Learning on the Way
Joshua 2: Scandalous Grace
Sermon Summary This sermon explores the shocking story of God’s grace through Rahab the prostitute in Joshua 2:1-24. When two Israelite spies enter Jericho on a reconnaissance mission, they end up at what seems like the “wrong address” – the house of a pagan prostitute. Yet this was no accident but divine providence. Rahab, a Gentile, Amorite, and prostitute, represents everything that should disqualify someone from God’s grace. However, she becomes the first person saved in the Promised Land, demonstrating that God’s grace is truly scandalous – it reaches the unreachable, creates impossible faith, and grants full acceptance into God’s family. Her story challenges our assumptions about who deserves salvation and reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s amazing grace.
Key Points
God’s grace reaches the unreachable – those that society and religion have written off
Grace creates impossible faith in impossible places through limited knowledge
God’s grace grants full acceptance, not second-class citizenship in His family
Divine appointments often look like “wrong turns” in our carefully laid plans
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a hall of fame for the righteous
Grace that saves us also sanctifies us and enables us to extend mercy to others
Testimony of God’s work builds faith in others who hear about His deliverance
Small Group Questions
The spies ended up at Rahab’s house, which seemed like the “wrong address.” Share about a time when what felt like a wrong turn or mistake in your life turned out to be God’s providence working for good.
Rahab had three major strikes against her: she was a Gentile, an Amorite (enemy of Israel), and a prostitute. Yet God chose her to be the first person saved in the Promised Land. How does this challenge our assumptions about who God chooses to save and use?
Despite having very limited knowledge about God (only hearing about the Red Sea crossing and victories over Amorite kings), Rahab displayed remarkable faith. How does her example encourage you when you feel like you don’t know enough about the Bible or theology to have strong faith?
Rahab not only believed but acted on her faith, risking her life and her family’s lives to protect the spies. What are some ways you’ve seen faith move from belief to action in your own life or in others?
The sermon mentions that grace doesn’t just save us but also sanctifies us, enabling us to forgive others. How has experiencing God’s forgiveness changed your ability to extend grace to difficult people in your life?
Rahab wasn’t given “second-class salvation” but was fully accepted into God’s family, even becoming an ancestor of Jesus. How does this truth impact those who struggle with feeling like their past disqualifies them from full acceptance by God?
Key Verses
Joshua 2:1-24 (primary text)
Joshua 2:11 – “The Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith”
Matthew 9:13 – “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”
Application On The Way This week, identify someone in your life whom you might have written off as “too far gone” or beyond God’s reach. Pray specifically for that person daily, asking God to reveal how you might be part of His divine plan in their life. Consider sharing a simple testimony of what God has done for you recently as a way to plant seeds of faith.
Want to Go Deeper? Additional Scripture Passages:
Matthew 1:5 (Rahab in Jesus’ genealogy)
Hebrews 11:31 (Rahab’s faith commended)
James 2:25 (Rahab’s works of faith)
1 Timothy 1:15-16 (Paul on being the chief of sinners)
Luke 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus – another unlikely recipient of grace)
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (God chooses the foolish things)
2 Corinthians 5:17 (new creation in Christ)
Romans 5:8 (God’s love for sinners)
Personal Reflection Questions:
Read Matthew 1:1-6, noting the women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba). What does their inclusion tell you about God’s heart for broken people and His ability to write straight with crooked lines?
Consider Rahab’s declaration in Joshua 2:11 alongside Deuteronomy 4:39. How does it impact you that this pagan prostitute made the same confession that Israel was supposed to make? What does this reveal about the power of grace to transform hearts?