Joshua Overlooking the Promised Land, by Michael T. Malm

Joshua 1–8; 23–24: Lesson 62

Joshua 2-4

Exercising Faith in Jesus Christ

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

After the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, the Lord commanded Joshua to lead them into the promised land. Entering the promised land required faith. The children of Israel and a woman named Rahab demonstrated faith in the Savior. This lesson can help you understand how you can exercise faith in Jesus Christ.

Study the Scriptures

When trying to understand something, a good definition can help. However, sometimes the best way to explain a word is to show an example.

The scriptures have many definitions of faith, but this lesson will explore three stories where people showed faith in unique ways.

Read what Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about faith in Jesus Christ, or watch the video “Seek Learning by Faith” from time code 3:15 to 4:33.

The Apostle Paul defined faith as “the substance of things hoped for [and] the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Alma declared that faith is not a perfect knowledge; rather, if we have faith, we “hope for things which are not seen [but] are true” (Alma 32:21). Additionally, we learn in the Lectures on Faith that faith is … “the principle of action in all intelligent beings.”

These teachings highlight three basic elements of faith: (1) faith as the assurance of things hoped for that are true, (2) faith as the evidence of things not seen, and (3) faith as the principle of action in all intelligent beings. I describe these three components of faith in the Savior as simultaneously facing the future, looking to the past, and initiating action in the present. (“Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sept. 2007, 61–62)

Record the following insight from Elder Bednar in your notebook:

Three elements of faith are:

1. Facing the future.

2. Looking to the past.

3. Initiating action in the present.

As the Israelites prepared to enter the land of Canaan, Joshua sent two spies to Jericho to view the land. The spies came to the home of a woman named Rahab. She hid them from the king of Jericho and helped them escape (see Joshua 2). Rahab became converted to the God of Israel. She was remembered in the New Testament as an important example of faith and good works. (See Hebrews 11:31; James 2:24–25.)

Read Joshua 2:9–14, 18. Mark why Rahab helped the spies.

When the armies of Israel defeated Jericho, they spared only the people who were in Rahab’s household (see Joshua 6:22–25).

Look at your notebook entry about the elements of faith in Jesus Christ. Write the name “Rahab” next to each element you see illustrated in this account.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.

Option A

How can I show faith when I am uncertain about the future?

When the Lord commanded the Israelites to enter Canaan, He told Joshua to lead them across the Jordan River (see Joshua 1:2).

Read Joshua 3:9–17. Mark what the priests had to do before the Lord would part the river.

Tag verses 15–17 as “faith.”

If available, watch “Exercise Faith in Christ” (1:43). Or read the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Recall how the Israelites came to the river Jordan and were promised the waters would part, and they would be able to cross over on dry ground. Interestingly, the waters did not part as the children of Israel stood on the banks of the river waiting for something to happen; rather, the soles of their feet were wet before the water parted. The faith of the Israelites was manifested in the fact that they walked into the water before it parted. (“Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sept. 2007, 63)

Look at your notebook entry about the elements of faith in Jesus Christ. Write the words “Jordan River” next to each element you see illustrated in this account.

Option B

How can I help others remember the Lord?

As the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to enter the promised land, the Lord spoke through Joshua and commanded one person from each tribe to take a stone out of the river (see Joshua 4:1–7).

Read Joshua 4:8–9, 21–24. Mark what the children of Israel did with the stones.

Make a note next to verse 21. Explain how the faith of the Israelites in this story could influence future generations of Israelites.

Look at your notebook entry about the elements of faith in Jesus Christ. Write the word “stones” next to each element you see illustrated in this account.

Now What?

In your notebook, complete the following recommendation from President Russell M. Nelson:

What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith. …

Faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest power available to us in this life. All things are possible to them that believe.

Your growing faith in Him will move mountains—not the mountains of rock that beautify the earth but the mountains of misery in your lives. Your flourishing faith will help you turn challenges into unparalleled growth and opportunity. (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Liahona, May 2021, 103, 104)

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you understand how you can exercise faith in Jesus Christ.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• What Rahab and the Israelites taught you about the kinds of faith Elder Bednar described.

• What you wrote in your notebook for the “Now What?” section.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?