Sunday School Lesson June 11, 2023
Subject: Moses and Joshua
The Point: Mentor and disciple those who come after you
Scriptures: Numbers 27:12-23
Study The Bible: Numbers 27:12-17
1). Seek God’s direction in who will carry on after you.
- Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim range and see the land that I have given the Israelites.
- After you have seen it, you will also be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was.
- When the community quarreled in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you rebelled against my command to demonstrate my holiness in their sight at the waters.” Those were the Waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.
- So Moses appealed to the Lord,
- “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all, appoint a man over the community
- who will go out before them and come back in before them, and who will bring them out and bring them in, so that the Lord’s community won’t be like sheep without a shepherd.”
Lasting truths from: Numbers 27:12-17
* Christians must be ready to accept that the time will come when the mantle of leadership will need to be passed to a new generation.
* Sin can deter God’s people from accomplishing all He desires for them to accomplish.
* Churches must prayerfully seek God’s direction in finding new leaders.
2). Disciple and empower the one you mentor.
Numbers 27:18-20
- The Lord replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.
- Have him stand before the priest Eleazar and the whole community and commission him in their sight.
- Confer some of your authority on him so that the entire Israelite community will obey him.
Lasting truths from: Numbers 27:18-20
* Churches must pray God will raise up and train Spirit-filled men and women to lead them forward.
* Churches should be willing to confer authority on those who are new leaders.
3). Publicly affirm God’s work in the life of the one you mentor.
Numbers 27:21-23
- He will stand before the priest Eleazar who will consult the Lord for him with the decision of the Urium. He and all the Israelites with him, even the entire community, will go out and come back in at his command.”
- Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua, had him stand before the priest Eleazar and the entire community,
- laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as the Lord had spoken through Moses.
Lasting truth from: Numbers 27:21-23
* Churches must look to God for finding gifted leader.
* New leaders and teachers should be invested publically into positions of importance in the church.
* Once they are selected, churches should express their confidence in their new leaders and follow their guidance.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- Who is qualified to be a future leader in your church?
- What can you do to help them reach their potential?
- How does your church show individuals are ready to lead?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”