Strong and Courageous
Discussion Questions

Download the Teaching Slides

Big Idea

Joshua 1:7 “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”


Ice Breaker

  1. Ask your group to give their definition of courage.

  2. Ask for examples of courage you have seen in your life or someone elses’ life.

  3. Ask the group for examples of moral courage.

  4. When you are not latched to God in any given moment, what do you tend to latch onto?

    Examples could include: money, insisting on getting our way, porn, having another drink, jealousy, anger or any form of seeking relief rather than His presence in order to regain a sense of control.


Next Step

What may be holding you back from taking a bold, risky step that would demonstrate your trust in a big God?

What is one specific action you can take this week to move in that direction?


Additional Discussion Questions

  1. When we feel out of control, we test whether we are anchored. Where do you feel out of control or when do you feel out of control?

    Think about how you relate to those you are closest to. When you love (especially when it’s hard), you demonstrate that you are tethered; when you react and refuse to love you demonstrate that you are untethered.

  2. Discuss as a group how you can deepen your strength and courage. Think carefully as to whether the path you are on is actually deepening your strength and courage or weakening it.

  3. Reflect on the 4 categories of strength and courage below under notes and quotes and then share with the group one of the areas you sense the Spirit is nudging you to move on or grow in.

    Consider taking 5 to 10 minutes during group for each person to reflect. You can also pray together and, as a group, present yourselves to God and invite Him to speak during this reflection time.


Notes & Quotes

A Biblical view of “strong” and “courageous”: God attaches being strong and courageous with knowing and following His law.

  • Strong: Tying yourself to something that won’t move, relying on someone to give you something you don’t have on your own e.g. a boat tied to a dock.

  • Courageous: You will move in a way that tests what you are tied to in order to prove that the object you are tied to is strong. As you move you will prove what you are tied to really is strong.

The first (strong) enables the second (courageous), and the second proves the first. For example, in marriage the vows are for God. When we vow, we say we are lashing ourselves to God (not to the person we marry because that would be based on their behavior). I am anchored; I will not move because I am lashed to God.

4 categories regarding strength and courage:

  • Endurance :: Going through something that we did or did not cause: health issues, mental health issues, a loss, a break up, a death, loss of job, prodigal child or friend.
  • Confession :: When we think of confessing, it’s tough; to be known can be terrifying. It may be that we need to confess an addiction, porn, or maybe we are critical or dishonest since we are tethered to a false god.
  • Restoration :: Mending relationships: reclaim marriage or your relationship with a parent or co-worker; maybe you need to forgive someone or apologize. Sharing our faith is a form of restoration and when we do sometimes we feel like it’s a free fall. Ask: “Who do you want me to talk to about Jesus today?”
  • Action :: God is calling all of us to be on mission; all of us are in ministry. Help refugees, go to the mission field, or help a neighbor who is overwhelmed.

The believers’ foundation for being strong and courageous is based entirely on God’s promise: “I will not leave you or forsake you”.
Moses tells Joshua two times and God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous.

Why 5 times? Answer: It’s important, and we will be tested.