Here are my notes for this week's Sunday School Lesson. You are invited to attend with us Sunday morning's at 10 AM... hope to see you there!

FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH PASTOR’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
JAN. 11, 2009 “RAHAB’S COMMITMENT” JOS. 2:1-4, 8-14, 6:22-23,25

1And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

· How many men did Joshua send into Jericho to spy out the city? Why do you think he sent only two? How well do you remember the story of the twelve spies that Moses has sent into the land of milk and honey? How many of the spies returned with a good report?
· Is their anything wrong with a country sending out spies? Isn’t that a lack of faith on Joshua’s part?
· Into what house did the spies enter once they had gotten themselves within the walls of the city? Why do you think that they did this? Is it wrong for a man of God to enter into the home of a harlot? Have you ever entered into the home of a sinner?
· How much time did they spend in the harlots home? Do you believe that they might have indulged themselves in her occupation? Why not?


2And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. 3And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. 4And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:

· Where did the men of Jericho say that the spies went into? How would they have known this? Do you think others know about your secret sins? Would like to share with us any of your secret sins this morning? Perhaps you would like for us to guess what your secret sins are?
· What did the men of the city demand of Rahab? Was this an unreasonable demand? Why do you think that Rahab did not comply with their demand?
· Did Rahab lie to the men of the city? Do you think that Rahab had any love for the men of the city? Do you think that the harlot had “made love” with any of these men of the city? Does a harlot really love her lovers?
· What did Rahab do to protect the two spies? Why do you think that she did this? Have you ever helped someone who was in need of hiding?
· Have you read the diary of “Ann Frank?” Are there any similarities between Rahab and the people who helped the family of Ann Frank? What was Ann Frank nationality?
· Was Benedict Arnold a hero or a man of treason? What is the difference?
· When is it alright to lie to a “policeman?” Isn’t that what Rahab was doing?
· Why did the men of the city tell Rahab that these men had come into the city of Jericho? Were they telling her the truth?
· Didn’t Rahab have duty to protect her fellow county men?


8And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; 9And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. 11And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

· What did Rahab say she had heard about the God of Israel? How would Rahab have known of these things? Are there any benefits to being a harlot? Are harlots talked to? Do harlots talk?
· Do you believe that it is possible for a person to be a harlot while harboring a “fear of God” in their hearts?
· What made Rahab a good candidate for the gospel? Have you ever thought to take the time to witness to a harlot?


12Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token: 13And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. 14And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

· What was the concern of Rahab? Is it possible for a woman to be a harlot and still have a concern for her family?
· Are all harlots harlots because they want to be a harlot? Does anyone in the bondage of sin really want to be in bondage?
· Was Rahab a self centered person? Did she care whether or not her fellow country men died by the hand of the Israelites? Why was she only concerned for her immediate family?
· What bargain did Rahab make with the two spies? Is it ever wrong to make a “bargain” God? Did the spies have a right to make this deal with her?
· Is accepting the gift of salvation a good bargain? What does a person have to trade in for in order to become “saved?”

22But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. 23And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. 25And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

· Was Rahab’s house destroyed by the falling of Jericho? Was Rahab saved? What saved her?