Leaving Home Strong in Christ
Month 12: Sent & Standing Firm · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: Joshua 1:6-9
6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them. 7 Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Memory Verse
“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””— Joshua 1:9 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Zephaniah 1-3
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Near Day 359 of 365 — Zephaniah warns, then promises God rejoicing over His people with singing.)The Heart of It
Moses had just died. Now young Joshua had to lead a whole nation into a strange new land full of giants and walled cities. Imagine how his stomach must have flipped. So God spoke the same line to him three times. "Be strong and courageous." But notice why Joshua could be brave. It wasn't because he was tough. It wasn't because he had a big army. It was because "the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Courage in the Bible is never pretending you're not scared. It's choosing to trust that God goes with you into the scary place.
This is the year coming to a close. Your family has spent twelve months learning to know God, walk in the Spirit, defend the faith, and live on mission. Soon you walk out the door into a world that doesn't always believe what you believe. You don't go alone, and you don't go empty-handed. God says "Have I not commanded you?" Your courage is His command, not just a nice feeling. And He glues that courage to His Word. "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth" (). A disciple who is full of God's Word and sure of God's presence can leave home standing tall, ready to be sent anywhere.
Around the Table
God told Joshua to be brave because God was right there with him. God is with YOU too, everywhere you go!
Let's do it: Stand up tall like a strong, brave soldier and shout together, "God is with me wherever I go!"
Being brave doesn't mean you never feel scared. It means trusting God even when you do.
Let's talk: Where do you go this week that you wish God would come with you? Good news. He already does!
Joshua's courage was tied to obeying and meditating on God's Word (v. 8). Feelings come and go, but God's promise to be with you never moves.
Let's go deeper: When you walk into a place where people mock the faith, what truth from this year will you carry to stay strong and kind?
💬 Conversation Starter
What is one place you have to go soon where you'll need to be brave? How can our family pray you into it?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says faith is just a "crutch for weak people," remember Joshua. Real faith doesn't make you avoid hard places. It sends you straight into them with courage. Following Jesus often takes more bravery than walking away. As reminds us, we stand ready "with gentleness and respect." We are confident, but never proud.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Dad, you are the Joshua your children are watching. They will learn what courage looks like not from a slogan but from your face when life gets hard. God commands courage three times here because He knows fear is real and persistent. He isn't shaming Joshua. He's strengthening him. The fuel for that courage is twofold. There is God's presence ("the Lord your God is with you"). And there is God's Word (v. 8, "you shall meditate in it day and night"). A home where Scripture is constantly in the air produces children who can stand. Ask yourself honestly. Do my kids see me drawing strength from God's Word, or just from coffee and willpower? Lead them out the door this year as a man who is unafraid because God is with him.
Draws on: Tony Evans, Kingdom Man.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that You go with us wherever we go. Make us strong and brave. Not because we are tough, but because You are with us. Fill us with Your Word. Help us stand firm and stay kind. In Jesus' name, amen."
I can be brave anywhere, because God Himself goes with me.