SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON. APRIL 22, 2018 TOPIC: Put Faith into Action (Rahab)

SUNDAY SCHOOL  LESSON. APRIL 22, 2018

TOPIC: Put Faith  into Action (Rahab)

Memory Verse: James 2:17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (KJV).

LESSON TEXT: Joshua 2:1-24, 6:22-25; Matthew 1:5-6; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:14-26.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Faith in God should Compel us to obey Him.

FOCUS: To examine Rahab’s faith-inspired actions and express our faith through action.

LESSON OUTLINE;

1  1.     Faith and Fear Expressed

A.    Courageous Act

B.     Godly Fear

2  2.     Faith in Action

A.    A Solemn Oath

B.     Works and Faith

3  3.     Faith Rewarded

A.    Saved by Faith

B.     Legacy of Faith

Learning  Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1  1.     Identify the challenges Rahab had to overcome to express her faith in God.

2  2.     Explain the relationship between works and faith in their Christian lives.

3  3.     Discuss ways they can overcome the things that keep them from putting their faith into action.

INTRODUCING THE LESSON

QUESTION: How do you think most people would respond if a known prostitute visited your church?

  It can be often be easy to accept people into our churches who share our moral values. But we may not be so welcoming of people who practice sinful behavior, especially those practices we find most repulsive.

When we reject sinful people however, we fail to see the value they hold in God’s eyes.

   Today’s lesson is about a woman named Rahab, a prostitute who lived in Jericho. Rahab’s lifestyle did not reflect a desire for God. Yet when she learned of God’s power, she expressed faith in God. This week’s lesson will help us express our faith in God.

1  1.     Faith and Fear Expressed

A.    Courageous Act.   Joshua 2:1-7

    Israel was camped at the border of Canaan. Joshua did what any wise commander would do. He needed key information about the area, and especially the city of Jericho (Joshua 2:1). The species understandably wanted to attract as little attention as possible. They went to one place in Jericho where strangers might not be too conspicuous: the house of a prostitute (verse 1). Such a place would offer them access to information from men in the city as well as provide easy opportunity for escape should they be found out. Rahab’s house was located on the city wall.

QUESTION: What does the account of the species and Rahab teach us about the mercy of God?

    Many have tried to soften the situation concerning Rahab by saying she was simply an innkeeper. The New Testament, however, is plain about her occupation (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). God, in His mercy and grace, saw Rahab’s heart. He knew that despite her sin, she could look to Him in faith. In the same way, many today who live a sinful life can turn to Him when they hear the gospel.

   We do not know how long the species were in Jericho. The end of Joshua 2:1 indicates it could have been several days. It wasn’t long before the king of Jericho learned of the species. In that day, many of the towns of the Philistine were independent city-state, and their rulers called Kings. News that Israelites were in the city could be especially unsetting to the king, as the people of Jericho feared them. So the King sent soldiers to Rahab’s house to arrest them (verses 2-3).

    Perhaps in conversation with these men, Rahab  learned who the species were and why they were there. When the king sent for the men, Rahab lied to him about their whereabouts (verses 4-5).

QUESTION: Was it wrong for Rahab to li about the species staying with her? Explain.

   Some teach that since Rahab was not a follower of God, she was simply adhering to cultural norms in lying. Others believe that if she had told the truth, God would have used other means to protect the species. Joshua 2 neither condemns nor approve Rahab’s actions.

   Verse 6 continue the story, noting Rahab hid the species on the roof. After harvest, workers soaked flex in water and then let it dry out before using it to make linen. A roof covered in flex would be a good hiding place for these men. The King messengers believed Rahab’s story (verse 7), but perhaps in case the men were still in the city, they shut the gate.

B.     Godly Fear. – Joshua 2:8-14

   When it was safe to talk to the spies, Rahab explained to them why she took the actions she did (Joshua 2:8-11). The events surrounding  God’s people in the preceding forty-plus years had not gone unnoticed by the people in Canaan.

    Rahab mentioned three things that caused her to help the species.

First, she knew that God had given Israel the land of Canaan. Note that she spoke of this as if it were already an accomplished fact: “I Know that the Lord has given you this land” (verse 9,NIV). Second, the people of Jericho had heard about the miracle at the red sea. Third, they recognized the power of Israel’s army in their defeat of Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:21-35). They knew they were no match for Isreal’s God.

QUESTION: How might our testimony of God working in our lives inspire faith in others?

     While the people of Jericho feared Isreal , Rahab’s reaction included a further element. She understood the power and nature of God (Joshua 2:11). Rahab expressed her faith in their God as the true God, and asked the spies to be merciful to her and her family (verses 12 – 13).

     The word translated “kindness” in verse 12 is an important Old Testament Hebrew word (chesed). It is used to denote loyal, steadfast love and often describe God’s covenant love for His people. In verse 12, Rahab conveyed the idea that she had shown the spies kindness, and now she and her family would be shown the same.

Ultimately, Rahab and her family would be part of the nation, God’s people of His covenant ( see Joshua 6:25). The spies honoured Rahab’s act of faith (Joshua 2:14). She had protected them; they would protect her and family.

2  2.     Faith in Action.

A.    A Solemn Oath – Joshua 2:15-24

  Although the city official has shut the gate, likely to keep the spies from escaping in case they were still in the city, God had another way for them to escape  (Joshua 2:15). Before the spies left Jericho, they arranged for Rahab and her family’s safety (verse 16-19). In the heat of the battle, they could not guarantee her safety unless they were in her house. The sign for her protection would be a scarlet cord (verse 18).

