Kicking Fear to the Curb {Week 2}

Week 2 – Victors over Fear

Hello fearless Gap Bible Study ladies!!! Sue here! I am so thankful to have the opportunity to study God’s Word with you this week! Last week, we looked at some victims of fear. This week, we are going to look at some victors! I love a good victory story, don’t you?!

Our faith overcomes our fear and gives us the courage to take risks for Jesus. When we face our

difficulties with courage, God leads us to our destiny. This week, we are going to be looking at three

 different victors over fear. Monday, we will look at David. Wednesday, we will look at Joshua.

 And, Friday, we will finish with the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus! It's going to be great seeing how they were victorious over fear and how we can apply the truths that help them to our own

lives!

We will also look at how our victors utilized the train of thought: belief-faith-courage-action-success that

 helped them be victorious.

Use the following links to help you dig into God’s Word this week:

• Bible Gateway (offers tools, as well as various Bible translations)
• Study Light (go to Bible Study Tools tab)
• Online Bible Study Tools (TONS of good study tools like a commentary from Matthew Henry.)
• Blue Letter Bible (More excellent study tools, including commentary from Martin Luther.)

(Monday) Assignment 1: David 

In 1 Samuel 17, we find David about to face the giant, Goliath. Goliath was huge! He was nine and a

half feet tall, and you can bet he worked out! When David heard about this giant, who threatened the

Israelite army, he asked, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the

living God?" David showed no fear. He knew God was on his side. He had seen how God had helped in

the past and knew He would help him in this situation (1 Sam 17:35-36). He faced the giant and spoke to

the giant, "The battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."

We, too, have giants we need to face. They may not be physically nine feet tall, but they can seem just

as insurmountable. Like David, we need to know some things before we are ready to face our giants.

What did David know? What was it that made Him so ready and EAGER even to face this giant with

certainty that he would come out victorious?

1. David knew His God. He spent many hours in the presence of the Lord. Before David was a giant

slayer, he was a harp player. He spent many hours singing and praising the Lord in the middle of the

meadow. David had a strong relationship with the Lord, which fed his confidence.

2. David knew His God was with Him and would help him. He drew confidence from past

victories. "Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of

them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." (1 Samuel 17:36).

3. David knew who he was. He knew God was on his side and that he was in the army of the Living God.

We have God on our side and in comparison, all giants (fears) are small! We are victorious through Christ!

Read 1 Samuel 17. David knew his God.
1. What are some truths you know about Your God? Where are these truths found in scripture?

2. Use verse mapping and verse map Psalm 139:5, Deuteronomy 3:22, Deuteronomy 33:26, and/or Psalm 33:20. How do those verses help you?

3. Do a search on the word “help”. How does our God “help” us?

4. What is your giant (fear)? Using God’s Word as a weapon, what can you say to your giant to remind yourself of Whom is fighting for you, build up confidence and defeat the giant?

(Wednesday) Assignment 2: Joshua

Last week, we looked in the book of Numbers and saw how the Israelites feared the Canaanites instead of rightfully trusting and fearing God. Today, we will fastforward 40 years and look at Joshua.

In Joshua 1, God tells Joshua 3 times in the first 9 verses to be of “good courage”. Each of the three verses coincides with a reminder from the Lord of what is needed to help his people “be of good courage” to face their fears. What the Israelites did to prepare their hearts for belief is an example we can follow to prepare our own hearts to believe God and conquer fear.

1. In reading Joshua 1, what were the 3 verses where God told Joshua to “be of good courage”? What

instructions followed in those verses?

2. What did Joshua tell the Israelites in Joshua 1:13 and Joshua 3:5? How does this correlate with what God told Joshua about being of “good courage” in Joshua1:6 and Joshua 1:7?

3. Read Joshua 3 and 4, how many times do you see the Ark of the Covenant mentioned? How does that correspond with Joshua 1:9?

4. Now look at Joshua 6:10, why do you think God commanded Joshua that the Israelites should not say anything until they were told to “shout”? Do you think our words our important in overcoming fear? How do these truths apply to you?

5. How can you use these same truths to prepare your heart for belief and conquer your fears?

(Friday) Assignment 3: Jesus

The last Hero of the Bible we are going to look at this week is the King of Heroes—Jesus! We are going

to look at Jesus in the Garden and discover whether Jesus was afraid.  What do you think?  Do you think the King of Kings ever struggled with fear? 

In Matthew 26: 36-46, we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He said to Peter, James, and John,

“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” (Matt 26:38).

My Bible, Spirit-Filled Life Bible (New King James Verson), commentary states that the agony Jesus experienced was not caused by the fear of physical death, but by the association of His death with sin. “For He made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.” (2 Cor 5:21) This is huge! Sin and God cannot be together, so this meant Jesus would be temporarily apart from the Father!  That is why on the cross, He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27: 46).  Jesus trembled at the thought of being separated from the Father, and His Holy nature agonized over becoming sin, the one thing He hated.

Jesus, the One who constantly stood confident in the face of fear, is the same as God who commands

over and over again in His Word, "Do not be afraid."  He agonized over His plight and temporary suffering,

but He was not afraid. He may have been tempted to fear and He left a good example of what we

should do when tempted to fear. Jesus followed the train of thought: belief-faith-courage-action-

success. Of course He did, after all, He is Jesus. And we want to be like Jesus!

1. Read the example of Jesus in Matthew 26. Do you agree that Jesus was not afraid? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Jesus was naturally full of faith? Read Matt 4 and Matt 26, what did Jesus do in the face

of difficult circumstances and adversity?

3. Read James 5:15,16; Psalm 102:17; Matthew 21:22. How does prayer build our faith?

4. How did all three examples this week use the faith train of thought: belief-faith-

courage-action-success? How can we follow their example?

Blog Hop Topics:

Watch for the Blog Hop post on Saturday and add your links there!

1. Looking back at the faith heroes this week, what tool did Joshua, David, or Jesus use that would

 be most beneficial to you?

2. Think about God telling Joshua to “be of good courage.” Are you a woman of “good courage?”

 Why? If not, what could you do or what is holding you back?

3. Take some time and explore your doubt train. How has this train ride (wreck?) worked out for

 you?