Josiah 2 Kings 22: 1-23:3

Scripture is full of stories of forgotten lives - unsung heroes whose actions and sacrifices failed to win them worldly renown. Yet, these great lives reveal significant people who God was able to use, and whose lives counted for something great. They may not be on the rolls of the rich and famous, yet their lives are still significant because they illustrate what is possible when ordinary people remain faithful to an extra-ordinary God. These men and women are faithful to our God and are integral parts of the story of God saving the world. Despite what the world tells us, we do not need to be powerful, prominent, or rich to have influence.

Questions to Ponder:

1. The Bible tells us that Josiah "did what was right in the sight of the Lord." What does it mean to do what is right in the sight of the Lord? Does that mean Josiah didn't sin at all?

2. Josiah's grandfather was Manasseh, who ruled for 55 years in Judah, and led the most disgusting and vile life imaginable. What would it be like as an 8-year old to have your recollections of your granfather be of a man who dedicated himself to removing God's Word from Judah and replacing the worship of God with idols (2 Chron. 33:3)? How would it affect Josiah to know that Grandpa sacrificed some of his own children to satanic gods (2 Chron. 33:6)?

3. Josiah's dad Amon wasn't any better. Reigning briefly for two years, Amon followed in Manasseh's footsteps, and was assassinated in his second year as king by the palace servants. Josiah didn't take cues from his family or from the culture. How can we choose God even when we are surrounded by evil and sin?

4. Where did Josiah learn to be a king? He learned to be a king from David; he learned to be a king from Hezekiah - men whom he had never seen and who never knew him. We thank God for the power of legacy. In the New Testament, we see Timothy, who learned his faith from his grandmother, Lois, and his grandmother, Eunice. The power of legacy. How can we leave a Godly legacy for our children, grandchildren, people in our church and community?

5. While the temple is being repaired, a copy of Deuteronomy is found. Josiah's grandfather had all but wiped out every copy of God's Word, so when this copy was brought to Josiah, he immediately responded to the Lord, calling all of Judah to hear it read aloud. After this, Josiah publicly made a covenant to obey the Word of God with all his heart and with all his soul and all of Judah pledged the same. As Christians, when we read and study God's Word, it affects not just us but those around us. How important is it to you to dive deeply into the Word of God? How does you studying God's Word affect those around you?

6. Why do you think it was important for Josiah to publicly declare he is following God? If we would read further, we see Josiah taking action and destroying many idolatrous items and places. Why are words and action together a powerful combination?

7. As we read about Josiah, we see the need for the people to be saved from sin. While Josiah is King, he is not a Savior. How does reading this chapter remind you of your need for our Savior Jesus Christ?