Courage 3

Memory Verse: …” This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NLT).

Text: Joshua 1:1-9

Spiritual Emphasis: Courage isn’t just the absence of fear but a response to it. Biblical courage is not the absence of fear, but the choice to move forward in obedience because of God’s constant presence. It can be simply defined as that attitude of mind and heart that enables us to face danger, obstacles, and the challenges of life fearlessly, firmly, and calmly. Everyday you’re making choices and decisions. Everyday those choices and decisions reveal you to be either courageous or a coward. It takes courage to make the right choice and make a difference in our world.

A Difference Maker

• Courage is trusting God – Sometimes God asks you to be brave and trust Him when it may not make sense sometimes. I’ve discovered that’s how God often works. He leads us on an adventure that brings us to the end of ourselves. He then calls us to be brave and trust Him, even when it sounds irrational, it feels inconvenient, and it looks unfamiliar – Acts 9:10-17; Daniel 6:10; Daniel 6:23; Genesis 12:1-3; Jeremiah 17:7-8.

Questions: 

How do we trust God? (Hints: Let go and let God, stepping aside, release control – Exo. 14:14; Know the one you trust – Prov. 3:5; Rom. 4:20; Learn to obey even when it does not make sense – Luke 5:5; trust in every season – Joseph)

What are some of the tangible ways to trust God? (Hints: Ps 55:22; Jos. 1:8; 1 Sam. 15:22; Isaiah 40:31; 1 Tim. 6:17; Jer. 17:5,7; Phil. 4:19; Psalm 91; Jer. 33:6).

Conclusion: Every one of us faces moments that make us want to shrink back. It might be a scary medical report, a major life transition, or a hard conversation we know we need to have. Fear whispers, “You are alone, and you are not strong enough.”

But Scripture offers a completely different anchor. When God calls His people to face massive challenges, His command is clear: “Be strong and courageous”

Shalom! 

Self-Study: 1 Chronicles 28:20; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Ephesians 6:10; Isaiah 54:4; John 14:27; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:3-4; 2 Timothy 1:7; Joshua 1:9-11; Isaiah 41:10-13; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Psalm 27:14; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 23:1-4; Mark 5:36; Psalm 112:7; Psalm 31:24; Joshua 1:6; 1 Samuel 17; John 16:33; Rev. 12:11.