We were reminded in the weekend message that our generation is among the most fearful in history, despite the numerous safety measures in place due to technological advances. Indeed, our society is overcome by fear. Living in fear, however, is not what God intended for us. While fear may attempt seem like it is helping to protect us, fear actually harms us. Today, in our study, we will explore the idea that God offers a better way for us than living in fear.
What is something you were fearful of as a child?
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1. How does fear impact us?
2. Read Psalm 56:1-4. How did David respond when he felt fearful?
Psalm 56:1-4
O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. 2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. 3 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. 4 I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
3. What was David’s reasoning for not being afraid based on this passage of Scripture?
4. What is the result of turning to God when we feel fearful, based on this passage of Scripture?
Psalm 34:4-5
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
1. What is causing you fear right now?
2. How does the Scripture we studied today encourage you in the fears that you have?
3. How has God helped you in the past when you were in trouble? How does God's past provision help you fight against your fears?
Pair up into groups of two or three and pray together. Share within your groups what is causing you fear right now, and pray specifically about these areas that are causing fear in your lives. Commit to praying for each other throughout this next week.
Throughout their lives, the people of Israel faced the temptation to fear. Unfortunately, they often gave in to fear, complaining to God instead of focusing on Him and His power. One of these times is recorded in Numbers 13 and 14. In these passages of Scripture, God was preparing the Israelites to enter a land that He had promised would be their home. Most of the Israelites focused on the obstacles against them as they sought to take over the land that God had promised. Two Israelite leaders, however, stood out: Joshua and Caleb. These two men chose to look to God instead of being consumed by fear. Let’s take a look at their story now and discover what we can learn from it.
God gave the Israelites an assignment in Numbers 13. Specifically, the assignment was for twelve of the leaders of Israel. Let's take a look at this assignment now and the results of their findings. The result of their findings brought both good news and some not-so-great news.
1. Read Numbers 13:1-3 and Numbers 13:17-20. What was the assignment that God gave in this passage of Scripture?
Numbers 13:1-3
The Lord now said to Moses, 2 “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.” So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He sent out twelve men, all tribal leaders of Israel, from their camp in the wilderness of Paran.
Numbers 13:17-20
17 Moses gave the men these instructions as he sent them out to explore the land: “Go north through the Negev into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like, and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps? 20 Is the soil fertile or poor? Are there many trees? Do your best to bring back samples of the crops you see.”
2. Read Numbers 13:27-33. What were the results of their findings?
Numbers 13:27-33.
27 This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. 28 But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan Valley.” 30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” 31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33 We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”
3. What was the good news about what they found, and what was the bad news?
The Israelite spies found a prosperous land in Canaan that would be great to live in. Unfortunately, this was not all that they found. They also saw strong occupants of the land, even giants. Let’s take a look at the reaction of the Israelites to their findings.
1. Read Numbers 14:1-11.
Numbers 14:1-11
Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. 6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. 7 They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” 10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?
2. Compare the response of the Israelites versus Joshua and Caleb.
3. Why did Joshua and Caleb not respond in fear?
4. How can we model the responses of Joshua and Caleb when we are fearful?
When Joshua, Caleb, and the rest of the Israelites learned that the land of Canaan was full of strong occupants, even some giants, they had different responses. Some were fearful, while others held onto faith in God. Their responses brought about serious consequences. Let’s take a look at the consequences of their actions.
1. Read Numbers 14:26-30.
Numbers 14:26-30
26 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 27 “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. 28 Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. 29 You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. 30 You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
2. What were the consequences of Joshua and Caleb’s response to what they saw in the land of Canaan?
3. What were the consequences for the Israelites based on their reaction to what the twelve Israelite leaders saw in Canaan?
4. What are the consequences of choosing fear over trusting God today?
Joshua and Caleb chose faith instead of fear because they had seen God's care and provision for them and the rest of Israel time and time again. How have you seen evidence of God's power and provision over your own life in the last year? Share that with your group. Let your stories of God's care and provision carry you all through as you seek to choose faith in God instead of fear.
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