1. Find One Person

Joshua 18:3-10

Zone

Remember the Goal: “Win One City to Christ!”  If your goal is God-sized people will respond by faith and God will honor our efforts.  Always keep Christ in direct sight:  Remember, No one can win a city to Christ apart from total dependence on God.  In Jonah 3, we learn that Nineveh did repent, although Jonah’s preaching was not spectacular: “forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed.”  God’s message to Nineveh was received and the city was spared from death!  Now, as in Jonah’s day, we are to be about our Father’s business trying to win our city to Christ knowing that God desires people to be saved, not judged.  As you go out into the city and the country, you will be walking and seeing the people that you are to reach.  We don’t “attack” every person we see but very methodically and prayerfully look for a way to reach each of them with the Gospel.  As there is no greater place to seek strategy than the Word of God, our foundational Scripture is Joshua 18:3-10.

Remember God Uses Ordinary Willing People in Extraordinary Ways!

Just a few examples:  God used Joshua to motivate and direct the people of Israel in spite of how sinful and wicked that nation had become.  As the people fell into sin, they had become unmotivated to do the Work that God desired them to do.  God used Joshua as a voice of truth and a call to turn from the trap of sin and death.   In another example of God’s kindness, he took mercy on Lot because Abraham pleaded with God.  Abraham, in faith, literally prayed Lot right out of God’s furious and fiery judgment. What if there had been no one to stand for Lot?   We will also take a closer look at the power of intercession through the eyes of Zechariah the prophet.  We are blessed with the ultimate Intercessor in the Jesus Christ!  Just think and be amazed at The One Who stands for you!

We will look and examine Nehemiah’s method of rebuilding a city.  It is a wonderful model for beginning new work, continuing against opposition, and giving glory to God for finishing the task set out before him.  Remember what God did with the faith exercised by these people!  In only 52 days their city was rebuilt!  In God’s hands our efforts can be used to change our city, all for Christ!  (If the Devil could keep your eyes from one truth in the Scripture this is the one!)  We will also learn two lessons from the Lord Jesus about the need for persistent prayer and his desire for us to be his feet and Go after the lost sheep.

Remember, Prayer walking is the place to begin our ministry.  Think of the importance of helping others find the peace and reconciliation available only through Jesus Christ.   As you begin, remember Joshua and the spies, and begin scouting at the land you hope to recover for our Lord.  We pray God will bless this effort and provide your group with powerful witness, unity and focus.  Most importantly, remember the goal:  Find one person that will listen to the Gospel and under God’s conviction give their life to the cause of Christ.

Joshua  (18:3-10)

“Find One Person”

Joshua 18: 3 Then Joshua asked them, “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?

• Joshua was no longer concerned in obeying God and was content with partial obedience. T/F
• Joshua aware of man’s rebellion didn’t expect sinful men to try to obey God’s Law.  T/F
• Joshua didn’t desire the Israelites to deeply trust and obey God. He was satisfied if they only believed that God existed and loved them very much.  T/F
• Joshua gave them a challenge to get back to work and take the land that was promised to them.  T/F

Joshua 18:4-6 Select three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to survey the unconquered territory.  They will return to me with a written report of their proposed divisions of the inheritance. The scouts will map out the land into seven sections, excluding Judah’s territory in the south and Joseph’s territory in the north.  Then I will cast sacred lots in the presence of the Lord our God to decide which section will be assigned to each tribe.

• Joshua sent them out “one by one” as they all had different spiritual gifts that work best without the interference of others. T or F
• Joshua sent out three from each tribe to survey the land. T / F
• They were to bring back a written report of their findings. T / F
• They were to divide the remaining land into seven sections. T / F

Discussion:  Why do you think the Israelites refused to obey the Lord and did not completely destroy the Canaanites as commanded?

• The tribes had already taken the majority of the land and needed to settle down and earn a living.  T/F
• They were tired of all the warfare in the land and watching people die for no reason. T/F
• They had established a ‘new religion’ combining what the Canaanites believed with their own ‘faith’ in Jehovah God.  T/F
• They were motivated by what they needed for survival, deciding that trusting God and being obedient would cost them too much.  T/F
• After so many years of living with the Canaanites they probably just became friendly to them and begin to do business with the locals.

