Weekly Compass: Courage
Acting Even When You’re Afraid
Welcome to this week’s Weekly Compass, where we shine a spotlight on a single value and explore how it can guide our everyday decisions and actions. Each installment includes a brief reflection, group discussion prompts, and a practical “take action” step—perfect for families, small groups, or personal study.
Our focus this week is Courage. Together, we’ll consider what it really means to act bravely, why it’s okay to feel nervous or afraid, and how even small moments of courage can make a big difference. Feel free to adapt the materials to suit your needs and share your experiences with others.
If you’re ready, let’s dive in!
Key Objectives
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Please review the following objectives and explanation about why they matter. During your discussion time, you can read these to everyone verbatim, put them in your own words, or simply skip them and start with the opening reflection while keeping these in mind.
Objectives for this discussion:
Understand that feeling afraid does not cancel out courage—both can be true.
Recognize that courage comes in different forms (e.g., standing up for what’s right, walking away from conflict, or admitting mistakes).
Encourage consistent “exercise” of courage, just like a muscle, to build strength over time.
Commit to practicing at least one courageous act during the week.
Why These Objectives Matter
[Read aloud, optional]: “Let’s be honest: no superhero was ever born totally fearless. In real life (no capes required), being brave doesn’t mean that fear magically disappears; it means we listen to that little voice saying “Uh-oh” but still do what needs to be done. Whether that’s speaking up for a friend, calmly walking away from a heated argument, or admitting we messed up, courage shows up in different outfits. Sometimes it wears a big bold “S” on the chest, and other times it quietly hangs out in the background, waiting to help us take the next small step.”
“Building this kind of courage is a bit like working out at the gym—at first, you might lift that “dumbbell of bravery” and think, “This is heavy!” But each time you push through a challenge, you’re flexing that muscle and getting stronger. And just like making a workout schedule, it helps to plan one courageous act this week and follow through. That’s your personal “training session” to keep fear from running the show.”
Opening Reflection
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Read paragraph 1 below and then select either Option 1 or Option 2 of paragraph 2—whatever is most appropriate based upon the make-up of your family or discussion group. This should be read out loud as an opening reflection.
Paragraph 1:
“This week, we’re focusing on courage. The dictionary defines courage as: the ability to do something that frightens [you]. In other words, courage isn’t about switching off your fear like a light bulb. It’s about noticing that nervous flutter in your stomach—and still stepping forward. Maybe you need to speak up when someone’s being treated unfairly, or maybe you need to take a deep breath and calmly walk away when your anger is boiling over. The truth is, doing the right thing isn’t always comfortable. Courage helps us push through that discomfort so we can act in ways we’ll be proud of later.”
Paragraph 2 (Option 1; Child-Friendly):
“Imagine you’re about to perform in the school talent show, and suddenly you feel like a bunch of butterflies just had a dance party in your tummy. It’s tempting to run for the door, but you take a shaky breath and walk on stage anyway. That’s courage in action. It doesn’t always show up in flashy ways, like a superhero coming to the rescue. Most of the time, it’s quiet and steady, like a friend who reminds you that you can handle this moment. Courage usually happens one small step at a time. Whether it’s raising your hand in class or apologizing to someone you’ve hurt, these everyday acts of bravery can mean more than any superhero’s tale.”
Paragraph 2 (Option 2; Adult-Oriented):
“Picture yourself at work, sitting through a team meeting where everyone’s nodding along to a decision that just doesn’t feel right to you. Your stomach tightens, and your mind races: “Should I say something?” You muster the courage to speak up, politely expressing your concerns even though you fear that it might not be well-received by the boss. That’s a real-life example of everyday bravery—no capes or dramatic background music needed. In many cases, being courageous simply means trusting your instincts, taking a risk for what’s fair or just, and handling the outcome with grace and dignity.”
