1. Give an example of something you love to do or see that you are also afraid of.
   
2. The book of Proverbs is a type of wisdom literature in the Bible, including short, pithy statements that are meant to stick with us and give us instruction on how to live our lives according to God’s wisdom and ways. Proverbs are principles, not promises, on how the world generally works. Proverbs consistently refers to “the fear of the Lord” as the source of all wisdom. In fact, “the fear of the Lord” is mentioned 13 times in the book of Proverbs.
   
3. Read Proverbs 1:7, 10:27, 14:27, 19:23, 23:17

• What is your initial, gut-reaction to the idea that it is good and wise to fear God? 
• Reflect on the passages above. What do these proverbs teach us about the benefits of fearing God? Why does fear

4. Read Matthew 10:28-31. 
   • Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
     • What do you notice and what are you curious about? 
   • Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
     • What do you learn about God? 
     • What do you learn about humanity?
   • Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
     • How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage? 
     • What should be our response to this passage? 

5. Reflecting on Matthew 10, answer the following:

• How does fearing God above man actually bring comfort and security, according to Jesus’ words?

6. Do you tend to operate through life by a fear of man or a fear of God? Give examples. 

• In what ways are you currently not fearing God? How is that going for you? 
• How can you shift your mindset and orient your heart today toward the fear of the Lord over and above anything else? How can your community support you in this? 

Key Scriptures:

Proverbs 1:7, 10:27, 14:27, 19:23, 23:17

Matthew 10:28-31

Prayer: 

Read slowly through Psalm 111 and pray for God to help you fear Him above all things. Name the things you fear more than Him and ask for God’s forgiveness and the strength to turn from those things to move toward God. 

Next Steps: 

1. We desperately need others to grow in wisdom. If you have yet to take the step to join a group, take that wise step today! You can sign up here: https://www.gatewaychurch.com/events/?ministryID=49 
2. Use the above guide to help you pray for wisdom throughout the week. 

FAMILIES

Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.

THIS WEEK

All month long we will be talking about how God uses unlikely people to do amazing things! 

THE BIBLE: Genesis 50:20   “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7)

THE MESSAGE:

Do you believe God has a good plan and purpose for your life? Or do you constantly worry about what will happen to you tomorrow or when you get older? We can expect that God has good things in store for us and that He will use us to do things that we can’t even imagine. We can be brave because God is always with us!

THE BIG IDEA: God can use me to do amazing things!

ASK THIS

Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,

“So . . . how was church?”

• What brave thing did Esther do in order to speak to the King about Haman’s plan?
• What brave thing might God be asking you to do this week?

REMEMBER THIS

God promises that He will always be with us and that ‘goodness and mercy’ will follow us wherever we go! That means we don’t need to be afraid. We can stand strong and believe that if God calls us to do something that we are afraid to do or are unsure of, He will be there with us to help us along the way. Even though we might not understand what is happening, God knows our future. He wants us all to have hearts that follow after Him.

NEXT WEEK

Next week we will learn about how God used a small army to do defeat an enemy!