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Adult Sunday School Study

DO NOT CONFORM
TO THE WORLD

Deacon Jack WilliamsJoshua 24:18-27October 4, 2026
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Lesson Summary

Deacon Jack Williams teaches from Joshua 24 as Joshua calls the people to remember what God has done and choose whom they will serve. The lesson begins with the importance of remembering the instruction of earlier generations and passing it to children and grandchildren. Blessings and comfortable circumstances should deepen gratitude rather than cause people to forget their dependence on God.

The three outlines move from Joshua's admonition to the renewed covenant and the stone set as a witness. Joshua challenges the people to take their promise seriously. They declare that they will serve the Lord, and he calls them to put away other gods and incline their hearts toward Him. Their words must become a lived commitment, not merely a public statement.

Deacon Williams applies the lesson to ordinary choices, including his own need to listen and admit a mistake during a difficult trip. The closing class discussion connects the covenant with practices that help families remember their faith. The invitation is to serve God with sincerity, take responsibility for our actions, and strengthen a personal relationship with Him day by day.

Prepared from the supplied October 4 Sunday School transcript, including Deacon Jack Williams's teaching and the closing class discussion. Background: Joshua 24:1-17. The Scripture link and memory verse use the KJV; the notes summarize the lesson.

Read the Scripture (KJV)

Lesson Outline

  1. Joshua's Admonition — Joshua 24:18-20
  2. The Covenant Renewed — Joshua 24:21-24
  3. The Stone Set as a Witness — Joshua 24:25-27

Key Verse: Joshua 24:15 (KJV, excerpt)

but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Detailed Lesson Notes

1. Remember and pass it on

Deacon Williams compares Joshua's farewell instruction with a grandfather reminding the family of lessons learned. Remembering is active: receive what earlier generations taught, consider how God brought them through, and share those lessons with children and grandchildren.

Recording: 1:49-4:00

2. Give God credit for His faithfulness

The lesson reviews Joshua's account of God's care across generations. Israel received help and provision they could not claim as their own achievement. Deacon Williams asks whether people will continue serving God once they receive the things for which they have hoped.

Recording: 4:13-10:58

3. Remain faithful when life is comfortable

It can be easy to call on God in trouble and become self-reliant when circumstances improve. The teacher invites honest self-examination. Gratitude and faithful habits belong in ordinary, comfortable days as well as in difficult moments.

Recording: 10:58-12:27

4. Choose whom you will serve

Joshua 24:15 places a decision before the people and states Joshua's household commitment. Deacon Williams emphasizes clear testimony and example. Instead of only telling others what they must do, share what faith has meant in your life and invite them to consider their own commitment.

Recording: 12:30-17:18

5. Take your promise seriously

Joshua's warning in verses 18-20 confronts divided loyalty to a holy God. Deacon Williams asks whether our conduct during the week matches what we say on Sunday. The passage calls for sincere service and warns against promising loyalty while choosing other gods.

Recording: 17:24-20:52

6. Listen, admit mistakes, and change course

During his travel story, Deacon Williams admits that anger affected his judgment and that he gave his wife the wrong address. The lesson brings accountability into everyday relationships: listen carefully, acknowledge a mistake, and let your response reflect the faith you profess.

Recording: 21:05-24:50

7. Be accountable for your own words

The people say they will serve the Lord, and Joshua tells them they are witnesses to that choice. In the discussion, Pastor Hamp emphasizes that no one forced the declaration. A spoken commitment carries responsibility to follow through honestly before God.

Recording: 25:04-29:03

8. Put the commitment into practice

Joshua 24:23 calls the people to put away strange gods and incline their hearts to the Lord. Verse 24 records their promise to serve and obey. Deacon Williams makes the application concrete: a decision to change should be accompanied by an actual change in behavior.

Recording: 29:06-31:02

9. Keep a reminder of the covenant

Joshua records the covenant and sets a stone beneath the oak as a witness. The stone is a reminder of the people's commitment, not an object of worship. Deacon Williams connects remembrance with teaching the next generation and keeping promises after a leader is gone.

Recording: 31:06-35:58

10. Let faithful practices strengthen relationship

The closing discussion recalls reading the church covenant together. Pastor Hamp describes the value of repeated practices that help people grow, while warning that tradition should edify and agree with God's Word. The class distinguishes simply saying we believe from a relationship expressed through service and changed conduct.

Recording: 36:34-42:35

Life Application

  • Name one lesson of faith you received from an older relative or church member. Share it with someone younger.
  • Read Joshua 24:15 and 24:24 with your household. Discuss one way to put your commitment into practice.
  • Examine an area where your words and actions do not match. Ask forgiveness and choose a specific next step.
  • Listen carefully during a disagreement. Admit your part in a mistake and work toward repair.
  • Use a simple reminder, such as a Scripture card, to return to your commitment throughout the week.

Memory Verse

“And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.”

Joshua 24:24 (KJV)

The people's declaration joins serving God with listening to and obeying Him.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness through the generations. Help us remember Your goodness and choose to serve You with sincere hearts. Show us where our actions need to change. Give us humility to listen, courage to admit mistakes, and strength to keep our commitments. May our households and our church pass on a living faith through both words and deeds. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Online Submission

SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDY QUESTIONS

Enter your name, complete the questions, and press submit. Your answers and reflection will be emailed privately to New Enon Baptist Church for review.

1. Why did Deacon Williams emphasize remembering what God had done?
2. What household commitment is expressed in Joshua 24:15?
3. What action did Joshua call for in Joshua 24:23?
4. What did Joshua mean by calling the people witnesses to their choice?
5. What was the purpose of the stone in Joshua 24:26-27?
6. EXTRA CREDIT — In his travel story, what mistake did Deacon Williams admit making while he was angry?

This question comes from something Deacon Jack Williams specifically said during the lesson. Your answer will be included in the email for church review.