Fear Into Freedom | Week 1: Our Driving Force
What fears do you have?
What is behind those fears?
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.—John 8:36 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.—Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.—1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.—1 John 4:18 (NIV)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 8:35,37–39 (NIV)
Today’s Core Truth: God’s perfect love can drive out our greatest fears.
We can have the
to look in the rearview mirror of the past. We can have the
to look ourselves in the mirror today. We can have the
to look through the windshield of the future.
What fears do you need to conquer to experience the freedom God offers?
We love because he first loved us.—1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Theme: Made Perfect in Love
Reflect Together: What impacted you the most from Sunday’s Message that you can apply to your life today?
Share Together: What was one of your greatest fears growing up? How has that changed now that you are older?
Read Together: 1 John 4:7-21
Discuss Together:
- The Apostles theme throughout 1 John is love. According to these verses, why do you think the author emphasizes love so much?
- What is the source, expression, and object of God’s love?
- How does 1 John emphasize the connection between knowing God and loving one another?
- What does it mean to “live in love”? How do we do this in practical ways in our relationships; both in tender and tough times?
- Most say the opposite of love is hate. When reading 1 John, what is the opposite of love according to verse 18 and why?
- What is the source of our fears and why?
- How does perfect love drive out fear in our lives? Give an example in your life.
- What is the evidence that we love God?
- How does understanding God’s love for us empower us to love others?
- How do you need God’s perfect love to help you right now in your life?
- Does fear or love drive your life? In what ways could you use prayer regarding this?
Pray Together: Take time to share what God has been doing but share needs in how you can pray for one another.