Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear Part 15

A. What kind of violence had Joseph's brothers done to him (see Genesis 37:1128)?

B. How did Joseph interpret this violence (v. 20)? How did he try to lessen his brothers' fears? What lesson is here for us?

2. Read Daniel 3:129.

A. Why were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego threatened with violence?

B. According to verses 1718, what stance did they take? What happened to them? As a result, how did Nebuchadnezzar respond?

3. Read Hebrews 11:35b40.

A. What kind of violence was directed against people of faith as described in this pa.s.sage?

B. What promise kept them going through all their troubles? How is that promise meant to keep us going as well?

BATTLING FEAR.

Jesus himself suffered tremendously at the hands of violent men. Memorize Hebrews 12:23. How did Jesus endure the cross? Take some extended time to meditate on what he did so that you won't become weary or discouraged in your own walk of faith.

CHAPTER 9.

Make- Believe Money

Fear of the Coming Winter

EXAMINING FEAR.

1. "The rich man's error was not that he planned but rather that his plans didn't include G.o.d. Jesus criticized not the man's affluence but his arrogance, not the presence of personal goals but the absence of G.o.d in those goals."

A. How do you include G.o.d in your financial planning?

B. What tends to happen to personal goals divorced from G.o.d and his perspective?

2. "The resounding and recurring message of Scripture is clear: G.o.d owns it all. G.o.d shares it all. Trust him, not stuff!"

A. Why is it important to remember that G.o.d owns it all? What tends to happen when we forget this truth?

B. When can you tell that you've started to trust money more than G.o.d? What are some telltale signs?

3. "The abundance of possessions has a way of eclipsing G.o.d, no matter how meager those possessions may be. There is a predictable progression from poverty to pride."

A. Why does an abundance of possessions tend to eclipse G.o.d?

B. Why does wealth often lead to pride?

C. Can a poor person also be addicted to money? Explain.

4. "Those who trust money are foolish. They are setting themselves up to be duped and dumped into a dystopia of unhappiness."

A. In what ways do we trust money? How does a love of money dupe people?

B. Why does trusting in money always lead to a dystopia of unhappiness?

5. "Replace fear of the coming winter with faith in the living G.o.d. After all, it's just Monopoly money. It all goes back in the box when the game is over."

A. How much do you fear the coming winter? How can you reduce these fears?

B. Does it help you to think of real money as Monopoly money? Why or why not?

EXPOSING FEAR.

1. Read Luke 12:1621.

A. Why did G.o.d call the man in this story a fool?

B. What does it mean to be rich toward G.o.d? Do you have this kind of riches? Explain.

2. Read 1 Timothy 6:610, 1719.

A. What kind of contentment is described in verses 68? How does one enjoy this kind of contentment?

B. Why does Paul condemn the desire to be rich? What is wrong with the love of money?

C. What instructions does Paul give to the rich in verses 1719? What promises does he give them?

3. Read Proverbs 23:45.

A. What att.i.tude are believers to cultivate regarding riches?

B. Why should believers not set their hearts on getting rich?

4. Read Mark 12:4144.

A. Why is it significant that Jesus watched people put money into the temple treasury? What does this imply for us?

B. Why does Jesus single out the widow for praise? What lesson is she meant to teach us?

BATTLING FEAR.

1. Regardless of your financial position, this week give generously-more than you can really afford-to some group or individual who advances the cause of Christ. Write in a journal how your giving affects you and your household.

2. Set a date with a financial planner to evaluate how you can best use the money G.o.d has given you.

CHAPTER 10.

Scared to Death Fear of life's final Moments EXAMINING FEAR.

1. "What if the cemetery is not the dominion of the Grim Reaper but the domain of the Soul Keeper, who will someday announce, 'O dwellers in the dust, awake and sing for joy!' (Isa. 26:19 RSV)?"

A. How would you answer the question above?

B. Describe your att.i.tude toward your own death.

2. "Jesus promised, not just an afterlife, but a better life."

A. How would you describe the better life Jesus promised to his followers?

B. How much of this better life are you experiencing?

3. "Jesus elevates funerals to the same hope level as weddings. From his perspective the trip to the cemetery and the walk down the aisle warrant identical excitement."

A. Why should funerals give Christians as much hope as weddings?

B. Can you say you are excited about your own death? Explain.

4. "Let's allow the resurrection to sink into the fibers of our hearts and define the way we look at the grave."

A. How does one's att.i.tude toward death reveal what he or she truly believes about the resurrection?

B. What are some practical ways you can let the resurrection sink into the fibers of your heart?

5. "Death-'a new adventure in existence.' No need to dread it or ignore it. Because of Christ, you can face it."

A. Describe someone you know who dreads death.

B. Describe someone you know who tries to ignore death.

C. How can you face death through your faith in Christ?

EXPOSING FEAR.

1. Read John 14:13.

A. What commands does Jesus give in verse 1?

B. What promises does he make in verses 23? How are these promises designed to lessen our fear?

2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:2027.

A. How does this pa.s.sage view death?

B. How can this pa.s.sage calm our fear of death?

3. Read Hebrews 2:1415.

A. Who had the power of death? How did Jesus destroy both him and his power?

B. How can we be released from a fear of death? In what way is this fear a kind of bondage?

BATTLING FEAR.

Pick up a copy of Peter Kreeft's Love Is Stronger Than Death and/or Herbert Lockyer's Last Words of Saints and Sinners. What difference does a vibrant faith in Christ make when death comes calling?

CHAPTER 11.

Caffeinated Lite Fear of What's Next EXAMINING FEAR.

1. "If only we could order life the way we order gourmet coffee. Wouldn't you love to mix and match the ingredients of your future?"

A. Answer the question posed above.

B. If you could mix and match the ingredients of your future, what would your future look like?

2. "When you place your faith in Christ, Christ places his Spirit before, behind, and within you. Not a strange spirit, but the same Spirit. . . . Everything Jesus did for his followers, his Spirit does for you."

A. Describe how you rely on Christ's Spirit as you daily walk in faith.

B. Why is it important to know that the Holy Spirit acts in your life just as Christ would?

3. "Change is not only a part of life; change is a necessary part of G.o.d's strategy. To use us to change the world, he alters our a.s.signments."

A. Why is change a necessary part of G.o.d's strategy?