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Proverbs 29:25Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in theLord is kept safe.“Fear reveals what you value the most. Fear reveals where you trustGod the least. Fear is not the opposite of faith. Fear is placing yourfaith in the wrong things.” Craig GroeschelIsaiah 2:22Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in theirnostrils. Why hold them in esteem?2ND TRUST THAT GOD IS STRONGER THAN ANY.Psalm 27:1The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? TheLord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?Isaiah 51:12-13“I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fearmere mortals, human beings who are but grass, 13 that you forgetthe Lord your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who laysthe foundations of the earth Isaiah 40:12Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, orwith the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has heldthe dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on thescales and the hills in a balance?Psalm 147:4He determines the number of the stars and calls them each byname.Isaiah 40:15Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regardedas dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they werefine dust.3RD TRUST WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT YOU MORE THANWHAT SAY.“Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the quickestway to forget what God thinks about you . I am not who I think I am. Iam not who you think I am. I am who I think you think I am. Vs. I amnot who I think I am. I am not who you think I am. I am who God says Iam.” Craig GroeschelIn Christ I am AcceptedIIIIIIIIIAM GOD’S CHILD. (John 1:12)AM GOD’S FRIEND. (John 15:15)HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED. (Romans 5:1)BELONG TO GOD. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)AM A MEMBER OF CHRIST’S BODY/CHURCH.(1 Corinthians 12:27)AM A SAINT. (Ephesians 1:1)HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AS GOD’S CHILD. (Ephesians 1:5)HAVE ACCESS TO GOD. (Ephesians 2:18)HAVE HAD MY SINS FORGIVEN. (Colossians 1:14)In Christ I am SecureI AM FREE FROM CONDEMNATION. (Romans 8:1-2)I KNOW ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.(Romans 8:28)I AM FREE FROM ALL CHARGES AGAINST ME.(Romans 8:31-34)I CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM GOD’S LOVE.(Romans 8:35-39)I HAVE BEEN SEALED BY GOD. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)I AM HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. (Colossians 3:3)GOD WILL FINISH HIS WORK IN ME. (Philippians 3:20)I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN A SPIRIT OF FEAR BUT OF POWER.(2 Timothy 1:7)I WILL FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED.(Hebrews 4:16)I AM BORN OF GOD AND THE EVIL ONE CANNOT TOUCHME. (1 John 5:18)In Christ I am SignificantIIIIIIIAM THE SALT AND LIGHT OF THE EARTH (Matthew 5:13-14)AM A CHANNEL FOR GOD’S POWER (John 15:1, 5)HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO BEAR FRUIT (John 15:16)AM A PERSONAL WITNESS OF CHRIST (Acts 1:8)AM GOD’S TEMPLE (1 Corinthians 3:16)AM GOD’S COWORKER (1 Corinthians 3:9)AM SEATED WITH CHRIST IN THE HEAVENLY REALM(Ephesians 2:6)I AM GOD’S WORKMANSHIP (Ephesians 2:10)I MAY APPROACH GOD WITH CONFIDENCE (Ephesians 3:12)I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHOSTRENGTHENS ME (Philippians 4:13) DANE AAKER“I am duly grateful as I trust, to Almighty God, for having directed mycountrymen to a right conclusion.” Abraham Lincoln4TH TRUST THAT GOD WILL NEVER YOU,EVEN IF DO.Hebrews 13:5-6God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”6So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not beafraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”Psalm 27:1, 13, 14The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? TheLord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?13I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord inthe land of the living.Fill in the Blanks: double, Disobeying, Secret, controlled, Trusting,human enemy, people, reject, people

