START TALKING

When have you taken a risk or a step toward something because you really believed it would work out or succeed? Maybe it was a relationship, a job, a move, or a purchase?

Now be honest...when have you said you believed something would work out, but you didn't actually take a step because you didn't truly believe it?

START THINKING

Read Joshua 1:10-11. What action do you see in these verses that shows that Joshua really believes God is with him and them?

How do you see Joshua leading the Israelites to plan for God to do what he said he would do? Why do you think this is important, and what do you think would look different for you and me if we actually plan for God to go before us and be with us?

START SHARING

Read Joshua 1:12-15. Focus on the words that Joshua is using. What do you hear him say that shows he really believes God is with them?

When have you heard someone talk in this way because they had such confidence that God was with them and in total control?

What would be different about the things you talk about and the things you say when your faith grows to a place of total confidence that God is with you and in total control?

Read Joshua 1:16-17. Joshua's confidence that God was with him and them had an impact on the faith of those who saw it and heard it for themselves. When has someone had an impact like this on you because you saw their total confidence that God was with them when they faced loneliness or an obstacle of some kind? When have you had this kind of impact on someone else because they saw your faith and confidence that God was with you?

START DOING

What is an example of you experiencing God being with you that could be a way for you to share your "story" with someone else? Think about it this way in these three steps:

BEFORE: when did you face loneliness or an obstacle and you weren't sure if you could do it or if God was with you?

JESUS: what gave you the awareness of His presence or the confidence that God was with you, and what step did you take based on that confidence?

AFTER: how did your faith grow because you trusted Jesus completely and experienced him being with you and coming through on his promise to you?

Now, what and who are the opportunities you might have to share this story? What can you do to be listening to the Holy Spirit when you are in every day conversation with people to know if this is an opportunity to share this experience of Jesus with them?

START PRAYING

Pray for each person and the practical steps they shared in the section above. Pray that God uses these experiences to write a story for each person that will impact others for Him, and that we all look for ways to share that story wherever we live, work, or play!