Helping Hands Online Coaching Group/Book Study. Beth Jones. Week 4 Fear. Chapter 6 Unsheathe Your Sword (Mary Kane)

Transcription

1 Helping Hands Online Coaching Group/Book Study Beth Jones Week 4 Fear Chapter 6 Unsheathe Your Sword (Mary Kane) In today s world, it is easy to feel afraid. We see so many troubling things on the new each day and night: the economy, the government-required health care system, school shootings, murders and rapes, natural disasters, etc. In fact, the Bible tells us that in the end times, men will know great fear: But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. Have you ever felt so afraid you thought you would die?

2 In this chapter, Mary shares how the enemy Satan attacked her with fear when she was a young child watching a movie about the life of Christ, and she realized Satan could possess people. While there are different Christian doctrinal stances on demonic possession, oppression, and/or harassment, the fact is that Satan is real and comes as the thief to steal, kill, and destroy. Fear is one of his primary, most powerful weapons against believers because fear is the opposite of faith. What area of your life do you struggle with fear the most? Trusting that I am really saved Areas in my marriage My children Finances The future Becoming elderly My health My loved ones health The U.S. government Diseases/Disasters Phobias Fear of bugs Fear of snakes Fear of public speaking Fear of failure Fear of success Fear of never fulfilling my purpose Fear of. Mary stated on page 78 of the book that she stayed busy with family and friends around her, but at night she was alone with silence and stillness, and that is when the fears overran her mind. Many people are afraid of being alone and/or being in the dark. Although my husband is one of the most courageous, fearless men I know, he used to have a fear of the dark. Have you ever struggled with the dark or night time? What is the root of that fear? What is the root of the fear you listed as your biggest fear above? Do you know? What scripture can you use to combat that fear? Psalm 91 is an excellent passage for battling

3 any fear you may have. Exercise: This week in your journal write out Psalm 91. Meditate on it. Choose one or two scriptures from the Old Testament or New Testament that you can use to combat a worry or a fear you may be feeling. Remember that Jesus weapon in the desert against Satan when he came to tempt him was the Word of God. It is our most powerful weapon against the enemy. On page 79 Mary shares that she tried to find God through the church she was attending, but her church didn t teach the truth of God s word. Sometimes we try to find God through our church, doing good works (such as ringing the bell for Salvation Army, like Mary did, teaching Sunday School or Bible studies, being nice to people, etc.). Or we may try to find Him in doing radical things like evangelism, helping people in earthquake or tornado disasters, or car wrecks. Yet the prophet Elijah tells us how to find and hear God in 1 Kings 19: 11-13: Then He said, Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD. And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, What are you doing here, Elijah?

4 What is God s still small voice telling you to do right now? What is the next step you need to take to move forward in your life and to see a change in the area you most struggle with? What is God telling you to do now? As I shared at the beginning of this class, I have no magic TinkerBell fairy dust to sprinkle over you and to magically change your life. Only God can change us, our loved ones, and our lives. But I can give you the encouraging push you need and pray for you. How can I pray for you this week? On page 80 Mary shared with her sister Jane the struggles she had been going through. This is good and Biblical because the Bible tells us to confess our sins and faults with each other that we may be healed. I believe we also need to confess our problems, our struggles, our frustrations, our discouragement with each other and want us to do that in this class so we can pray for each other. How has your week been? Share in class so we can pray for you! On page 81 Mary gives a big key to growth in the Christian life. She was still having mild panic attacks, but she spent time studying God s word which helped her a great deal. However, she stated that she was still immature in her faith she needed to learn to let God control her life. Does God have the reins of your life or are you still trying to be in control of it? We all struggle with control. Name some areas that are difficult for you to let go of and let God.

5 On page 83 Mary shares that she felt attacks against her from all sides. David shares about this in the psalms, when he was surrounded by his enemies. Have you ever felt attacked from all sides? I was there several years ago. I felt extremely alone, but the one comfort I had was that God loved me and would not leave me. Share in class about a time when you felt attacked from all sides or felt alone. What is the enemy s purpose of fear? The Bible study that was helpful to Mary was Beth Moore s book Breaking Free. She began to recognize the lies the enemy was using to bind her and her chains began to break one by one with the revelation of God s truth. It takes the word of God to break the chains of fear, worry and anxiety. What lie is the enemy trying to put into your mind recently? What scripture can you use to refute that lie? Have you ever been taught about spiritual warfare before reading my ebook, from your church or anywhere? Do you believe spiritual warfare is real? Mary gives some great tips for standing your ground in a season of warfare. Remember that new levels, new devils. The more passionately you seek Christ, the more the enemy is going to try to attack you to throw you off course and to hinder you from your purpose and to scare you. Look back over your life and recognize the times the enemy has tried to shipwreck your faith, distract you, scare you, hinder and stop you from pursuing God. Exercise: Write these times down as memorials to God, just like the patriarchs of the Bible built an altar (memorial) to God, worshipping Him. God will never leave you or forsake you. Truly His cloud goes with you by day and His fire by night. The battle belongs to the Lord! Copyright 2011 Beth Jones. All Rights Reserved.