Meeting guide · command 40

Have No Fear

Fear God rather than human threats and speak Jesus' truth with confidence in the Father's attentive care.

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 10:26–33

26 Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29 “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

World English Bible

Luke

Luke 12:4–7

4 “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.

World English Bible

As Jesus sends disciples into opposition, He repeats that they need not fear persecutors because truth will be revealed, God holds final authority, and even sparrows are within His care.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. Whose approval or threat most easily silences our allegiance to Jesus, and how does the Father's detailed care answer that fear?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Identify one truthful word or faithful action you have withheld because of fear. Prepare it prayerfully, seek wise support, and take the safest faithful step available.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

What fear did you face, what faithful step became possible, and how did awareness of God's care affect you?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Father, you know and value us completely. Free us from fear of people and give us wise courage to acknowledge Jesus openly.

Teach

Courage is not recklessness. Apply Jesus' words with attention to real danger, lawful protection, and the needs of vulnerable people while preserving faithful witness.