The Lord is Our Inheritance

Josh 18:7 However, the Levites will not receive any land.  Their role as priests of the Lord is their inheritance.  And the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh won’t receive any more land, for they have already received their inheritance, which Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave them on the east side of the Jordon River.”

• The Levites were priests and as such received the most territory in the Promised Land.  T/F
• The Levites received the Lord as their inheritance. T/F
• Of the twelve tribes: Judah, Joseph, Gad, Reuben, half tribe Manasseh and the Levites had already received their inheritance; therefore, they did not “have to help the rest” of Israel obtain theirs.   T/F
• Just as the Levites had their inheritance in Christ we as Christians also have our inheritance in Christ, and therefore have no responsibility to help others obtain their inheritance.  T/F
• Most of us are happy living on the east side of the Jordon not taking all that God has promised us. T/F

Josh 18:8-9 As the men who were mapping out the land started on their way, Joshua commanded them, “Go and survey the land. Then return to me with your written report. And I will assign the land to the tribes by casting sacred lots in the presence of the Lord here at Shiloh.”

• The men had no plan or goal and just did what they were “felt led to do”.  T/F
• They were told to go and survey the land and return with a written report.  T/F
• The Lord would ultimately determine the outcome IF they stayed in His presence.  T/F

Discussion: How is it we could do this where God has placed us?  Would it be too much work?  How could it help us to reach more people?

Josh 18:9-10 The men did as they were told and mapped the entire territory into seven sections, listing the towns in each section.  Then they returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh. There at Shiloh, Joshua cast sacred lots in the presence of the Lord to determine which tribe should have each section.

• The men were obedient to God’s plan.  T/F
• They mapped out the entire territory.  T/F
• They divided the entire territory into seven sections.  T/F
• They listed the towns in each section.  T/F
• They returned and gave their reports to Joshua.  T/F
• Joshua showed dependence on the Lord. T/F
• The people complained about Joshua and didn’t follow him. T/F
• They spent their time at the “tabernacle praying” to discover the best time to start obeying God and continued to “wait upon the Lord.”   T/F

Can Prayer be Sinful?

Discussion:  Why is praying (instead of obeying God) sinful?  (Exodus 14:13-15)

What is the Bible? (Why is it tempting to merely listen to the Word of God and not do as it commands?) (James 1:22-23)

What has the Bible told us to be doing?  (Romans 10:14-15)

What did Jesus come to do? (Luke 19:10)

Why is Lord waiting to send Jesus to us again? (2 Peter 3:9)

We believe that Christ died for how many people? (2 Cor. 5:14-15)

Do you think God will allow “spiritually sounding excuses” on Judgment Day?  (See Matthew 7:21-23,  Luke 10:30-37, Matt 24:24-30,)

What did Paul try to communicate to us in Acts 20:20-27?

• He told the truth in public and in homes T/F
• He had only one message T/F
• People need to turn from sin T/F
• People need to turn to God T/F
• In City and City Paul would suffer T/F
• His life was worth nothing if he didn’t tell others the Good News T/F
• He preached about the Kingdom T/F
• No one’s damnation could be blamed on him (Paul) T/F

Do you need to ask God to forgive you for “not making His Kingdom your primary concern?”

Yes or No.

Focus on doing what the Bible tells each of us to do while praying that God would bring more workers to you. Then train (disciple- not force) them to live a life of obedience to ALL His commands.  Matthew 28:18-20.  (Our Actions Speak volumes to others, live what you believe!)

Personal Evaluation (Evangelism and Discipleship):  I have led others to Christ, who in turn then led others to Christ under my direct leadership and encouragement.  The name of the last person I led to Christ was_______________ and the person they led to Christ was ___________________.

I am being discipled by ______________________ and the name of the person I am disciplining is __________________.

