Ask This
What is courage? (gather answers) What does it look like when someone does NOT have courage? What are some things they do? (gather answers)
Say This
I want to show you a clip from a movie. The son in this clip is afraid his dad is going to make him look bad and won’t stand up for himself. The dad is trying to tell him to have courage to take some chances and be willing to get knocked down.
Watch This
Ask This
Why do you think the dad is challenging his son so strongly?
Say This
God gives us courage to be strong when life feels scary, uncertain, or challenging. He doesn’t want us to back down when things get hard. He wants us to trust Him and step forward with courage. Did you know courage isn’t always loud? Sometimes courage means choosing to do the right thing even when it’s difficult.
Read This
Read Joshua 1:9 from your Bible or App
Share This
When God said these words to Joshua, Joshua was stepping into a huge responsibility. Moses—the greatest leader Israel had ever had—was gone, and now Joshua had to lead God’s people into the Promised Land.
Joshua had never led an army. Joshua had never led a nation. He probably felt nervous, unsure, and overwhelmed. So God spoke directly to his heart: “Be strong and courageous… because I am with you wherever you go.”
God wasn’t asking Joshua to be brave by himself. He wasn’t asking him to pretend he wasn’t scared. He was reminding Joshua that His presence gives courage.
And that’s the same thing God tells us today.
Have any of you had to be courageous in one of these ways?
Courage might look like:
- Telling the truth
- Apologizing
- Standing up for someone
- Trying something new
- Being kind when someone is mean
- Leading your family spiritually
- Making a hard but wise decision
- Doing the next right thing—even if it’s uncomfortable
Courage grows when we remember: “God goes with me.”
Do This
Ask…Where do you need courage now? Examples:
Examples for kids:
- A test
- Trying a new sport
- Making a new friend
- Sleeping alone
- Being kind to a sibling
Examples for adults:
- A decision
- A tough conversation
- Leadership at home or work
- A place you feel stuck or hesitant
- Taking a new job or promotion
Give everyone a Post-It note. Ask them to write their answer on the Post-It Note. Have everyone take their Post-It Note to a spot on the refrigerator and say, “This will be our Wall of Courage” for a few days. Anytime you see one of these or all of them, say a prayer for that person to be strong and courageous.
Pray This
“Lord, thank You that You are always with us. Help us be strong and courageous in the places where we feel nervous, afraid, or unsure. Remind us that we don’t face anything alone. Give each of us the courage to do the next right thing this week. In Jesus’ name, amen.”