Don’t Be Afraid

Discipleship Group Questions for February 20, 2005

Scripture:

Gen. 12:1-4 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.

Psa. 33:1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. 6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth — 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

2Tim. 1:8-10 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Matt. 17:1-9 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Questions for Reflection:

This is the second week in the season of Lent. The focus of our spiritual pilgrimage during the season of Lent is prayer, fasting and charity. These are the spiritual disciplines which will transform our lives. So Lent is about change – transformation! Are you willing to try to exercise these Spiritual Disciplines and what changes do you think God wants to bring about in you? Please discuss.
Please read the Genesis and Psalm readings and try to hear God’s encouragement in them – “Don’t be afraid!”
Is this the cry of your heart? “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.” Psalm 33. Please discuss. God’s mercy greets our trust! God’s mercy – His “hesid” in Hebrew - His “mercy” His “loving kindness,” greets – embraces - our “trust.”
Please read the 2Timothy passage. What is Paul saying here? “Don’t be afraid to stand strong on your convictions about Jesus Christ! Why? Because Jesus Christ has defeated our great enemy – “death” – and has given us the gift of everlasting life with Him! So there’s ultimately nothing to be afraid of is there?” In fact he’s calling us not only to “not be afraid, but to join with him and share in his sufferings . . . for the sake of getting out the great great Good News!” Please discuss.
In the Gospel reading (Matt 17:1-9) we see Jesus “transfigured” before 3 of His closest apostles. Here we see Jesus revealing to his closest friends who He really is. His holiness – His divinity peeks through and they’re there to see it! Wouldn’t you love to see it too? Let’s read then from chapter 17 verse 1 – listen very carefully for here we see God incarnate revealing Himself to us and what is His singular most important message to us in this state? Let’s read:

Matt. 17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as dazzling as light. Try to imagine that scene! Look at Jesus – what is happening? Now turn and look at Peter, James and John – what do you see? What are the expressions on their faces? Let’s read on - verse 3 And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Oh, wouldn’t you love to listen in to that conversation?!!!! Let’s read on: 4 Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; Ah! The wonder of it all – Peter states the obvious – It’s wonderful for us just to be here to see this!!! Now listen to Peter the leader – “if you want me to, I will make three shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ But even as he was speaking 5 . . .a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him.’ 6 When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. Can you imagine what they were feeling at that moment? So what did Jesus do? Reading on verse 7 But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, ‘Stand up, don’t be afraid.’ 8 And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but Jesus. 9 As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about this vision until the Son of man has risen from the dead.’

Did you hear Him say the words, “Stand up, don’t be afraid?” Please discuss.

6. I’m convinced God wants to say to each of us - “Don’t be afraid.”

I’m convinced that God wants us to trust Him so completely that any fear or anxiety is blown away by His consoling and magnificent presence!

Listen to the heart of our Lord . . . Listen to His speak these same words of encouragement in different situations:

Matt. 10:26 “So don’t be afraid of those who persecute you. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

Matt. 10:28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matt. 28:10 “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Luke 12:32 “Don’t be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

O, my dear brothers and sisters our Lord wants to encourage us in the deserts of our lives not to be afraid – but to trust Him and most assuredly as we entrust our lives to Him His love and mercy will come to us and save us – restore us, renew us, bless us, draw us ever closer to Him! Amen and Amen!