OPENING PRAYER: Father, please remove the spirit of fear from my life.

READ HERE >> OPEN HEAVENS 3 JANUARY 2020

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Generally, fear can be described as a strong uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion caused by actual or perceived danger

threat. It is a basic survival mechanism that signals our body to respond to danger with a fight or flight response. The key word for fear in Greek language is ‘phobos’ from which the common word ‘phobia’ originates. Pecple have phobia from different things and for different reasons. Some pecple are said to be ‘aquaphobic’ -fear of water, ‘acrophobic’-fear of height, ‘nyctophctic’-fear of darkness, ‘gerascophobic’-fear of ageing, ‘anthropophobic-fear of insects, etc. What does the Bible say about fear? What are the common causes of fear? Getting answers to these questions and many more shall be the focus of this study.

TEXT REVIEW: Genesis 3:6-10.

A. At the instance of the serpent’s temptation, Eve saw that:

i. The tree was good for food.

ii. That it was pleasant to the eyes.

iii. It was a tree to be desired to make one wise,

B. Eve took of the fruit thereof, and

LESSON OUTLINE 1: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT FEAR?

A. Scriptures clearly reveal that:

Fear is a spirit (2 Tim.1:7).

It is a spirit that puts people in bondage and torment (Romans 8:15; 1 John.4:18).

B. The Bible also tells us that:

Believers are sometimes tempted to fear (Psalms 55:5) but are delivered from it

(Prov.1:33; Isa.14:3) by trusting in God (Ps.27:1).

A guilty conscience leads to fear (Gen.3:8, 10; Ps.53:5; Prov.28:1).

Fear seizes the wicked (Job 15:24; 18:11) and characterises the wicked (Rev.21:8).

Fear is the consequential opposite of faith (Matt.14:28-31).

One can also be a victim of his fears (Job 3:25).

C. For the righteous, the Bible admonishes that they should ‘fear not’ (KJV) in several passages and for seven key reasons.

D, This is to assure them of the:

Bessings in the journey of life (Gen.26:24).

Supplies in Famine (1 Kgs.17:13), e

Protection in peril (2Kgs. 6:16).

Strength in weakness (Isa.41:10).

Companionship in trial (Isa.43:1-3).

Overshadowing care (Matt.10:30-31).

Life beyond the grave. (Rev. 1:17-18).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should cite some of the verses of the Bible where the phrase ‘fear not’ appears.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: BIBLICAL INSTANCES OF THE SPIRIT OF FEAR IN ACTION

A. There are instances in the Bible where the spirit of fear operated in or through the lives of some characters.

Adam, in hiding from God and attempting to shift responsibility for his sin upon Eve (Gen.3:8-12).

Abraham, in calling his wife his sister (Gen. 12:11-19; 20:2-12).

The Israelites, when Pharaoh and his host pursued in the wilderness before the red sea (Exo.12:10).

Aaron, in yielding to the Israelites, when they demanded an idol (Exodus 32:22-24).

The ten spies, in dissuading the Israelites from entering the Promised Land (Num.13:28, 31-33).

The Israelites, in the battle against Goliath (1 Samuel 17:24).

David, in fleeing from Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13-17).

Parents of the blind man, whose sight was restored (John 9:22).

The disciples, during the storm at sea (Lk.8:25), when they saw Jesus walking on the sea (Matt.14:25-26) and when Jesus was apprehended (Matt.26:56).

Pilate, in condemning Jesus, through fear of the people (Jn.19:12-16).

Peter and other Christians, at Antioch (Galatians 2:11-14).

B. If you are truly a believer, resist any attempt at being a victim of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Class should discuss occasion when they exhibited fear.

SUMMARY: The spirit of fear is not from God, therefore, reject it.

CONCLUSION: Fear is not a component of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, therefore, refuse to entertain fear in your life.

EVALUATION: Teacher should ask the students to mention what the Bible says about fear.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, give me the grace to resist every form of fear.

ASSIGNMENT: Student should list five (5) areas of life they have experienced fear.