EXPLORE THE TEXT
We can be assured of God’s presence and aid when we follow Him wholeheartedly.
10 “As you see, the Lord has kept me alive these forty-five years as he promised,
since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel was journeying in the wilderness.
Here I am today, eighty-five years old.
11 I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out.
My strength for battle and for daily tasks is now as it was then.
12 Now give me this hill country the Lord promised me on that day,
because you heard then that the Anakim are there, as well as large fortified cities.
Perhaps the Lord will be with me and I will drive them out as the Lord promised.”
13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as an inheritance.
14 Therefore, Hebron still belongs to Caleb
son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as an inheritance today
because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, completely.
15 Hebron’s name used to be Kiriath-arba;
Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.
After this, the land had rest from war.
Highlight Caleb’s faith despite his advanced age. Also, note that his request involved the territory with the most difficult terrain and the most intimidating enemies.
Point out Caleb’s attitude as he embraced the challenge:
Not only did the Lord keep Caleb alive at eighty-five years old,
but He also kept Caleb as strong as he was forty-five years prior. .Caleb was not too old or too weak to do what God had promised him he could do.
Moreover, Caleb was eager to go to the hill country,
the location of the fortified cities of the Anakim. Caleb was eager to take on the same giants that had terrified the other ten spies who caused Israel to be too frightened to trust God and conquer the land. Joshua 11:21-22 indicates Israel had already defeated the Anakim, but some had gotten away only to return later. Caleb was ready and eager to go in and finish them off. (PSG, pp. 61-62)
Share things that keep believers from a wholehearted devotion to God.
Make a list of ways believers can stay focused on the Lord each day.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 63 of the Personal Study Guide:
Point out Pack Item 4 (Poster: Key Verse: Joshua 14:8) again and lead the group to read the verse together at least twice.
Guide the group to discuss the first question set on page 63 of the PSG. Direct attention back to the suggestions listed in the second column of the chart. Challenge them to identify one suggestion they can apply this week to help them follow God with all their heart.
Read the second question set on page 63 of the PSG. Encourage adults to identify silently one area where they are currently wrestling with a choice to obey or disobey God. Provide time for them to talk with God about those struggles. Close in prayer, thanking God for keeping His promises and asking Him for the strength to live in complete obedience.
During the week, send a text or email to the entire group. In the message, share a promise from God in Scripture and explain why this promise is meaningful to you. Share the verse and reference. Encourage the group to “reply all” and to share their favorite promise and what it means to them. Assure the group that you are praying for each of them as they seek to follow God with a whole heart.
To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. (See Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Luke 14:27.)
Use a cross reference to learn more about what the Bible says about a particular subject.
The word “inheritance” essentially refers to a “legal transmission of property following death.” However, the Hebrew terms translated “inheritance” did not necessarily presuppose a death; they could be used in other ways. Determine how many times “inheritance” or a similar term appears in Joshua 14:1-15. Then read and reflect on these verses to learn more about how it’s used in Scripture: Joshua 1:15; 13:33; Jeremiah 10:16; Matthew 19:29; 25:34; and Romans 8:17.