Week 2Fear of What People Think About MeLEAN INOption 1 – When you were in High School how would others have described you? Popular? Nerd? Jock?Book worm? Life of the party? Shy? Trouble maker?Option 2 – Describe one of your most embarrassing moments.FEARLESS SERMONThis week’s session is based on Pastor Glenn’s April 3, 2016 message “Fear Of What People Think AboutMe”.What was one thing from the message that especially spoke to you?BIBLE DISCUSSION:LOOK DOWN Read the passage for it’s original meaningLOOK OUT Dig into the passage for it’s meaning in today’s worldLOOK IN Apply the meaning of the passage to our livesLIVE IT OUT What if we held tightly to the truth of this passage and lived it out completely? How wouldour lives be different? Our church? Our communities? Our world?Read Proverbs 29:25-What ways do you see the fear of what other people think being a trap or snare in the lives of peoplearound you?-What area(s) of your life does the fear of what people think tend to pop up the most?Appearance? Work? Achievement? Family relationships? Church?Read the quote from Craig Groeschel (from sermon outline)Fear reveals what you value most. Fear reveals where you trust God the least. Fear is not the opposite of faith.Fear is placing your faith in the wrong things.Respond to this quote and how you see it’s truth in your life and the lives of others around you.Read John 5:44-In your daily life, how much of your thought life is consumed with what others think about you?What God thinks about you?

Galatians 1:10-How does trying to win the approval of people, hinder you from being a servant of Christ?Romans 12:1-2-What does this passage tell us about how to free ourselves from the trap of living in fear of what othersthink about us? What do we need to stop doing? What things are we to do?2 Corinthians 5:16-21-How would your life be different if you truly lived out verses 16-17 in your daily life?-As an ambassador of Christ how can you impact the lives of others 18-21?Read Craig Groeschel’s quote (from Sermon Outline)Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the quickest way to forget what God thinks about you I am not who I think I am. I am not who you think I am. I am who I think you think I am. Vs. I am not who I thinkI am. I am not who you think I am. I am who God says I am.In Preparation for Next Week - Week 3: Fear of Not Matteringq FEARLESS book — Read chapter 2SCRIPTURE READINGS & REFLECTION:Read the following passages and look for insights and applications in regards to your value in God’s eyes:q Psalm 139:14-15q Psalm 139:18q Ephesians 2:10q Matthew 10:29-31

Week 3Fear of Not MatteringLEAN INOption 1 When do you feel most alone?Option 2 – Describe something you once valued very highly (perhaps in teen or young adult years) thatyou laugh about now because of its insignificance in your life?Option 3 – Tell us about a time when someone made you feel as though you were significant to them.BIBLE DISCUSSION:LOOK DOWN Read the passage for it’s original meaningLOOK OUT Dig into the passage for it’s meaning in today’s worldLOOK IN Apply the meaning of the passage to our livesLIVE IT OUT What if we held tightly to the truth of this passage and lived it out completely? How wouldour lives be different? Our church? Our communities? Our world?Read Luke 12:4-7-Of whom are we not to be afraid? Why not?-Who are we to fear? Why? What kind of fear is meant?-What reason does Jesus give for not succumbing to fear?-Describe a time when you felt like a “5th Sparrow”, worthless, insignificant, no value?-Share about someone you know that has been hurt or made to feel worthless by you or someone else(either intentionally or unintentionally)?Read Matthew 10:29-31-What percentage of the time do you spend thinking about what God says about your value comparedto thinking about whether you matter to other people? 25/75? 60/40? 10/90?-What are the things you tend to do to make yourself feel important?What do each of these verses teach us about our true valueand significance?-Psalm 139:14-15-Psalm 139:17-18-Ephesians 2:10

-Where do you draw the line between godly humility and viewing yourself as valueless?-How do each of these attitudes impact your relationship with God? With others?From Chapter 2 of Fearless, read the letter on pages 26-27 about the movie Hook.-Which relationships, jobs, journeys, or heartbreaks have taken some of the sparkle from your eyes?-What would it take to have that sparkle restored?Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11-Describe a time when someone encouraged you and helped you to see yourself the way God seesyou? How did that make you feel?-Who is someone in your life who needs to be encouraged this week? How could you encourage themand remind them of their worth, value and significance?In Preparation for Next Week - Week 4: Fear of Being RealTHE SERMON:q Watch the video or listen to the podcast of Eric Holmstrom’s April 10, 2016 message—Fear of Being RIPTURE READINGS & REFLECTION:qRead 2 Corinthians 11:21-12:10Reflect on what the Apostle Paul expresses about himself and what we can learn about the Fear of Being Realfrom this passage.Take some time to identify where fear pops up in your life in regards to-Being Real with God-Being Real with Family-Being Real at Work or School-Being Real with a People at ChurchREADING IN FEARLESS BOOK:Week 4 is not based on a chapter of the book

