Rules for Happy Living - Lesson 13
Teacher
Lesson Summary
The class began by reviewing previous lessons on personal disappointment and the New Testament concept of true happiness (makarios). Larry Johnson reminded the group of the three kingly pursuits Solomon identified for a satisfied life: caring for one’s health, nurturing relationships, and engaging in purposeful work. He then moved into Lesson 11, “Eliminate Fear from Our Lives,” contrasting healthy reverence for God with unhealthy fear that separates us from Him. Using Genesis 3, he illustrated how Adam’s shameful fear led to alienation, while Deuteronomy 31 encouraged the Israelites to be courageous, trusting God’s presence. The teacher highlighted Ecclesiastes 12:13 as Scripture that defines the proper fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom. The discussion turned to a vivid New Testament example of fear versus trust: the storm‑calming miracle recounted in Matthew 8, Mark 4, and Luke 8, where the disciples’ cowardice turned into reverent awe after witnessing Jesus’ power. Larry connected this to modern analogies of roller coasters and sky‑diving, emphasizing that trust in God converts danger into joy, as James 1 urges believers to count trials as joy. He warned that fear driven by love of worldly approval leads to spiritual death, citing Revelation’s warning about the cowardly in the lake of fire. The class concluded with a call to replace unhealthy fear with holy awe and confident faith.
Key Scriptures
Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.
And they heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, 'Where are you?' And he said, 'I heard the sound of you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked and I hid myself.'
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.