Life Group Curriculum- Fearless Pt. 1; January 31, 2010
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SCARED SENSELESS
Opening Prayer, Confession of Faith & Worship
Summary: Fear is paralyzing. Fear is neutralizing. Fear brings anxiety and stress that can affect our health as well as our capacity to function. Fear is an emotion that the powers of darkness will exploit, causing us to shrink back from living the full life that Jesus desires to lead us into. In our LifeGroups this week, let’s take a look at this powerful emotion of “fear” under the light of God’s Word and, in His presence, expose it for what it is: a deterrent to living by faith.
DISCUSSION POINTS:
Webster’s online dictionary defines the verb “fear” this way:
transitive verb
1 archaic : frighten
2 archaic : to feel fear in (oneself)
3 : to have a reverential awe of <fear God>
4 : to be afraid of : expect with alarm <fear the worst> intransitive verb : to be afraid or apprehensive <feared for their lives>
— fear·er noun
There are two categories of fear: One is natural, the other is spiritual.
NATURAL FEAR:
It is natural and healthy to have a respectful fear in certain circumstances that induces taking wise action to avoid immanent harm. Give examples in your group of healthy fear (hint: think of having your car stall in a railroad crossing and hearing the train’s whistle growing louder, a healthy fear would induce what kind of action?).
Spiritual fear can be divided into two categories. Compare #3 and #4 above.
FAITH DRIVEN FEAR
Read Romans 8:12-17 (reread vs 14) and 1 John 4:12-19 (reread vs 19)
Talk about how we need to understand the fear of the Lord in the context of his love for us.
Read Proverbs 9:10, 19:23, 22:4, Isaiah 33:6 and Acts 9:31
Talk about the promise found in each one regarding a faith driven “fear of the Lord.”
FAITH KILLING FEAR
Faith and Fear cannot coexist. They are like oil and water. They can be shaken together in the same bottle but will always separate from each other.
Read James 1:2-8 (reread vs 7&8); Matthew 21:18-21 (reread vs 21&22)
Talk about the overarching message being presented in both of these passages.
Is there anything you would like to share with the group about fear that you want broken in your life? If so, ask the group to pray for you.
Taking Action: In your devotional time this week, ask the Lord to reveal to you areas of your life that have been hindered by fear. Pray for the Lord to release faith and wisdom (James 1) over these areas. Consider calling a trusted friend and ask them to pray and stand with you as you step out in faith in the area that God reveals to you.
Ministry Time