|
JOSHUA'S BIBLE
READING GROUP
QUESTIONS
The following list of questions is designed to enhance a group or
individual's thinking about or discussing some of the issues we hope
you will consider after reading Joshua's Bible by Shelly Leanne.
This is designed as a starting point only and is not meant to limit
the discussion.
Chapter
One
Joshua faced a choice about the direction his ministry should take.
Both were good and worthwhile options. But Joshua chose the path
that required him to leave his comfort zone. When faced with such
choices, how can we determine the path that God would have us to
choose? Read Deuteronomy 14:24-25; Luke 9:59-62. Why does God often
call us to leave our comfort zone in order to follow Him in
ministry? Read Genesis 12:1; Hebrews 11:8
Chapter
Two
Although his loved ones were not overjoyed about Joshua's sojourn to
Africa, everyone around him knew that Joshua had a special calling
on his life. When you know that God's hand is on someone, how can
you support that person in his or her calling? Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10.
How can you prepare yourself for your own calling? Read Job 5:8; 2
Timothy 2:15.
Chapter
Three
Joshua was concerned that his loved ones had strong reservations
about his trip to Africa. How can we handle our loved ones trying to
dissuade us, whether unconsciously or overtly, from fulfilling God's
call on our life? Read Mark 8:31-33.
Chapter
Four
The long voyage to African gave Joshua time to consider the things
that God was doing in his life. What value can we gain from the
times of waiting, anticipation, reflection and introspection at
various points in our spiritual journey? Read Luke 2:18-19; 5:15-16.
Chapter
Five
Joshua had a number of people in his corner supporting what was for
them an innovative approach to foreign missions, but he found
Andrew's advice about carrying his papers at all times to be
humiliating. But Joshua was determined to reach the goals he had set
by going to Africa. How can we use humbling or less than desirable
circumstances to strengthen us in ministry? Read Judges 16:20-31; 2
Corinthians 12:10; James 1:1-3.
Chapter
Six
Many people, especially the whites who helped to sponsor Joshua's
ministry, held high expectations for him. How can we stay focused on
God's will and God's expectations for our lives and not the
expectations of other human beings? Read Nehemiah 4:6-9.
Chapter
Seven
In a sense, Joshua's assignment was to revitalize a "dry
bones" ministry, and he faced a fair amount of negativity
regarding his ability to do so. How can you work and stay focused on
the task God has given you, even when you are bombarded with
naysayers and negative thinkers? Read Nehemiah 6:1-14.
Chapter
Eight
Far away from home, Joshua expanded his horizons and was willing to
engage himself in the culture of the people he was called to serve.
How can a ministry be hindered by prejudices? Read Acts 10:1-35. How
can a ministry be blessed by a spirit that is open to the ways of
people who are different from you? Read Acts 8:26-40.
Chapter
Nine
Joshua received, and openly embraced the blessings of the elders. He
listened to the reflections of the people regarding what they
needed. Why is it important for a leader to heed the words of those
whom he or she is called to lead? Read 1 Kings 12:1-16.
Chapter
Ten
Joshua had to meet the hopes and aims of the young students with a
touch of realism. Why was it important for Joshua not to participate
in the protest or to automatically take the "side" of the
students? How can we gain the trust of others without being forced
into "taking sides"? How can a ministry benefit from
having a variety of personality types, involved, from rebellious, to
challenging, to compliant? Read Matthew 10:2-4; Luke 9:46; John
18:10.
Chapter
Eleven
Joshua's invitation to Tahira would fulfill needs that they both
had. How can we know when God has brought people together for
ministry and for their mutual benefit? Read Acts 18:1-3.
Chapter
Twelve
As time moved, Joshua shared more about himself and learned more
about those around him, like Nongolesi and Old Man. What evidences
were there that he was slowly gaining acceptance among the people,
although he did not become a part of the protests? Read Luke 2:52.
How can leaders gain acceptance and respect without complying with
every expectation of the people? Read 1 Samuel 18:16; 1 Kings 3:28.
Chapter
Thirteen
Joshua's new life in Africa cost him his relationship with Shantal.
Might this mean that marriage to her was never meant to be? How can
you trust God to meet your every need as you go about serving Him?
Read Philippians 4:19.
Chapter
Fourteen
As he talked with natives, Joshua learned more about their
bitterness, their hurt, and their concerns. How can Christians
minister to persons who are hurting because of injustices committed
against them, even when we have been victimized ourselves? Read
Matthew 9:36; 14:14; Luke 10:25-37.
Chapter
Fifteen
The young men on the truck were on their way to engage in a very
important rite of passage into manhood. How can rites of passage
serve as tools of faith development for African American Christian
males? Read Genesis 17:10-14.
Chapter
Sixteen
Sarah forced Joshua to examine his own hidden prejudices. As a
Christian, how should you respond when you are confronted with
unpleasant truths about ourselves? Read Numbers 22:30-32; 2 Samuel
12:1-13.
