OPENING PRAYER (5 minutes)
Begin by thanking God for His wholehearted love toward us — a love that held nothing back. Thank Him for the example of Caleb, a man who followed Him with a different spirit. Ask God to reveal any “unbaptized areas” of your life — places where you may be holding back from full obedience. Pray for a wholehearted spirit, wholehearted obedience, and wholehearted courage.
ICEBREAKER (10 minutes)
Question: Have you ever tried to please everyone at once and realized it was impossible? What happened? How did it make you feel?
(Optional follow-up if needed: Why do you think criticism or fear of disapproval affects us so deeply?)
SERMON RECAP (5 minutes)
This week we continued our Wholehearted series by looking at three additional lessons from Caleb’s life: wholehearted spirit, wholehearted obedience, and wholehearted courage.
The message began with the illustration of the “unbaptized arm” — a picture of people who appear committed but still hold something back from God. Many of us follow Christ, yet keep certain areas — our will, finances, relationships, thought life, comfort, or reputation — partially surrendered.
Caleb was different. Scripture repeatedly says he followed the Lord wholeheartedly.
We explored three characteristics that set him apart:
- Wholehearted Spirit – Caleb had a different attitude. While others complained, criticized, and said “it’s not good enough,” Caleb trusted that if God said it was good, it was good. He cultivated an appreciative, thankful spirit instead of a critical one.
- Wholehearted Obedience – Caleb didn’t just believe God; he obeyed Him. Scripture reminds us that obedience matters more than religious activity. It’s one thing to say we follow Jesus; it’s another thing to do what He says — even when it’s difficult.
- Wholehearted Courage – At 85 years old, Caleb asked for the hill country filled with giants. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is choosing to move forward with God despite fear. Courage can be developed by identifying our fears, replacing lies with truth, starting small, reframing failure, and taking the first step.
The question for us: Are we all in — or are we holding something back?
Key Passage: Numbers 14:1–4; 14:20–24; Numbers 32:11–12; Joshua 14:6–15