Bgroup Lesson Aug 11
Big Idea:
In this series we are learning what it takes to live a life of wisdom. In the last lesson we unpacked our need for wisdom. Since we are becoming the product of our life choices, it is important that we learn how to find it. There are multiple scriptures that tell us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the Lord is not to dread or be horrified by His presence but to honor and respect His position, His holiness, and his power.
Psalm 110:10 tells us that we should practice the fear of the Lord. It is something that we as believers must do. Proverbs 9:10 says knowledge of the Holy One is insight. We should be learning to know Him better and better. Proverbs 15:33 connects humility with wisdom and the fear of the Lord. To sum it up, the key to walking in the fear of the Lord is to be God-centered. Let's take a look at four actions of a believer who is seeking to walk a God-centered life.
Key Verses:
The fear of the Lord begins with how you see Him. This deals with how we frame God in our lives. We must take care not to allow God or the things of God to become common to us. We should stand in awe of Him and frame Him with unequaled respect. For all of time the angels around the throne have cried, “Holy, Holy, Holy”. Those recorded in scripture who encountered the presence of God stood in awe of His Glory and power! To walk in the fear of God we must never allow ourselves to make Him small in our eyes.
Discussion Questions:
Has this first point changed the way you see God? How does the world around us view Him? In what ways is His greatness revealed to us?
Another key to living a God-centered life is to keep Him as the center of your focus. In Deuteronomy 4:10 God told the people to assemble before Him and He would instruct them to fear Him as long as they lived. Not only were they to fear the Lord but they were responsible to teach their children as well. We keep Him as the center of our lives as we begin and end with prayer, giving Him the best of our time. We keep Him the center as we honor Him with our finances in the tithe, the first tenth of our increase. We also keep Him the center when He is first in our passion. We express this through a servant’s heart that says, “Lord, use me today to bring honor to you”.
Discussion Questions:
What are some of the things that fight for the center of our lives? Give some examples of ways we can express worship to God in the three areas listed. Can you name some other ways?
One of the greatest indicators we are walking in the fear of the Lord is our obedience to Him. Isaiah 66:2 says “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word”. Did you know God equates love with obedience? God’s word is not good advice but a command from Him. We either choose to obey it or we don’t. In John 14:21 the scripture says “If you love me, obey my commandments”. In Genesis 22 God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. The fear of the Lord in Abraham’s life compelled him to act on what God had commanded. Seeing his obedience demonstrated, the angel spoke to him, “Don’t lay a hand on the boy: the angle said. Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”
Discussion Questions:
Do you find it easy to be obedient to God’s word? What areas do you struggle with? What does the scripture reveal to us in Luke 6:46 (NLT)?
Walking in the fear of the Lord has tremendous benefits. When we walk in the fear of the Lord, we position ourselves to reap a harvest of blessings in our lives such as:
Protection - Psalm 34:7 (NLT) “For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him”.
Provision - Psalm 34:9 (NLT) “Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need”.
Wisdom - Psalm 25:12 (NLT) “Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose”.
Mercy and love - Psalm 103:11 (NLT) “For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth”.
Household blessing - Psalm 128:1–4 (NLT) “How joyful are those who fear the Lord - all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table”.
Prosperity and honor - Proverbs 22:4 (NLT) “True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life”.
Friendship with the Lord - Psalm 25:14 (ESV) “The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant”.
Discussion Questions:
Of the benefits listed above, which speaks to you the most? Which of these have you personally experienced? Explain
The lordship of Christ in our lives means that what He commands, we do. We could offer everything we possess but it would mean nothing without obedience to His direction. The driving force behind our obedience is our fear of God. He is good and deserves our reverence and obedience. As you read the scriptures be mindful of the commands within and choose obedience to His direction daily.