To prepare for this study, please read the Women in Christ commentary Jehosheba.
 

Part I. The Example of Jehosheba

1. II Chronicles 22:2-3, 7-10; II Kings 11:1 What was the political situation in Judah? Why was Athaliah able to carry out her coup? Where did she and her son Ahaziah get their value system? 

2. II Chronicles 22:11-12; II Kings 11:2-3 Why do you think Jehosheba (sister or half-sister of Ahaziah) was willing to rescue one of her nephews?

3. II Kings 12:1-2; II Chronicles 24:1-2 Who taught Joash, the heir to the throne? What did his early acts show he was taught? Why do you think Jehoiada had such a strong influence on Joash?

4. II Chronicles 24:15-18; II Kings 12:2 Why do you think Joash was so willing to turn away from the priest’s instructions concerning right and Godly character and actions?

5. II Chronicles 24:19-20 How did God reach out to Joash to give him a chance to return to being a righteous king?

6. II Chronicles 24:21-22 What did Joash forget? How did Joash respond to God’s efforts to bring him and the nation back to him?

7. II Chronicles 24:23-25 How and why did God carry out his judgment on Joash?

8. Have you ever had the experience of extending a kindness to someone only to have that person turn against you in some way? What was your reaction? Did you ever fail to return or pass on a kindness that was extended to you? What do you think God would have you do in each of those circumstances?
 

Part II A Pure Heart

1. Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23 What are some of the reasons that some people abandon or fail to respond to the instructions about the kingdom of God?

2. James 1:12-15, 22-25 How does sin (wrongdoing or disobedience to God’s instructions in his law) take hold in a person’s life? To where does yielding to temptation lead?

3. Ephesians 6:6 (the last phrase); I Timothy 1:5-11; II Timothy 2:22; Matthew 5:8; Matthew 12:33-35 What does our heart have to do with how and why we relate to God and agree with him in our attitudes and conduct?

4. Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-22 Read the Ten Commandments and think carefully about each point of this law. What direct benefit does each individual, family, community, or nation gain from obedience to these commandments? How would obedience to them affect international relations? Can you honestly think of any reason that this instruction from God was so bad it had to be abolished? Is any point of this law irrelevant to any culture? What do you think is the reason King Joash, and many before him and many after, eagerly abandoned trusting and obeying God?

5. Hebrews 8:6-7, 8-13; Deuteronomy 5:29; Jeremiah 17:9;Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23 Why was a new covenant necessary?

6. Mark 12:29-34; Romans 10:1-13; Acts 16:14; Jeremiah 31:33-34 How does God change our hearts so that we can agree with him in the way we live our lives? [Editor’s Note: Some people stumble over Romans 10:4. Paul was not contradicting Jesus (Matthew 5:17-20.) David H. Stern translates Romans 10:4 in The Jewish New Testament : “For the goal at which the Torah aims is the Messiah who offers righteousness to everyone who trusts.”]

7. Romans 6:1-23; 8:1-16 How do grace, the instruction of God’s law, and the Holy Spirit work together to produce the righteousness of God made possible by Jesus?

8. Hebrews 5:7-10; 4:14-16; Psalm 51; 139:23-24; 141:1-5 What example did Jesus set for us as he struggled with the weakness of his human nature?

9. Psalm 119:9-16; 119:162-168 How can we keep our way pure according to God’s standard? Joash was taught the law of God and obeyed it for a time. Yet, he did not continue in it. What do you think was missing in his heart that he could so easily abandon Jehoiada’s teaching?

10. Deuteronomy 8:10-20; II Peter 1:12-18; 3:8-18; Jude 17-25 Joash forgot the kindness of his rescuers. How can we avoid forgetting God’s kindness of salvation to us?