Perhaps you, or someone you know, has fears about teaching the Word. It could be fear of …
- inadequacy — afraid you aren’t spiritual enough or eloquent enough in how you speak.
- the unknown — afraid you won’t know how to respond to questions, handle discipline issues, etc.
- what other people might think — afraid maybe they won’t view you as a good teacher or respect you.
We could go on listing fears. Realize, however, that you aren’t alone. Even Moses, whom God used to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, began with fears. Read Exodus 3:1-4:17. Also, check out the Called to Teach But Still Afraid Devotional which looks at how God addressed Moses’ fears and the difference these lessons could make for you. (Please note: The following acrostic is not in that resource.)
An Acrostic for Dealing with Fear
When feeling afraid, remember this acrostic.
Face
Eliminate
Ask
Rely
F – Face your fears.
Begin by identifying the cause of fear. Is it a lack of ability, lack of Bible knowledge, lack of confidence to stand in front of people?
E – Eliminate the problem.
Once you know what’s causing the fear, you can work to remove or lessen the cause to the extent it can be eliminated. For example:
- If it is a lack of ability, then get training in the areas needed.
- If it is a lack of Bible knowledge, then spend more time studying the Word.
- If it is a lack of confidence, then practice teaching in a safe environment.
A – Ask God for help.
As you work to eliminate or lessen the causes of fear, remember to look to God for help. If the cause of fear is something that can’t be removed, ask God to help you rise above it. For example, you may be shy by personality. It’s who you are. Ask God to help you step outside of yourself as needed.
R – Rely on God’s power to to be your ability, His wisdom to be your understanding, His presence to be your confidence.
Overcoming fear shouldn’t be seen as a self-help plan. The Lord will be with you and help you as you trust in Him.