What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. Share one of the craziest things / schemes you’ve ever attempted?
2. Read Isaiah 43:18-19. How can our past successes or failures prevent us from stepping into the future? There are some things in these verses that we are told to do, and some things that God will do for us. Discuss.
3. Read Deuteronomy 31:6. When Joshua faced the task of entering the Promised Land and conquering its inhabitants, Moses relayed a word to him from God. What is Joshua (and we) to do and not do? What reason does Moses say should help him be courageous? Is that “enough”? Why or why not?
4. We can step into the unknown because of the God we know. Knowing God must be the basis of our faith and courage. But some people feel they could never hear from Him or know Him. Do you think these questions would help? How?
- What are you calling me to do?
- Who are you calling me to reach out to?
- What are you calling me to change?
5. Press on to what God has ahead. Read Philippians 3:13-14. What are we to press on towards? How is it universal (for all believers) and personal (to each individual)?
Deeper
Read Numbers 13:27-33. If you have never heard the story of the twelve spies, read the whole chapter (Numbers 13).
- Was the land good, as God had said?
- What caused their fear?
- Did Caleb dispute their negative reports?
- What did Caleb say instead?
- Look specifically at verse 33. What is the most telling part to you?
7. Read Numbers 14:20-24, 30.
- What was God’s punishment to the children of Israel?
- Why?
- What was God’s promise to Joshua and Caleb?
8. Read Joshua 14:6-14.
- When Caleb came to speak with Joshua after they had entered the Promised Land, and been conquering it for five years, what did he start off talking about?
- How was Caleb faring at the time?
- What one thing does God say caused or justified Caleb’s reward? (See vs 9 and 14)
- What gave Caleb his courage?