Discussion Questions
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Explain that there are three questions you’ll be discussing together and encourage everyone to share their thoughts on each question. Choose the appropriate group of questions from the selections below and go through them, one at a time, allowing ample time for discussion. You might also ask follow-up questions—like “Why do you think that?” or “Can you explain more?”—to help participants clarify their ideas and dig a little deeper. Remind everyone that there are no “wrong” answers here; we’re simply exploring the many ways courage can show up in our lives.
Brief Introduction to Read Aloud:
“Today, we’re talking about courage and what it means to act bravely, even when we’re feeling afraid or unsure. As we answer these questions, try to think about real moments in your own life—times when you chose to do something difficult, or maybe a time when you wished you had. It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers! Sharing our experiences helps us learn from each other and discover new ways to be courageous.”
Younger Children
“When was a time you felt scared but still did something important?”
“How can we help a friend who’s afraid to do something brave?”
“What could you say to yourself or others when you feel afraid but want to try anyway?”
Teens/College Students
“Can you share a situation where doing the right thing felt scary? What happened?”
“How might social pressure make it harder—or easier—to show courage?”
“Have you ever regretted not acting courageously? What held you back, and what might you do differently next time?”
Adults/General Audience
“In what areas of your life do you tend to avoid action out of fear, and how might you address that?”
“When does courage mean standing firm, and when does it mean walking away or stepping back?”
“How can you tell the difference between a courageous choice and a reckless one, and why is that distinction important?”
Take Action!
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Read the brief introduction below and then read the appropriate Weekly Challenge, or put it in your own words, if you prefer. Discuss the challenge to ensure everyone understands it. Ask everyone to commit to taking on this challenge!
Introduction to the Challenge:
“Talking about courage is a great start, but real growth happens when we put our ideas into action. Whether it’s finding the bravery to speak up or simply facing something we’ve been avoiding, taking a small step forward can help us see how strong we really are. As we work on being courageous this week, remember to celebrate every bit of progress—even if it feels tiny. Each time we act with courage, we’re training our ‘bravery muscles’ to keep growing stronger.”
Weekly Challenge (Child-Oriented):
“This week, think about one thing that makes you feel a little scared or nervous—maybe it’s answering a question in class, asking a new friend to play, or admitting a mistake. Choose just one moment like that and try to do something brave! After you do it, share with a trusted adult or friend how it felt. Remember, every time you do something courageous—even if it feels small—you get stronger and more ready for the next challenge!”
Weekly Challenge (Adult-Oriented):
“With that in mind, here’s your challenge for the week: Identify one situation this week that triggers fear or hesitation—whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, confronting a personal habit, or offering an apology—and take a single courageous step toward resolving it. Afterward, share your experience with someone you trust or write about it in a journal. By reflecting on what happened, you’ll see how acts of courage—no matter how small—can make a big difference in your life and the lives of those around you.”
Closing Thoughts
[Parents and discussion leaders]: To wrap up your discussion, read the quote below and the closing reflection, or ask someone else to read them to the group. If you are using the Weekly Compass with younger children, you may need to explain the closing reflection or simply put it in your own words.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
“When Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, said these words, he reminded us that bravery doesn’t erase our anxieties—it simply acknowledges that some things matter more than the fear itself. Maybe it’s doing the right thing for a friend, standing up to an injustice, or taking that first step toward a long-delayed goal. Whatever the moment calls for, courage shows up when we decide to honor what’s truly important, even in the face of our own jitters.”
“As you go about your week, remember the challenge you chose and keep your eyes open for new opportunities to be brave. It could be the smallest act—a quiet apology, a bold question, or a reassuring conversation—that ends up making all the difference. Next time we gather, be ready to share how it felt to step outside your comfort zone. Chances are, you’ll discover that each courageous act has its own way of inspiring us and the people around us.”
“Let’s keep our hearts open, our spirits determined, and our sense of fear in perspective. Here’s to a week of brave moments—big and small—that bring us closer to the best version of ourselves!”