C+C Edmonds CG Discussion Guide
Text: Hebrews 11:1, 30-31
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Summary
Most of us assume God uses “better” people than us, which makes Rahab’s story so hopeful.
Rahab is a Canaanite, a woman, a prostitute, and a liar – exactly the kind of person we would not expect to end up in Hebrews 11’s “hall of faith.” Yet in Joshua 2 she confesses that the Lord is the true God of heaven and earth, that he has given Israel the land, and that judgment is coming on her people. With only this small amount of light, she acts in faith: she hides the spies, asks for mercy, and obeys the instructions to tie a scarlet cord from her window and gather her household into her home. Her faith is not sophisticated, but it is real, and it moves her to concrete obedience.
This story exposes the difference between knowledge and trust. Israel had seen the Red Sea parted and the Lord’s provision in the wilderness, yet often responded with fear and unbelief. Rahab had only heard reports, but she believed God’s promises as if they were already fulfilled: “I know that the Lord has given you the land.” Her simple trust strengthens the spies’ own faith and becomes the means God uses to preserve them. The issue is not the size of faith but the sufficiency of its object. Even weak faith, when placed in the living God, receives his strong salvation.
The scarlet cord hanging from Rahab’s window stands in a long biblical pattern of God saving by substitutionary blood. From the animal skins that cover Adam and Eve, to the ram in Isaac’s place, to the Passover lamb’s blood on Israel’s doorposts, to the sacrifices of the Law, Scripture traces a scarlet thread that finds its fulfillment in the blood of Jesus. Rahab’s household is spared when every other house in Jericho falls; in the same way, all who take refuge in Christ are spared the judgment we deserve, not because of our moral record, but because of his.
God’s grace not only rescues Rahab; it gives her a new people and a new legacy. She is brought into Israel, marries into the tribe of Judah, becomes the mother of Boaz, the ancestor of David, and ultimately appears in the genealogy of Jesus. Her past does not disqualify her from being woven into God’s redemptive story; instead, her story showcases that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. In Christ, God delights to take people who feel “too far gone” and use them as a link in a long chain of faith, affecting generations they may never see.
Key Takeaways
Discussion Questions
Practical Applications
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Summary
Most of us assume God uses “better” people than us, which makes Rahab’s story so hopeful.
Rahab is a Canaanite, a woman, a prostitute, and a liar – exactly the kind of person we would not expect to end up in Hebrews 11’s “hall of faith.” Yet in Joshua 2 she confesses that the Lord is the true God of heaven and earth, that he has given Israel the land, and that judgment is coming on her people. With only this small amount of light, she acts in faith: she hides the spies, asks for mercy, and obeys the instructions to tie a scarlet cord from her window and gather her household into her home. Her faith is not sophisticated, but it is real, and it moves her to concrete obedience.
This story exposes the difference between knowledge and trust. Israel had seen the Red Sea parted and the Lord’s provision in the wilderness, yet often responded with fear and unbelief. Rahab had only heard reports, but she believed God’s promises as if they were already fulfilled: “I know that the Lord has given you the land.” Her simple trust strengthens the spies’ own faith and becomes the means God uses to preserve them. The issue is not the size of faith but the sufficiency of its object. Even weak faith, when placed in the living God, receives his strong salvation.
The scarlet cord hanging from Rahab’s window stands in a long biblical pattern of God saving by substitutionary blood. From the animal skins that cover Adam and Eve, to the ram in Isaac’s place, to the Passover lamb’s blood on Israel’s doorposts, to the sacrifices of the Law, Scripture traces a scarlet thread that finds its fulfillment in the blood of Jesus. Rahab’s household is spared when every other house in Jericho falls; in the same way, all who take refuge in Christ are spared the judgment we deserve, not because of our moral record, but because of his.
God’s grace not only rescues Rahab; it gives her a new people and a new legacy. She is brought into Israel, marries into the tribe of Judah, becomes the mother of Boaz, the ancestor of David, and ultimately appears in the genealogy of Jesus. Her past does not disqualify her from being woven into God’s redemptive story; instead, her story showcases that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. In Christ, God delights to take people who feel “too far gone” and use them as a link in a long chain of faith, affecting generations they may never see.
Key Takeaways
- Simple Faith, Strong Savior - Rahab’s faith is small and theologically simple, yet it clings to the true God and his promises. Salvation rests not on the strength of our faith, but on the strength and sufficiency of the One in whom we trust.
- Faith obeys what it knows - Rahab responds to what she knows by hiding the spies, tying the scarlet cord, and bringing her household inside. True faith expresses itself in concrete obedience, even when we do not see the whole picture.
- Grace rewrites legacies - Rahab’s past and background do not keep God from saving her or giving her a place in the lineage of Christ. In Christ, God delights to adopt sinners and use them to shape a legacy of faith beyond their lifetime.
Discussion Questions
- Compare and contrast the faith demonstrated by Rahab in Judges 2 and the faith demonstrated by the nation of Israel. What stands out to you?
- Does Rahab's immediate obedience in tying the scarlet cord to her window challenge you?
- In what ways does Rahab’s story challenge your assumptions about who God can use and save?
- Do you think God is inviting you to a costly act of obedience like he did with Rahab?
- How can you use Rahab's story to talk with a friend who feels like they are too far gone for salvation?
Practical Applications
- Oikos Mapping - Write down 8-10 people in your sphere of influence and commit to praying for them daily. Invite one of them to church, community group, or coffee to share your faith story
- Legacy Thinking - Journal about what kind of spiritual legacy you want to leave. What needs to change in your life today to make that legacy possible?