According to various sources, the four most common fears among adults are:
- flying
- public speaking
- heights
- small spaces
Of these three, which are you most afraid of? None?? Okay, what IS your greatest fear?
Where do you think fear comes from?
How is fear different in the life of a Christian than in a non-Christian?
Scripture calls us as individuals and as a church to actively choose to trust God. The Bible points us to numerous reasons why God is worthy of this trust, but in the end, it is our response to God’s Word that will determine whether we live a life of faith or a life of fear.
Can you remember a Biblical instance when the people of God are encouraged to not be fearful?
Why do you think the Bible, in so many places, urges us to “fear not?”
What do you think of this statement: “Fear is a barometer of our faith?”
When we find ourselves being afraid, it is often because we are failing to believe something to be true that God says about Himself. That’s why in Psalm 56:3-4 we find overcoming fear linked firmly to the Word of God.
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3-4 NLT
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
So, how is knowing and believing God’s Word related to overcoming fear?
What kinds of the things does the Bible tell us about God that would serve to combat our fear if we truly believed them?
If we are living in fear, what does our fear reveal we believe or don’t believe about God?
Read the following verses, and point out the particular characteristic of God that it describes.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Tell everyone about God’s power. His majesty shines down on Israel; his strength is mighty in the heavens. God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
Psalm 68:34-35 NLT
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
Romans 11:33-36 NLT
For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?
And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
And he who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!”
1 Samuel 15:29 NLT
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NLT
How do these characteristics of God serve to inspire our faith? How do they serve to drive out fear?
Is it possible that we continue to have fear because we don’t really know or we don’t fully understand God and his promises? When difficult circumstances happen, many times our first reaction is of anxiety rather than trust. We are quick to doubt rather than to run back again and again to the Word of God to remind ourselves of the promises of God.
Do these passages mean nothing bad will happen to those who follow Christ? If not, what do they mean?
Have a volunteer read Matthew 14:22-33. You know this story.
What do you think about Peter in this story? Can you relate to him? How?
What do you think went through Peter’s head as he went from walking to sinking?
What caused Peter to lose his trust in Jesus?
How did Jesus respond to Peter’s weak faith? What, specifically, did Jesus do?
Had you been in the boat that day, would you have reacted like Peter, or like one of the disciples who stayed in the boat?
What in your life right now requires an active choice of obedient faith?
How can you remind yourself this week of God’s character, and learn to trust him more?