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Book Title: 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 this book. 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 Andrew 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
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, 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 tow 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 there, 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.
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