A) Our Need for God’s Power (Joshua 6:1) 

“Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one came in” (Joshua 6:1).

1. How can a city be ‘tightly shut’ (6:1)?

2. What is different about ancient and modern cities?

3. What is significant about Jericho in the battles to get the Promised Land?

4. What are some ways people could take over a heavily fortified walled city back in the times of Jericho?

5. What are some ways people could take over a heavily fortified walled city back in the times of Jericho? Explain some of the key facts you know about Jericho from archaeology.

6. “Jericho stands for all those things that we can’t get victory over on our own but will eventually destroy us if we don’t”. Discuss.

B) Our Discovery of God’s Solution (Joshua 6:2-5)

And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors. “And you shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. “Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. “And it shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead.”” (Joshua 6:2-5)
 

7.  With whom does the Lord share His plan for overcoming Jericho (2)?  What are the alternatives? Why might He do this?

8.  What are some authorities in your life that God has put there? Does God also deliberatively speak to you through them? Discuss.

9. Note the details of the plan that God had given to Joshua.  How did these plans spur confidence in Joshua?

10. Would anyone else think of such plans? Why might God use these unusual plans to conquer Jericho?

11. It is obvious that God’s plan for success are sometimes very different than what we would come up with.  Only God knew the weakness of that city and people. In order for us to see God’s special plans  take effect in our lives, we need to be alert to God’s prerogative of using ‘different’ kinds of plans.  Are you concerned more about what people think of you or do you focus more on simple obedience?

12.   Identify a problem that you need to overcome in your life. How is it negatively impacting you? Make sure you ask the Lord for a solution and tell Him you are willing to obey even if it is different.

C. Our Participation in God’s Victory (Joshua 6:6-27)

“So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.” Then he said to the people, “Go forward, and march around the city, and let the armed men go on before the ark of the LORD.” And it was so, that when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD went forward and blew the trumpets; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. And the armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while they continued to blow the trumpets. But Joshua commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout nor let your voice be heard, nor let a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I tell you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout!” So he had the ark of the LORD taken around the city, circling it once; then they came into the camp and spent the night in the camp” (Joshua 6:6-11).

14.  Name at least two evidences that show that Jericho really fell as stated in scriptures.

15.  Why is the historicity of Jericho and its fallen walls so important?

16.  What did Joshua do once he got commands from the Lord? What do you do?

17. Go through verses 6-27 and list all the commands that Joshua gave to the people.

18. Go through verses 6-27 and list all the commands that Joshua gave to the people.

19.  Why is it that distraction often leads to doubt? How does the instant command and obedience Keep us from a lot of temptation?

20. Why did God command that all the people of Jericho to be killed? Is this proper?

21. Read Acts 4:12 and compare that with this story about only the ones in the house to be saved? How does this work out practically?  Why did the other people die? Are you saved? What makes you think that way?
 

Joshua 6:1-27  General Summary Questions

20. Why is it that God sent Israel to face a big fortified city?  How did Joshua respond? What are you facing? What steps are you taking to resolve that?