Joshua 1:1-9 NIV

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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.”

Take your next step with Jesus… because you’ll never walk alone.

Parent Message from Pastor Jay

Every expedition needs a basecamp.

A place to come back together. To talk about where you’ve been. To listen to each other. To prepare for what comes next.

You don’t have to know all the answers. You don’t have to agree on everything. Whether you’ve followed Jesus for years, you’re not sure what you believe, or you’re just curious… you’re welcome here.

BASECAMP is a place for families to talk honestly, listen closely, and grow together.

WHAT WE EXPLORED

This week, we talked about the story of Joshua and focused on Joshua 1:9. Moses, a major person in the Bible had just died and Joshua had suddenly been told “tag, your it. You are now leading these people that Moses had been leading.” But what we talked about was that God didn’t tell Joshua “it’s okay…just BELIEVE IN YOURSELF”. Instead, He offered His presence. He told Him “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I gave them a compass to take home and keep to remind them of the key verse in Joshua 1:9 as they begin new journeys in new schools, new grades, etc this year. Its a reminder to “Be strong and courageous” and that God is always with them.

MAIN CHARACTER // WEEK 1

For Students…Parents…and the Journey Between

Every great adventure continues after you leave the trail.  ORIGINS lasts about 90 minutes on Wednesday night.  The conversations that shape a life often happen the other 10,000 minutes of the week.

This guide isn’t for parents.  It isn’t for students.  It’s for families.

Maybe that’s you and your mom.  Maybe it’s your dad.  Maybe it’s a grandparent, aunt, uncle, foster parent, older sibling, or another trusted adult.

Whoever you’re walking through life with…this is for you.  You don’t need to answer every question.  You don’t need to have all the answers.

Just start the conversation.

THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA

Take your next step with Jesus…because you’ll never walk alone.

This week we discovered something surprising.  God never told Joshua…

“Believe in yourself.”

Instead, He reminded Joshua over and over…  “I will be with you.”  Maybe that’s exactly what some of us needed to hear this week.

A BETTER QUESTION

Instead of asking…  “What did you learn tonight?”  Try asking…“What part of tonight felt the most real to you…and why?”  Don’t rush to respond.  Listen first.

A CONVERSATION AROUND THE TABLE

Student…

What’s one thing about this school year that you’re excited about?  What’s one thing you’re honestly nervous about?

Family…

Think back to when you were the student’s age.  What worried you?  What excited you?  What do you wish someone had told you?  Share a real story.  Not the polished version.  The real one.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

Tonight we talked about something we hear all the time:  “Believe in yourself.”  Why do you think people say that?  When is that good advice?  When does life become too big for that to be enough?  Have you ever faced something that couldn’t be solved simply by trying harder?

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

If you could know ONE thing about your future… what would you choose?

  • Your career?
  • Who you’ll marry?
  • Where you’ll live?
  • Whether everything turns out okay?
  • Something else?

Now another question… Would you rather know all of that…or know that whatever happens…you won’t face it alone?  Why?

THIS WEEK’S FAMILY CHALLENGE

Sometime this week…take a walk. No TV. No phones. No agenda.  Just walk together. Along the way, ask each other:

“What’s one next step you’re trying to take in life right now?”

Don’t interrupt. Don’t fix. Don’t lecture. Just listen.

Then ask: “How can I walk with you?” Sometimes the greatest gift we can give one another isn’t advice. It’s our presence.

OPEN THE COMPASS TOGETHER

Read Joshua 1:1-9 together. As you read, look for one phrase that stands out to each person. Don’t worry about getting the “right” answer. Simply ask:

“Why do you think that verse stood out to you?”

You’ll probably discover that God speaks to each person a little differently.

THIS WEEK’S PRAYER

Jesus, Thank You that You don’t ask us to figure out our whole future before following You.

Thank You for walking with us through uncertainty, fear, excitement, change, and new beginnings. Help us become a family that listens well…encourages one another…asks honest questions…and remembers that none of us has to walk alone.

Show each of us our next step…and give us the courage to take it.

Amen.

LOOKING AHEAD

NEXT WEEK AT ORIGINS

MAIN CHARACTER

WHO’S IN CHARGE?

Every day, voices compete for your attention.  Friends.  Social media.  Fear.  Culture.  Even your own thoughts.

The question isn’t…“Am I following someone?”  The question is… “Who’s leading my story?”

Wednesday • 5:30 PM

You are loved. You belong. You have a purpose. And your greatest adventure…is following Jesus.