character matters

---

CHARACTER MATTERS

Week Five | February 3, 2019 | Revealing the Gospel with Our Courage

GETTING RE ADY Before your group meets next time, spend some time alone in God’s Word reading through this week’s texts. Pray that God, through His Spirit, would bring to life the truth of this text and how it applies to your life.

KEY BIBLICAL TRUTH Be strong and courageous because our God will fight for us.

THEOLOGY APPLIED You can be bold and courageous not by trusting and relying on yourself, but by trusting and relying on God in faith.

MEDITATE “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).

+ Use this section to prepare your heart and mind for the truths of this week. This section will help to introduce the focus of this week’s lesson.

40

|

Character Matters

We all love a good underdog story. There’s something innate in human nature that makes us cheer for the people fighting against all odds, especially when their backs are against the wall. We love to see people displaying courage when all hope seems lost. This is part of what makes biblical stories like David fighting Goliath and Daniel in the lion’s den so compelling. It is God courageously working in people to accomplish things that on the surface seem impossible. Courage is what makes some sports moments so memorable. We remember the incredible upset a team accomplishes when they were given no chance. No one forgets games like the gold medal-winning miracle upset of the USSR by the US Men’s Hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics. It was the boldness and courage the US Team displayed that allowed them to win. We see boldness and courage on display in movies like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which is part of what makes them so successful. Frodo and the Fellowship were very courageous in embarking on and accomplishing their journey to destroy the one ring and Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor. Watching people accomplish courageous feats and display incredible boldness is inspiring. We are moved by it. We are changed by it. We are empowered by it. And it’s a reminder to us that when things get tough, when obstacles seem insurmountable, when we are faced with opposition—even then, victory is possible.

Q: What is another example from history, media, or current events that displays boldness, strength, and courage despite adversity? Q: When in your own life have you had to have strength and courage?

U N D E R S TA N D I N G T H E T E X T The beginning of the book of Joshua comes at a turning point for the Israelites. Their fearless leader, Moses, has just died. Normally, when a highly esteemed and powerful leader dies, the entire nation can crumble. No one knows where to turn. Furthermore, it’s hard to be the guy who replaces that guy. That was the unenviable position Joshua found himself in. God gives Joshua commands, and Joshua keeps thinking, “But I’m not the guy! That’s what Moses was supposed to do! I can’t do that.” And he was right. He couldn’t do it on his own. He had to be reminded three times to be strong and courageous in order to accomplish everything God had for him to do.

41

|

Character Matters

1. GOD’S PROMISE 2. GOD’S MISSION 3. GOD’S SPIRIT 4. GOD’S WORD 5. GOD’S COMMAND

+ This next section will help show what God’s Word says about this week’s particular focus. Read through the Scripture passages and connect the text to this week’s biblical truth.

GOD’S PROMISE JOSHUA 1:1–5

Q: Describe a time of transition you have experienced and what made the adjustment difficult. Q: When have you been given a promise that provided the assurance you needed to press forward or accomplish what was in front of you? How do promises and faithfulness make life easier?

Courage has been defined as the ability to keep going even when you can’t see results, because you know God is faithful. You gain courage as you trust and remember the promises and the faithfulness of God. The Israelites were at a crossroads. Their new leader, Joshua, didn’t have an overly impressive resume. Granted, it would have been difficult for anyone to replace a guy with the accolades and accomplishments Moses had. Joshua didn’t have a long list of accomplishments to encourage himself in his new role. He didn’t have Moses’s reputation. He didn’t have the admiration and approval of all the people like Moses had. But he had the same God. And that is all that mattered.

42

|

Character Matters

We know that not one of the promises God gave Joshua failed. Every one was fulfilled (Joshua 23:14). We know Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He doesn’t change. He is faithful. He’s our rock. His promises and His Word never fail. Joshua may not have seemed to have much going for him, but he had the promise of God. And just like Joshua, it doesn’t matter what’s on your resume or what obstacles are in the way. God is faithful and His promises are certain. And we can rest and walk and take courage in knowing that our promise-keeping God is on our side.

