Bible Study Questions

1. Carl contrasts "impulsive courage" (like jumping a bike ramp) with "intentional courage." What's the difference between the two, and which type do you find harder to practice in your own life?
2. Read 2 Chronicles 17:1-6. What do you learn about Jehoshaphat's character from these opening verses? How does his approach to leadership differ from what you know about King Ahab?
3. The Hebrew word for "courageous" in verse 6 can also mean "lifted up" or "devoted." What does it look like practically to lift up your heart toward God rather than toward yourself? What gets in the way of that?
4. Carl referenced the children's book acronym IALAC —"I Am Lovable And Capable." How does a poor self-image or a small view of God undermine our courage? Can you share a time when this happened in your own life?
5. Verse 4 says Jehoshaphat "sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel." What Baals — distractions, habits, or cultural pressures — do you find hardest to subtract from your life today?
6. The business book Subtract found that people almost always add rather than remove. Why do you think we default to adding more rather than eliminating what's pulling us away from God? What might God be calling you to subtract right now?
7. Read 2 Chronicles 17:7-9. Jehoshaphat systematically sent teachers throughout Judah with the Word of God. Why do you think he prioritized this so highly? What does it tell us about the connection between God's Word and courage?
8. Carl told the story of Grant, who sought out mentorship in disciple-making and eventually helped spark over 80 disciple-making groups. Who has invested God's Word into your life, and who are you currently investing in?
9. The sermon is framed around "fostering faith in our families." What does ordinary, intentional courage look like specifically for parents and grandparents? What's one concrete step you could take this week?
10. Carl mentions that courage for younger people might look like confronting conflict — with a parent, teacher, or friend — rather than avoiding it. How do you help the younger people in your life develop this kind of courage?
11. Read 2 Chronicles 17:12-13. What does God's provision for Jehoshaphat tell us about what happens when we practice this kind of ordinary, faithful courage over time? Have you experienced something similar in your own walk with God?
12. The sermon closes with a call to "do the next right thing" rather than waiting for a grand, cinematic moment of courage. What is the next right thing God is calling you toward right now, and what would it take to act on it?

Discussion Questions

1. Carl's wife learned to ride a bike for the first time in her mid-20s along the Jersey Shore boardwalk. Can you share a time when you did something courageous later in life than most people typically would? What made it meaningful?
2. Which movie example of courage resonated most with you — Marlin letting Nemo go, Simba confronting his past, the Cowardly Lion taking the next step, or Hiccup standing against his culture? Why does that particular picture of courage connect with your life right now?
3. The Book of Chronicles was written to people returning from exile who were wondering if God was still real and still with them. When have you gone through a season where you genuinely questioned whether God was still active in your life? What brought you through it?
4. Ahab is described as impulsive — he ignored God, indulged himself, and interfered with God's plans — even after witnessing miraculous victories. Why do you think people can witness God's faithfulness and still fall back into impulsive, self-centered living? Have you ever caught yourself doing this?
5. Jehoshaphat's courage appears to have been shaped partly by his father Asa. Who in your life modeled courageous faith for you, and what specific quality did they demonstrate that stayed with you?
6. The sermon suggests that ordinary courage is more quiet, planned, and intentional than the dramatic, cinematic kind we often celebrate. Does our culture — or even our church culture — make it hard to value quiet, steady faithfulness? How so?
7. Carl points out that Jehoshaphat's first act as king was to strengthen himself and set garrisons — he was methodical and prepared before facing opposition. How intentional are you in spiritually preparing yourself before facing challenges, rather than reacting to them in the moment?
8. The sermon references the idea that we sometimes make excuses for God when we think poorly of ourselves — "My God must not be big enough" or "If my family hadn't done this to me, I'd have more courage." Have you ever found yourself in that thought pattern? How did you move out of it?
9. Jehoshaphat didn't just grow personally — he sent teachers throughout all of Judah so that everyone would know God's Word. What's the difference between keeping your faith private and personal versus actively helping spread it in your community? Where do you land on that spectrum?
10. Grant showed up at Carl's door and asked to be intentionally discipled, even offering to sleep on a couch for the summer. Have you ever pursued someone that boldly for spiritual mentorship? What barriers — pride, fear, busyness — tend to stop us from seeking that kind of relationship?
11. Carl says that small acts of ordinary courage — the little decisions we make each day to choose faith — can compound over time into something extraordinary. Can you look back on your life and identify a small courageous decision that turned out to have a much bigger impact than you expected?
12. If you were completely honest with yourself, what is the "Baal" — the thing that isn't necessarily evil on its surface but is quietly competing with God for your heart's devotion — that you most need to subtract from your life right now? What would it take to actually do it?