Fear of the Lord

Worship Folder

Outline

Hook: When’s the last time you were overwhelmed, but by something good and beautiful, not something scary?

I. FEAR
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7).

II. BLESSING
"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord" (Psalm 128:1).

III. GRACE
"...with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared" (Psalm 130:4).

Takeaway: Fear not!

Discussion Questions

1. When you hear the phrase “fear of the Lord,” what do you instinctively think or feel? How do the passages from Proverbs help clarify what biblical fear is— and what it is not?
2. Why do you think the fear of God is presented as the conclusion to wisdom and the foundation for living well? Think of the solar system analogy in the sermon. What are you most tempted to put at the "center" of your life, where God alone should be? 
3. Psalm 112 and Psalm 128 describe the person who fears the Lord as blessed, steady, generous, and secure. What blessings are connected to fearing the Lord in these psalms? 
4. How does God’s grace and forgiveness deepen—not lessen—our reverence for him? Why is grace essential if we are going to fear God rightly? 
5. How does fearing the Lord free us from other fears—fear of people, fear of the future, fear of judgment, or fear of not having enough? Where do you need to practice fearing God more than fearing something else this week?

Resources

• Jerry Bridges, The Joy of Fearing God
• John Piper, Seeing and Savoring Jesus
• Michael Reeves, Rejoice & Tremble