Breaking Ground
What’s your silliest or most unreasonable fear? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Why, where we’re diving into questions submitted by the E3 community. This week’s question was: “Why are we told to fear a loving God?”
As Pastor Mike explored on Sunday, “the Fear of the LORD” is a phrase that appears repeatedly in the Scriptures. In Hebrew, the word for fear in this phrase doesn’t refer to feelings associated with danger. Instead, it refers to the overwhelming feeling of awe, reverence, & wonder that humans feel when entering the unmediated presence of the infinite, all-powerful Creator of the universe & realizing the depth of His grace & love for us. This “Fear of the LORD” is considered the foundation of biblical wisdom & inspires trusting, obedient action; as opposed to our usual fight, flight, or freeze response to fear.
With this in mind, read Isaiah 6:1-8 & Psalm 111. Isaiah’s story reflects a repeated pattern associated with the “Fear of the LORD,” while Psalm 111 captures how the Bible understands its relationship with wisdom.
How does Isaiah respond to coming into God’s direct presence? How does God turn upside-down his expectations?
What does this encounter & the psalmists reflections reveal about God’s character & nature? What internal posture & external actions flow from these experiences & reflections?
How does this concept, psalm, & story help us understand what it means to fear a loving God in a health & cohesive way?
Close by reflecting on how this concept can speak to you in this season.
Where do you find it easiest to experience awe, wonder, & reverence towards God? How is your awe & wonder reflected in your daily thoughts, attitudes, feelings, or actions?
Where do you find it hardest to experience awe, wonder, & reverence towards God? How is your lack of awe reflected in your daily thoughts, attitudes, feelings, or actions?
How can this understanding concerning what it means to “Fear the LORD” help you be more loving towards God & others in this next season?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Isaiah 6:1-8, Proverbs 9:10-12, & Psalm 111. Make note of any ideas, words, or challenges that stick with you more than others.
- What does it mean to have an appropriate level of awe, reverence, & wonder for God’s character & what He’s done for us? How should this shape the way we understand & live within God’s world?
- Where do you need to embrace a sense of awe, wonder, & reverence for God’s character & love during this season of your life? How could this help you grow more into the example of Jesus?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, August 30th: Join us next week as we continue answering YOUR questions in our Why series!
* Please see mye3.org for details.