Joshua 24:14-15 (NIV)

14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates 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 ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:14-15 (NIV)

General Context Questions

• Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
• Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
• Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
• Is there anything that stands out to you?
• Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?

Specific Questions

• What does it mean to “fear the Lord”?
• There are several references to “gods” in this passage. What might some of those “gods” be today? How might these “gods” contend with God? What are they contending for?
• Everyone serves someone or something. You can serve yourself, your friends, your family, your country, your God. Can you only serve one? Do you have to neglect the others? Is there a balance?
• How do you “choose” who or what you are going to serve?
• Who or what do you and your household serve?