Today is a special day! We’re calling it “baton pass” day. Why? After 35 years, Pastor John will officially relinquish his title of “Lead Pastor” at Faith Oakville and pass it on to Pastor Matt Peeples. Biblically, there are numerous examples of leadership succession. For example, you might think of the prophet Elijah anointing Elisha as his successor, or David being followed by Solomon, or Paul by Timothy and Titus, or even Jesus by his disciples. Today, Pastor John will be sharing about Moses, who Joshua succeeded. Is there anything we can learn about God, His people, or even about the heart of a leader God desires to lead His people (and Faith Oakville)? May the Lord bless our baton pass day! 

Numbers 27:12-23

12 The Lord said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, 14 because you rebelled against My word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold Me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) 15 Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, 16 “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” 18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. 20 You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.” 22 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 23 and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Read Numbers 27:12-23. What is happening in this passage between God, Moses, and Joshua? Why is Moses not allowed to enter the Promised Land (v. 13-14)?

2. What qualities does Moses ask God to look for in a new leader (v. 16–17)? Why? 

3. What do Moses’ actions in this passage tell us about his heart for the people of Israel or about God’s character in how He provides for His people even during leadership changes?

4. Why do you think God chose Joshua as Moses’ successor? (Numbers 14:27-30; Hebrews 11:28) 

5. What aspect of godly leadership seen in Moses and Joshua points to Jesus as the true Leader/Savior/Redeemer of God’s people? 

6. How might you pray for your current and future leaders? In what area of your life is God calling you to entrust the future to Him, like Moses did?

For Families with Kids

1. Read Numbers 27:12-23 together. How does Moses react when God tells him that he (Moses) will not enter the Promised Land? What can this teach us about trusting God’s plan, even when it’s hard?

2. Re-look at vv18-23. What made Joshua a good fit to lead after Moses? What role did Moses play in Joshua being the next leader of God’s people? What can we learn here about changing leaders?

3. What can we learn from God’s plan for His people’s future leadership? How can we see this at work in our own Faith community?

4. How does this reading show God’s power over all things? How can we trust God’s plan even when we don’t understand it? Thank Jesus for His perfect leading and shepherding.