LESSONS OF FAITH FROM JOSHUA
Lesson 8 : Giants of Faith: Joshua and Caleb
8.7 Questions
Courage, Role Models, Media, and Humility in a Challenging World
Introduction
We live in a time of great tension: societal expectations, social media, professional pressure, and moral challenges collide with us daily. In the midst of this world, God calls us to a life of courage, humility, and spiritual clarity. The following questions of this lesson lead us into a deep exploration of the forces that shape us—and the decisions we must make to remain steadfast in Christ.
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Answers to the Questions
Question 1: “Discuss the power of peer pressure and the courage needed to speak up when others don’t. What role does courage play in living out our faith? How can we avoid being impolite while standing for what we believe is right?”
Peer pressure is one of the strongest social forces influencing human behavior. Children and teenagers experience it in school, friend groups, or online platforms. But adults are not immune either. Peer pressure subtly produces the fear of being excluded, ridiculed, or judged.
To speak up when others remain silent requires strength of character, inner freedom, and a firm foundation in faith. Courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to do what is right despite fear.
Courage plays a central role in the life of faith because:
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Our faith often challenges us to swim against the tide.
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True discipleship means becoming more like Christ—even when it is unpopular.
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Courage prevents us from compromising biblical principles.
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Courage allows us to shine as light in a dark world.
At the same time, we must remain courageous and polite. Even when we express a different opinion, our demeanor can remain respectful:
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We speak calmly instead of loudly.
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We critique arguments, not people.
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We listen before responding.
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We choose words that combine truth and love.
Courage without love becomes harsh.
Love without courage becomes powerless.
Both together reflect Christ.
Question 2: “Share examples of faith from your church or community that have shaped your life and character. Which qualities of these people are worth imitating?”
Every church has quiet heroes—people whose faithfulness speaks louder than any sermon. It might be an elderly sister who comes to prayer meeting in any weather, a father who, despite illness, never loses faith, or a young adult who stands firm for Christ in school or at work.
Such people shape us not through big words but through their attitude:
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Faithfulness: They serve God even when no one is watching.
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Endurance: They don’t give up, even in crises.
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Humility: They seek God’s will, not recognition.
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Love: They meet everyone with warmth, patience, and understanding.
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Strength of faith: They trust God even when circumstances contradict that trust.
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Honesty: They live what they profess.
Such role models are a living gospel—sparkling jewels in a world full of deception—and worthy of imitation.
Question 3: “Reflect on the influence of media on our lives and discuss it. How can we avoid their negative effects while using their potential for good purposes?”
The media of our time—television, social networks, streaming services, news portals—are powerful. They inform, entertain, manipulate, and shape opinions. Their influence is often unconscious but effective.
Negative effects arise especially when:
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we consume media without awareness,
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content triggers fear, anger, or envy,
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algorithms create dependency,
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mediated ideals distort our self-image.
To avoid negative consequences, it helps to:
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Set clear boundaries:
Media-free times and conscious breaks. -
Choose wisely:
Engage only with content that builds up, educates, or spiritually encourages. -
Reflect:
“Does this draw me closer to Christ or farther away?” -
Practice digital fasting:
Seek silence filled by God. -
Use media intentionally for good:
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sharing hopeful messages
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online prayer groups
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Christian lectures
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testimonies
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education and awareness
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Media are neither good nor evil—they are tools. God expects us to use them wisely.
Question 4: “Reflect on the humility of Joshua as a leader and his desire to live near the sanctuary. In what way does his example speak to you?”
Joshua was a military leader, political authority, and spiritual guide—yet deeply humble. He did not choose a seat of honor or a royal throne but the nearness of the sanctuary. That is where God’s presence was felt, and that is where he wanted to be.
What speaks to us?
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Joshua shows that true greatness is found near God, not in position or title.
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He lived dependence, not self-exaltation.
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His decisions were spiritually guided, not politically motivated.
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His leadership style was based on listening, not dominating.
His example calls us to maintain a quiet soul in a loud world—one that seeks God’s will first.
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Spiritual Principles
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Courage grows in a heart firmly anchored in God.
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Life preaches louder than words—role models shape us.
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What we see and hear forms who we become.
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Humility is the most beautiful form of strength.
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Christian courtesy is not compromise—it is fruit of the Spirit.
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Application in Daily Life
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Ask yourself honestly: “When did I last stay silent when I should have spoken?”
