Scott Allen leads today's lesson is from Ruth 1:11-18; 2:5-12. A tragic story has unfolded in a foreign land. Naomi and her husband had left the land of Judah for Moab. Their two sons had found wives there, contrary to God's instructions. A decade later, all the men of the family had died, leaving behind 3 widows. There was nothing left in Moab for Naomi but bitter memories. She resolved to return to her homeland and sought to dismiss her young daughters-in-law to find new husbands and a new life in their homeland of Moab. One daughter-in-law, named Ruth, refused to leave Naomi. Ruth's remarkable dedication to her mother-in-law would have far reaching implications as they journeyed together to the land of Israel. As Naomi turns towards home, God begins to weave together a marvelous redemption story.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Judges 16:16-31. Samson has judged Israel for 20 years, fueled by a mutual hatred of the rival Philistines. Samson has won battle after battle despite reckless and immoral behavior, but the key to his success and unrivaled strength remains. Though he has failed to keep other parts of his Nazarite vows, no razor has been used on the hair on his head. Unfortunately, Samson fails to keep his secret from his Philistine lover Delilah. We see the tragic results of Samson's lack of self-control but also a redemption story. God has placed Samson in position for his most glorious victory, but it will cost his very life and leave behind a mixed legacy for Israel.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Judges 7:1-8,19-23. Gideon has accepted the Lord's call, and troops have been assembled to fight back against the oppressive Midianites. There's just one problem. God says Gideon has too many men! As God instructs Gideon in paring down his numbers and following an unconventional battle plan, we learn about qualities that hinder us on our personal battlefields and also learn the correct place to put our trust and confidence: in the Lord, who rescues those who turn to Him with a growing faith and a compliant heart.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Judges 6:1-16. God had warned his people though Moses and Joshua to remain faithful. If they turned away from their only Lord and Helper, trouble would soon follow. Nonetheless, in the book of Judges we see the people constantly falling into the cycle of disobedience and correction, in need of repentance and restoration. For seven terrible years the Israelites suffered invasion by the Midianites at harvest time. Crops and herds were devastated. Finally, they cried out to the Lord for help. In response, God sent a nameless prophet to tell essentially them "I told you so." But God also called on a hero to rise and save them... only Gideon did not see himself as the hero that God knew he could be. God had to first correct Gideon's thinking. Despite the adversity, God was present and God cared about Israel. And the key question wasn't what Gideon could do to save Israel. It was what God could do through Gideon.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Judges 2:11-23. Joshua and the elder leaders of the conquering generation slowly passed off the scene. Would Israel honor their pledges to Joshua and remain faithful to the Lord? No, the next generation turned away from God's commands and began worshiping the gods of the land they had conquered, specifically Baal and Ashtoreth. Through Moses and Joshua, God had already warned the people not to worship any other so-called gods. Israel's willful disobedience began a six-to-seven-hundred-year cycle of rebellion, affliction, repentance, rescue, and temporary reprieve. Because God cares about His people, He sends corrective discipline. When we fail the test, we must respond to the natural consequences of our actions and return to the Lord. God longs to rescue and patiently waits to save those who turn away from sin and seek Him wholeheartedly. Sinners must decide they are tired of running in circles and cry out to the only One who can forgive our sins and change our stubborn hearts.

Scott Allen leads todays lesson from Joshua 24:14-27. Except for one stark defeat at Ai due to the unfaithfulness of Achan, Joshua has led Israel to victory over the land of Canaan. The promised land is now their inheritance and homeland. But will they be able to keep it? It depends on a vital decision: whether to return to the false ideas of the past, the failed ideas of the people they have just conquered, or to continue to follow the Lord God alone. God has led them out of slavery and safely through the wilderness. But can a sinful people remain true to a holy God? Joshua holds the people accountable to their promise to follow the Lord God wholeheartedly and warns them to be afraid of what will happen if future generations fail to follow God's commands. For as long as he lived, Joshua inspired the people by his firm decision to follow God and the faithful example he left behind. This was a golden age, but dark times were just ahead.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Joshua 14:1-15. Many battles have been won. It is time to divide the promised land into tribal inheritances. Israel's leaders set a positive example by following Moses' prior instructions and fairly assigning large and small allotments to tribes. Caleb, one of two remaining from the original spies sent to scout the promised land by Moses, has been patiently waiting his turn. He approaches Joshua at Gilgal. Not only is Caleb ready to claim what God promised through Moses, but even at 85 years old he retains the physical vigor to fight for it. With a vibrant faith, Caleb reminds believers that, when necessary, we should be ready to contend for what God has promised us.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Joshua 6:12-25. Every conquest begins with a first battle. Israel's first battle would happen at Jericho, a formidable city defended by strong walls. A traditional army would seek siege weapons to gradually weaken those walls. God told Joshua to march around the city for seven days without words, with the priests blowing rams' horns. God assured them that the walls would fall when the people shouted on the seventh day. The people followed Joshua's instructions. They did their part and God did His part. The walls fell down and they took the city. God's instructions brought justice to the irredeemable wicked ways of a Godless culture, dooming them to destruction. Yet in the midst of justice, God showed a promised mercy to Rahab and all of her family that entered the house of salvation marked by the crimson ribbon. Even today, we know that God judges and punishes unrepentant sinners, while offering mercy to the humble who turn from sin and place their faith and hope in God like Rahab did.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Joshua 3:14-4:9. God had rescued the Israelites from Egypt and had sustained them 40 years through the wilderness journey. Now Joshua and the Israelites stood at the banks of the Jordan river with many a battle ahead. How could they be assured that God would be with this new generation? God stopped the flow of the Jordan River and allowed easy passage through the flooded riverbank, parallel to how He provided safe passage through the Red Sea under Moses. The same God was with Joshua. Not only would Israel learn God's trustworthiness, but they would assemble 12 large stones to commemorate God's faithfulness to Israel throughout all generations.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Joshua 2:4-21. A surprising heroine of faith emerges from our story. Her occupation is one of ill repute. Her nationality is non-Jewish. Her loyalty is seemingly misplaced. Yet Rahab is convinced that only the God of the Hebrews brings victory. Her decision to give total allegiance to the Lord God and His servants changes more than the prospects of the looming battle. Her decision to trust in God while facing destruction leads to the salvation of her entire family and presents a vivid picture of the eternal salvation found though faith in Jesus Christ.