2009 by Max Lucado
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ISBN : 978-1-4185-4271-9
09 10 11 12 13 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1
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CONTENTS
WHY ARE YOU
FEARFUL,
O YOU OF LITTLE
FAITH?
Matthew 8:26
Theyre talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror . Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldnt it be great to walk out?
Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.
Can you imagine your life without fear?
HOW THIS STUDY
WORKS
Each week you will be asked to do some preparatory work at home before you meet together as a group. By reading the chapter from Fearless that corresponds with the weeks study, you will gain a better understanding of the material and will be able to contribute more to your group discussion (see the Reading Schedule for Fearless on page 13). Please commit to doing your homework before you meetyou and your group will benefit the most when everyone agrees to participate fully.
Each weeks study is broken into five sections. They are all key parts of growing closer to God and loosening your grip on fear. The READ sections of each chapter explain what to read at home, and they give a brief summary of the main points in those chapters. The REFLECT sections are intended to get you into the Word so you can study the topic before the discussion starts. That way everyone will have had time to think deeply about these concepts before talking them over with the group. And the DISCUSS sections are just that questions for you to discuss and explore together as a group. You dont have to answer those at home beforehand unless you want to. Finally, well leave you with some ideas for continuing the application of these truths in the WRAP UP section at the end of each chapter. And each week ends with a MEMORY VERSE. As you write Gods words on your heart, you will grow in your knowledge and understanding of him.
Finally, approach your group discussion time with a mind-set of openness and vulnerability. While the focus of this study is on fear and living in the abundant freedom Jesus promises his followers, an equal purpose for your group is to grow in community and intimacy with one another. If you hold back in the discussions, refusing to let your real self be known, your group will suffer. God made you the way you are for a reason, and he put you with this group of believers for a reason. Open up, share the story God has written for your life, and listen with acceptance and honesty as others share. Strive to make your small group a safe place to share and grow in Gods love.
READING SCHEDULE
FOR FEARLES
Lesson 1: Chapter 1
Lesson 2: Chapter 2
Lesson 3: Chapter 3
Lesson 4: Chapter 10
Lesson 5: Chapter 13
Lesson 6: Chapter 14
FOR GOD HAS
NOT GIVEN US A
SPIRIT OF FEAR.
2 Timothy 1:7
LESSON 1
WHY ARE WE
AFRAID?
READ
Read Chapter 1 from Fearless before you meet this week.
Fear has touched every one of us in some waywhether it has entangled us or completely enchained us. But how we respond to fear, and whom we turn to for a way out, is what matters more than anything. Will your fear leave you embittered or awestruck? This weeks discussion will inspire us to live in awe of Christ, who refused to let fear have any hold on his lifeand who wants the same thing for you.
REFLECT
Answer the questions in this section before you meet this week.
Oversized and rude, fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness. Happiness complies. Do you ever see the two together? Can one be happy and afraid at the same time? Fear is the big bully in the high school hallway: brash, loud, and unproductive. Despite all the noise fear makes and all the room it takes, fear does little good. Its not creative or productive, yet we allow it so much control over our lives. Happiness would be a much better companion.
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