Questions? Session #4- Why are you afraid?

 

Questions?-Session #4  Why are you afraid?

Supplies:  Alcohol ink paper, [Yupo brand or other], black alcohol ink and one other color of alcohol ink, straw, eye dropper, and 91%-99% alcohol in a small container.

Welcome to The Maker’s Space.  This is time you have carved out for yourself, to slow down from all of the chaos around you, and to use art, to try something new and listen to what God might be saying to you.

This is the 4th question in our series of Questions? where we are looking at 5 questions that God asks in the Bible to start a dialogue with you.  Our 4th question is “Why are you afraid?”   Whether you are looking for the “what’s next” in your life, or just want to move from languishing to flourishing, this dialogue with God will help you start moving again.

The #1 Session centered on the question “Where are you?” and can be found on www.themakersspace.us

The #2 Session centered on the question “Who told you that?” and can be found on www.themakersspace.us

This #3 Session centered on the question “What are you seeking?” and can be found on

www.themakersspace.us

Since our question for this session is “Why are you afraid?” our art medium may be something you have never done before.  That is actually really good for your brain, to try something new.  It focuses the brain on what you are doing and helps you lose track of time.  That is the space of simply "being" when the Holy Spirit can bring about transformation in our spiritual self or soul.

Let's watch this 7 minute video of the alcohol ink medium that we will be doing.  We also will be using 4 drops of black alcohol ink, a straw, and eye dropper and 91%-99% alcohol.  You do not need a hair dryer, and can let it air dry for a small amount of time.

 

This world is a scary place.  There are so many reasons why we are afraid on a daily basis.  In the brain with our emotions, fear and faith, or [trust] are found in the same area.  However, they cannot coexist.  It is either one or the other.  You have to choose, or your default mechanism will choose for you.  Think of a time you were really filled with fear, then, someone you trusted, came and turned the whole situation around.  Write or tell about it.

Let’s read our passage in Scripture about a terrifying time for the friends following Jesus.

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!””

Matthew 8:23-27 NIV 

Try and put yourself in this situation, where you were in a violent storm that you had no control over, and you felt like you were going to die.  They had no idea of Jesus’ control over nature, for if they had, they would have taken a nap as well.  First, Jesus has them notice that their fear has taken over the minds instead of faith, and then He gets up, and calms the waves.

If we really chose to believe that Jesus has power and control over all frightening situations, would that help us choose faith over fear?  Trust is a process and a choice and one that has to be made on a daily basis.  The more time you spend just sitting in silence, in God's presence, the easier it gets to trust Him.

The following are some of the 350 scriptures found in the Bible that tell us not to be afraid, because of who God is.  He is for you, not against you and has promised to be there for you.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

Joshua 1:9 NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:10, 13 NIV

“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1 NIV

“Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.””

Isaiah 44:8 NIV

““Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.”

Isaiah 54:4-5 NIV

““Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”

Luke 12:32-33 NIV

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27 NIV

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.—ROMANS 8:38–39

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.—1 JOHN 4:18

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalms 23:4 NIV

  

Close your eyes, and start breathing slowly and deeply.  Relax your body starting from the tip of your head and work your way all the way to your toes.  Keep breathing, slowly….and ask yourself, “Why am I afraid?”  “If I really trusted someone, could I replace that fear with trust?”

DO NOT DREAD walking through the valley of the shadow of death. My radiant Presence shines brightly in that deep, sunless valley—strengthening, encouraging, and comforting you. Since I never sleep, I am able to watch over you constantly. Moreover, no valley is so deep, no pit so dark, that I cannot see all the way to the bottom of it.

Even if you wander from Me at times and fall into a slimy pit, you can count on Me to rescue you. When you cry out to Me, I lift you out of the mud and mire and set your feet on a rock—giving you a firm place to stand. Find comfort in My commitment to help you, even when you slip up.

Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am with you. I’ve promised I will never leave you; I Myself go before you. While you are walking through the valley of adversity, keep these words of comfort flowing through your mind: I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.—PSALM 23:4 AMP

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you be defeated. He who guards you never sleeps.—PSALM 121:2–3 NCV

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.—PSALM 40:1–2

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.—DEUTERONOMY 31:8

Let’s get started!

Steps:

Take your alcohol ink paper

plastic cup of black alcohol ink

eye dropper

place 4 drops in center of paper

small container of 99% alcohol with an eye dropper

1. Place 4 drops of black ink somewhere on the paper.

2. Let air dry for a bit of time.

3. Place one drop of 91%-99% alcohol on the edge of the ink spot, and slowly blow out the ink with your straw, slowly.  Continue all around the ink spot, turning your paper.  Continue in multiple layers, playing some soft music and relaxing and enjoying the slow art process.

4.  When you are satisfied by your design, you can add another color to experiment with or just leave as is.  Any parts that you do not like, you can drop some alcohol on it and blow it off.  You might even gently wipe it off with a paper towel and alcohol if you have any errant spots.

5.  Consider doing this with your family or friends, going through the whole text, and continuing on with the following discussion questions.  Remember, this is to create dialogue with each other, and listening to each other is an acquired skill.  Have fun!!  Some of our groups art is found at the end of this post!

  

Questions for further discussion:

The huge modern heresy is to alter the human soul to fit modern social conditions, instead of altering modern social conditions to fit the human soul.—G.K. Chesterton

1. What do you think about the above quote?
2. Do you think modern technology has made us more afraid?
3. How has modern technology helped or hurt our fear of what others think about us?

The 5 Lies Modern Technology teaches us

1.]  I am the center of my own universe

2.]  I deserve to be happy all the time

3.]  I must have choices

4.]  I am my own authority

5.]  Information is all I need, not teachers

4.  What do you think about the above lies?  Which of the 5 lies have you experienced or witnessed?

5.  Do you have a device free zone in your life?  If so, what is it and why did you implement it?

6.  Social media fosters a false sense of intimacy and connection with others.  Have you seen an example of that statement?

7.  Online life sells us the false impression that we can separate who we are into public and private realms.  Why is that good or bad?

[Excerpts taken from the book, A Practical Guide to Culture, Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World by Kunkle and Stonestreet and The Quest by Beth Moore.

Here is some of the art from one of our sessions.  I would love to see yours as well.  You can send it anytime to 2013themakersspace@gmail.com