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“Raising our sights from down in the weeds, up to the horizon, as we follow the Master as an apprentice.”. The Marriage Tool Box Feb 4 th , 2007 Tool #14 “Fear Cast-a-router” 1 John 4:17-19 & 2 Tim:1:7. What’s NEXT. Celebration Sunday May 16 th , 2010
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“Raising our sights from down in the weeds, up to the horizon, as we follow the Master as an apprentice.” The Marriage Tool Box Feb 4th, 2007 Tool #14 “Fear Cast-a-router” 1 John 4:17-19 & 2 Tim:1:7
What’s NEXT Celebration Sunday May 16th, 2010 10:45 am in the Chapel Year in review Kash Bradshaw dedication Couple Testimonies Nate and Lisa Pummel, Mike and Annie Goodwin “Walking/Living your Faith” Summer schedule announced All class picnic on the grounds
Some things you hear about fear • “I fear failure as I try to provide for my family.” • “Nightmare on Elm Street” • “Fear is a natural instinct, a completely normal response.” • “She has a fear of flying.” • “Knowledge drives out fear.” • “I’m afraid that God is going to slap me, or has an axe right above my neck at all times---aren’t we supposed to fear God?” • “I fear going to the doctor.” • “I fear the memories of the past.” • “I’m fearful, and have no peace…something is missing. I’m anxious and worry a lot.” • “I’m much too timid to speak before a large group.” • “I’m afraid of dying.” • “I’m afraid to tell her. She might leave me.” • “I fear my husband’s temper---he can be so powerful.” • “I’m afraid to move, change jobs…_______” • “I have fear and worry because I don’t know where we are going as a couple.”
What the Bible says about Fear -Awe and reverence -Heb 5:7 -Christ praying to His Heavenly Father; Heb 12:28 Gk. Eulabeia (yoo-lab-i-ah) -Dread, terror, flight - 1 John 4:7-21 Gk. Phobos -Timid, coward, fearful, faithlessness, unsure of self-- 2 Tim 1:7; John 14:27 Gk. Deilia (di-lee’-ah) -Worry, anxiousness, troubled-Philippians 4:5-7 and Matt 6:25 Gk. Merimnao (mer-im-nah’-o)
At your tables…. Intros and spokesperson whose Birthday is closest to May 2nd. • Warm-up: what is an instance when you were/are most afraid? • What are examples of issues that are fearful to us in life, in marriage and in our relationship with God.
And, now 1st row tables read and discuss the meaning of 1 John 4:7-21. 2nd row tables read and discuss the meaning of 2 Tim 1:7 and John 14:23-27. 3rd row tables read and discuss Philippians 4:5-7 and Matt 6:25
1 John 4:17-21 Row 1 1. Love Protects us from fearing Discouragement Deut 31:8; Josh 1:9; 1 Chronicles 28:20;Psm 27 2. Love Protects us from fearing Danger Psalm 56:3; Isa 12:2 3. Love protects us from fearing Defeat Deut 31:6; Prov 29:25; Isa 41:10; Phil 4:12-13 4. Love Protects us from fearing Death Heb 2:14-15; John 3:16
2 Tim 1:7; John 14:23-27 Row 2 • NET-For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. • NIV-For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. • NASB-For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. • MSG -God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible(sound mind). • See Heb 4:11-16--come boldly-- with assurance, confident, without fear
Phil 4:5-7; Matt 6:25 Row 3 Worry and Fear-Consider This • Worry is a trickle of fear that meanders through our minds until it cuts a channel so deep and wide that the rest of our thoughts fall into it. • What we worry about can be the thing we worship--what we fear may signal the presence of an idol.
Now, as a couple, quietly • Honestly, what do you each fear & worry about, both now and longer-term, in your life and marriage? • How do you behave or act-out as a result of these concerns? • Do you each have tolerance of each other’s fears/worries? • In your marriage, what is the difference between normal concerns and fear/worry, and how do you balance these ?
Then this week, as a couple Re-read the Scripture in the lesson on fear (charts 8&9) Read the attached article “Loosening the Grip on Fear”, and answer these questions together. Are we honest about our fears in our marriage? Do we appreciate each other’s fears or are we intolerant/critical? How does perfect love (maturing unearned agape love from God and for others) help reduce your fears? How do you get that kind of love and how do you show it? Hint: Galatians 5 What is the difference between the fear described in the 1 John passage and the fear described in the 2 Timothy passage?