Day 1 Study Guide — Clarity Before Covenant
Anchor Scripture
Jeremiah 33:3 (CSB)
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.”
Today’s Main Reading
Read Joshua 9 in its entirety.
Israel had entered the land God promised them, but entering the promise did not eliminate their need for wisdom and discernment. The Gibeonites deliberately created a convincing presentation, and Israel made an agreement with them without first seeking God's decision.
Key verse — Joshua 9:14 (CSB):
“Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not seek the LORD’s decision.”
Key Themes for Today
Discernment • Wisdom • Patience • Due Diligence • Seeking God • Covenant
PART 1 — STUDY THE TEXT
After reading Joshua 9, answer these questions directly from the passage.
1. What had the Gibeonites heard about Joshua and Israel?
Joshua 9:3
2. What did the Gibeonites do to make their story believable?
Joshua 9:4–6
3. What physical “evidence” did they present to Israel?
Joshua 9:11–13
4. Did the Israelites initially have questions about their story? What did they ask?
Joshua 9:7–8
5. According to Joshua 9:14, what crucial thing did Israel fail to do?
6. What agreement did Joshua make with the Gibeonites?
Joshua 9:15
7. How long did it take Israel to discover the truth?
Joshua 9:16
8. Once Joshua discovered the deception, why didn't Israel simply destroy the Gibeonites?
Joshua 9:18–20
Think About It
Israel's mistake wasn't simply that somebody lied to them.
They had questions. They examined what was presented to them. But ultimately, they made a consequential decision without seeking the Lord's decision.
Sometimes what is presented to us can look convincing and still require further discernment.
PART 2 — BRING IT INTO YOUR LIFE
The purpose of studying Joshua 9 isn't to make us suspicious of everyone.
Discernment is not paranoia.
Instead, this passage should remind us to slow down, examine fruit, ask questions, use wisdom, and seek God before making commitments.
Ask yourself:
1. Is there currently a relationship, friendship, opportunity, contract, partnership, collaboration, or major decision that I need greater clarity about?
2. Am I evaluating this primarily by what I've been shown and told, or have I given myself enough time to observe consistent fruit?
3. Have I asked enough questions? Is there anything I have assumed instead of actually verifying?
4. Am I feeling pressured to make a decision quickly? What might I learn if I simply slow down?
5. Have I genuinely sought God's wisdom concerning this decision—or have I already decided what I want and asked God to confirm it?
6. What fruit am I seeing? Does it consistently agree with what this person or opportunity claims to be?
7. Could excitement about my new season be causing me to move faster than wisdom requires?
Take This Question Before God
Lord, is there anything before me that isn't what it appears to be? Show me what I don't know.
Don't force an answer. Give God room to lead you through Scripture, wisdom, time, observable fruit, and prayer.
PART 3 — GO DEEPER IN SCRIPTURE
Don't stop with Joshua 9. Study what Scripture teaches about discernment and wisdom.
James 1:5 — Ask God for Wisdom
If you lack wisdom, Scripture tells you to ask God.
Study question: Where am I relying on my own understanding instead of asking God for wisdom?
Proverbs 3:5–6 — Don't Lean on Your Own Understanding
Trust God rather than making your own perception the final authority.
Study question: What would acknowledging God in this decision practically look like?
Philippians 1:9–10 — Grow in Knowledge and Discernment
Paul prayed that believers' love would increase in knowledge and every kind of discernment so they could determine what really matters.
Study question: What distinction do I need God's help making?
Hebrews 5:14 — Discernment Develops Through Practice
Maturity includes having our senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.
Study question: What has God taught me through previous experiences that I need to apply now?
Matthew 7:16–20 — Examine the Fruit
Jesus teaches that people are recognized by their fruit.
Study question: Am I paying more attention to someone's words, potential, appearance, or actual fruit?
John 15:4–5 — Look at the Connection to the Vine
Jesus identifies Himself as the Vine.
When considering deep relationships—especially covenant relationships—don't only ask:
“Do they look like what I prayed for?”
Also consider:
“Does their life demonstrate an ongoing connection and submission to Christ?”
PART 4 — PRAYER → DECLARATION → DECREE
Remember: We are not trying to make God do something through our words. We are discovering what God has already said in Scripture and bringing our prayers, decisions, and words into agreement with Him.
STEP 1 — IDENTIFY THE MATTER
What do I specifically need clarity about?
What am I currently experiencing?
What wisdom do I need from God?
STEP 2 — CHOOSE YOUR SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION
Choose at least two Scriptures from today's study.
Scripture #1: _______________________________
What does this Scripture teach me?
Scripture #2: _______________________________
What does this Scripture teach me?
STEP 3 — WRITE YOUR PRAYER
A prayer asks God.
Example:
Father, I come before You asking for wisdom and clarity. Show me anything that I cannot presently see. Help me not to make decisions based solely upon appearances, emotions, excitement, or assumptions. Teach me to slow down, ask the right questions, examine the fruit, and seek Your counsel. If something is not Your will for me, give me the discernment and courage to recognize it. Align my desires with Yours and direct my path. In Jesus' name, amen.
Now write your own:
STEP 4 — WRITE YOUR DECLARATION
A declaration speaks what Scripture says and brings your thinking into agreement with it.
Example:
I declare that when I lack wisdom, I will ask God, and He gives generously. I will trust in the Lord rather than leaning solely on my own understanding. I will seek God's counsel, examine fruit, practice discernment, and allow wisdom to guide my decisions.
Now write your own:
DAY 1 CLOSING THOUGHT
You don't have to know everything. You need to remain connected to the One who does.
Jeremiah 33:3 brings us right back to the purpose of The Clarity Fast:
Call. Seek. Listen.
Lord, give us clarity before covenant.