A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.
Icebreaker Question: What’s something that seemed impossible to you as a child that you later accomplished as an adult? Or conversely, what’s something you believed was possible as a child that now seems daunting?
This question sets the stage for discussing childlike faith versus adult skepticism.
This week’s message explored the pivotal moment when the Israelites stood at the doorstep of God’s promise but let fear of giants keep them from entering. After 400 years of slavery and 11 months of witnessing God’s miraculous provision, they doubted God could handle what was in front of them. The pastor challenged us to examine our own “giants” and ask whether we’re living with a Caleb spirit—tenaciously tethered to God—or allowing doubt to keep us from God’s promises.
Question: The pastor mentioned that some of us have a “Sunday rhythm of faithfulness” where we’re all-in during worship but struggle to maintain that commitment throughout the week. When do you find it easiest to trust God? When do you find it hardest?
Context from Sermon: The pastor shared: “Some of us have a Sunday rhythm of faithfulness and God’s calling us to every day, all the time, regardless of the challenges… I love singing that. I’m like, man, I’m gonna carry that through the rest of the week. But you know what? There have been times where I’ve been all about, like, I’m just rocking out, jamming out to an awesome worship song. And then I’ll lose my cool.”
Leader Tip: Create a safe space for honest answers. Many people struggle with this gap between Sunday faith and Monday-Friday reality. Encourage vulnerability by sharing your own struggle first.
Question: The Israelites had witnessed the 10 plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, water from a rock, and God’s glory—yet they still doubted. What are some specific ways God has been faithful to you in the past? How can remembering these moments help you face current challenges?
Context from Sermon: “You’re sitting here today, however old you are, that’s how many years and months and days that he has brought you through already. Isn’t he gonna continue to be faithful? So let’s walk forward in confidence that the same way that he’s been faithful and a covering over us thus far, he’s gonna continue to do that as long as you have breath in your lungs.”
Leader Tip: Consider having people share one specific testimony of God’s faithfulness. This builds faith in the group and creates a collective “inventory” to draw from.
Question: The 10 spies said, “We looked like grasshoppers to them and in our own eyes.” How does our view of ourselves affect our faith in what God can do? What “giant” in your life makes you feel like a grasshopper?
Context from Sermon: The pastor explained that the spies saw literal giants (sons of Anak) and said: “We looked like grasshoppers to them in our own eyes. And the giants had the same assessment of us, so we felt like grasshoppers. And then they’re saying that we look like grasshoppers.”
Leader Tip: Help the group distinguish between humility and a “grasshopper mentality.” Humility acknowledges our limitations while trusting God’s power; grasshopper mentality focuses on our inadequacy and forgets God entirely.
Question: The pastor unpacked the word “contempt” as meaning to reject, snub, shun, disregard, refuse, disrespect, mock, or be sarcastic. Have you ever been sarcastic with God or treated Him with contempt when facing difficulty? What was the result?
Context from Sermon: “None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see what I have promised. See, when you’ve experienced God’s miraculous provision and then refuse to trust him moving forward, that is textbook treating him with contempt.”
Leader Tip: This is a convicting question. Emphasize God’s grace and the opportunity to repent and return to faith. The goal isn’t shame but awareness and transformation.
Question: Caleb had “a different spirit”—described as an “unaccountable and uncontrollable impulse” toward faithfulness to God. What do you think it means to have a Caleb spirit today? What would that look like in your daily life?
Context from Sermon: “But my servant Caleb has a different attitude, he has a different spirit than the others have… that language is, you’ll find this often unaccountable and uncontrollable impulse… I pray, I pray, I pray that she will always have that Caleb spirit that I’m tenaciously tethered to God and there’s nothing that he and I can’t walk through together.”
Leader Tip: Encourage practical examples. A Caleb spirit isn’t reckless—it’s tenaciously tethered to God while making wise decisions. Use the pastor’s Israel trip example to show the balance between faith and wisdom.
Question: God said that because of the Israelites’ unfaithfulness, they would wander 40 years until that generation died off. But Caleb’s descendants would receive a “full share” of the promise. How does your faithfulness (or lack thereof) impact the next generation in your family or sphere of influence?
Context from Sermon: “I’m going to bring him into the land that he explored and his descendants will possess their full share because they have. Because Caleb has held a full heart towards me, his descendants get a full share… Sons and daughters, grandchildren, need to see hearts committed to God.”
Leader Tip: This question is especially powerful for parents and grandparents, but also applies to mentors, teachers, and anyone influencing younger people. Discuss the “domino effect” mentioned in the sermon.
Question: The pastor shared his struggle about whether to go on a trip to Israel during uncertain times, saying “there’s nothing careless about depending on God.” How do we balance bold faith with wise decision-making? When does “faith” become presumption?
Context from Sermon: “There’s a part of me that’s like, quickly, like, well, Josh, where’s your faith? Just go. Where’s your faith just go. And I don’t think faith has to look careless… I still want to land on decision that honors him, decision that’s responsible for my family… I want to be Caleb with wisdom.”
Leader Tip: This is a nuanced discussion. Help the group see that faith seeks God’s wisdom, not just bold action. Caleb and Joshua weren’t careless—they were confident in God’s specific promise about the land.
Question: Looking at your GrowCard response, what is one practical step you can take this week to face your giant with a Caleb spirit rather than a grasshopper mentality?
Context from Sermon: The GrowCard asked people to name their giant and write a Caleb-type prayer “through the lens when nothing’s impossible.”
Childlike Faith Exercise: Each day this week, before facing your giant (whether it’s a difficult conversation, financial pressure, health concern, etc.), take 2 minutes to remember a time when God came through for you. Write it down. By the end of the week, you’ll have 7 testimonies of God’s faithfulness to draw strength from.
Caleb Declaration: Write out your Caleb-type prayer from your GrowCard and read it aloud each morning this week. Declare God’s power over your giant before your feet hit the floor.
“We have a choice all the time. Every single new day that we are given is a day to choose to be committed to Jesus, to be committed to our heavenly Father, to invite and desire the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit, to be in us and move us and lead us.”
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
