Fearless Week 2 – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea:
When we’re fearless and we believe, it’s amazing what we will see.
Discussion Starter:
What is something courageous you have done or have seen someone do? What does it take to have courage?
Introduction:
Fear can make us believe some crazy things. It can play tricks on our minds. And, when we listen to fear, we miss what God has for us. The Gospel of Matthew is full of profound meaning. It concerns the most important issue of human life, faith in Jesus Christ. Peter certainly had faith, but at that moment in the storm, his faith was not yet solid. When the wind began to blow more strongly, Peter began to sink because he started listening to fear. It was not the wind that made Peter sink into the lake, but the lack of surrender of his faith. Peter’s faith had lacked one essential element—complete surrender to Christ, total trust in Him through the storm.
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 10:13
Discussion Questions:
Read the two primary scriptures.
- Miracles often await us in storms. Too often, when a storm hits we “hunker down” until it passes or until God can get us out of it. What if God wants us there so that we can learn something? Or someone ELSE can learn something? In your storm, what is God saying? What would it look like if we embraced our storm, and instead of looking for a way out, we looked for a miracle within it? What is your miracle in your storm?
- Reread Matthew 14:28-29. When you are the most afraid, Jesus wants you to come to Him. Are you afraid of asking God to do something in your life? If so, what is it? Or are you afraid of what God wants you do to? Have you told God “no” before?
- Are you sitting in your boat, afraid to follow Jesus, truly surrender to Jesus, or tell others of Jesus? What’s your next step to get out of the boat?
- Fear holds us back from listening to God, learning what He is asking of us, and surrendering completely to the outcome. What is holding you back? What do you need to surrender?
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Matthew 14:22-33 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.
This week our focus has been on overcoming fear of speaking to others about our faith. Practice your story in your small group. There are apps to help, such as 3 Circles: Life on Mission. Or you can look back on the Faith Promise website for our Storytellers series about how to share the gospel.
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise:
Have you invited anyone to visit your group? Make a plan of who to ask to your next meeting.
Engaging in Community and the World:
Have you asked anyone to church? Easter is soon. Take the Easter invitation cards and pass them out to neighbors, those in your life at school or work, etc. Personally invite people to join you at one of the services. If you want to invite a friend through text or email you can find digital invite cards here.
Expand God’s Kingdom
One of our Faith Promise values is “We tell them of Him.” Something we must understand is that we are to not only tell others of Him, but we must shepherd and take care of people. We should invite others to join us in our walk with Christ. Spiritual growth is intentional and should not be done alone. It is not enough to reach people with the message of Jesus Christ. We are also to make disciples of those around us. Discipleship is a process of helping others grow in their relationship with Christ. Who are you discipling?
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.