  The Israelite soldiers would know to protect those in this house. The spies also warned Rahab not to reveal what they were doing (verse 20). After confirming her Oath, the spies returned to Joshua (verses 21-24). The spies’ report reaffirmed the great confidence they had in the Lord. They could be bold in their faith following the Lord’s leading in taking the Land, because God would indeed go with them.

B.     Work and Faith –James 2:14-17,25-26

QUESTION: What is the relationship between works and faith in the lives of Christians?

    This issue can seem difficult to understand. Because works do not save us, we might wonder about the role works play. Perhaps it is helpful to recall that faith is more than mental assent. It calls for response to the marvelous work God has done within us. We act on our faith by obeying God’s commands because we live in close relationship with Him.

   In James 2, James dealt with the treatment of the poor, questioning the reality of a person’s faith if that did not produce works. Such faith is not saving faith (verse 14). When we accept Christ as our Saviour, we are expected to grow in that relationship and become fruitful Christians. This means giving evidence of our faith through good works (Ephesians 2:10). James 2:15-17 provides a practical example of empty, useless faith. Mere mental assent to a theological position without concrete actions in response is not really faith.

     Not that James presented Rahab as fine example of true faith ( verse 25). She affirmed the reality of God in Joshua 2:11. But she also took her faith further, hiding the spies and helping them escape from capture. By doing this she saved herself as well as her family.

   Rahab believed in this God of whom she had heard, and in response had risked her own well-being in anticipation of receiving mercy and protection from God’s people. In this sense she was justified by her active faith, which was, by definition, true faith.

3  3.     Faith Rewarded.

A.    Saved by Faith –Joshua 6:22-25

    In Joshua 6, Rahab’s story moves forward to the scene in which the Israelites are conquering and destroying Jericho. After circling the city for six days, on the seventh day it was time to take the city. And, since Rahab had protected the spies from harm and helped them escape, she and her family would be protected during this invasion (Joshua 6:22-25).

    The spies took Rahab and family to a safe place outside Israel’s camp (verse 23). This ritual of temporary separation was necessary for a time because Israel’s camp was holy and thing unclean could enter. After a period of time that includes ceremonial cleansing, Rahab and her family became a permanent part of the community of faith (verse 25).

    Verse 24, in describing the fate of Jericho, contrasts what happened to Jericho and its inhabitants with how  Joshua spared Rahab and her family. Rahab provides an example of saving faith –a faith that went beyond mere belief and became an active faith.

QUESTION: In what ways is our walk of faith a journey?

  Verse 25 reminds us that the faith of Rahab and her family was indeed a journey, from the godless city of Jericho to permanent residence among God’s people.

    Sometimes people accept Christ as Saviou the first time they hear the gospel. Others hear the gospel repeatedly over the course of time before turning to Christ. For both groups, the journey of faith began as they mature in their Christian work. Following conversion, God’s people continue to see Him at work in their lives. No matter how the journey unfolds, Christians can give thanks to God for His presence along the way.

B.     Legacy of Faith –Hebrews 11:31; Matthew 1:5-6.

   Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the chapter of Faith. The writer of Hebrews chronicled the experiences of great people of faith such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others. Nestled within this list is Rahab (Hebrews 11:31).

   Rahab’s faith saved her and her family from certain death. The  writer  contrasted her faith with the unbelief of those who perished. Rahab recognized God’s plan for the destruction of Jericho, then took action on behalf of God’s people rather than obeying the king and other leaders in Jericho. She acted in faith.

   It is important to note that Rahab appeared another time in the New Testament, in the ancestry of King David. This means she was also part of Christ’s genealogy (Matthew 1:5-6).

QUESTION: Why might it be significant that Rahab is mentioned in Christ’s genealogy?

    Her inclusion offers several intriguing points. First, she was one of the four women in the genealogy. In a place and time where women often were not honored, she was greatly honored. Second, she came from a sinful profession, a good reminder that God’s grace extends to all. Third, she was a Canaanite of Jericho –a reminder that God’s purpose has always been to include the Gentiles in His plan of Salvation. In Rahab, we see repeated evidence of God’s glorious grace, and His willingness to change the course of anyone’s life.

QUESTION: In what ways might God honour our faith?

    It is likely that our faith will never gain the notoriety of Rahab’s faith, but a  faithful walk with God can be a testimony to others of His grace in our lives. God honors our faith in many ways, such as when He answers our prayers. He also guides our words and empowers us in answer to prayer, as we tell others about Him. Finally, He honors our faith by giving us strength as we walk through the difficult times of life.

DISCIPLESHIP IN ACTION

  Fear can hinder us from expressing our faith. Rahab could have cowered in fear like other residents of Jericho, terrified of Israelites and the God they served. Instead, the message of God’s power at work among His people caused her to overcome her fear and express her faith in God.

Fear can impact our lives as well: Fear of rejection might keep us from telling others about Jesus. Fear of unanswered prayer can keep us from praying for those who are sick or doing something God is asking us to do.

What is the biggest fear that threatens you from expressing your faith in God? What promise of Scripture, including those revealed in this lesson, might help you overcome these fears. Pray that with God’s help you overcome fear as you express your faith in God through your actions.

MINISTRY IN ACTION

Encourage students to look for ways they can express their faith in God. It may be telling someone about Jesus. It could involve praying for someone who is sick, it may mean they need to trust God for direction in their lives. Take time at the end of the class to pray that God will help them overcome all fear to serve Him in faith.