Chestnut Ridge Church
Tim Haring-
We all experience fear.
Perhaps it's a fear of heights or a fear of flying. Maybe it's a fear of spiders or a fear of failure. God gave us the ability to be afraid. It can protect us from harm, but it can also be debilitating, and it can keep us from experiencing life.
This series focuses on four people from the Old Testament who faced their fears as they eventually learned to trust God.
Music from today
The Lion and The Lamb, You Make Me Brave, I Can't Believe, The Same Power [Derek Jones (Lead Vocal), Courtney Costello and Leslie Dorchester (Background Vocals)], No Longer Slaves [Derek Jones (Special Vocal)]
SCAREDY-CATS: Part 4 [October 15/16, 2016] Tim Haring
Problem: We are afraid when we think our fate lies with others.
Solution: We can trust God will work things out for the good.
“People often fear what they cannot control, and we find continued evidence of that in our top fears.”
- Bader
The first week of the series the point was that when we are afraid, we need to…
1. Give God a chance to be faithful to his promises.
The second week, the point was:
2. We need to remember God has been faithful to us in the past so that we will trust him for the future.
Last week, our point was:
3. Sometimes we need to wrestle with God in prayer
This week, we will discuss another means to tackle fear.
Genesis 37:4 HCSB
Genesis 37:18-20 HCSB
Genesis 37:36 HCSB
This was the second time Joseph’s clothing was used to bring a false report about him. In both cases he had been serving faithfully. But in both cases Joseph ended up in bondage.
– A.P. Ross
Genesis 42:21 HCSB
Genesis 41:51-52 HCSB
Genesis 50:20 HCSB
If God is for you, who can be against you?
Genesis 39:2-4 HCSB
Genesis 39:21 HCSB
Genesis 39:23 HCSB
Romans 8:31-32 HCSB
Romans 8:28 HCSB
Hebrews 13:5-6 HCSB
If God is for you, who can be against you?
Discussion Questions:
1. What would you say are the top five fears that you have? Take a moment to write down those fears. Is there a story behind any of them?
2. Often we are afraid of things that are outside of our control. What might be some examples of fearful situations we cannot control?
3. Read Genesis 37:4. What do you think it was like for Joseph to be raised in a household where his brothers hated him?
4. Read Genesis 39:2-4, 39:21, 39:23 and Genesis 50:20. What effect might it have had on Joseph’s life to realize that God was for him? How do you think Joseph would have known that God was on his side?
5. Read Romans 8:28-32 and Hebrews 13:5-6. How do we know that God is for us? How can we be sure he is always with us? Do you think God is still for us when we sin? Explain your answer.
6. During the series, Tim had four main takeaways:
· Give God a chance to be faithful to his promises
· Remember God has been faithful to you in the past so that you will trust him for the future
· Sometimes we need to wrestle with God in prayer and
· Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you.
Of these four, which one is the most meaningful to you and why? How might you apply these points to your life?
7. What are some other things we can do to overcome fear in our
lives?
8. Why is it important that we be people of faith and not people who
Are overly afraid?