Part 6: How to Survive My Fear Of An Economic Downturn
Discussion following the sermon from 4/10/22
INFLATION INTEREST RATE HIKES BEAR MARKET
BUDGETS RECESSION BANKRUPTCY
401K WAR IN UKRAINE FOOD SHORTAGES
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:7-10
1. Manage my finances based on Biblical instruction.
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Galatians 6:7
Three Things God Asks Us To Do With Our Money
1. Save 2. Invest 3. Give
Discussion Question: Which of these areas can you improve upon?
2. Today's financial decisions determine future outcomes.
"Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:8-9
Discussion Question: Are there changes you need to make in your finances now in preparation for the future?
3. Our financial health can become a blessing to many.
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10
Discussion Question: Who could you bless financially? A certain person? Organization?
Part 5: How to Survive My Fear Of Rejection
Discussion following the sermon from 4/3/22
"Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety." Proverbs 29:25
How The Fear Of Rejection Harms Me:
- Causes me to conform my lifestyle and values.
- Keeps me from speaking the truth.
- Prevents me from giving and receiving love.
- Leads me to isolation and loneliness.
- Silences my sharing about Christ.
- Keeps me from spiritual maturity.
Discussion Question: Recount a time when you felt the fear of being rejected. What were the consequences that resulted from this fear? How did you overcome it?
How To Overcome My Fear Of Rejection
1. Face the fact that people will fail.
"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." Galatians 1:10
- An important truth: IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO LOVE ME AS MUCH AS I NEED TO BE LOVED.
- An ironic truth: WE FOCUS ON THE WRONG FEAR.
"Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows - one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." Matthew 10:28-31
2. Focus on how God sees me.
"The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
3. Forgive those who reject me.
"He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care." Isaiah 53:3
"Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
4. Fall back on God's unconditional love.
"This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4:10
"...perfect love casts out fear..." 1 John 4:18
Part 4: How To Survive The Fear Of Loneliness
Discussion following the sermon from 3/27/22
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear..." 1 John 4:18
3 LEVELS OF LONELINESS
LEVEL 1 - SPIRITUAL LONELINESS
- MAN'S PROBLEM: SEPERATION FROM GOD
"...Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore." Isaiah 59:2
"Jesus called out with a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Matthew 27:46
- GOD'S PROMISE: JESUS CHRIST
"There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity...Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5
"I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." Hebrews 13:5
- MY PREROGATIVE: INVITE JESUS INTO MY LIFE
"Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved..." Acts 16:31
Discussion Question: Recount a time when you were apart from God. How did the loneliness affect you?
LEVEL 2 - SOCIAL LONELINESS
- MAN'S PROBLEM: SEPERATION FROM OTHERS
"Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.'" Genesis 2:18
- GOD'S PROMISE: A COMMUNITY THAT CARES
"You are members of God's very own family...and you belong in God's household with every other Christian." Ephesians 2:19
- MY PREROGATIVE: CONNECT INTO A CARING COMMUNITY
"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer." Acts 2:42
Discussion Question: Discuss the different personality types and traits of the people in your group. How do these differences help bring us together?
LEVEL 3 - ETERNAL LONELINESS
"...There is nothing ahead but death anyway." Ecclesiastes 9:3
- GOD'S PROMISE: ETERNAL LIFE
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." John 14:1-3
- MY PREROGATIVE: KNOW AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS
"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." Mark 16:15
Part 3: Freedom From The Fear That's Killing Me
Discussion following the sermon from 3/20/22
"O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, "God will never rescue him!" But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side. Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked! Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people." Psalm 3:1-8 (NLT)
- FACE MY GOD.
"But you, O Lord, are a shield around me..."
"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:8
Discussion Question: Where do I look for my protection?
- EXCHANGE MY GLORY.
"...you are my glory,"
"He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:31
Discussion Question: Where have I put my glory?
- CELEBRATE MY SUBSTITUTE.
"...the one who holds my head high."
"After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.'" Genesis 15:1
Discussion Question: What areas in our lives can we put God in place of something that shouldn't be there?
4. FORGET MY SELF.
"...May you bless your people."
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear..." 1 John 4:18
Discussion Question: What would happen to our fear and anxiety if we were to put our focus on others?
Part 2: Surviving My Fear Of Losing...
CONTROL HOPE SECURITY PURPOSE MY FAMILY A LOVED ONE MY JOB
AN OPPORTUNITY MY HEALTH A FRIEND SELF-WORTH THE WILL TO LIVE _____________ ___________
Discussion following the sermon from 3/13/2022
"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:8
- MY LOSS CAN BE GOD'S INSTRUCTION.
"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9
"Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6
- MY LOSS CAN BE GOD'S CONSTRUCTION.
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character
strengthens our confident hope of salvation."
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing...God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation." James 1:2-4, 12
Discussion Question: What was a situation you've been through where God produced an alternate outcome than expected? And how did God build character during that situation?
3. MY LOSS CAN BE GOD'S PROTECTION.
"For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11
Discussion Question: Share a time in your life where you know God stepped in and provided protection.
4. MY LOSS CAN BE GOD'S VICTORY.
"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." Romans 8:37-38
Discussion Question: Share past experiences or something current. How has/will God seen/see a victory in these experiences?
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Part 1: SURVIVING MY BATTLE WITH FEAR, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION
Discussion following the sermon from 3/6/2022
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
Philippians 4:6-8 (NKJV)
- RECOGNIZE DON'T DISGUISE MY FEARS AND ANXIETIES.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;" Philippians 4:6
"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You." Psalm 56:3
"When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans. The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up." Psalm 32:3-4
Discussion Question: What are some fears keeping you from a closer relationship with God?
- SEARCH, ASK, AND RECEIVE THE HELP I NEED.
"But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him…" Matthew 14:30-31
Discussion Question: How can you experience the things that God has planned for you?
3. RETURN AND REPLACE MY DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS.
"Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true…" Philippians 4:6-8 (The Message)
- LIE: I’M HELPLESS. TRUTH: Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."
- LIE: I’M WORTHLESS. TRUTH: Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?"
- LIE: I’M UNLOVABLE. TRUTH: Ephesians 1:4–5 "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ…"
Discussion Question: What are some destructive thoughts that need to be replaced in your life? What are some thoughts that you can replace them with?