REAL TALK
TITLE: A Fearful Heart
WEEK OF: October 5, 2025
What's Up?
- Give us an update on your life right now - what’s something that happened this past week, or is soon to happen in your life? And how are you feeling about it? (Let’s go around in a circle and answer this one, and have someone in the group write this stuff down so we can follow up on it when we’re together again!)
This Week's Conversation
Read: This week, we started a new series called “Real Talk” on the subject of fear, worry and anxiety. Fear is a universal experience—and one God addresses more than any other command: “Do not fear” appears over 100 times in scripture. This kind of fear’s goal is to convince us that what hurts now will always be. Amazingly enough, God’s response isn’t “be stronger,” it’s “remember who I am.” He gives us His Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. So when fear comes knocking, the question isn’t if we’ll feel it—it’s where we’ll run. As mentioned in this week’s message, like David and Jehoshaphat, we can choose the Lord as our stronghold, speak His truth, and take back our hearts. Let’s talk about that today.
- What’s something you were irrationally afraid of as a kid? (Example: clowns, basements, the dark, etc.)
- When fear or stress hits, which of these sounds most like your first instinct—talk it out, shut down, pray, or try to ignore it?
- What’s a fear you’ve learned to handle better as you’ve gotten older?
- Who in your life helps you feel safe or grounded when you’re struggling with fear or worry?
KEY VERSES:
Read: 2 Timothy 1:7 & Psalms 27:1-2
- If God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, where do you think fear comes from?
- In Psalms 27, the author mentions running to God as a “stronghold.” When fear shows up, where have you been guilty of running to first, before going to God?
- In your own words, what is the relationship between fear and faith?
- In this week’s message, Pastor Bryan mentioned that we get to choose our story and future. What is one fear-based story you’ve recently been tempted to believe that you need to rewrite with God’s truth?
Read: Fear is common—but it doesn’t have to have the final word in our lives. This week, when fear shows up, notice it, name it, and choose to speak God’s truth over your life. Decide where you will run, and let your heart take courage in His presence.
Prayer
Read: Let’s go around in a circle on this one. What prayer request might you have (if any) regarding our conversation tonight, (or maybe even about something unrelated)?