EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – Risk-Takers: The Adventure of Walking by Faith – Session 2

Date: June 8, 2025 

Joshua: A Faith Rooted in God’s Word

The Point: Faith is grounded in obedience to God’s Word.

Get Into the Study

Before discussing the opening question, share this story:

Making a living from weather-related work requires Chelsea Burnett and husband Adam Lucio to be strong and courageous, like our hero Joshua in the Bible study today. They pursue tornadoes, hurricanes, and other severe weather. Chelsea Burnett has years of hand-on training and experience and has gone after 70 twisters! She also conducts educational programs for Storm Science and Texas Storm Chasers.

Modern-day storm chasers follow in the footsteps of David Hoadley, the father of storm chasing, who photographed the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm in 1956 in Bismark, North Dakota. He drove after and documented stories using his own forecast maps. He even published a magazine Storm Track. His protégé Tim Marshall now assesses damaged buildings after catastrophic weather events. Storm chasers go to great and dangerous lengths for scientific research (and for the thrill of it). They develop accurate records of tornadoes that can aid in predicting future ones.

With the movies Twister (1996) and Twisters (2024) the interest in spectacular storms was heightened.  Tornadic Expeditions, based in Texas which has more tornadoes than any other state, conducts 5-day and 10-day trips; they are completely sold out for all of 2025! There is even a National Storm Chaser Hall of Fame. Storm chasing has joined the university scene with Texas A & M ‘s Department of Atmospheric Sciences offering a course “Convective Storms Field Studies.”

Would you be as strong and courageous as these storm chasers are?

Continue to the opening question.

Information for this post was gleaned from: https://texascooppower.com/twisted-approach/

Get Into the Study (Option from Adult Leader Guide)

In advance, play a video clip of a national hero. Then ask Question #1.

Study the Bible

As you discuss Question #5, use this story as an example of being strong and courageous.

The Free Burma Rangers (FBR), formed in 1997, provide relief to communities affected by 70 years of civil war. Burma, one of the world’s poorest countries, has been dominated by military dictatorships which have killed thousands of people and displaced millions. FBR has 71 relief teams who provide medical care and counseling, while documenting/reporting human rights violations.

According to the field report of May 15, in the Northern Karen State the Burma Army launched mortars on various villages, killing one person and injuring three. Houses were destroyed. A Burma Army Y-12 dropped over seven bombs and took over a camp of the People’s Defense Force (PDF). Some PDF soldiers were killed and some were wounded in the battle.

In the Central Karen State, at least 12 different attacks have been reported during the past week in three villages; munitions included 120mm mortars, 500lb bombs, and 200lb bombs. These attacks have caused four civilian injuries, as well as the destruction of 17 homes. 

In Southern Karen State, Rangers conducted five Good Life Club programs, sharing the Gospel, encouragement, and financial aid with more than 2,100 people. FBR medics treated more than 430 patients in an area that has not received medical support since 2021. During these programs, FBR provided financial support for a variety of community- based projects, including food support, water systems, and roads.

Like Joshua, Free Burma Rangers step out in faith. What in your life is calling you to step out in faith?

Information for this post was gleaned from:

• https://www.freeburmarangers.org/
• https://www.freeburmarangers.org/2025/05/15/weekly-dispatch-may-15-2025/

Carole Waina wrote these Leader Extras. Carole is a retired teacher and veteran writer for LifeWay. She loves traveling, walking, cycling, reading, and being with family. She and her husband are active at First Baptist in Celina, Texas.

Study the Bible (Option from Adult Leader Guide)

In advance, play a video showing night vision goggles, comparing it to vision with the naked eye. Discuss ways God helps us see our circumstances from a spiritual perspective. (If possible, bring actual night vision goggles or a night vision scope and let members try them out.)

Additional Questions

Icebreaker

• As a child, what national hero did you want to be like when you grew up?
• When have you had to step into the shoes of someone you admired or trusted?
• Who do you consider a hero, someone you’d love to meet?
• Who are some national heroes from the past that you admire?

Joshua 1:1-5 

• Who has been a spiritual role model for you?
• How has the faith of others encouraged you to believe God?
• What difference can you see in your faith life because of others’ influence?
• When have you been encouraged or strengthened by godly examples in your life?
• Who’s had the biggest influence on your understanding of the Bible?
• What does it mean practically for God to “be with” us?

Joshua 1:6-9

• How might you explain to a non-believer the benefits of obeying God’s Word?
• How does meditating on God’s Word increase our faith?
• What are some way we be sure we are “observing carefully the whole instruction” of God?
• Why is it important to obey the whole instruction of God?
• On a practical level, how does studying God’s Word help us “prosper and succeed”?

Joshua 1:16-18 

• What are some disciplines that help you model faith for others?
• How did Joshua’s faith lead the people to trust and obey God?
• Why is it important that we demonstrate faith as an example to others?
• What do you think it was about Joshua that caused such a strong affirmation from the people?
• What are some ways our faith can set an example for others?

Podcast

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