Joshua's Way: Statement of Practice

How we seek to live

1. Our delight and God's glory

We shall delight in God at all times and seek to glorify Him through our good deeds.

Psalms 37:4; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Matthew 5:16

2. Love

All that we do shall be an expression of our settled loyalty to and supreme love of God. We shall also love other people as God has loved us.

Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:30-31; John 14:21; 1 John 4:19

3. Holiness

We shall seek to avoid sin by dedicating our minds and bodies to God.

1 Peter 1:15-16; Romans 12:1-2

4. Christ's kingdom

We shall seek to advance the gospel and Christ's kingdom everywhere by teaching God's truth and demonstrating God's love.

Matthew 6:33; 10:7; 13:44; 28:19-20; John 8:31-32; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Ephesians 4:15; 5:2; 1 John 3:18

5. Sex, marriage, and children

If married, we shall love and be faithful to our spouses (who shall be of the opposite sex). If single, we shall be celibate. We shall train children to love God above all others and to obey Him in all things.

Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 12:30-31; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 7:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4; 1 John 4:7

6. Protection of life

Through peaceful means, we shall seek to protect the lives of the unborn, the dying, and everyone between.

Exodus 20:13; Psalm 139:13-16; Proverbs 31:8

7. Compassion

We shall seek to understand the plight of the poor, the sick, the disadvantaged, and others in need. Then, we shall take action to improve their lives, both spiritually and physically.

Matthew 25:31-46; Colossians 3:12; James 2:14-17

8. Justice

By peaceful means, we shall seek justice everywhere for all people.

Psalms 11:7; Proverbs 29:7; 31:8; Amos 5:24; Matthew 12:18; 23:23

9. Peace

Because of our commitment to Christ, we shall be peacemakers who willingly turn the other cheek and love even our enemies.

Matthew 5:9, 39, 44; Romans 12:18; 14:19

10. God's creation

We shall be good stewards of the created order entrusted to us by God.

Genesis 1:26-28; Psalms 8:6-8