Sunday School Lesson October 24, 2021

Subject: Confidence in the Face of Fear

The Point: Trust God when you are overwhelmed with fear.

The Passages: Genesis 12:10-13, 17-13:4

Study The Bible: Genesis 12:10-13

1). Trust God despite fear of circumstances.

10. There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to stay there for a while because the famine in the Land was severe.
11. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are.
12. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live.
13. Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account.”

Lasting truths from: Genesis 12:10-13

* New circumstances can bring new challenges.

* Circumstances that appear beyond our control may cause us to fear.

* Trusting God’s promises is wiser and better than trying to solve a situation through deception.

2). Our fear can affect others.

Genesis 12:17-20

17. But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife, Sarai.
18. So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?
19. Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and go!”
20. Then Pharaoh gave his men orders about him, and they sent him away with his wife and all he had.

Lasting truth from: Genesis 12:17-20

* Our spiritual failures always impact others as well.

*  Sinful choices we make out of fear may damage our testimony before unbelievers.

*  We should trust God for the courage to work through our fears.

3). Return to confident trust and worship of God.

Genesis 13:1-4

1. Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev—he, his wife, and all he had, and Lot with him.
2. Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.
3. He went by stages from the Negev to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been,
4. to the site where he had built the altar. And Abram called on the name of the Lord there.

Lasting truth from: Genesis 13:1-4

* God journeys on with those who believe in Him, even after we have failed Him.

*  Following failure, we should ask God to help us trust Him more and worship Him.

* Worshiping God reminds us of our dependence on Him.

* Worshiping God renews our trust in Him for the next challenge we must face.

Live It Out

We experience forgiveness through Jesus Christ when we confess our sin and place our trust in Him. He is the One who makes forgiveness possible because of His sacrificial death on the cross. His blood covers our sin and we enjoy fellowship with the Lord. Now, we can go to Him whenever we are in need of forgiveness.

1. Identify a current challenge in your life that brings a significant amount of fear. What can you learn about responding properly by reading Genesis 12:13-20?
2. Make a list of 3-5 life circumstances in which your fear might cause you to rationalize dealing with them in an ungodly way. What steps do you need to take to ensure a biblical response?
3. How can worshiping God refresh our souls when we face trails? How does recognizing who God is help us deal with our fears?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”