"...first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
Here we are, eight decades after the Great Depression, still learning from these historic words. Still trying to figure out how un-paralyze in the face of economic challenges. Still trying to figure out what to do with a seemingly primal urge to be terrified. Still allowing ourselves to slip into a visceral, instinctive anxiety that robs us of the very life we're trying to protect with panic.
And Jesus offers us, in yet another way, rescue. Freedom from slavery. Peace during storms.
Use this group time to not only discuss the topic, but to uncover ways that the topic describes how the members of your group are living their actual lives. This isn't most centrally about money, even though that issue is the anchor we're using. It's about wisdom and mindfulness. Remember, wisdom isn't just about knowing things that others might not. Wisdom is being able to apply that knowledge when everyone else has succumbed to reflex. You may find that your LifeGroup is the best (only?) shot some of your members have to live a different way, despite the culture demanding we live off fear and the divisiveness that goes with it.
Thaw
- Share a time when you were paralyzed by fear.
- What most stuck with you from Sunday?
Read
- 1 Timothy 6:6-21
- Thoughts?
- Why was this a big enough deal for Paul to close his letter to Timothy this way?
- What would you say is the wrong way to understand his words to Timothy, and ourselves?
- Have you seen what Paul is warning Timothy about play itself out in your or others' life?
Read
- Matthew 6:25-34
- Thoughts?
- Do we believe Jesus is giving realistic words to us in this passage? Why or why not?
- Jesus mentions "what will we eat...drink...wear..?" These are primary categories of sustenance and protection from the elements. What can we learn by his not mentioning "How will I pay for my house?" or "where will I work?" or "how will I receive a college education?".
Leader note: The idea in this last question is to recalibrate our perspective about how much of our normal life would be better considered a blessing. An extra. In speaking to the poorest of the poor, Jesus was speaking to base needs. To us, it sounds like he doesn't understand what needs really are because his list is so incomplete. Many of us have amassed so many things and experiences that we forget a life of blessing can be lived in conditions we may now unconsciously consider a curse. Being careful not to demonize the wonderful blessings we have, it's helpful for people to see how insulated from reality they can have us become. God may not consider us in a tragic situation if we lose our house or are unable to fix our car. Challenged, but not in a tragedy. Worry is a sign that we have forgotten that poverty is relative, and that we've been invited to live richly at every level of resource.
- What are things that sneak up and make you worry the most?
- How does this affect your life? The life of those around you?
Read
- Proverbs 15:17
- Thoughts?
Read
- Romans 12:1-2a
- Thoughts?
Discuss
- How can we, in the midst of a culture that seems to exist on fear and impulse, live un-conformed lives?
- What would the affect be on the culture if followers of Christ were known not by what they were against, but for being models of wholeness, peace and love no matter the outer circumstances?
Apply
- What are things you feel paralyzed by right now?
- How can this group help you?
Leader note: People may say that there is nothing the group can do to help. This presupposes that there is nothing that can be done with the fear and as such, must be experienced. Gently reaffirm that the person is not alone, that Christ's words about worry are about perspective change, not circumstance change, and allow the group to be creative in how it can love its members.
Story
- Many of us have heard this story, but it does a good job in repositioning us back into the reality we most desire:
There was once a businessman who was sitting by the beach in a small Brazilian village.
As he sat, he saw a Brazilian fisherman rowing a small boat towards the shore having caught quite few big fish.
The businessman was impressed and asked the fisherman, “How long does it take you to catch so many fish?”
The fisherman replied, “Oh, just a short while.”
“Then why don’t you stay longer at sea and catch even more?” The businessman was astonished.
“This is enough to feed my whole family,” the fisherman said.
The businessman then asked, “So, what do you do for the rest of the day?”
The fisherman replied, “Well, I usually wake up early in the morning, go out to sea and catch a few fish, then go back and play with my kids. In the afternoon, I take a nap with my wife, and evening comes, I join my buddies in the village for a drink — we play guitar, sing and dance throughout the night.”
The businessman offered a suggestion to the fisherman.
“I am a PhD in business management. I could help you to become a more successful person. From now on, you should spend more time at sea and try to catch as many fish as possible. When you have saved enough money, you could buy a bigger boat and catch even more fish. Soon you will be able to afford to buy more boats, set up your own company, your own production plant for canned food and distribution network. By then, you will have moved out of this village and to Sao Paulo, where you can set up HQ to manage your other branches.”
The fisherman continues, “And after that?”
The businessman laughs heartily, “After that, you can live like a king in your own house, and when the time is right, you can go public and float your shares in the Stock Exchange, and you will be rich.”
The fisherman asks, “And after that?”
The businessman says, “After that, you can finally retire, you can move to a house by the fishing village, wake up early in the morning, catch a few fish, then return home to play with kids, have a nice afternoon nap with your wife, and when evening comes, you can join your buddies for a drink, play the guitar, sing and dance throughout the night!”
The fisherman was puzzled, “Isn’t that what I am doing now?”
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