download the word document:Cheer Ye Up – Jeff Robison 8-16-09
“Cheer Ye Up”!
(August 16, 2009)
- Life Group Discussion Guide -
OPEN:
1. We often in our course of life, either use the words “cheer up” or hear others use them.
a. In what ways are they normally used?
b. When they are used by us or others, are they just an “off the cuff” statement or are they used with the assumption of some counsel, advice or underlying facts?
2. Would you agree with Jeff, “that there’s a lot of “fear and concern out there”?
a. How about in here? (The church, small group)
b. Are the “fears and concerns” out, there the same as the “fears and concerns” in here?
c. If so, does that strike you as odd?
3. What would you say are the “positive contributions” that fear, and anxiety have made to the carrying out of the will of God in the world? (cf: Numbers 13:26-14:4)
a. What are some of the positive contributions that “faith and courage” have made?
(cf: Acts4:13, 23-30)
b. From where does “Faith and Courage” get its power?
(Ephesians 3:20,21; II Timothy 1:7; Refer back to Acts 4:29-31)
DIG:
1. What is it about this story of fear vs. faith that stands out the most to you?
(Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41)
a. What is the “siesmos/storm” of life that you think would most likely ‘rock your boat”, that would make you feel like you “were about to die”?
b. How difficult is it to be a “person of faith in God” rather than “afraid of the storm” in this serious circumstance? (cf: Philippians 4:6,7; 11-13)
2. What do you make of the “scriptures” recording so many “imperatives” (ask Ruth and Darlene) when referring to the fact that we should “have faith in God and not be afraid?
3. What are things the Apostle John says that helps us to overcome fear?
(I John 4:11-18 cf. vs. 16,17,18 )
4. Does God want us to live with an “illusion”, that because we are His children that our lives would be immune from troubles? (John 14:1,27; 16:33)
Reflect / Apply:
1. Has God ever promised that we would be able to “attain and maintain” a particular style of life?
2. What is your take on the statement, “we all have a life style with which we are
comfortable and we do not want that disturbed or our boat rocked. We do not want anything akin to a “Siesmos” in our lives”?
3. If this is true how do we overcome this attitude of fear?
(See Matthew 8:37; Philippians 4:11-13)