C: In this lesson, we'll see how Caleb had a great heart of faith, even many years after he first followed God.

1. God Wants Us To Take All the Land

Joshua 13:1-5
1 When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.
2 "This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and Geshurites:
3 from the Shihor River on the east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north, all of it counted as Canaanite (the territory of the five Philistine rulers in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron--that of the Avvites);
4 from the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians as far as Aphek, the region of the Amorites,
5 the area of the Gebalites ; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath.

C: Here Joshua was an old man. But God told him that there still was a lot of land to be taken. We must never forget the promise of Joshua 1:3, "I will give you every place where you set your foot." God wanted them to take all the land that remained. And in verses 2-5, he named all the different areas.

Q: If he came near here, which places would God say we need to still take for Jesus?

C: In our lives as well, God wants 100% of us.

Q: Think about yourself for a moment. Are you holding back in any way? Is there any part of your life that does not belong to Jesus?

C: It is time to give all of our lives to God, and to take all the land he's given us.

2. Remember God's Promises

Joshua 14:6-10
6 Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me.
7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions,
8 but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.
9 So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.'
10 "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!

C: Here Caleb approached Joshua. Q: How old was he on that day (v.10)? [85 years old.] C: Caleb remembered how 45 years earlier he had gone into the land of Canaan, and he had faith that it was a good land (v.7). But the others tried to discourage the people (v.8). God promised Caleb on that day that he would give Caleb that land forever (v.9). And Caleb remembered!

C: Sometimes we forget God's promises to us in the Bible, and we get discouraged.

Q: What are some of the great promises in the Bible?
- If we believe in Jesus, we have eternal life (Jn 3:16).
- If we seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, he'll take care of our needs (Matt. 6:33).
- When we make disciples, Jesus is always with us (Matt. 28:20).
- God will meet all our needs (Phil. 4:19).
- If we live in Christ, we'll never die (Jn 11:25-26).
- Jesus is the way to God (Jn 14:6).
- God is our father in heaven, and he has prepared a room for us (Jn 14:1-3).
- The word of God is always fruitful (Isaiah 55:8-11). " Jesus gives rest to the weary (Matt. 11:28-30).
- If we are faithful, Jesus will answer our prayers (Jn 15:7).
- If we believe, Jesus will do anything for us (Mark 11:22-24).
- If we rely on Jesus, we will be fruitful (Jn 15:5).
- When we cry and evangelise, God will bless us (Psalm 126:6).
- When we give to God, he'll open the floodgates of blessing on us (Mal. 3:10).
- When we die, God will wipe away every tear (Rev. 21:4).

C: Tonight, let's remember the promises of God to us, and get fired up!

3. Open Your Mind And Dream for God

Joshua 14:11-14
11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."
13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.
14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.

C: In v.11 Caleb said that he was still just as strong as before. He asked Joshua for the hill country that God had promised him. He knew that he still would have to fight the enemy. But he had the faith to go for it, even though he was old!

Q: Do you have a dream for God today? Or have you lost your vision?

C: Perhaps you could be a family group leader. Or a Bible talk leader. Or give your testimony at church. Or use your musical or sports talents for God. Or be an assistant leader. Or becoming a "shepherding couple" in the church. Or go on a mission team. Or start a new family group. Or evangelise your native place. Or convert your family. Or become an intern one day!

C: God has great dreams for each one of us. There is so much work to do in India. We need thousands of churches, and millions of leaders. Let's decide to rise up, and not make excuses like "I'm tired" or "I'm too old."

4. Work for God Don't Complain

Joshua 17:14-18
14 The people of Joseph said to Joshua, "Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people and the LORD has blessed us abundantly."
15 "If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites."
16 The people of Joseph replied, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel."
17 But Joshua said to the house of Joseph--to Ephraim and Manasseh--" You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment
18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out."

C: A little bit later, some people complained that Joshua had not given them enough land (v.14). So Joshua told them to clear the forest, and get extra land from there (v.15).

Q: What did the people of Joseph say when they heard this plan (v.16)? ["It will be too hard for us to go there, the people there have iron chariots."]

C: Sometimes God gives us things, but we complain that he wants us to work. Joshua did not like this attitude. He challenged them, saying, "you are numerous and very powerful...you can drive them out" (vv.17-18). We also complain, and God has a solution:
- "I don't have a job." GOD SAYS: "Look harder. Go out every day for interviews. Pray!"
- "I have money troubles, so I can't give contribution." GOD SAYS: "Trust me, and give contribution first. Make a budget. Say 'no' to other things, not to God."
- "No one is open, so I can't bring visitors." GOD SAYS: "The fields are ripe for harvest. Invite people and follow-up."
- "I'm still not married, and I've been a Christian for a long time." GOD SAYS: "Be open to whomever I send you in the church. Don't think too highly of yourself. I love you and will give you a great mate."
- "My family is against my faith." GOD SAYS: "I will judge your family on the last day. If you love them, stand for me, and one day they'll change."

Conclusion

It is exciting to see how God wants us to dream and work for him.