Proverbs 28:1 & 2
“The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion. By the transgression of a land many are its princes, but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.”
Q: Why does boldness accompany a sincere commitment to honor Christ?
Everyone in the world is not honoring Christ. Boldness is standing up for Christ, which others often look down upon.
Psalm 34:4
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
Q: In what ways does placing your trust in the Lord take away your fears and give you boldness?
When you trust in the Lord, you have no reason to worry; your fears are diminished and prayer life is strengthened.
Picture
Luke 23:3 – “So Pilate asked Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ And He answered him and said, ‘It is as you say.’”
Q: Jesus knew that his confession to Pilot meant the accusation of blasphemy and sure death by crucifixion, but He did not falter or deny. Describe how this act of courage motivates you in your life today when you feel the boldness of Christ.
In school, sports and my life in general, I can stand up for being a Christian because the negative, worldly consequences are nothing compared to the joy from an authentic relationship with Jesus.
Luke 23:33 & 34 – “When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.”
Q: Describe Jesus’s mental steadfastness as He boldly endured the pain He suffered and spoke towards those who crucified him.
His concentration was on salvation, not on the excruciating pain. Further, He focused on communicating with God the Father to remain steadfast and knew that the reward was greater than the torture he was enduring.
Paul
Romans 1:16-17 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith.’”
Q: When is it the most difficult for you to exhibit boldness in your faith?
When I’m afraid that others will look down on me (with friends, family, etc) and when I want to fit in.
Philippians 1:19-21 – “…for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Q: How does eternal security overcome fear and develop boldness in your life?
We know that we cannot lose. Through pain or persecution, we always have Christ as our friend and our guide.
Peter
1 Peter 1:14-15 – “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.”
Q: What is this scripture asking of you today?
Stop returning to sin! Now that you know Jesus is better, why should you return to your old ways? What are some of those sins you are still going back to?
APPLICATION: How do these passages relate to me today? What changes do they bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM: Is there anything this week that you have been enslaved to, and how we can help you?