Abraham

As you are walking, seeking to “Find One Person” it is vital to remember that God does listen to our prayers and will answer them.  You will be walking all over the city and interceding for those that are caught up in wickedness. Please remember that God, in his mercy, shows kindness to the wicked (Luke 6:35-36.) You might even be going through this study a result of someone praying for you!  This is called intercessory prayer,  we must pray expecting to get results knowing that it is NOT the heart of God to judge- but to Save (John 3:17.)  With this in mind, we will look at Abraham and see God interact with Abraham over the plight of the people who lived in Sodom, a very wicked city.  What was the heart of the problem?  How did Abraham become involved in Sodom’s plight?  Through Family!  Abraham’s nephew Lot and his family had chosen to live in Sodom and were now in harm’s way.   God’s wrath was sitting directly above this city as God was preparing to destroy it. This is a “sneak preview of coming events” (read Revelation for more) and God allowed a little smidgen of fire from a huge bowl of wrath to spill onto and destroy these sinful cities.  They were quite literally in God’s “line of fire.”  Let’s see how Abraham pleaded with God and learn from it.  In faith, you will be doing this same type of prayer for the people in your city (Genesis 18:16-33.)

Three Men Standing Nearby Genesis 18:2

Genesis 18:16-19 Then the men got up from their meal and started on toward Sodom.  Abraham went with them part of the way. “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked, “For Abraham will become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.  I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord do what is right and just. Then I will do for him all that I have promised.”

• What was the Lord’s plan for Abraham?
• Were these blessings only for one nation?
• Who was singled out to receive God’s promise?
• What was hidden from Abraham at this time?

Genesis 18:20-21 So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are extremely evil, and that everything they do is wicked.  I am going down to see whether or not these reports are true.  Then I will know.”

Discussion:  What kind of people lived in Sodom and Gomorrah?  What kind of people live in our city?  Do people need to be saved from God’s judgment? Is God only a God of love?

Genesis 18:22-25 The other two men went on toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham for a while.  Abraham approached him and said, “Will you destroy both the innocent and the guilty alike?  Suppose you find fifty innocent people there within the city-will you still destroy it, and not spare it for their sakes?  Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the innocent with the guilty.  Why, you would be treating the innocent and the guilty exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

• Abraham seemed to have a personal relationship with God.  Yes or No
• Will God treat the innocent and the guilty the same way? Yes or No
• Was Abraham being disrespectful to the Lord? Yes or No
• Abraham said that the Lord was the ____________ of all the earth.

Genesis 18:26-33 (Read this passage.)

• Why did Abraham start with fifty and end with only ten people?
• Which one of Abraham’s relatives lived in this wicked city?
• Do you think that Abraham was pleading for Justice or Mercy?
• Why is it we need Mercy instead of God’s Justice?
• Can people be innocent and never sin?
• Why did Abraham think the Lord would get angry with him?

Genesis 19:1-28 (Read this passage.)

• The people of Sodom were not wicked. T/F
• Lots’ friends listened to him and quickly repented after hearing about God’s judgment that would soon fall on the city. T/F
• Lot’s friends laughed at him and did not listen to him. T/F
• Lot was given several days to pack up his bags and get ready for his departure. T/F
• The Judgment could not come until Lot was out of the village. T/F
• Lots’ wife was “almost” saved.  T/F
• The fire and burning sulfur are just “symbolic” of God’s judgment and didn’t really happen. T/F
• God hates sin.  T/F

Important Note: Lot’s life testimony was not very righteous at this time.  If one tells others about God’s wrath but has a very weak testimony… “Does this change the truth”?  NO! When someone needs to be warned about God’s judgment anyone and everyone is qualified to issue the warning! Whether or not, they are living in God’s righteousness, it does not change the fact that God is going to judge and His wrath is coming. In light of this truth, focus on God and His future plans to destroy this wicked planet and people!  It is a terrible tragedy for all who try to ‘perfected their own righteousness’ yet won’t lift a finger to warn others of God’s Wrath.

