Fear Doesn’t Win

Matthew 10:16-31

Many of us are carrying heavy questions about the future, and underneath them all is fear. Fear isn’t just in the world around us—it’s in our hearts and thoughts, shaping us even when we don’t say it out loud. It weighs us down with “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios, leaving us anxious and restless. This week, we will explore strategies for overcoming the fears that can control our lives.

  1. If you could have a superpower to remove one specific fear or worry from your life, what would it be, and how would your life change with it?
  2. Pastor James talked about how fear is everywhere in our current culture. Where do you see fear showing up most in society today?
  3. Pastor James taught us that, “Fear changes how you think. Fear changes how you talk. Fear changes how you parent. Fear changes how you make decisions. Fear changes you.” Which of these resonates most with your experience?
  4. Read Matthew 10:16, Jesus tells His disciples, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” Then He instructs them to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” What do you think Jesus meant by this unusual combination?
  5. Read Matthew 10:28. Jesus is NOT saying, “Hey, it would be nice if you could calm down.” No—this is a command. He says it straight. “Do. Not. Be. Afraid.” Pastor James mentioned that “do not fear” is the most repeated command in Scripture. Why do you think God emphasizes this particular command more than others?
  6. Oswald Chambers once said, “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” How does this quote complement and parallel the previous question?
  7. Read Jeremiah 32:17. Pastor James also said, “Fear only looks massive when you’ve lost sight of the One who is truly massive.” The only way to shrink fear is to magnify God. Can you share a time when focusing on God’s greatness helped reduce your fears?
  8. Read Matthew 10:29-31. Jesus shifts our perspective on fear by pointing to sparrows and the hairs on our heads. What was Jesus trying to teach about God’s character through these examples? How can knowing God in this way give us courage and peace?
  9. The sermon presented this key idea: “Every fear that comes against you is limited in what it can do to you.” What current fear in your life needs to be evaluated in light of its actual limitations?

Practice what Pastor James described as Peter’s lesson from 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Cast ALL your anxiety on him because He CARES for YOU.” Each morning, intentionally hand over your worries to God through prayer. You might begin your prayer like this: “Father, I give everyone and everything to you…” Then, continue to list ALL your cares and fears.