THINK TOGETHER
Are you strong? Are you courageous?
READ TOGETHER
God wants us to have courage. He wants us to do things even when we might be afraid to do them. This is the lesson we learn from the Bible in the book of Joshua. After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Joshua would lead them into the Promised Land. Listen to what God told Joshua as they prepared to enter the land:
Joshua 1:9. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Is there something that makes you afraid? Is there something that you are worried about? Courage means trusting God and then doing what God asks us to do. Like making new friends, or trying new things, or standing up for what’s right, or even praying to God when things get scary. Having courage doesn’t mean you are not afraid. It means you still do the scary thing because you know that the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
And this promise is still true for us today. God is with us wherever we go! He never, ever leaves us alone. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior, he comes and lives inside of us forever. He lives in our hearts. And that means Jesus’ own courage lives in our hearts too. And Jesus was the most courageous person who ever lived. He always trusted God, and he always did what was right, even when he was scared, and even when it was really hard, like dying on the cross for us.
When we have Jesus in our hearts we know that we never have to be afraid. He will always do what is best for us. And when we are afraid, when we stop being brave, it’s OK, because Jesus is always being brave for us.
Because of Jesus I know that God is always with me.
With Jesus I can be courageous because he is always with me.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Talk about something you are facing that is scary. Parents, help your children to see that they can be afraid and courageous at the same time. Help them to find their courage in God’s presence, not their “inner self.”
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, When I am afraid I know that you are with me and that you are brave for me. Help me be brave and courageous too. Amen.
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