Following are my message notes for the talk, “Whatever It Takes: Courage.” My intent is to develop an understanding of my part of developing my own courage. Courage is there. Take it.
Whatever It Takes: Courage
Everything great in life requires courage!
Six Types of Courage
• Physical Courage – Bravery in the face of bodily harm.
• Social Courage – Courage when there is risk of social embarrassment or exclusion, unpopularity, or rejection.
• Intellectual Courage- Courage to engage with challenging ideas, to question my thinking, find the truth, and to risk making mistakes.
• Moral Courage – Courage to do right especially when the risks are shame, opposition, or the disapproval of others.
• Emotional Courage – Courage to feel.
• Spiritual Courage – Courage of faith, meaning, and purpose.
Courage is a verb and I am the one to take the action! According to scripture courage exists. Since it exists, it is something that we “take.” Throughout the Bible we are commanded to “take courage.” Acts 23:11
Courage can fail. 2 Samuel 4:1
Courage can melt away. Psalm 107:26
Courage may not endure. Ezekiel 22:14
Courage to:
1. Find it
2. Face it
3. Feel it
4. Forgive it
5. Forget it
Paul knows the importance of courage. Philippians 1:20
• Eager expectation and hope
• That I will not be ashamed
• With full courage
• Christ will be honored in my body
LIFE Group Homework
Getting to Know One Another
1. What is your full name?
2. Is there a story behind your parents selecting this name?
3. What character, real or fictional, showed your favorite act of courage? (Other than Jesus)
Digging Deeper
The weekend message presented 6 types of courage. Which types of courage are seen in the following passages?
1. Luke 1:26-38
2. Acts 7:54-60
Taking it Home
1. What are some of the reasons you have joined a LIFE Group?
2. What are you looking forward to the most?
THE PURPOSE OF GROWTH GROUPS
Growth Groups exist to promote spiritual maturity and personal growth through meaningful Christian relationships and the study of God’s Word. (Romans 8:29 & Hebrews 10:24-25). Here’s how it will happen:
SHARE
Each week we’ll take time to share what is happening in our lives. At first this sharing will include planned “sharing questions.” But after the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as we feel more comfortable.
STUDY
Each week we’ll study a section from God’s Word that relates to the previous weekend’s sermon or an appropriate personal growth topic. Our goal is to learn how to live out our Christianity in everyday life.
SUPPORT
Each week we’ll learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (John 15:9-13). This care can take many forms, such as prayer, encouragement, listening, challenging one another and meeting real needs.
SERVE
Spiritual growth is fostered not only by what we gain through the support and input of others, but also through service to others. The role each of us fills is important to the health of the church and for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the community in which we live (Ephesians 4:11-16). Throughout the quarter, it is our hope that you can find and/or be affirmed in the ways God has designed you to serve and make a difference in God’s Kingdom.