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Seek a spiritual role model—or become one.
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Review your media consumption this week.
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Plan intentional ‘sanctuary moments’: time alone with God.
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Practice courage in small things to develop it for big ones.
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Conclusion
A life with God requires courage, humility, and vigilance. Role models inspire us, media challenge us, and God’s presence transforms us. Every day offers us the chance to make our faith visible—quietly but firmly; kindly but clearly; humbly but courageously.
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Thought of the Day
“Courage begins where God’s truth becomes more important than people’s opinions.”
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Illustration
“The Light on the Mezzanine”
A story about courage, truth, and the quiet strength of faith in the 21st century.
Chapter 1 – The Assignment
The morning fog still hung over the city as Mara Lindner stepped through the revolving doors of the “GlobalTrend Media Tower.” The building was a glass colossus with twenty floors, a symbol of modern power: news, opinions, trends—everything took shape here before reaching millions.
Mara, 24 years old, new to the profession, loved writing. She wanted to become a journalist to bring truth to light. But since she’d started working in this corporation, she realized: truth was often considered an inconvenient disturbance.
The open-plan office smelled of freshly ground coffee and artificial coolness. People typed, made calls, filmed themselves for social clips. Air-conditioning noise and the clatter of keyboards filled the room.
“Mara, I have something for you,” said her team leader, Oliver Brandt, without looking up. He pushed a folder toward her. “Our next campaign involves a group from the West District. A Christian church. Apparently they’re blocking a new municipal youth program. You’ll write a commentary.”
Mara skimmed the documents. The more she read, the tighter the knot in her stomach grew. The accusations seemed exaggerated—some facts even questionable or distorted.
“Should I do additional research?” she asked carefully.
Brandt waved her off. “Not necessary. Just write it so that it has impact. You know—some emotion, some outrage.” He grinned. “That always works.”
Mara nodded, but something burned inside her. This article would publicly condemn a group of people—on a shaky foundation.
The peer pressure in the office was like an invisible net. Don’t stand out. Don’t contradict. Don’t be the “moral one.”
But something inside her protested.
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Chapter 2 – The Conversation in the Hallway
Later, as she stood in the hallway making tea, she noticed Jonas, a shy IT employee who sometimes smiled at her kindly. He stood by the drink machine, fiddling nervously with his ID badge.
“You look troubled,” he said gently.
Mara told him about the assignment, the distorted information, and the pressure to write the article without asking questions.
Jonas nodded slowly. “I know that church. My sister goes there. They… they really help a lot of young people.”
Mara looked at him, surprised. “Really?”
“Yes. They offer tutoring, free meals, counseling. If you want, I can help you meet some of them. Just…” He lowered his voice. “No one here can know. Faith isn’t exactly… welcome in this building.”
Mara smiled gratefully. In that moment, she knew: God had just opened a door for her.
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Chapter 3 – The Decision
The next day, a major meeting was scheduled. Presentations, strategies, social media plans—all in bright spotlight.
“We expect the commentary by Friday,” Brandt said at the end. “Mara will write it.”
Everyone nodded approvingly. Someone patted her shoulder. “It’ll be great. Make it sharp.”
The pressure was enormous.
But by then, Mara had spoken to several church members, conducted interviews, checked the facts. The truth was clear: the church wasn’t blocking anything—they were simply requesting that the new youth program not replace their existing counseling support.
Nothing in the dossier had been fair.
As she sat in the meeting, she felt a strong push inside. She knew she had to speak. And she knew the risk.
“My commentary…” she began softly.
All eyes turned toward her.
“…I can’t write it the way it is.”
Silence.
Frozen silence.
Brandt’s expression hardened. “Excuse me?”
“The documents are distorted,” Mara said calmly. “I visited the church. The facts don’t hold up. We would harm people publicly—without cause.”
A murmur went through the room. Someone snorted dismissively. Someone else rolled their eyes.
Brandt glared. “We’re not in a church choir, Mara. We work with narratives. We shape public perception.”
She took a deep breath. “But we must not lie.”
For a few seconds, absolute silence. Then Brandt said curtly:
“We’ll discuss this later.”
Mara knew: the storm was coming.
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Chapter 4 – The Price
That evening, she found an email in her inbox:
“We need to discuss your role on the team. Bring your ID card tomorrow.”
Her heart sank. The unspoken message was clear: termination.
