The 911 Handbook
Study Guide Answers
Lesson 13/Chapter 13
When You Are Afraid: No Fear!
Answers are written in italics
Fear Isn’t Logical
Using the illustration of the boxer, explain why fear isn’t logical.
The boxer was afraid to fly, but not afraid to fight. Most people would be afraid to fight, but not afraid to fly. Fear is different for everyone, so it takes something beyond logic to get rid of it.
Have the group identify their fears by choosing the two things they fear the most from the list on page 119. (Allow them to share fears that are not on the list).
How Fear Affects You
Share how fear can affect us:
Gen. 3:7-10 Fear drove Adam away from God’s presence.
Acts 9:19-21, 26 Fear created a barrier in the relationship between Saul and the other disciples. It caused them to assume things that weren’t true.
Matt. 25:14-19, 24-25 Fear caused him to bury his talent and not take any risks. It kept him from reaching his full potential.
1 John 4:18 Fear torments us, causing us to lose all peace and joy.
Other ways: Fear creates false imaginations, forces us to make bad decisions, etc.
What can we learn from the French defeating the Austrian soldiers about how Satan controls people?
The French deceived the Austrian soldiers by having their trumpeter sound retreat. The Austrians obeyed the command, believing the French were defeating them. Satan blows his trumpet and creates fear in everyone who listens to his deceptive commands.
How to Deal with Fear
First, Seek the presence of the Lord and trust him.
Read Psalm 23:4. How can being aware of God’s presence help us deal with fear?
When we are afraid we want a secure presence with us. Becoming aware of God's presence drives out fear.
Read Matthew 8:23-26. Discuss the relationship between fear and faith.
Faith and fear can't coexist together. To overcome fear, we must fill the void with faith. When we are full of faith, then we will have No Fear.
The disciples had to awaken Jesus to tell him the boat was sinking. What does this show about what Jesus believed?
Jesus was so assured the Father was in control of the storm that he could sleep through it.
What is the lesson we should learn when storms come our way?
We need to learn to sleep through the storm, knowing God is in control of every storm that comes our way. If the disciples hadn't awakened him, he would have slept through the entire storm. If God doesn't calm the storm, he will calm us in the midst of the storm.
Second, Face up to your problem.
Discuss how the lady who was afraid to fly on a plane overcame her fear.
She overcame her fear by standing up to what frightened her.
How does this apply to every kind of fear?
Fear's greatest fear is that you will stand up to it. Fear gains its power through intimidation, and if you refuse to be intimidated it has no power over you.
Third, Stand on God’s promises.
Read Psalm 91:5-10.
What must we believe about God to not be afraid of the "terror by night" or the "arrow that flies by day"?
We must believe that God is in control at all times (night and day) and that he can divert the arrows that comes our way.
In order to overcome fear, what must we do? (Ps. 91:1-2).
We must trust in God and take refuge in him.
How did the overnight camp-out resemble the situation of the disciples in the boat when the storm came?
In both cases lives were in danger and the storms looked out of control.
What brought peace into the tent during the electrical storm?
Peace came by putting their lives in God's hands and trusting him to control the storm.