1. Introduction:
In the television show Fear Factor, contestants were challenged in three separate areas: heights, crazy food, or terrifying predicaments. If given the option to: jump out of a plane, or eat a bug, or be submerged in a sinking car without air, which would you most likely do? Which would you least likely want to do?
Leader note: Have fun with this, you are just trying to get people to think of the notion of dealing with their fears. This can be something that everyone can do. Make it quick, but let everybody play.
Tip: Spend 5 minutes on this question.
2. Observation:
Read Numbers 13: 1-3, 25-33, 14: 1-10. What do you learn about: God, the land, and the people?
Tip: Spend about 7-10 minutes on this question as there is a lot to talk about in this passage.
Commentary: Some of the answers may be:
God:
- He speaks
- He wanted them to go into the Promised Land
- He doesn’t like to be disrespected
- He wants the people to remember what He did
- He will at times give us obstacles and hurdles
- He clearly revealed Himself
- He takes disobedience seriously
People:
- Moses did as he was commanded
- The men did as they were instructed
- The men saw the Promised Land as beautiful
- They were afraid of the “giants”
- Caleb had faith in God
- The men pushed back against Caleb
- People were scared and disappointed in God
- People were forgetful
- People were mad at God and Moses
- Joshua and Caleb knew that nothing is impossible with God
- People wanted to kill Joshua and Caleb
Land:
- God gave it to the Israelites
- Bountiful and fertile
- Full of powerful people
- Fortified Towns
- Worth Conquering
3. Understanding:
If you were able to address the Israelites, what would you say to them?
Leader note: As you read the scripture and the peoples response, clearly would want to give a wake-up call to the Israelites and remind them of who God really is, and all that God has done and can do.
When was a challenging time in your life, and yet God came through for you? How does that impact your challenges of today?
Leader note: Often times to see the faithfulness of God, all we have to do is look back and see the ways he has come through in the past. Allow the group to reflect back and share, have that be a confidence builder to all God can do in the present and future.
4. Application:
Do you tend to see the “opportunities” in life, or do you tend to focus on “obstacles?” Why do you find yourself living that way?
Leader note: This is a time to instill in your group members the notion that with God anything is possible. You will have people in your group who have experienced difficulty in their life, and they may feel like God doesn’t come through, or God doesn’t have anything good for them. They may be trying to do things on their own strength, so they may feel insecure in their ability, leaving God totally out of the equation. This is a great time to speak confidence into your group members. This is a chance for people to gain confidence in all that God can do through each member in their group. If I see that God can do something in your life, I have the confidence that God can do the same for me.
What is an area in your life where you need courage? What are you afraid of? What do you hope is waiting for you when you take that step of faith with God? What will it take for you to be like Joshua and Caleb?
Leader note: Pray for each other. Pray for courage and faith knowing that God wants to take us to a better place, and has great things in store for us.
5. Living it out:
Who is someone in your life that is afraid or “frozen” in life? How can you be a Joshua and a Caleb to them?
Tip: Spend 7-12 minutes on this question.
Leader note: We all have people in our life that are stuck, whether it is personally, financially, relationally, etc. Sometimes people need to hear that with God, they can do anything. Think of people that you can pour into, give them confidence in God, and in themselves.