Chapter
Seventeen
Unlike many women, Nongolesi showed little interest in marriage. Why
did her nonchalance make her so intriguing to Joshua? Read Song of
Solomon 4:9; 5:9.
Chapter
Eighteen
Joshua struggled to keep his faith and mission separate from the
political issues that surrounded him. It became increasingly more
difficult for him to remain the same naïve young man who stepped
off the boat. How does his willingness to become involved with the
issues that affected the natives indicate spiritual growth? Why do
you think that coming to a point of willingness to be involved was a
gradual process for Joshua? Read Matthew 14:3-4; 22:21.
Chapter
Nineteen
The Brother's observations about spreading the gospel in Africa
enlightened Joshua and challenged his thinking about traditional
Eurocentric beliefs about Christianity. Consider whether Eurocentric
culture and values have influenced your Christian beliefs. How does
God use culture to enhance knowledge of and to spread the gospel?
Read Judges 8:24-27; Luke 2:42; Acts 10:27-35; Romans 3:30-4:5
Chapter
Twenty
Joshua found comfort in the celebration activity of the people and
began to struggle with his own understanding of culture and faith.
How can cultural expressions and celebrations serve to enhance
spiritual experiences? Read Esther 9:17-19.
Chapter
Twenty-one
All that Joshua had experienced in Africa ignited a revolution in
his thinking and his beliefs. When God exposes us so that we may
expand our thinking and our beliefs, how can we respond in faith to
these changes? Read Judges 2:7; 6:22-29; Matthew 9:8; Acts 2:43-47
Chapter
Twenty-two
On more than one occasion and by more than one person, Joshua was
questioned about his intentions toward Nongolesi. Initially he
denied any romantic interest in her; yet his actions—in the eyes
of the people—seemed otherwise. Why is it important to pay
attention to how your actions are perceived for the sake of your
Christian witness? What might have happened if Joshua had failed to
heed the courting traditions of the people? Read Genesis 29:22-30.
Chapter
Twenty-three
Joshua was struck had by the casual way the two African men
discussed prostitution with him. How can Christians relate to people
whose values are so different from their own without appearing
judgmental? Read John 4:5-29.
Chapter
Twenty-four
In what ways did Joshua demonstrate his sincere desire to have
Nongolesi as his wife? Do you feel that marriages today would be
better served if men were required to provide tangible evidence of
their desire to marry a certain woman? Read Genesis 29:9-10, 18, 20.
Chapter
Twenty-five
Troubled by Nongolesi's reaction to the song, Joshua found comfort
in reading a passage from Jeremiah about seeking God. What evidence
did Joshua and Nongolesi give to demonstrate that they had sought
the wisdom of God regarding their marriage? Read Jeremiah 29:11-13;
James 1:4-6.
Chapter
Twenty-six
Although he felt uneasy about it, Joshua agreed to the terms of the
mission officials in order to continue his ministry in Africa. Why
are such compromises sometimes necessary in ministry, even when the
compromise doesn't feel right? Read Matthew 19:8; 1 Corinthians
7:1-2, 7-9
Chapter
Twenty-seven
Joshua's congregation was overjoyed at his return. Do you think
their response to his return, as well as the other ways Joshua found
to become involved in ministering to their needs, helped him to feel
better about his decision to compromise with the mission officials?
Read Luke 15:20-22.
Chapter
Twenty-eight
The sight of Jovan starting his new adventure in America from a
segregated line angered Joshua and he committed himself to continue
as a change agent. When he first arrived in South Africa, however,
the policy of segregation didn't seem to bother him. When we receive
divine enlightenment why is it difficult for us to go back or to
tolerate the things that were once acceptable? Read Exodus 32:19-20.
Chapter
Twenty-nine
As Joshua
held Tahira in his arms, all he could think about were the things he
had failed to do. He momentarily forgot about the fact that the
church at Fort Hare was experiencing record levels of growth and
involvement from the people. When we are focused on our failures,
why do we sometimes forget how God has sustained us to do good
things? Why couldn't Joshua look at his successes and know that God
would sustain him to move beyond his shortcomings? Read 1 Kings
19:1-13.
Chapter
Thirty
When Joshua and Nongolesi gave up all of the material trappings of
the mission, the Brother encouraged them that they were now on a
path for God to do even more with Joshua's ministry. Why is it
sometimes necessary for God to strip us down to nothing before He
moves us higher? Read Job 42:1-6,12-17.
Chapter
Thirty-one
The people's gratitude toward Joshua revealed that he had finally
become a pastor to them and had endeared himself to them. Why does
God sometimes call us to leave a situation just as things seem to be
at their best? Read Deuteronomy 32:48-52.
Chapter
Thirty-two
Joshua left South Africa with many things undone. He had not
accomplished what he had planned, and was not able to see the end
result of his mission before he was forced to leave. How should we
respond when God calls us to depart from a work before it comes to
fruition? Read Habakkuk 3:17-19.
©2003
Walk
Worthy Press Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
