The modern day idol of fear sidetracks us from trusting in God’s plan because we elevate our own perspective over God’s perspective.

Talking Points:

  • Our fear response puts us at the center of the situation relying on our own perspective to deal with it rather than trusting God. Proverbs 3:5-6
  • God doesn’t use fear to motivate us or to steer us. Fear is a tool of the enemy who is always trying to derail us from our pursuit of God. God operates out of love. 1 John 4:16-18
  • We need to actively work against fear in our lives and replace it with biblical truth that feeds our trust in God and his plan. Philippians 4:6-7
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Describe a time when the fight or flight response helped you get out of a tough situation.
  3. Make a list of some of your biggest fears. Why did those make the list? What is at the root of each of those fears?
  4. How has fear been an idol in your life? Why is it more natural for us to rely on ourselves?
  5. Read 1 John 4:16-18. Identify every key description about love and fear in this passage. Why is love the opposite of fear?
  6. What does it mean to you that there is no fear in God’s love? How can that truth change the way you look at hard situations in your life?
  7. Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What are the potential consequences of trusting our own perspective over God’s?
  8. How do you think doing the cleanse be helpful to you as you battle fear?
  9. Read Matthew 6:25-31. What are these verses saying about worry? Why can we be confident that God will take care of our lives?
  10. Read Philippians 4:6-7. What should we pray for when we’re battling the fear idol? Why is being thankful part of the equation?
  11. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

This is Lesson 3 of 6 in the Cleanse women’s series.

Want More? (for further study on this topic)

Watch the videos and read the passages. Journal your thoughts and insights as you learn who God is and evaluate if he’s the only one you worship.

Day 1: More about fear

Watch – “Psalm 56: Trusting God in Desperate Times”

Read Romans 8:31-39. Rewrite this passage and make it personal to yourself by replacing us, we, ours and our with me, my, mine. What does this passage say about God? How does this passage help you to view your idol of fear?

Read 1 Peter 5:6-8 .What fears do you need to surrender to God right now? How does the enemy try to torture and deceive you? How can you combat that?

Memorize this verse – 1 John 4:18

Day 2: More about trust

Watch – “Kinda Sorta Christian- I Believe in God but Don’t Trust Him Fully”

Read Psalm 121. Write down everything that God does for us. What does this passage say about the character of God? How does understanding God’s character help you to face your idol of fear?

Read Isaiah 40:25-31. Write down all that this passage says about God. Why is God worthy of your trust? What can you do to start trusting God more with the fears that plague you?

Memorize this verse – Proverbs 3:5-6

Day 3: Do the Cleanse

Journal – Make a list of everything that causes you to fear. Identify the reasons why those things cause you to fear.

  1. Fix your eyes of Jesus. We need to remember who is really in charge of our lives. We need to start by trusting that God will walk with us and will provide for us along the way. (Matthew 6:25-30, 1 Peter 5:6-8)
  2. Go to the Bible. Read these verses that speak to fear. When you start to cling to fear, speak these verses over the situation and quiet the worrisome thoughts that creep in. (Isaiah 30:18,Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:6-7)
  3. Commit to prayer before action. Don’t start by trusting in your own perspective. Start the journey by surrendering to God and laying your burdens before him. Pray, “Lord, I choose to lay this (insert your fear) before you. I trust that you will provide what I need and will show me where to go. I refuse to let the idol of fear rule my life any longer.” ( Psalm 17:6, Romans 12:12)
  4. Seek wisdom and accountability. Talk to a trusted friend or mentor in your life to find encouragement. Confess your idol of fear to them and ask them to hold you accountable. Be honest when you’re struggling and share your victories along the way. Ask them to pray for you to battle against fear and learn to instead cling to God. (Hebrews 10:25 Romans 12:9-13)
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