… A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7—9

The Joshua Generation Joshua 24:14-15 [14] “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. [15] But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. ”

The Joshua Generation Joshua 24:14-15 What marks out this generation? “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” [Joshua 24:15]

Those that outlived Joshua Judges 2:6-7 [6] After Joshua had dismissed the Israelites, they went to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. [7] The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel. [Judges 2:6-7] What marks out this generation? They never drove out [the enemy] completely. [Judges 1:19-35]

Generation that did not know Joshua Judges 2:8-13; 17:6 [8] Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten… [10] After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. [11] Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD… [12] They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, … They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. [Joshua 2: 8-13]

Generation that did not know Joshua Judges 2:8-13; 17:6 What marks out this generation? In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. [Joshua 17:6]

The Joshua Generation Those that outlived Joshua Generation that did not know Joshua Joshua 24:14-15 Judges 2:6-7 Judges 2:8-13; 17:6

“As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. They never drove out [the enemy] completely.

The Joshua Generation 2 nd Generation 3 rd Generation CommitmentCommitmentCompromiseCompromiseConfusionConfusion Knew God Knew about God Didn’t know God Whole heart Divided heart Hard heart RelationshipRelationshipReligionReligionRejectionRejection 1. Attitude towards God 1. Attitude towards God

The Joshua Generation 2 nd Generation 3 rd Generation First-hand faith Second-hand faith No faith Seen works of God Heard about works of God Didn’t know works of God 2. Experience of Faith 2. Experience of Faith Power of Spirit Spirit & Self SelfSelf

The Old I promise that I will do my best to love my God to serve my Queen and my country to help other people and to keep the Guide law. The New I promise that I will do my best to be true to myself and develop my beliefs, to serve the Queen and my community to help other people and to keep the Guide law.

The new Guides oath is a fascinating insight into cultural change… The set menu of established religion is replaced by the buffet of “spirituality”…. The prevailing pressure on girls is towards introspection… The new Guides oath is a fascinating insight into cultural change… The set menu of established religion is replaced by the buffet of “spirituality”…. The prevailing pressure on girls is towards introspection…

The Joshua Generation 2 nd Generation 3 rd Generation Submits to Bible Respects Bible May own a Bible Shaped by Word of God Shaped by other believers Shaped by society 3. View of Bible 3. View of Bible Know & understand Know; don’t understand Don’t know or understand

The Joshua Generation 2 nd Generation 3 rd Generation Pursuing God Looking good, obeying rules Don’t know what they believe Clear vision & purpose Know the landmarks; forgot purpose Never were told; Never asked Never were told; Never asked 4. Lifestyle 4. Lifestyle

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” [Joshua 24:15]

What to do? What to do?

Set an Example Hold fast Lead! “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Tell & Teach Declare God’s power to next generation Tell the stories Prove God for Self Encourage “Faith projects” Let them make mistakes What to do? What to do?

Jack ReubenAsher