Q: Put yourself in Joshua’s position. What would be your first thoughts or reaction to replacing a guy like Moses as the leader of the Israelites? Q: How have you seen God keep His promises and be faithful in your own life? How is His past faithfulness an encouragement and reminder of His future faithfulness?

GOD’S MISSION JOSHUA 1:2–4

Q: When have you been placed in or faced with a situation or task that was way out of your comfort zone or abilities? Q: Do you need courage in your life? What makes courage so necessary? Could you get by without it?

Courage comes from having a need. It comes from a place of humble desperation where you know you can’t survive apart from it. You don’t need courage to sit on the sidelines and watch TV. You don’t need courage to be lazy and comfortable. You do need courage to walk by faith. You need courage because the pressures and challenges of such a huge task are so overwhelming that you can’t do it without divine intervention.

43

|

Character Matters

Courage comes from being active in God’s mission. If you’re going to be inactive, courage is not necessary. Courage is only necessary for those active in the mission. If you don’t constantly feel the need for God to supply you with bold strength, then you have to question whether you’re engaged in the mission. You may have heard the oft-repeated phrase, “God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.” God calls people to tasks and missions that are above their abilities, but if you follow, God will give you the strength and courage necessary to accomplish the task. You don’t need to wait to be equipped. You step out in obedience and trust that you will then be equipped. We see this happen as Joshua begins his journey. He was not equipped to lead the Israelites in Joshua 1:1. But God called him. And Joshua followed. He trusted. He actively obeyed in the mission God gave him. And God prepared and equipped him along the way. God gave him the courage and boldness and strength he needed. Where are you in the journey? If you feel you lack courage and boldness, you must first step out in obedience and faith, trusting God will prepare, equip, and strengthen you along the way, just as He did for Joshua.

Q: What do you believe God has called you to do? Who has He created you to be? Q: What is God’s mission? Would you say you are actively engaged in it? Why or why not?

GOD’S SPIRIT JOSHUA 1:5

Q: How would you define the person and work of the Holy Spirit? Q: Would you say that the Holy Spirit is an active and real presence and power in your life?

44

|

Character Matters

So far, we’ve seen that courage comes from trusting in God’s promises and being active in God’s mission. Next, we’ll see how courage is fueled by God’s Spirit. God calls us to a mission He knows we cannot accomplish on our own. He calls us to walk and live in ways that are impossible for us to do in our own strength. The God who calls us to be courageous is the same God who makes us courageous. He empowers us for the task that He gives us. God promises Joshua, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (Joshua 1:5). Now Joshua sees where Moses got his abilities from. He sees that the power and courage to lead God’s people and walk in God’s ways come from God Himself. It’s a phrase that we see over and over again throughout Scripture—God promises never to leave us or forsake us. He promises to be with us. And He has to remind us over and over again because we are so prone to forget. We feel all alone. We feel powerless to press on. We feel empty of His Spirit. We forget the promises. How do you walk in courage? You remember that if you are in Christ, then He is in you. He gives us His Spirit to strengthen us, to make us bold, and to give us courage when the task seems impossible. He knows that apart from Him the mission will be impossible. Living courageously means walking by and walking in the Spirit.

Q: How can you use the example of Joshua as an illustration of just how important it is to walk by the Holy Spirit? Q: How can you allow the Holy Spirit to be a greater influence in your life as you face the challenges and difficulties of God’s mission?

GOD’S WORD JOSHUA 1:7–8

Q: What keeps you from reading God’s Word and engaging with it on a regular basis?

45

|

Character Matters

Q: What does reading God’s Word look like for you? What is your current spiritual discipline with doing it?

