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Sermon Discussion Guide - 01/18/2026
Published January 17, 2026
Fearless:
Fearless Leaders
Sermon Recap
This sermon challenged us to embrace courageous obedience in the “in-between” moments - when God’s promise feels clear, but His instructions still feel confusing. Using Joshua 3 (crossing the flooded Jordan), we learned that courage often starts with consecration, requires movement before the miracle, and creates a path for others when we go first.
Ice Breakers
- If your life had a “theme song” for a season of courage, what would it be right now, and why?
- What’s the silliest fear you’ve ever had (past or present)?
- If you had to cross a flooded river today… what’s the one completely unnecessary item you’d still try to bring with you? Why?
Discussion Questions
1. What’s one area of your life where you’ve been asking God for change… but you haven’t slowed down long enough to let Him change you?
- Context: In Joshua 3:5, Joshua tells the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” The sermon emphasized that preparation includes our heart, our character, and getting aligned with God before we expect God to move in power.
- Application: If “consecration” this week looked like one simple step of surrender or alignment, what would it be (a habit to remove, a confession to make, a relationship to address, a distraction to limit)?
2. When was a time you delayed a decision because you were waiting for more clarity or better conditions? What did that delay cost you?
- Context: Israel faced a flooded river with no bridge and no boat. The sermon highlighted that the water didn’t part when they felt ready, it parted when the priests stepped into the water while it was still flowing.
- Application: Where might God be inviting you to take a “first step” before you feel ready - something small, specific, and obedient that doesn’t require the whole plan?
3. What’s one “perfect condition” you’ve told yourself you need before you obey, serve, forgive, or take a next step?
- Context: The sermon said, “Faith is not passive, belief is active obedience,” and warned that waiting for perfect conditions can become a subtle form of disobedience.
- Application: What would it look like to obey while the water is still moving -to act in faith even with unanswered questions and some fear still present?
4. Who has “gone first” for you in a meaningful way (a leader, parent, friend, mentor)? How did their courage impact you?
- Context: The priests stood firm in the middle of the Jordan holding the ark so the people could cross safely. The sermon reframed leadership as going first, and staying steady, so others can move forward.
- Application: Who is watching your obedience right now (kids, spouse, coworkers, friends, your group)? What’s one courageous step you could take that would make faith feel more possible for them?
5. What’s a cycle you’ve seen in your family, habits, or relationships that you’d love to see changed, but it feels bigger than willpower?
- Context: The sermon reminded us that Jesus broke the curse on the cross, but we still have a role: to walk in faith and courage so old patterns don’t keep defining our future.
- Application: What’s one “Jordan” in front of you right now - one obstacle or repeating pattern - and what would a courageous, faith-filled next step look like this week?
Prayer
- Make sure to spend time in prayer as a group when you meet.
- Have group members share prayer requests, and pray for them.
- You could have one person pray for all the requests, or each member pray for one person.
- Keep a record of those requests and ask about them on a weekly basis.
Leader Tip
One of the most powerful ways you lead your group is by going first. Not by having the best answers, but by taking the first honest step. If you want your group to open up, model it: share a real (appropriate) example of where you’ve felt fear, uncertainty, or resistance, and how you’re choosing obedience anyway. Keep it simple: “Here’s what I’m wrestling with, here’s the next step I’m taking.” When you lead that way, you’re basically standing in the “river” first so others feel safe enough to step in too.