She sat at her desk on the mezzanine—the room between the newsroom and the archive, hardly used. She often wrote here and sometimes even prayed when no one was around.
“Did I do the right thing?” she whispered.
Inside, she heard the words from Joshua’s story, which her grandfather had read to her as a child:
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you.”
Courage sometimes meant losing something so you wouldn’t lose yourself.
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Chapter 5 – An Unexpected Turn
The next morning, she entered the office—prepared for the worst.
But Jonas rushed toward her, excited. “Did you see the news?”
“Which news?”
He held up his tablet. An independent blogger had published a detailed report on the church—fact-based, well-researched. The video was going viral.
“That is… exactly what I found,” Mara whispered.
Soon after, she was called into Brandt’s office. His expression was tense but less hostile than yesterday.
“It looks like you were right,” he admitted. “We… need to reconsider the campaign.”
Mara was stunned. He didn’t say “sorry,” but his tone was the politest she had ever heard from him.
“Write a new article,” Brandt finally said. “Clean. Objective. As you see fit.”
She nodded, grateful and relieved.
Courage had a price.
But courage was rewarded.
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Chapter 6 – Humility on the Mezzanine
A few weeks later, Mara wrote an internal report on how editorial processes could improve: more fact-checking, more source diversity, more humility.
Yes, humility.
Not the cringing “I am nothing” kind, but Joshua’s posture:
“I want to be where God is—whether in the spotlight or on the mezzanine.”
She continued working at GlobalTrend Media, but differently: braver, more aware, clearer.
Sometimes she went to the quiet mezzanine, sat by the window, and looked down at the city. In those moments, she felt God’s presence more strongly than in any cathedral.
She learned:
You don’t need a holy temple of stone to be close to God.
Just a burning heart.
A clear mind.
And the courage to do what is right.
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Chapter 7 – The Light That Continues
A year later, Mara gave a lecture to young journalists titled “Truth in a Time of Overwhelming Voices.” Many listened attentively. Some asked questions. A few came afterward and said:
“Thank you. We need people like you.”
As she walked home that evening, the streetlights glowed warmly on the pavement. A deep peace settled in her heart.
She knew:
Her courage hadn’t changed the whole world, but it had changed a part of it.
And sometimes, that is the beginning of something greater.
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Lessons from the Story
1. Courage begins in the heart — not on the stage
Mara did not need to be loud, aggressive, or spectacular to be courageous.
Her courage was shown in the fact that:
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she spoke the truth,
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even though she stood alone,
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even though she risked consequences,
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even though everyone else pushed in a different direction.
True bravery is quiet, steady, and unwavering.
2. Peer pressure is powerful — but not stronger than conviction
Everyone in the office expected Mara to simply go along.
But she made a different choice because her values were stronger than her fear of rejection.
Anyone whose identity is rooted in God remains stable, even when others fall.
3. Truth is precious — and often uncomfortable
Truth was almost lost because it didn’t fit the narrative.
Mara reminded us:
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Truth sometimes needs to be defended.
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Truth needs people who will not sell it for convenience.
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Truth may threaten jobs or reputation — but it will never endanger the soul.
4. Kindness and courtesy make courage believable
Mara remained calm, respectful, and composed — even toward her superior.
This shows:
Courage without courtesy becomes harshness.
Courtesy without courage becomes weakness.
Together, they form Christian character.
5. God opens doors where people build walls
When Mara seemed on the verge of losing her job, God brought truth to light through an independent report that confirmed everything she had said.
When we stand for what is right, God works behind the scenes.
6. Humility strengthens — it does not weaken
Mara did not seek recognition or prestige, but God’s presence and a clean conscience.
Humility is not shrinking into smallness — it is becoming strong in God’s hands.
7. Role models matter — and we are called to become one
Jonas supported Mara quietly.
And Mara became a role model for young journalists.
Anyone can be a light — even on the mezzanine of a media company.
8. Media must be used responsibly
The story shows the power of modern media:
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They can manipulate,
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but also reveal truth,
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destroy reputations,
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or build community.
Media are tools — the moral responsibility lies with us.
9. God is everywhere — not only in sacred spaces
Mara experienced God’s presence on the mezzanine, while writing, praying, and in quiet moments.
Whoever invites God into everyday life will find the “sanctuary” everywhere.
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In short
Stand for what is right — gently yet firmly.
Remain humble — and God will bless your courage.
Choose truth — even when it costs something.
And trust that light always finds its way.