Courage is guided by God’s truth and God’s Word. Success and victory in the midst of difficulty and adversity don’t just come randomly through some supernatural force, but by supernatural truth. Joshua is told he will succeed if he follows the Word of God, meditating on it and obeying it. Being courageous, living a life defined by courage, is hard. Courage isn’t just handed out at birth along with our hair and eye colors. We are filled with courage as God’s Word fills us. We are filled with courageous power as God’s Word empowers us. A person who regularly engages with God’s Word and meditates on its truth will inevitably and ultimately be courageous. Courage is a natural byproduct of consuming the Word of God. It is God’s Word that connects all these other aspects we see in the life of Joshua. God’s promises are recorded for us in the Bible. God’s mission and His will for our lives are found in the pages of the Bible. God’s Spirit comes to us and enlivens us as we read His Word. You can’t remember the promises of God, be active in the mission of God, and walk by the Spirit of God apart from reading the Word of God.

Q: What passage of Scripture (perhaps Joshua 1:1–9) could you memorize this week to help you meditate on God’s Word and fill you with courage? Q: How does seeing that God’s Word is connected with being strong and courageous encourage and motivate you to regularly read His Word?

GOD’S COMMAND JOSHUA 1:9

46

|

Character Matters

Q: Share a time when you felt a clear command from God about what to do or where to go when facing an uncertainty? Q: How does God calm Joshua’s fears and doubts in the midst of his uncertainty?

Courage is required to walk in God’s ways. Joshua has been reminded of God’s promises, he’s been given God’s Spirit, he’s heard God’s Word. But he’s still hesitant. He’s still holding back. He needs to hear and be reminded of God’s command. It’s not an accident or mistake that God says the same thing to Joshua three times within these first nine verses. He repeats, “Be strong and courageous.” God hasn’t forgotten what He said. The repetition is intentional. When we see things repeated in Scripture, it is for emphasis, to make sure we get it, to make sure we don’t miss it. Don’t miss the command to be strong and courageous. The mission God has called Joshua to, and that he has called you to as well, is so great and so challenging that you must be strong and courageous in order to accomplish it. God ends His command to Joshua by reminding him that “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” As God gives His command, He also supplies His Spirit. We can walk in courage and confidence knowing that the God of the universe, the creator of the heavens and the earth, and the author of salvation is with us.

Q: Why does God repeat Himself three times to Joshua? Does He have to repeat things to you over and over again? Why are we so prone to forget? Q: Why is it so important to remember that when God gives His command He also supplies His Spirit and His presence?

47

|

Character Matters

+ Connect the truths from God’s Word to your daily life. Process how what you’ve learned this week will impact the way you live beyond today and into the future.

Q: In what area of your life are you most in need of courage and boldness? Q: Which of the five things we’ve looked at from Joshua (God’s promise, God’s mission, God’s Spirit, God’s Word, or God’s command) do you need to focus more on as God works in you to make you more courageous? Q: What are the top factors preventing you from being courageous right now?

+ Use these prayer points to connect your time in prayer to this week’s focus. Our most gracious heavenly Father: •

Thank You for giving us Your great and precious promises to give us the courage and hope.

•

Your Holy Spirit is a gift to us. Thank You for promising to never leave us or forsake us and for being with us wherever we go.

•

Give me a desire to read, study, mediate, and know Your Word. May Your Word be my light, my guide, and my hope, giving me confidence and courage to live the life You have called me to.

•

Give me courage and boldness in the things I’m facing. I desire to follow and serve you and I know I cannot do that on my own. I need Your help.

48

|

Character Matters

THIS IS US

•

Deuteronomy 34 describes the death of Moses. It gives a fuller account of just how drastic the shift to Joshua’s leadership would have been for the Israelites.

•

The Greek name Jesus translates the Hebrew name Joshua, which means “salvation.” The names are identical. Whatever Israel received in the promised land, they received from God through the hand of Joshua; whatever we receive from God, we receive through Jesus Christ, our Joshua. We receive our courage not from the person and work of Joshua, but from the person and work of Jesus.

49

|

Character Matters