Overcoming Fear: Kids Ministry

Intro: Holloween Origin and My Story

Most scholars agree that Halloween originated around 2,000 years ago, when Celtic people in Europe celebrated the end of the harvest and the start of a new year in a festival called Samhain (which was a festival to celebrate the end of the harvest (pumpkins) and the start of winter darker part of the year). Later, it morphed into a celebration of darkness and death and the things that usually bring us some FEAR!

So, since my family didn’t celebrate the fear part as a kid, we had a lot of FUN @ my church’s harvest festival...

We’d all go to the church, dress up. One time, I was a blue M&M but I was allergic to the gloves. Another time I was a military person, another time I was a cop with the baton and shield and all! Twas fun.

But I remember the CANDY. The church was a great place to go because we’d play games like throwing toilet paper into toilets and we’d get TONS of candy. I’d consistently fill a whole pillow case with candy, my favorite: TWIX!!!

Now that I’m older, I either help out at harvest festivals or find myself at home, giving out big BARS of candy to the kids who come by my house.

You know with Holloween a few days a way, fear is in the air - as they say - and Pastor Joanie and I thought, why not talk to you about the topic of fear today and how, with Jesus, we deal with it. As you’re turning to Luke 8:22-24, I want to make some notes up front:

1] Fear is a natural that we all feel in response to potential danger, especially regarding the people and things that we can’t control.

You know when I was in college, I went through a school shooting. I was in my engineering class and after we were released, I saw all of my friends running down the hall because there was a shooting in the building. I had no idea where to go, I was totally lost. And, I was just sitting on a bench watching the swat helicopters overhead.

I was fearful. And that’s normal. And I’m sure you’ve had your own situations of being afraid.

2] Yes, it’s okay to be afraid of things, it comes with being human and being in an imperfect world. But, God does not want us to allow that fear to dominate and rule over our thoughts and decisions. Fear helps inform us to make wise decisions, but it was never meant to control us.

God’s will for our lives is not to be overwhelmed by fear and timidity but to OVERCOME IT with the “spirit of power, love, and a sound, secure, peaceful mind” that he gives to us (2 Tim. 1:7).

So what do we do when we are afraid?

Luke 8:22–24 (NLT)

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.

1. When we’re afraid, we need to recognize that we need Jesus

Scripture: “...But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

Story: Keep in mind that some of these disciples were professional fishermen! Okay, well, I could see Matthew - the accountant - screaming out “We’re going to DIE.” But when you have Peter, and James, and John yelling that they were going to drown!! That’s a problem!!!

When I was working for the Navy, I’d go out with professional fishermen and sailors and NO storm was too scary for them. When the sea was at its worst and I was throwing up and seasick, they were perfectly calm. But if I saw one of them screaming, we’re all going to die, I don’t know what I would do!!! I suppose I would just prep my heart to meet Jesus in heaven <3.

To be honest, I don’t even think that the disciples woke Jesus up from his nap because they believed he was going to calm the storm, I think they just woke him up to inform him that they were going to die!!! THE FEELINGS WE’RE REAL.

BUT, because Jesus was with them, he got up and “rebuked the wind and the raging waves.” And then, “Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm...” even their fears.

The Truth: Someday, you’re going to face situations that you are in over your head with. Maybe you’re in them right now. Maybe you’re fearing what people think about you, maybe you’re fearing what your future will look like, or if your parents will get a divorce or not, or maybe what will happen to your grandma or grandpa. These are REAL fears. And I don’t want to downplay them.

But Jesus is with you like He was with the disciples. In fact, if you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, he lives now in your heart. He’s bigger than all of your fears. Jesus wants to calm all of your fears. And, perhaps, He won’t calm every difficulty we face in our lives, but He will give us the strength, and peace, and security we need to go through them.

2. When we’re afraid, we should allow the fear that we feel to be the fuel that drives us closer to Jesus

Scripture: “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’”

Story: As I had already mentioned, perhaps the disciples were just waking Jesus up to inform him about their impending deaths. But, they went to him nonetheless and it turns out that Jesus had the power to deliver them from their doom. The disciples found out that it was better to go to Jesus when they were afraid than to not go to Jesus at all.

The Truth: If Jesus is with you like He was with the disciples, and if he is living in your heart, it means that he is accessible to you and willing to help you!

You know, as you grow older, you will begin to realize the sad truth that not everyone is willing to help you. Not everyone is interested in your success. Some people are willing to use you and abuse you. But, Jesus would never do that.

When you come to Jesus and you are afraid, he won’t laugh you away. He’s the GOOD DOCTOR, not looking to shame you for bringing your fears but to draw you near and save you from them.

Matthew 11:28–29 NLT

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Interestingly, out of all the scriptures that describe who Jesus is, this is the only statement that Jesus uses to describe his own heart and deepest intentions toward humanity. He wanted us to know for sure that at the core of who he is, he is humble - able to meet us right where we are, fears and all, - and gentle - able to deal with us not harshly, but with sensitivity and care and compassion.

Jesus wants to come to him when we are afraid. He wants us to exchange our fears for his peace.

One key way we can come to Jesus when we are afraid is by magnifying him in our worship and prayer

When we are afraid and face situations that are out of control, instead of going to people first and worrying and relying on our own ability to get out of situations, the BEST thing we could ever do is to turn our thoughts and attention to Jesus

When we face our most dreaded fears, when we turn to Jesus in worship and prayer, we begin to realize that our problem is small compared to his magnificent power

So, the next time you’re afraid, don’t be overcome by it, but allow Jesus to help you overcome it!

Prayer

Is there anything in your life that you are afraid of?

Maybe you’re afraid of a bully

Or, what your friends or teachers think of you

Or, of the dark

Or, of being alone

Whatever it is, the next time you’re afraid, remember that Jesus is with you and invite him to give you peace

Thank you, Jesus, that you are with me, and you will never leave me. And because you are with me, I do not have to be afraid. Amen