Focus question for you: If God came to you personally and told you (and only you) that He was going to make a BBQ out of your city what would you do? How many people would you be able to convince to drop whatever they were doing and follow you out of the city?  Do you see why we need to be pleading with God to reach lost people as Abraham did? Many of our loved ones are lost and do not even know that God HAS told us he is going to destroy the world by fire… we have been warned. (Luke 16:27-31 and 17:26-37.)  Are we sharing the warning with others?

God’s response:

Genesis 19:29 “But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.”

Discussion: What did God do?  Why did God do this?  Did God listen to Abraham’s prayer?  Did God answer Abraham’s prayer?  Why not take time to pray for those in our city that have no relationship with Christ?  What happens to people who have never turned away from their sins and put their faith in Christ?

Think on these questions:

• After the Angels told Lot about the impending judgment, why didn’t Lot just try to “entertain the people” into leaving the city?
• Why didn’t Abraham just pray for Lot to have a healthy life and successful career in the prosperous city? (See Luke 17:28-30)
• What do we spend most of our time praying about?
• When we pray for “saved people” to recover from serious illness we keep then out of heaven. T or F
• When we pray for lost people to get well we are keeping them from where?
• How is Abraham’s prayer a model for us to follow?  Do we need to focus more on the “souls of people” or for “their bodies to fell better.”
• We need to pray to the “Lord of the harvest” nobody ever gets sick and dies. T or F

Zechariah

God has allowed us a peek into heaven:

Zech 3:1-2 Then the angel showed me Jeshau the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord.  Satan was there at the angel’s right hand, accusing Jeshua of many things. And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan.  Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you.  This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”

• Who is mentioned in this passage?
• Who accuses the high priest (believer) of many things?
• Who is the accuser of the brethren (read Rev. 12:10)?
• Who rejected Satan’s accusations?
• Who has all authority in this passage?
• Was Jeshua living a perfect life free from sin?

Zech 3:3-5 Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there. “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” Then I said, “Please, could he also have a clean turban on his head?” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.

• Jeshua’s clothing was clean as he stood before the angel. T/F
• Jeshua’s sins (filthy clothing) were taken away . T/F
• Jeshua was given fine new clothes. T/F
• Jeshua was given a clean priestly turban on his head. T/F
• Jeshua was “smoking like a burning stick” and therefore could not be saved. T/F

Zech 3:6 Then the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said, “This is what the Lord Almighty says: “If you follow my ways and obey my requirements, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards.  I will let you walk in and out of my presence along with these others standing here.

What was the condition for Joshua to stay in the Lord’s presence?  Do you think that the same can be applied to us?  What is the difference between staying in the Lord’s presence and being in Satan’s presence?  (Remember, we are always walking toward God or away from Him!)  Which of the two uses guilt and shame to motivate people?  Which of the two uses love and mercy to motivate people?

Blessings for God’s children:  Go back and read this entire passage and replace Jeshua’s name with “your own name.”   Read Hebrews 10:12-18 and find a blessing there also.  What does Hebrews 10:18 tell us… if we think on it long enough? Why are there no more sacrifices?  Have your sins been forgiven? Do you listen to the enemy of your soul too much?  Do you believe this passage has the power to overcome all the enemy’s insults and arrows?  Did Jesus completely conquer death for us?  Have we won our battle with Satan? (1 John 2:12-14)

Nehemiah 2:11-20

The theme, in the passage of Joshua, dealt with “finishing the task of obedience.” With Nehemiah we see how to bring glory to God by working as a team to accomplish a task.  He rallied the people to restore the City of David where our precious Lord would ultimately be crucified. This passage shows how important it is to be out there looking, seeing, and inspecting the rubble.  It would have been so easy for Nehemiah to stay comfortably in the palace and drink the King’s wine!  What was his desire? God’s “precious city” was on his mind and heart.  He was broken and in much distress over the condition of God’s city. We will use this passage to see how you can begin to “Win One City” for Christ.  This is a perfect picture of how we can intercede for a city and provides excellent guidance for us to follow.

Nehemiah 2:11-12 Three days after my arrival at Jerusalem, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me.  I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem.  We took no pack animals with us, except the donkey that I myself was riding.

