Fighting Fear (part 2): Full Power

TO START

This week we’re talking about the power of God IN US. It’s pretty mind-blowing to think about. Before we jump in, let’s think about some lesser powers...

If you could be a superhero which superhero would you be? OR If you could have one superpower what would it be?

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

On Sunday we listened to the Apostle Paul tell us, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid.” In your experience, are Christians timid? Share any stories or examples. Did you have any strong models of timidity growing up? Share. How might that have shaped how you approach fear?

According to Sunday’s sermon (or your own God-given wisdom), what’s one big reason Christians have NOT to be afraid? Does fear make sense for the child of God? Why or why not?

With that fresh in your minds, write yourself a one sentence pep talk for moments when you’re tempted to give in to fear. Give group members an index card. Once each member has written their pep talk, share them together and encourage each other.

Peter Parker’s grandmother told him, “With great power comes great ___________.” (Answer: responsibility)

  • Are you afraid of not being afraid? If so, share why you think that is.

  • What does it look like to live with a spirit of power? What do you do or not do? What do you say or not say? Think of someone you know who lives this way. Describe what it is about them that sticks out.

Paul writes in I Timothy 1:8, “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”

  • How are suffering and a spirit of power linked?

  • How excited are you (on a scale of one to ten) about suffering?  

  • Have you seen God’s power displayed in suffering? Share an example.

 

SCRIPTURE READING

Read I Samuel 14:1-23.

Have you read this story before? Is what Jonathan does here something you would do? If not, why not? Consider what motivates Jonathan’s actions. Why is he so brave?

What might Jonathan be doing if he lived today? Make some specific predictions.
 

PRAYER

Tonight, pray scripture together. Have three or four group members each read this prayer (derived from II Corinthians 4:6-12) so that your group prays it at least twice.

Dear God, our God, You have said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” and You have made Your light shine in our hearts. God,  give us the light of the knowledge of Your glory. Let it shine from our faces as it was displayed in the face of Christ.

Thank You, God, for putting Your glory and power in us. Thank You for this treasure in jars of clay. Remind us we’re clay and that this all-surpassing power we experience is from You and not from us.

Father, when we are hard pressed on every side, help us not be crushed; when we’re perplexed, lift any despair; if we are persecuted, remind us we are not abandoned; and if we’re struck down reassure us, God, that we will not be destroyed.

All power and glory belong to You. Praise You, our God and King.

 

FOR FUN AND PRACTICE:

Wanna try out your spirit of power? What better way than to play truth or dare with your group?! (Okay. I know, lots of better ways...) Use the following list of questions or dares to get your group acting bravely. Remember, each player gets to pick either one truth or one dare. And they MUST do the truth or dare assigned them.

TRUTH:

  • What was the most painful break up you ever had?
  • Who was your first crush on?
  • When have you broken your mother’s heart?
  • When you are trying to impress people what personality trait do you hide?
  • What action from your past would be most likely to put you in jail if law enforcement ever found out?
  • If you were the opposite sex for one day, what would you look like and what would you do?
  • Do you ever lie about how much money you make? If so, do you round up or down? By how much?
  • What music are you embarrassed about listening to?
  • What is the worst thing about being a grown-up?
  • What is the longest you have gone without taking a bath?
  • What talent do you have that is embarrassing to share?
  • What TV show are you embarrassed about watching?
  • If you had only 24 hours left to live, what one thing would you do that may seem weird to others?
  • If you were given a chance to become invisible for one day, what would you do with this ability?

DARE:

  • Put lipstick on another player but you are not allowed to use your hands.
  • For the rest of the night begin everything you say with "All hail Queen Nefertiti."
  • Remove your shoes and trade each shoe with another player.
  • Call (on the phone) one person at random who you know and who knows you; ask them "When a cow laughs, does milk come out it's nose?"
  • Select another player and repeat everything they say for the next 3 rounds.
  • Take a dollar bill out of your pocket and put the whole thing in your mouth.
  • Get on all fours and howl and bark at another player for twenty seconds.
  • Go to the kitchen and eat something that is not meant to be eaten alone (like chili powder, pepper, etc).
  • Go to the neighbors and ask to borrow an umbrella
  • Update your facebook or other social media status to read “I just ate sixteen twinkies. With ketchup.”
  • Lick the bathroom floor.
  • Cluck like a chicken every time someone says your name. Continue this for the rest of the game.
  • Have another player paint the toenails on only your left foot. (if no nail polish is available use something else like pen, marker, or ketchup)
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