April 10, 2016 Pastor Eric Holmstrom“FEAR OF BEING REAL”2 Corinthians 11:21-12:10To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speakingas a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So amI. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? Soam I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk likethis.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison morefrequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to deathagain and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the fortylashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I waspelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a nightand a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. Ihave been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in dangerfrom my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from falsebelievers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone withoutsleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone withoutfood; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, Iface daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Whois weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do notinwardly burn?30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show myweakness.31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praisedforever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governorunder King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in orderto arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in thewall and slipped through his hands.To follow along on yoursmartphone scan this QR code oropen the YouVersion app.Clickat top LIVE search.I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to begained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 Iknow a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to thethird heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I donot know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether inthe body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, thingsthat no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that,but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because Iwould be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think moreof me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of thesesurpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me frombecoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messengerof Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord totake it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficientfor you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I willboast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’spower may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in12:1

Week 4Fear of Being RealLEAN INOption 1 – What are some boasts you remember hearing or making when you were in school?Option 2 – What is a costume, disguise or mask that you most enjoyed wearing?Option 3 – Describe a time in your life when you felt particularly weak physically, emotionally,or spiritually.FEARLESS SERMONThis week’s session is based on Eric Holmstrom’s April 10, 2016 message—Fear of Being Real.What was one thing from the message that especially spoke to you?BIBLE DISCUSSION:LOOK DOWN Read the passage for it’s original meaningLOOK OUT Dig into the passage for it’s meaning in today’s worldLOOK IN Apply the meaning of the passage to our livesLIVE IT OUT What if we held tightly to the truth of this passage and lived it out completely? How wouldour lives be different? Our church? Our communities? Our world?Read 2 Corinthians 11:13-29-What are the words Paul uses in verses 13-15 to describe how real or authentic these false apostleswere?-With whom are you most tempted to “masquerade” and keep the real you hidden? Extended family?Work/school? Friends? Acquaintances? Neighbors? Church? Groups or associations? Other?-What does Paul boast about in verses 16-29? How does this contrast with the “boasting of the way ofthe world” (v. 18)?Read 2 Corinthians 11:30-12:10-What does Paul say he would boast about in 11:30?-How does he expand on this in 12:7-10?-How did Paul respond to his “thorn”? (vs. 7-8) How did God respond? (v. 9) How did that affect Paul?-What “thorns” (physical, circumstances, emotional, relational, etc.) have you pleaded with God to takeaway from you? What happened and how did it affect you?

Being Real With GodRead Psalm 38-Identify the various real/raw emotions and questions that David expresses in this prayer?-How “real” is your prayer and communication with God compared with this?Read Hebrews 4:12-16-What do we learn about being real with God from these verses?Being Real with Family & Being Real at Work-Which of these areas are you feeling led to be more real and authentic?-What would it look like for you to take a step to do that in the coming week?Real with the people of the ChurchRomans 12:15-16-Do you find it easier for you to ask this group to rejoice with you (celebrate a victory or success) ormourn with you (be with you in your sorrow)?-Which is easier for you to respond to another group member’s need for rejoicing or mourning?Read James 5:16-How free did you feel to confess your sin and failures when you first started in this group? Do you feelmore or less free to share in that way now? Why?-After this discussion, what is one way you could be more real with this group?In Preparation for Next Week - Week 5: Fear of Disappointing Godq FEARLESS book—Read chapter 3SCRIPTURE READINGS & REFLECTION:Read the following scripture accounts of people who disappointed God. As you read their stories whathope do you gain for the times when you disappoint God?qqqPeter—Mark 14:27-31David—2 Samuel 11The Samaritan Woman—John 4:1-42

