The Ordinary Courage of the Church
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Over and over again in Scripture, we read, “Do not fear” or “Do not be afraid.” Those very words could have also been translated, “Have courage.” Here’s the reality: How we respond to fear determines if we are acting with courage. It’s not that courageous people don’t experience fear. Courageous people respond to fear by being brave.
Perhaps, right after the resurrection, Jesus wanted to remind the church that the Christian community requires courage and not to become incapacitated by our fears.
Perhaps Jesus understands our fears more than we’re willing to admit.
The Great Commission
The invitation Jesus offers extends through the decades: you’re to make disciples and transform the world. Thank goodness being and helping others become disciples doesn’t rely solely on you or on me. But it certainly involves you and me.
A courageous church claims the purpose Jesus set forth: to make disciples and transform the world. But, courage it’s simply an assent of the mind, it is embodied in our actions as well. Here’s the good news: just as we can learn to follow Jesus, we can learn to be courageous. You might just say they’re two sides of the same coin.
Perhaps today the most courageous thing you can do is consider who you seek to disciple. Sharing God’s love with others is the work of the body of Christ.
And if you’re thinking, “How do I disciple someone?” First, we’re going to practice throughout the next five weeks. Second, share God’s love in words and/or actions today. Third, have courage. Along the way, you just might meet a friend who’s searching for a little courage to love.
Reflect
Identify the courageous actions in this passage of scripture.
What actions will you take to “not fear” but be of good courage today?
Respond
Share God’s love in words or actions with at least one person today.
Pray
Jesus, I feel it in my gut and in the depths of my soul. It’s called fear. Today, I claim your words and choose to stand in the promise of your grace. I’m claiming today as a day of courage. Fill me with your Spirit so I may reflect your love to the people I encounter today. Amen.
Return
What did you do today to respond to your call to courage?
Extra Thoughts
If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of It Takes Courage” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.
The Ordinary Courage of Community
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“Courage has a ripple effect. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver.”
The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, p. 15
What is the ripple effect of the courage of the 72 commissioned by Jesus? Could it be that the sending of the 72 is a continuous ripple to you and I today?
As you seek to follow Jesus, you do so in your every day ordinary life. In essence, you’re creating ripples everywhere you go and with whomever you interact.
That’s what happens when we’re sent out in Jesus’ name. As Jesus sent the 72, he asked them to be good partners, to be gracious guests, to create community, to participate in table fellowship, and to act on his behalf.
Did you also notice, “they were preparing the way for Jesus.” He sent them ahead of where he was going. They had the privilege of continuing a ripple that began with Jesus.
As they began to arrive in “all the places he was about to go,” perhaps a pebble was dropped in the water and a small ripple resulted. They knew full well the one who walked on water, Jesus would make a humble, loving splash when he arrived in town.
Can you imagine the courage it took to prepare the way for Jesus? Through your small ripples or big splashes, you’re preparing the way to encounter the love of Jesus.
Consider again your call to courage. What ripples of courage do you have the privilege to be a part of today? Not sure? Maybe you’ll need to create some!
Reflect
How does the community you are a part of (big, little or somewhere in the middle) help you to be a little braver?
Respond
What ripples of courage will you create today?
Holy God, where you send me, I will go. Use me today to create ripples of courage with the people I meet today. Amen.
Return
What ripples of courage did you create today? Not sure? Ask someone close to you.
Extra Thoughts
If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of It Takes Courage” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.
The Call to Ordinary Courage
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What is your name? Or maybe the better question is, “What is your call to courage, _____[insert your name]?” Where or with whom do you want to show up and be brave? Remember, courage is not the absence of fear. It is being brave and afraid at exactly the same time.
As Jacob wrestled with God, he came to receive a new name, Israel. That name was a result of the struggle he endured. I’m not sure that there is a struggle we face that doesn’t require courage. Can you think of one? I cannot.
Consider today where you want to be more brave. Perhaps you want to be braver at work, in leadership, or in a relationship. Maybe you need to be braver with friends. Your call to courage is the place you want to be braver.
Reflect
How did Jacob speak his mind by telling his heart? Remember, that’s the definition of ordinary courage we’re working with throughout this study.
