s words, how would you show them a new believer its importance?
14. Why does meditation play such an important role in the success of a Christian? Why is it important? What happens in a good time of meditation?
15. Would you say that meditation on the scripture is important in your life? Do you meditate? Share how often and how.
16. What is God trying to do through the words in Joshua 1:9? How does God try to get him not to fear or be intimidated? What difference does mentioning His presence make?
17. Many Christians feel that God is not very involved in their daily affairs. What do you think? After looking at verses (Joshua 1:6-9) would you say that God was involved in the lives of the Israelites?
18. In closing, would you say that God wants you to be successful in your life? What does that practically mean? How will meditation and obedience help you be successful?
For more on meeting God in one's personal devotions, look at the following series. Especially the one on mediation.
| Introduction | Shaping | Struggling | Excited | Meeting God | Prayer | God's Word | Preparations |
| Expectations | Communing | Burnout | Questions | Study Questions | Testimony | Mueller |
Mobilizing God's People (Joshua 1:10-18)
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Biblical Foundations for Freedom
Rev. Paul J. Bucknell
NASB used unless noted