Part 2 – Fear of Man
Leader Guide
Jesus said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” There is a cost to following Jesus. The Gospel is not only useful for improving our lives. The larger purpose of the gospels is to inspire us by introducing a God who is not only all-powerful and all-knowing but also extravagantly faithful and loving. This world is full of traps that can keep us from knowing God better or having a saving faith. Fear of man is one such trap that takes us away from the wisdom God provides. We may want to fit in with the people around us. However, when we acknowledge and submit to God’s greater authority we please Him, become more like Jesus, and His holiness shines through us – a light in the darkness.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. When have you made a good decision by choosing not to follow the crowd?
2. Read Matthew 10:28-33. What activities or monetary contributions am I committed to with the motivation of fitting in? What activities or monetary contributions am I committed to because I want to honor God?
Leader’s Note: Our activities and spending habits indicate our allegiance. There is a reason we are asked to commit a portion of our money (10% tithe plus offerings) and a portion of our time (sabbath, daily prayer, daily study) to God. Investing our time and our money in a cause shows commitment. We might spend time and money on beauty (clothes, shoes, hair, nails, skin, eyelashes), status (cars, homes, career), luxury (spa treatments, home furnishings, home improvements), or experiences (travel, thrill, sports). None of those are necessarily bad things, some may even honor God in some ways and yet if they eclipse our investment in honoring God – caring for the poor, loving my neighbor, feeding the hungry, practice of sabbath, compassion for the homeless, discipling, teaching, sharing the gospel, serving in my community, church, and the world?
3. Read Matthew 10:34-39. In what ways has our fear of the Lord been minimized by our fear of what people will think? Why might Jesus (who never was a soldier and didn’t carry or wield a sword) say “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34b, ESV)?
Leader’s Note: Jesus encourages us to prioritize our allegiance to God over popular opinions or any group allegiance. There are many ways our fear of the Lord can be diminished by societal expectations. While aligning ourselves with Christ's teachings may lead to division and conflict, Jesus invites us to stand firm in our convictions. We are called to continue to love and serve even when that means facing opposition or difficulty in our relationships.
4. Read John 15:18-19. Consider areas of your life where you tend to be more concerned with fitting in rather than following Jesus. Do you feel hated or pressure to conform in any way? In what areas might you choose to change focus and why?
Leader’s Note: Areas we might try to fit in: Language, what we watch or listen to, the way we date, the way we talk about God.
5. Read Matthew 10:16. How can sheep protect themselves from wolves? How can we become wise and innocent (opposite traits) at the same time? Why would Jesus instruct us to be wise like a serpent? Innocent like a dove?
Leader’s Note: Sheep can’t protect themselves from wolves. That’s why they get eaten unless they are under the protection of a shepherd. Jesus instructs us to be wise and innocent seemingly opposing traits. However, being wise sometimes means holding back when we might be able to fight aggressively. Being innocent means taking the right path even if that path leads us to some sort of loss. Winning is less important than integrity. See Mark 8:35-37 for instruction on gains and losses in seeming opposition. “For whoever would save his life would lose it...”
6. Action Steps:
Ask God for wisdom like a serpent - what traps do you need to avoid even if most people don’t think there is anything wrong with them?
Ask God for innocence like a dove – what godly actions do you need to continue even if they are unpopular?
Leader note: Does wisdom help us avoid conversations best left unengaged, places it is unwise to go, and opinions we don’t need to share? How can we innocently keep loving, keep serving, and stay humble -- even in the face of rejection or persecution?
Deeper
Read Proverbs 29:25.
Leader Note: In what ways can fear trap us? How does that Lord keep us safe?
Read Jeremiah 17:5-6.
Leader Note: Where in your own life do you see yourself finding your trust or approval in others? In what ways has this failed you?
Read Galatians 1:10 and 1 Corinthians 4:1-4.
Leader Note: What is your definition of a servant of Christ? What should be our response to judgement from others?
Read Proverbs 14:27.
Leader Note: What has the fear of the Lord taught you? How has wisdom kept you safe?