Preschool
All things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).
Overcoming Fear
Memory Verses
Primary
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).
Junior
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).
Background Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-18
Lesson Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-5, 7-14
Introduction
Everyone knows about fear in some form or another; it is part of our fallen world. What we are examining in this lesson are the deep fears that cripple us. These fears are driven by a spirit seeking to control us and hinder us.
We all see the world according to our own perspective, and this is normal and natural. The problem is when we create our own reality, which may stray from the truth. We think we are doing our best, but really God would like to show us how spirits often control and influence us. Let us step outside of our comfort zone and open our heart to what God is seeing in us so that He can help us overcome our fears.
Key Verse
And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them (Deut. 20:3).
Lesson Scripture
2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Studying the Lesson
Paul encouraged Timothy to not let his fears usurp the gift God gave him. Fear puts a basket over the light of our gifts, talents, and natural ability. If you drop an object into a full bucket of water, some of the water will automatically spill out. In the same way, God’s goodness displaces evil. The Bible says, “Perfect love casts out fear,” which is love taking fear’s place.
God’s grace mixed with faith results in love perfected, and the outcome is a sound mind. A sound mind finds trusting God to be an anchor. A sound mind has the ability to make solid, rational decisions. For the Christian, this points to faith controlling one’s life, not fear. God is honored when our faith secures our victory (1 John 5:4).
A high-minded person will not be sound-minded. Sooner or later, the high-minded will encounter a fearful spirit because pride always has something to protect. A heart governed by pride in all its many forms cannot find a life of abundance, because worry and fear are around every corner.
Practical Truths for Today
God gave us life to live and enjoy. We only have one life, and Solomon states that we should enjoy the good of all our labor because it is God’s gift (Eccl. 3:13). Work to live; don’t live to work. Enjoy family life and meaningful relationships. Take time to notice the world outside.
Fear will rob us of finding simple pleasure in daily life. We fight to keep ourselves safe, we strive to get ahead, and we try to insulate ourselves from pain and hardship. We worry about being left behind, about having enough, and about a host of other issues. Was this God’s intention when He gave us spiritual life? Those who have nothing to protect have a radiant countenance, a new story to tell. They are free to meet new people, go new places, and accept new challenges.
First love to God overpowers the stagnant fear that would like to discolor our life. Each new challenge, new venture, new friendship, and new inspiration can be a blessing because of the love we have. Newness can be somewhat frightening because it is unknown, but deep down inside we all want to experience freedom. The greatest fear of the scribes, priests, and Pharisees was that Jesus came to take something from them—namely, their power. This insecurity can be very real, but remember: Others come into our lives to give life meaning, not to take it from us. Fear is often lodged down in the darkest corner of our heart. It may not be readily seen but is nevertheless known to God and his Holy Spirit. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 2:11).
A man asked God to take away his fears, but God said, “No, they are not mine to take from you. But if you would like to give them to me, I will take them.” We need not look far for a chance to give our fear away. Did someone or something test you this week? Has someone recently presented a new idea, an observation about your life, something you had never thought of? God may be using them to ask you, “Will you accept this challenge and let go of your fear?” Some will not allow themselves to be put into a position of trying something new. This can mean listening to another’s advice, doing things in a different way, or taking an unfamiliar path. The fertile bed of comfort and complacency is to stay to yourself and keep your own counsel, and it is guaranteed your fears will not go away.
Love is perfected as we minister to others. Consider the life of Paul, a man who was unafraid. He left a shining example in the way he related to King Agrippa. In Acts 26, he told the king he was not crazy, nor was he afraid to tell him the truth. He then gently asked the king if he believed the prophets, obliging him by saying he knew that he did believe. Can you feel Christ’s spirit in his words? Others can sense when we are not motivated by fear. Paul did not place himself above Agrippa in religious pride, nor was he threatened by the king’s power. If Paul had walked into that setting with a fearful heart, the outcome could have been different. The king rather told him, “You almost persuade me.”
Self-will contributes and gives rise to all kinds of fear. Our carnal nature loves the false comforts rooted in fear and self-protection, but in giving our will to God, we can walk in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. It is yet another opportunity to see the freedom that surrendering our will brings. As we do this, fear will flee.
The fear of failure is very real to some. Parents, give your children room to make mistakes. If you don’t, the fear of failure will develop into lost opportunity. A person who is afraid of failure will often fail to see when an opportunity presents itself, whether it is in terms of sanctification, service, or other forms of betterment.
Why are we so afraid of the unknown? Would it really help to know the future? Think about it. It would only make life more difficult. Jesus told his disciples, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” (John 16:12). Isn’t living day by day with God’s love, being free from fear, much more restful?
Questions
- When do our fears turn into a spirit of fear?
- How well should we know ourselves? How are we to know our deep fears even if they are only what might be?
- Is there a difference between a phobia and a fear? Relate an experience of deliverance from the bondage of fear.
- It has been said that fear is hidden in pride. Discuss.
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).