In the beginning of their relationship with Jesus, the disciples might not have been the most courageous bunch you’ve ever seen. Remember when the storm blew up and even the most seasoned fishermen woke Jesus in a panic (Mark 4)? But Jesus wasn’t scared. He knew the power and reliability of God. Time and again, Jesus showed His disciples that God would provide whenever they needed Him. As they learned to trust God, the disciples’ courage grew—to the point that Peter and John boldly testified before the Jewish government (Acts 4) about Jesus’ life and resurrection.
Courage is being brave enough to do what you should do, even when you’re afraid. Courage is not the absence of fear but how you respond in the face of fear. When we approach potentially scary situations, we can remember that God is big enough to handle anything, He’ll always be with us, and He’ll provide for our needs.
The monthly memory verse is: “When I’m afraid, I will trust in You,” Psalm 56:3, NIrV. Many of God’s followers will tell you their greatest adventure started when they trusted God in a decision they were afraid of. But in the end, they never regretted living courageously and believing God’s promises.
In Week One’s Bible story, Joseph lived a life of courage (Genesis 30, 37, 39-46). Joseph remained faithful to God regardless of the circumstances, trusting that God must have a bigger story at work. Our Bottom Line is: I can be brave because I know God is with me. As kids approach a new school year, sports team, or art class, they can push past their fear because God is with them.
In Week Two’s Bible story, Moses gives excuse after excuse for why he’s not the person God should use to rescue the Israelites (Exodus 3:1–4:17; Exodus 7-12), but he trusts God and confronts Pharaoh to help God rescue the Israelites. Our Bottom Line is: I can be brave even when I don’t feel ready. God will fill in where we think we don’t measure up. He has everything under control.
In Week Three’s Bible story, Moses was up against an impossible task: On one side is the Red Sea, on the other side is the Egyptian army coming after the Israelites (Exodus 14). Moses stood strong in the face of fear and trusted God with the outcome. Our Bottom Line is: I can be brave even when things seem impossible. When we follow God into what seems impossible, we can see Him do amazing things that we never imagined.
In Week Four’s Bible story, Joshua and Caleb were the only two Israelites who spoke up and said God would provide a way for them to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 13–14). Our Bottom Line is: I can be brave even when others aren’t. Sometimes, everyone is afraid of the same thing. But we can be the ones to have courage because we remember our trust isn’t in our own ideas or strength. Our trust is in God.
In Week Five’s Bible story, we remember God’s promise to Abraham that he would receive the Land of Canaan. But the great city of Jericho is blocking Abraham’s family from moving into Canaan (Joshua 6). Our Bottom Line is: I can be brave because I know God keeps His promises. Sometimes it’s our fear that keeps us from ever living in the promises God has given us.
By Jessica McKee ©2013 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.