Respond
Name your call to courage.
Pray
Lord Jesus, you know my name and for that simple truth, I am humbled to be your disciple. Guide me on my call to courage and help me to fully live into the power of the name I’ve been given. Amen.
Return
Extra Thoughts
If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of It Takes Courage” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.
Wholehearted Disciple
Each Friday we’ll pause to consider the previous five days, integrating what we’re learning and how we’re seeing Jesus with three questions:
Thoughts
What are you thinking as a result of what you read, reflected and responded on? How or when did you think about ordinary courage this week?
Feelings
What are you feeling as a result of what you read, reflected and responded on? How did it feel to demonstrate ordinary courage this week?
Actions
What are you doing as a result of what you read, reflected and responded on? How did you demonstrate ordinary courage this week?
Where is there overlap in your answers? Wholehearted disciples practice uniting what they think, feel, and do. If you’re thoughts, actions, and feelings are not in alignment with one another, keep practicing! You’re on a journey of following Jesus.
Want to Dig Deeper? – Join the practice of TGIF
- Who or what are you trusting?
- For whom or what are you grateful?
- Who or what is inspiring you?
- How are you practicing faith?
Pray
Good and gracious God, thank you for a mind to think, emotions to feel, and hands and feet to propel me to act. Guide me in all I say, do, and feel so others may witness your grace. In the name Jesus I pray, Amen.
Extra Thoughts
If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of It Takes Courage” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.
Day 7 of each week is a “Grace Day.” We invite you to pray the prayer provided and use today to rest and review any days that you may have missed.
Pray
God of grace, you call me to courage. Guide me on this journey so what I am thinking, feeling, and doing are aligned with your will and your ways. Then, help me learn the skills of courage so I can become more of who you would have me be. Amen.
Read
Take an opportunity to review any of the days you missed.
Extra Thoughts
If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of It Takes Courage” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.
The Arena
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A boy with two fish and a loaf of bread stepped in and offered what he had. In the language of Brené Brown, he stepped into the arena. You’ve been there – whether you attended a concert, a play, or a sporting event, you’ve been in a literal arena. This arena is no different. It’s where your call to courage comes to life.
In this Scripture, the boy offers what he has, the disciples complain and cower, and Jesus calls us to the table to encounter him in the breaking of bread. As we begin this exploration of Scripture together, remember that you are chosen, blessed, broken, and given – all for the sake of Jesus.
May who you are and who God is inviting you to be find roots in your call to courage.
Reflect
- If courage is “speaking one’s mind by telling one’s heart,” who in this passage was courageous?
Respond
Decide to be courageous today. Choose one relationship or activity that you’ll practicing “speaking your mind by telling your heart.”
Jesus, I want to be courageous. Help me to speak my mind by telling my heart today. I’m following your example of courage, Jesus. Amen.
Return
Who did you encounter today that helped you “speak your mind by telling your heart”? Give God thanks for that person and the circumstances of your meeting.
Extra Thoughts
If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of It Takes Courage” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.
Ordinary Courage of Individuals
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Esther asks for help from others to be brave. She asks the community to fast on her behalf. Even ordinary individual courage plays out in community. Before you think, “That’s a strange thing to ask to gain courage.” Fasting is one of the means of grace identified by John Wesley. As a way to encounter God and find strengths from Jesus, people throughout the centuries have turned to fasting to find strength from God.
Today, in North American culture especially, everything from food to money to possessions and social media can crowd God out of everyday dependence on the Lord.
Reflect
- What did bravery look like for Esther?
- Who do you need to ask for help to be courageous?
Respond
Notice your routines and rituals today. Is there anything in your daily routine that is filling the place Jesus needs to have in your life? What’s your first step in changing it?
Lord Jesus, come and fill my heart and life with your love. Remind me again that only you can satisfy my greatest desires. Help me to be faithful in following you today and always. I offer myself to you, Lord. Amen.
Return
Consider what you did and didn’t do today. How much of your day was filled with Jesus? How much of your day was filled with everything but Jesus?
Remember, who you are is how you lead. Self-awareness is the first step of becoming more of who God wants us to be.
Extra Thoughts
If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of It Takes Courage” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.