Courage

Big Idea:  God calls us to be bold, strong, and courageous in what He calls us to.

Scripture: Joshua 1:9– “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Warm-up:

-What situations are hard for you to be bold, strong, and courageous in?

-Are there situations that you encounter where being bold and courageous comes easily?

-What are some things we can do when fear creeps in and we are lacking courage?

Game Time Discussion:

Read the following scripture aloud: – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” 2 Timothy 1:7

-God calls us to boldly pursue the things He’s called us to do, the things we know are right.  Fear, uncertainty, and anxiety creep into our lives all the time. Feeling this way is part of being human. But when we have a relationship with Jesus, we can call on Him to strengthen us in these times. It’s not our power, courage, and strength, that we are confident in. It’s the power of God working in and through us that gives us courage.

-Are you tempted to rely on your strength instead of God’s strength in you? Why is that?

-What are some things that you need to rely on God to give you courage to do or say?

Concluding Thought: Hebrews 10:39 says “But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved”.  Throughout scripture, God called ordinary people to do extraordinary things. At first, all of these people God called, shrunk back from the task and listed all the reasons why they couldn’t accomplish what God called them to do. But God reminded them that it wasn’t their strength that would get the job done, it was His strength that would get the job done. Only after we realize that it’s God’s strength and courage in us, not ours, will we be able to courageously face what He’s called us to.

Game Time Challenge: Proverbs 28:1 says “The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” As followers of Jesus, we should be marked by our courage and boldness. The world is full of people who flee from challenges instead of facing them head on. Sometimes we let fear paralyze us from pursuing what God has for us. But God has marked out a race for us not to flee from, but to pursue with boldness like a lion. Don’t let fear keep you from pursuing what God has for you. Be courageous, pursue, be bold like a lion.

Prayer: God, thank you for being a God that has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, of love, and of sound mind. Continue to guide us as we follow you and do what you have called us to do. Give us the strength to be strong, bold, and courageous; not in our own power, but through your power AMEN.