• Nehemiah came with the “National Bible Reading Campaign” and believed that it would           change the entire city. (T or F)
• Nehemiah made sure that he was connected with the most important people in the city before doing anything. (T or F)
• Nehemiah was only interested in God’s Plan for the city.  (T or F)
• Nehemiah had a quiet confidence in the Lord and did not need the advice of others. He set his mind to the task and there was no turning back. (T or F)

Nehemiah 2:13-15 I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates.  Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble, So I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate.

Discussion:  What gate would you want to work on?  What was the status of the King’s Pool and Fountain Gate?  What is the status of your city?  Is your heart burdened over the number of people’s lives that are broken, burned and amount to nothing but ashes and rubble?

Nehemiah 2:16-17 The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans.  I had not spoken to the religious and political leaders, the officials, or anyone else in the administration.  But now I said to them, “You know full well the tragedy of our city.  It lies in ruins, and its gates are burned. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and rid ourselves of this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.  They replied at once, “Good!  Let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.

• Do you believe it was crucial for Nehemiah to speak to the administrators, political leaders, spiritual leaders and officials of the city before examining the work to be done?
• How do we know that the administrators, religious leaders and political leaders had lost the way and no longer cared for the City of David?
• Did Nehemiah have the King’s permission to rebuild the city?
• What was the response of the people?

Discussion: Why didn’t Nehemiah go directly to the leaders of the city? What can we learn from Nehemiah about how to reach a city? Did this one person make a difference in the city?  What do you think that the spiritual leaders were doing before Nehemiah got there?

Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed  contemptuously. “What are you doing, rebelling against the king like this?” (please read Nehemiah 2:1-8)

Why do you think that these leaders were talking this way?

• They were concerned that Nehemiah was not genuinely following God.  T/F
• They were losing some of their power because Nehemiah was sent from the king.  T/F
• They liked being in control and wanted Nehemiah to fail as a leader.  T/F
• His failure would then prove that God didn’t send him.  T/F

“Search for the Lost One”

Luke 15:1-7

Luke’s Gospel in the New Testament provides beautiful insight into the heart and Way of God:

“Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.  This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people-even eating with them!  So Jesus used this illustration: “If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others and go and search for the lost one until you found it? And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep had been found.  In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Jesus’ words provide such encouragement to us! As the foolishness of the world tells us our work for redemption of sinners is not relevant, Jesus reveals heaven is waiting to rejoice for the return of God’s lost sheep! Let’s go find them… and bring them home!

Mark T or F behind each statement:

• 99% of the people have put their faith in God’s “Promise” to save them.  T or F
• Only 1% of the people in our country are Lost. T or F
• We should spend most of our time with other Christians. T or F
• A Shepherd should dedicate his time solely to the saved. T or F
• A Shepherd spends most of his time with his sheep locked up in a sheep fold. T or F
• A Shepherd normally is out in the fields with his flock. T or F
• Only sheep can reproduce sheep. T or F
• We should emulate the ‘Pharisees’ as they were experts on religious law. T or F
• Heaven is embarrassed and ashamed when another sinner repents. T or F
• Heaven is waiting for us to go out and find just ONE sinner that might repent. T or F
• People are “chosen” therefore God has already knows who will receive salvation and therefore really doesn’t need us to tell others about His love and mercy. T or F

Summary

Think on the lessons God has for us in this study.  We have learned some amazing things from Joshua, Nehemiah, Abraham and Zechariah.  From Joshua we learn how important it is to continue reaching for all that God has promised.  He challenged them to finish the job of taking the Promised Land.  They had become content with what they had and quit taking the land.  From Abraham we have learned to intercede for people that will be judged.  We know that Satan is always accusing us and from the book of Zechariah we see how the Lord intercedes for us rejecting the plots of Satan.  From Nehemiah we see how to begin working in a city and to stay on task until the job is finished.  It is not necessary to make a big noise and promote ourselves as some kind of “circus” come to town.  It is more important to have a plan and work that plan, even against resistance.  We also have seen the importance of persistent prayer.   We must keep praying, and praying, and praying.  Never stop!  Be vigilant in telling people the Good News of Jesus.  God will answer our prayers!