(Joshua 1-4) “New Leader, New Land”
Published 30 September 2025
Scroll down for “Lessons Learned…”
Designed for Personal Bible Study or for Bible Teaching
⚠️ Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Mistakes
- 1️⃣ Freezing in grief when God is saying, “Now then… get ready” (Josh. 1:2).
- 2️⃣ Forgetting the mandate to be “strong and courageous,” not timid (Josh. 1:6–9).
- 3️⃣ Treating the Torah as optional guidance instead of God’s success handbook (Josh. 1:7–8).
- 4️⃣ Relying on old fear narratives instead of fresh faith reports (Num. 13–14 vs. Josh. 2:24).
- 5️⃣ Attempting progress without following the Ark—moving ahead of God’s presence (Josh. 3:3–4).
💥 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Failures
- 1️⃣ Failure to lead with Scripture-centered obedience (Josh. 1:7–8).
- 2️⃣ Failure to see what God is doing in “enemy” territory (Rahab’s confession, Josh. 2:9–11).
- 3️⃣ Failure to sanctify before stepping into new ground (Josh. 3:5).
- 4️⃣ Failure to memorialize God’s wonders—no stones = easy forgetting (Josh. 4:6–7).
- 5️⃣ Failure to read God’s timing—missing the significance of the 10th day (Josh. 4:19).
🚫 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Sins
- 1️⃣ Unbelief—distrusting God’s pledge to give the land (Josh. 1:2–6).
- 2️⃣ Disobedience—turning “to the right or to the left” from God’s law (Josh. 1:7).
- 3️⃣ Prayerlessness—failing to consecrate before crossing (Josh. 3:5).
- 4️⃣ Pride—stepping into the flood without the priests and the Ark leading (Josh. 3:6–8).
- 5️⃣ Ingratitude—refusing to tell the next generation “what these stones mean” (Josh. 4:6–7, 21–24).
🏆 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Successes
- 1️⃣ Courageous leadership—Joshua embraces God’s charge (Josh. 1:6–9).
- 2️⃣ Scripture at the center—meditation and careful obedience produce success (Josh. 1:8).
- 3️⃣ Faith reconnaissance—spies return with a God-honoring perspective (Josh. 2:24).
- 4️⃣ Presence-led progress—Ark borne by priests parts the Jordan (Josh. 3:3–17).
- 5️⃣ Generational memory—twelve stones testify “that all the peoples may know” (Josh. 4:6–7, 24).
🌱 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Spiritual Growth Lessons
- 1️⃣ Face new seasons with strength and courage anchored in God’s Word (Josh. 1:6–9).
- 2️⃣ Look for God’s witness in unexpected places (Rahab’s testimony, Josh. 2:9–11).
- 3️⃣ Consecrate yourself before God moves—prepare inwardly for outward crossing (Josh. 3:5).
- 4️⃣ Step in by faith—priests’ feet in the flood precede the miracle (Josh. 3:13).
- 5️⃣ Build reminders—mark God’s works so your children will ask and hear (Josh. 4:6–7, 21–24).
🧭 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Leadership Principles
- 1️⃣ Own the mantle—acknowledge loss, then move the mission forward (Josh. 1:2).
- 2️⃣ Lead with Scripture—direction and success flow from God’s Word (Josh. 1:7–8).
- 3️⃣ Align to Presence—leaders and people follow the Ark, not their impulses (Josh. 3:3–4).
- 4️⃣ Model first steps—priests stand in the river so people can cross (Josh. 3:13–17).
- 5️⃣ Institutionalize memory—create visible markers that teach future generations (Josh. 4:6–7, 21–24).