Fear Is Toxic | The Cure Week 4

What is the oddest or most awkward fear you have? For example Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, a social phobia, with an ironic twist with being one of the longest words in the dictionary, is the name for a fear of long words.

Fear plagues our culture. It could show up with our health, in our careers, our relationships, and government. Discuss as a group how fear has impacted you.

Read 1 John 4:18. When we begin to trust God around the thing we have fear for he will cast fear out of our lives. What’s the place in your life that you see fear show up in most often? If you had to guess, why do you think that’s the place for you? (Try not to answer “I don’t know” — just give it a guess. This is a good place to explore.)

Read Philippians 4:8-9. Take two minutes and reflect where you’ve been fearful or anxious about something in the past that didn’t come true. What happened? Looking back, can you see God’s provision in this circumstance? Share with the group one step you can take to put into practice looking away from the area that is causing you fear and looking towards God instead.

Close your time together in prayer. Here’s an example if you need it. “God—cure us of our fears. We trust that you are a protector and provider, and that we can bring everything to you. We ask that you do your work of love that casts out fear inside of us today. Amen”