Purpose & Objectives

This lesson's purpose is to identify the results you'll see in your personal life, and in life's most intimate relationships as a result of fearing the LORD.

Memory Verse for Week 4:
Psalms 112:1. Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears he LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.
Lesson Background

A common media mantra in our day is that "faith is private," and has no effect on our daily lives. But Jesus said just the opposite. We should "pray in secret to our father in heaven, who will reward you openly." He warned that, "if you do not confess me before men, neither will I confess you before my Father in heaven." Paul said "do everything in the name of Jesus to the glory of God, giving thanks by him."
That is, we are to be witnesses. Often we confuse "being a witness" with the act of "witnessing." Why do we hold back? For many, it is because of the fear of man. We are afraid that if we become known as God's servants, we'll be embarrassed or humiliated when someone discovers the inconsistent behaviors and habits in our lives. Sometimes this carries over into our families as well. We refuse to exercise proper leadership in our homes for fear that we'll be seen as a hypocrite by our spouse and children.
This week we look at the wide-reaching effect that fearing the LORD has on our personal lives, and on our family relationships.

Definitions � Reminder from Week 1

  1. The fear of the LORD is a profound love and deep respect for God
  2. The fear of the LORD is simply taking God seriously � he keeps his promises and expects us to obey his commands.
  3. The fear of the LORD is the attitude that results from knowing that God is watching my every action, weighing my every motive, and aware of my every thought.
  4. The fear of the LORD means to love what God loves, and hate what he hates.
Day One Homework
Scripture Reading: Results of fearing man. Proverbs 29:25. 1 Peter 3:14. John 12:42, 19:38 & 20:19. Romans 8:15 & Hebrews 2:14-15. Isaiah 51:12-13. John 5:44. I John 4:18. Genesis 20:11.
  1. Proverbs 29:25. What contrast is made by this verse? Have you ever been caught in this snare? Describe how you felt, and what you were afraid would happen. Did it?

 
 
 
  1. John 12:42, 19:38 & 20:19. What fear is described by these verses? Have you faced a similar fear?

 
 
 
  1. Romans 8:15, Hebrews 2:15. What are the results of fear?

 
  1. 1 John 4:18. Love is sometimes defined as acting in another's best interest with no regard for it's cost to you. What is the relationship of fear and love?

 
 
  1. Genesis 20:11. What compromise did Abraham make? Why?

 
 
  1. Isaiah 51:12-13. John 5:44. What fear is described in these verses? How does this fear affect one's faith in God?

 
 

Day Two Homework

Scripture Reading: Fearing the LORD brings God's love and freedom from the fear of man. Luke 12:4-5. Isaiah 11:2-4. Psalms 34:7. Psalms 103:17, Psalms 118:4 & 1 John 4:18. Proverbs 19:23. Psalms 112:1,7-8.
  1. Isaiah 11:2-4. These verses spell out the seven-fold nature of the Spirit of God (see also Rev 1:5). Where will the Messiah focus his energy and take his delight?

 
  1. Luke 12:4-5. Whom does Jesus say should be feared?

 
 
  1. 1 John 4:18, Psalms 103:17 & Psalms 118:4. What is the antidote to fear? How do you abide in God's love?

 
  1. Proverbs 19:23, Psalms 112:1,7-8 & Psalms 34:7. What protection does God offer the one who fears Him? What is the attitude of a righteous man toward bad news?

 

Day Three Homework

Scripture Reading: Improving the consistency of your walk. Psalms 147:11. Proverbs 8:13 & 14:27. Job 1:8. Job 28:28 & 2 Timothy 2:19.2 Corinthians 7:1. Philippians 2:12
To be "holy" simply means, "to be reserved for God's use." To be "righteous" simply means, "to be rightly related to God." There are obvious behavioral consequences of these two conditions, but we should not confuse cause with effect. Today's homework relates the fear of the Lord to the consistency of your walk.
  1. Psalms 147:11. In whom does God delight?