Week 5Fear of Disappointing GodLEAN INOption 1 – As a child, how much were you motivated by the fear of disappointing your parents?Option 2 – Describe a time when you were impacted by a person extending forgiveness to you.Option 3 – Describe one of your most embarrassing moments (if you didn’t use this one on week 3)Discussion Starter from Fearless Book pages 32-33-Have someone read out loud to the group the story of Noble Doss on page 32-33.-Noble Doss was happily married for six decades. He was a good father and grandfather. He served in the navyduring World War 2. He won two NFL football titles and was named to his High School and College football Hallof Fames. But the memory of one dropped pass faded too slowly, a deep disappointment that he could never shake.-What is a regret (big or small) that you remember often?-What do you typically do when such thoughts hit you? Do you dwell on them? Stew over them?Pray about them? Try to forget them?BIBLE DISCUSSION:LOOK DOWN Read the passage for it’s original meaningLOOK OUT Dig into the passage for it’s meaning in today’s worldLOOK IN Apply the meaning of the passage to our livesLIVE IT OUT What if we held tightly to the truth of this passage and lived it out completely? How wouldour lives be different? Our church? Our communities? Our world?Read Zechariah 3:1-2-What is Satan’s role in increasing our fear of disappointing God?-Describe ways you have experienced Satan’s accusations contributing to your thoughts and fears ofdisappointing God?-How does God respond to Satan and his accusations (v. 2)?Read James 4:6-10-What do these verses teach us about resisting Satan’s lies and thinking rightly about God’s love for us?

Read Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-8Sin is disregarding God and ignoring His teaching. Sin is me-focused living not God-focused. When sintakes our focus off of God and onto ourselves, our fears run rampant.-How did Adam and Eve respond to God after they sinned?-Why is hiding so often our first response after sin?Read Hebrews 10:15-23-Instead of hiding from God, how do these verses say we can approach God because of Jesus?-What is our confidence and assurance to be based on?-When you sin is your tendency more to hide from God or to approach Him with confidence?Read Hebrews 10:24-25-What connections do you see between our “meeting together” and “spurring one another on”and verses 15-23?-How has this group helped spur you on to approach God with confidence?Read 1 John 4:18Jesus loves us too much to leave us in doubt about His grace. If God loved us with an imperfect love, we wouldhave high cause for worry and fear. Imperfect love keeps a list of sins and consults it often. God keeps no list ofour wrongs. His love casts out fear because He casts out our sin! In the video, Max Lucado says, “Nothing fosterscourage like a clear grasp of grace. And nothing fosters fear like an ignorance of mercy.”-When you feel most loved by God, what happens to your fears?-When you feel furthest from God what happens to your fears?-How would you describe grace to someone who had never heard of it? How would you illustrate gracefrom your own life?-Where do you need to draw near to God to experience His grace and mercy most in your own life rightnow?In Preparation for Next Week - Week 6: Fear of Dying/Life’s Final Momentsq Watch the video or listen to the podcast Pastor Glenn’s April 17, 2016 message—Fear of Dying—http://purposechurch.com/fearless-series/q FEARLESS book—Read chapter 10SCRIPTURE READINGS & REFLECTION:Read these passages and reflect on what they teach about deathqqqJohn 14:1-31 Corinthians 15:20-27Hebrews 2:14-15

April 17, 2016 Pastor Glenn GundersonTHANATOPHOBIA:The Fear of DyingWhy do people fear death?DEATH IS HARD BUT WE DON’T HAVE TO BE AFRAID.Hebrews 2:14-15Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in theirhumanity so that by his death he might break the power of himwho holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free thosewho all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.THE EXAMPLE OF STEPHENActs 7:54-60When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they werefurious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of theHoly Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, andJesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I seeheaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand ofGod.”57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of theirvoices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city andbe

FEARless book- by Max Lucado During our 10-week study we will be focusing on six of the chapters from FEARLESS by best selling author Max Lucado. You will be instructed which chapters to read for which weeks. In addition to the six chapters there are other great chapters you can read on fears that we will not get to cover in this study.