/// Ideas > Small Group Experiences Comments [ 0 ] Likes [ 9 ] Overcoming the Fear Factor Linda Crawford What are you afraid of? Just talking about our fears can be a fearful experience, so jump start your small-group discussion with this simple and fun challenge, adapted from Simply Relevant: Finding Balance. And turn your fear factors into faith factors! Step one: Take your shoes off and stand three feet in front of a wall and focus on a visual target. Step two: Place one foot in front of the other, toe to heel. Step three: Cross your arms across your chest with your hands touching the opposite shoulder. Step four: Focus on a visual target and try to keep your balance for 60 seconds. Scoring: Time is stopped if the person moves their feet or changes their arm position. After everyone has had a chance to complete this test, tell them they'll now do a "re-test," only with a twist -- this time they must do this task with their eyes closed! Have everyone repeat the test exactly as before, only this time with their eyes closed. Also, for this round, time is stopped if people move their feet, change their arm position, or even open their eyes. After everyone has completed the test, discuss: How did having your eyes closed affect you? Read Matthew 14:22-31 together. Then discuss these questions: How was doing the balance test with your eyes closed similar to what Peter might have experienced in the storm? Different? Discuss how what you see happening around you can negatively influence you. What's one thing in your life right now that you're fearful about? Read Hebrews 11:1 together. Then discuss: How is (or isn't) living in confident faith like learning to balance with your eyes closed? End your time together by trying the balance challenge again, this time praying for the faith each of you need to have confidence in what you cannot see! Linda Crawford is the author of Group's Simply Relevant Bible studies Finding Balance and A Taste of Freedom. She also works as an occupational therapist at her local hospital, and is pursuing her personal trainer certification with a vision for developing future faith and fitness small-group activities. share this article 1 of 1 /// Related Articles What's Your Compass?Use this idea to help your group members understand their need for God's guidance. For this activity, you'll need a compass. Place it where everyone can see it (but not read it), then say: I’d like everyone to stand. Put at least an arm length of... Likes [0]Comments [0] Close Encounters: Dealing With Personal-Space IssuesAre personal-space issues preventing your group members from growing closer? Not everyone is comfortable with a closer-than-arm's-length (or even room's -length) relationship with others. Take five minutes to do this "close encounters" activity to... Likes [7]Comments [0] That Was You, God... Right?So, God's given you a vision he wants to see accomplished. Or has he? Where is God in all this? What's just you? And very likely, what's both ? It's time for a reality check, and this session from Growing Out, Season 6: Growing in Your... Likes [16]Comments [0]
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