Week 2-WED

Day 8 – Cultivating Courage

Verse:

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Lesson: Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s taking action despite feeling fearful. Children watch how we respond when life gets difficult, when challenges loom, or when standing up for what is right feels uncomfortable. Courage is caught as much as it is taught, and your own example sets the tone. Encourage your children to try new things, face difficult conversations, and take responsibility even when it’s hard. Celebrate effort, resilience, and the willingness to step out, even if failure occurs. When courage is consistently modeled in small, everyday moments, children begin to internalize it as a natural response, not an extraordinary act.

Reflection: Ask yourself: “Do my children get the opportunity to build courage?” Courage grows when children witness both successes and failures handled with honesty, calm, and perseverance. Encourage them to take risks, try again after mistakes, and trust that God equips them for every challenge.

Insight: 

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, shows us that courage is forged through failure. Despite walking with Jesus, witnessing His miracles, and hearing His teachings firsthand, Peter denied knowing Him three times on the night of Jesus’ arrest. That moment could have defined him as weak or unfit, but it did not.

After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter, entrusting him to “feed my sheep” (John 21:17). Peter went on to lead the early church boldly, preaching in the face of persecution and ultimately giving his life for the faith. His courage was not born from never failing, it was born from facing failure, learning from it, and stepping back into his calling with renewed bravery.

Peter’s story reminds us that courage is not the absence of mistakes or setbacks. It’s the willingness to rise after failure, grow through the experience, and move forward with faith. As fathers, when we own our failures, seek God’s strength, and lead with courage, we teach our children that setbacks are not the end of the story, they are stepping stones toward character, growth, and purposeful living.

Family Mantra: "Courage is action in the face of doubt."

Prayer: Father, help me to model courage for my children, showing them how to face fear with faith. Give me the strength to act boldly in the face of challenges and the wisdom to guide them in taking brave steps. May my family grow in confidence, resilience, and trust in You through every trial. Amen.