2.
Standing Tall overcomes the fear of financial
insecurity. What do you do when you don’t
know where your next meal is coming from…or how you’re going to cover the rent…or make even the minimum credit card payment.
Most of us admit we haven’t mastered Paul’s
secret of living “with plenty or little.” To
not be consumed by this terror of financial insecurity
requires a special relationship with the Lord.
Adventure Sunday 2 will help your people STAND
TALL against this fear. Suggested text: Philippians
4:11-13, 18-19
3.
Standing Tall overcomes the fear of rejection
and betrayal. The company asked for loyalty and
you gave them your best years…only to be
laid off. As soon as the kids were raised he/she
left you for someone else. Experiences like this
can leave you resentful and bitter. The pain yells
out saying, “Keep others at arm’s length
and play it safe.” Adventure Sunday 3 will
help your people STAND TALL against the all-too-common
fear of Rejection and Betrayal. Suggested text:
Acts 9:19b-30
4.
Standing Tall overcomes the fear of skeletons
in the closet. Children who do something bad are
frightened about being punished. Adults get away
with more but still fear exposure. Would it be
scary if God chose to reveal your secret sin? Most
Christians will testify that the Lord is more gracious
than they deserve. It’s this gentle and forgiving
side of God that’s explored on Adventure
Sunday 4 about how to STAND TALL against the fear
of Skeletons in the Closet. Suggested text: Psalm
32
5.
Standing Tall overcomes the fear of failure
and disgrace. On a stormy night at sea Christ’s
disciples saw what appeared to be a ghost walking
the waves in their direction. “Don’t
be afraid,” Jesus called to them. “If
it’s really you,” Peter hollered back, “tell
me to come to you walking on the water.” If
the sea held him up Peter would be a hero. But
failure seemed the more likely outcome. Adventure
Sunday 5 challenges your people to STAND TALL against
the fear of Failure and Disgrace. Suggested text:
Matthew 14:22-33
6.
Standing Tall overcomes the fear of
disease and death. Heart attacks…AIDS…cancer…Alzheimer’s. Diseases
like these scare us. We question whether we
have what it takes to
cope with such potential killers. And death—that’s
the ultimate enemy. Best pretend you’re not
in if he comes to call. There are valid reasons
to dread disease and death—Adventure Sunday 6’s
theme. There are also powerful truths that enable
us to STAND TALL in the face of such fears. Suggested
text: Psalm 23
7.
Standing Tall overcomes the fear of
the paralyzing "what-ifs". Worry and fear are
closely related. Sometimes
it’s hard to tell where one stops and the
other begins. The way words are used today, fear
is seen as the stronger of the two. Worry usually
focuses on the future! What if my child leaves
the faith, or what if I have an incurable disease?
STAND TALL against Paralyzing What-ifs is the thrust
of Adventure Sunday 7. Jesus said, “Don’t
worry about tomorrow. Today’s trouble is
enough for today.” Suggested text: Matthew
6:25-34
1.
Standing Tall overcomes the fear of terrorism and
war. Terrorism—for most Americans it was 9/11/01
that gave real meaning to that term. War is another
word that is being redefined by our nation’s
experience in Iraq. Through the centuries God’s
people have learned to confront unknowns by placing
confidence in the known. The future is seldom certain,
but God’s Word stands forever, and certainly
helps us to STAND TALL even in the most difficult
of circumstances. Suggested text: Joshua 1:1-9
