Fear of God – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea:
Fear is all around us. We see it on social media and on the faces in the grocery stores. We see masks, gloves, and death reports…but are we fearing the right thing, or are we allowing the enemy to distract us with fear?
Introduction:
This year our theme verse is Acts 2:42. We know that in one day over 3,000 people were added to the believers (Acts 2:41), and the early church continued to grow. What did the early believers have that we don’t?
Discussion Starter:
The disciples and all the early church had a posture of fear that many of today’s Christians are missing. Think about attitudes and emotions you have towards God. Would fear be an adjective you use to describe the emotions you feel towards God? Why do you think we have downplayed the reverence or fear of God? What does fear and reverence of God look like?
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: Proverbs 31:30, Acts 5:11, Acts 9:31, Acts 19:17, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 5:21
Discussion Questions:
- The posture of “fear of God” can be confusing. Another word often used to describe this is reverence. Fear of God is a respectful type of fear. Have you ever had an authority figure (parent, teacher, coach, mentor) you didn’t want to disappoint, and you followed their direction or teaching out of respect? Talk about that relationship. Why did you respect this person? Why did you follow their instructions? In Acts 9:31, we see an example of what a community looks like who lives in fear of God. Is this what you immediately picture when someone says “lives in fear”?
- In Luke 7:16, Acts 5:11, and Acts 19:17 we have verses that describe people’s behavior when they realized who Jesus was or saw the disciples act in His name. What is similar about all the people’s reactions in each of these passages? How would you describe this fear?
- What do the 2 Corinthians and Ephesians passages tell us about our lives when we live in fear of God?
- Proverbs 31 describes a woman who is an excellent wife. Can you find anything about the fear of the Lord in this chapter? Towards the end of this passage, what do we see are the outcomes of those who live a life in reverence of the Lord?
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Proverbs 31 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Since most of us are meeting virtually, breaking into smaller groups may be a little more difficult. Perhaps you could pick one of your group members to be your prayer partner this upcoming week. Pastor used Jenga as an example of how our foundation matters. Discuss with your partner how the enemy is knocking down blocks in your foundation. How are fear and worldly issues affecting you? How could you have more fear of God? Speak life into one another and pray for strength and support.
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: Have you been attending the Saturday morning prayer meetings online? This is an amazing way to support our FP community, by listening to the word, seeing where people need prayer, and praying together. Tune in at http://facebook.com/faithpromise/live Saturdays at 9 AM.
Engaging in Community and the World: There are a lot of people going without right now. Food banks are low. Volunteers are needed at the Love Kitchen and many other nonprofits who have to keep moving even when the rest of the world has slowed. Choose a local food bank or ministry your group can support financially, and pray for the others.
Expand God’s Kingdom
Have you found yourself more fearful in this coronavirus pandemic? Where could you be more trusting in God and show more reverence for God? Is there a way when you hear your friends and family speaking in fear that you can point them to God?
Leader’s Notes
ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.
– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.
– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.
– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