 
  1. Proverbs 8:13 & 14:27, Job 28:28 & 2 Timothy 2:19. How does learning to fear the LORD affect your attitude toward evil? How does it affect your actions?

 
 
  1. Job 1:8. Describe Job's attitude and character, as evaluated by God. What role does Job's fear of the LORD play in his righteousness?

 
  1. 2 Corinthians 7:1, Philippians 2:12. What should the fear of the LORD motivate us to do?

 
 

Day Four Homework

Scripture Reading: Husbands and wives. Ephesians 5:21. Ephesians 5:22-28. 1 Peter 3:1-8.
  1. Ephesians 5:21. How does fearing the LORD affect our relationships with others? To whom are you to submit yourself?

 
  1. Ephesians 5:22-28. What special commandment for wives flows out of this fear of the LORD?

 
 
  1. Ephesians 5:22-28. How does a husband's fear of the LORD affect the way he treats his wife?

 
 
  1. 1 Peter 3:1-2. What attitude is to govern how a wife behaves toward her husband? Should a believing wife behave differently toward an unbelieving husband?

 
 
  1. 1 Peter 3:3-8. Sometimes the husband is wrong in his decisions and actions. What should be the wife's attitude in these cases? To whom does the believing wife appeal for protection?

 
 

Day Five Homework

Scripture Reading: Parents and Children. Malachi 1:6. John 8:29, 8:49. Ephesians 6:2-4. Leviticus 19:3. Leviticus 19:32. 1 Peter 5:5.
  1. Leviticus 19:3, Malachi 1:6. How are children to treat their parents? What attitude are they to display?

 
  1. John 8:29, 8:49. How did Jesus behave toward his Father?
  1. Reflect your attitude and behavior toward your own parents. Does it reflect the high standards set out in the scripture?

 
  1. Leviticus 19:32. 1 Peter 5:5. How should younger people treat older folk?
  1. Ephesians 6:2-4. What promise is attached to this commandment? ? If you have children, are you training them to properly honor their parents? Do you want them to mimic your attitude toward your parents?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Day Six Homework

Scripture Reading: Putting the package together. Psalms 112
Today take time to reflect on the total picture of wholeness described in Psalms 112. Write down a prayer, meditation or other thought after each verse in the space provided.
  1. Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.

 
  1. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

 
  1. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

 
  1. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

5        Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
 

6        Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
 

7        He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
 

8        His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
 
 

  1. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.

 
  1. The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

The Last Word

  1. Summarize your learning this week in a few sentences.

    2.  
     
  2. Take time now to pray for yourself, and for each member of your study group.

Other Lessons

The Bible
The Nature of God
The Plan of God
The Law of God
The Good News
Repentance
Faith
Prayer
Baptism in Water
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Fellowship and Church
Our Mission as Christians
Deliverance from Evil
Handling Resources
Sanctification
Grace

How to Grow
a Home Group

Bible Questions
Answered! NEW!

Spirit, Soul and Body
Power in your Words
God's will on Prosperity
Secret Pre-trib Rapture?
Fasting
Divine Healing
Spiritual Warfare
The Tree of Life
Tree of Knowledge
Eternal Security

The Lord's Supper
Evangelism
Prayers based on the Word

Audios


 

 

Christian faith - healing

Testimonies | The Real Jesus | Get Serious With God | Big Issues | Forum | New Content | Divine Healing  | Audios | Bible Teaching |

Prayer | Spiritual Warfare and Curse Breaking | Miracles | Revival Issues | How to Overcome Sin | God's Promises | The Church | Suffering | Evangelism | What we Believe | Books | Relationships | Wisdom | News and Views | Apologetics | Hope | Other Religions | Prophetic | The Holy Spirit | Praise & Worship | Modern Idols | Money and Prosperity | New Hope TV | Subscribe to list | Good News | Feedback/Contact | Bible Answers | Support Michael | Health and Wealth World | Home